Chamber
Plenary, 20 Dec 2000
20 Dec 2000 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Home and Community Safety
Indeed, we must ensure that we have joined-up, commonsense thinking. I am worried that the cut in the number of home helps might mean that that opportunity is limited. Richard Simpson's proposal for home helps is an example of the sort of creative thinking that we should be encouraging, but people should be recompensed for the duties that they are expected to carry out.
Margaret Jamieson talked about house fires and the fabric of buildings. She also referred to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, which was published yesterday. I am not sure that the scope of that bill would allow what she is proposing, although I would like to see her suggestion taken up if possible. The home improvement task force, which was recently set up, could consider provisions for smoke detectors and other basic issues. We might want to have a home safety bill, and the Executive may publish a home improvement bill. We have discussed energy audits in this chamber, so why do we not have safety audits? This is about developing a culture of safety in the home.
A number of members have made positive suggestions. I will be interested to hear the minister's response, because there is a will to make something happen. That something may be small but, as Margaret Jamieson mentioned, it could make a big difference to people's lives. We do not want to hear about tragedies at Christmas. Many people have burned their arms bringing the Christmas turkey out of the oven—the vegetarians among us might not have that problem—but some of the issues are far more serious. We do not want to read about house fires and deaths. If the Parliament can do something constructive, we would be proud of it. I look forward to hearing the minister's response.
Margaret Jamieson talked about house fires and the fabric of buildings. She also referred to the Housing (Scotland) Bill, which was published yesterday. I am not sure that the scope of that bill would allow what she is proposing, although I would like to see her suggestion taken up if possible. The home improvement task force, which was recently set up, could consider provisions for smoke detectors and other basic issues. We might want to have a home safety bill, and the Executive may publish a home improvement bill. We have discussed energy audits in this chamber, so why do we not have safety audits? This is about developing a culture of safety in the home.
A number of members have made positive suggestions. I will be interested to hear the minister's response, because there is a will to make something happen. That something may be small but, as Margaret Jamieson mentioned, it could make a big difference to people's lives. We do not want to hear about tragedies at Christmas. Many people have burned their arms bringing the Christmas turkey out of the oven—the vegetarians among us might not have that problem—but some of the issues are far more serious. We do not want to read about house fires and deaths. If the Parliament can do something constructive, we would be proud of it. I look forward to hearing the minister's response.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
The members' business debate is on motion S1M-1389, in the name of Cathy Jamieson, on home and community safety.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament congratulates East Ayrshire Council for working towards achieving a community safety strategy that encompasses safety at home, on the roa...
Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab):
Lab
I am glad to have the opportunity to speak in this debate, which is the last debate of the year, on the important issue of home and community safety.First, I...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Patricia Ferguson):
Lab
As a large number of members want to speak in the debate, I ask members to keep their speeches to four minutes.
Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Cathy Jamieson on raising the issue of home safety, which tends to fall off the agenda and is never debated properly. Members' business debate...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I will be brief—for no other reason than that Alex Neil has used up half the time for my speech.I welcome this debate about safety at home, on the roads and ...
Mr John Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD):
LD
I congratulate Cathy Jamieson on securing this debate, in which I am pleased to take part. I support everything that has been said about accidents in the hom...
Margaret Jamieson (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (Lab):
Lab
I congratulate my colleague Cathy Jamieson on securing the debate and join her in congratulating East Ayrshire Council on its efforts. This is the last debat...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
I will be brief. Two groups have been identified as most at risk: the elderly and the poor, particularly families on benefit. One minor way forward might be ...
Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
Home is where the heart is, but it is also where the danger is. Members may recall that in April I lodged a motion calling for a home safety bill and statuto...
Dr Richard Simpson (Ochil) (Lab):
Lab
Does Fiona Hyslop agree that the people who have most access to the groups that we have been talking about are health visitors, who work with young families,...
Fiona Hyslop:
SNP
Indeed, we must ensure that we have joined-up, commonsense thinking. I am worried that the cut in the number of home helps might mean that that opportunity i...
Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
What I wish to say has a narrow focus, but I thank Cathy Jamieson for giving me the opportunity to say it. A few weeks ago, I went to a seminar on home safet...
Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
I will start by explaining why I did not sign Cathy Jamieson's motion, despite the fact that it congratulates East Ayrshire Council. I have no problem with t...
The Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care (Malcolm Chisholm):
Lab
Once again, we have had a most useful debate. Members' business debates have made a massive contribution to the new politics in Scotland. The debate highligh...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
You have a minute and a half.
Malcolm Chisholm:
Lab
Is that all? I will have to hurry, as I know that Cathy Jamieson will want me to respond to the point that she made on the statutory duty. Many bodies are in...
Meeting closed at 17:00.