Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel): NPA

The first item of business is a statement by Angus MacKay on the local government settlement.

Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP

On a point of order. This morning I contacted my colleague Kenny Gibson, asking to see a copy of the minister's statement, which he had in his possession at ...

The Presiding Officer: NPA

The answer is no, I cannot do anything about that because it is not a point of order for me. I am informed that, as a matter of courtesy, the Executive gives...

The Minister for Finance and Local Government (Angus MacKay): Lab

With Fergus Ewing's consent, I will steer clear of freedom of information this morning and stick to the local government settlement. Since devolution, the La...

The Presiding Officer: NPA

That was inevitably a long and detailed statement, so I will allow questions to run on until about 10.15.

Mr Kenneth Gibson (Glasgow) (SNP): SNP

I thank the minister for providing me with a copy of his statement an hour ago. I have guarded it with my life.I came here this morning hoping to hear from S...

Angus MacKay: Lab

That was a satisfyingly muted series of questions from Kenny Gibson, which tells me that the announcements that we made today are a substantial change on pre...

Mr Gibson: SNP

You were.

Angus MacKay: Lab

No. I have never been a Unison-sponsored MSP. Kenny Gibson has a spade; he should keep digging.Kenny Gibson raised several important points about the settlem...

The Presiding Officer: NPA

I now call Keith Harding. It would be helpful if you pressed the button.

Mr Keith Harding (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Con

It is pressed.

The Presiding Officer: NPA

It is normal to press the button if you want to be called, but I knew that you wished to speak.

Mr Harding: Con

I had pressed the button.

The Presiding Officer: NPA

No, you had not. On you go now.

Mr Harding: Con

Thank you, Presiding Officer.I thank Mr MacKay for giving me the statement an hour ago. I spent the hour reading it, not writing a speech.Everyone agrees tha...

Angus MacKay: Lab

I am left almost speechless by Keith Harding's contribution. It is so far removed from reality that it would have given me some concern if I had not heard so...

Mr David Davidson (North-East Scotland) (Con) rose— Con

Angus MacKay: Lab

I am not sure that I am allowed to take an intervention.

The Presiding Officer: NPA

No.

Angus MacKay: Lab

We have adopted a formula that has a good distribution for every council in Scotland. For members to be crying "Bah, humbug", especially at this time of the ...

Mr Harding: Con

May I ask another question?

The Presiding Officer: NPA

All right, I will let you in again. Your question was very short. Members: "Oh, come on." His question was very short.

Mr Harding: Con

Is the minister saying that, as a result of the budget settlement, there will be no cuts in essential services in councils throughout Scotland?

Angus MacKay: Lab

I get a bit concerned when former councillors come at the debate in those terms.

Mr Harding: Con

I am still a councillor.

Angus MacKay: Lab

Oh, dear—that is even more astonishing. I get a bit concerned when councillors ask questions about what the settlement will mean for specific local governmen...

Iain Smith (North-East Fife) (LD): LD

As someone who was a councillor in Fife for 17 years before being elected to the Scottish Parliament—

Mr Gibson: SNP

Is the member that old?

Iain Smith: LD

I am.

Mr Gibson: SNP

And I thought that he was a sweet young thing.