Chamber
Plenary, 21 Mar 2002
21 Mar 2002 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Scottish Parliament Salaries and Allowances
I speak in support of Shona Robison's amendment. I am aware of the hard work and long hours that every member contributes and I am aware that elsewhere, whether in another political forum or even in the private sector, far higher remuneration would be available and remitted. However, we are in the new Scottish Parliament, not anywhere else.
It is also clear that the reason why we all sought election was for public service, not for private profit, irrespective of what some sections of the press may think or other individuals may imply. We are here to serve Scotland and to listen to Scotland.
Public service in our country is currently a matter of political controversy. That is a debate for another day, but it is clear that we should not distance ourselves from the public sector and those who work in it—people such as nurses, for example, who we argue are undervalued and underpaid. We should not reward ourselves in a manner and at a rate that we are unwilling or unable to provide to others in Scotland.
The time will come, as it should in an oil-rich country such as Scotland, when we can legitimately and properly reward those in the public sector—a time when we can pay proper salaries and not provide platitudes. That time must come soon; it is long overdue. However, the time is not now. Our comparators are not in the private sector but in the public sector. We correctly pillory abuse of shareholder moneys by private sector bosses and we rightly condemn low pay in the public sector.
We can and should address our salaries, but as part of re-establishing the merit and worth of the public sector. We must defer to the sensitivities of others, particularly our colleagues in the public sector. We should use Shona Robison's amendment to re-establish the role and the importance of public services. We will do so not by making ourselves an exception to the rule, but by changing the rule for everyone.
It is also clear that the reason why we all sought election was for public service, not for private profit, irrespective of what some sections of the press may think or other individuals may imply. We are here to serve Scotland and to listen to Scotland.
Public service in our country is currently a matter of political controversy. That is a debate for another day, but it is clear that we should not distance ourselves from the public sector and those who work in it—people such as nurses, for example, who we argue are undervalued and underpaid. We should not reward ourselves in a manner and at a rate that we are unwilling or unable to provide to others in Scotland.
The time will come, as it should in an oil-rich country such as Scotland, when we can legitimately and properly reward those in the public sector—a time when we can pay proper salaries and not provide platitudes. That time must come soon; it is long overdue. However, the time is not now. Our comparators are not in the private sector but in the public sector. We correctly pillory abuse of shareholder moneys by private sector bosses and we rightly condemn low pay in the public sector.
We can and should address our salaries, but as part of re-establishing the merit and worth of the public sector. We must defer to the sensitivities of others, particularly our colleagues in the public sector. We should use Shona Robison's amendment to re-establish the role and the importance of public services. We will do so not by making ourselves an exception to the rule, but by changing the rule for everyone.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr Murray Tosh):
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S1M-2919, in the name of John Young, on the Scottish Parliament salaries scheme and the Scottish parliamentar...
John Young (West of Scotland) (Con):
Con
At the outset, I make it clear that I speak on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, not on behalf of the Conservative group or any other poli...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
You should simply move the motion, Mr Young.
John Young:
Con
I will now move the motion. I move that the Parliament, in exercise—
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
It is not necessary to read the motion out, as it appears in the business bulletin. You should simply move the motion.
John Young:
Con
I was advised that it might have to be read out, but I shall simply move the motion and trust that everyone knows what it says. I move,That the Parliament—(a...
Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I should make it clear that I am speaking in a personal capacity this afternoon. I begin by paying tribute to the business managers of the Parliament, who ha...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab):
Lab
Will Shona Robison accept an intervention?
Shona Robison:
SNP
No, I will not. My reasons for lodging the amendment are simple. First, I do not believe that we should be voting at all on our own salaries. That is a hideo...
Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP):
SSP
I am sure that I was not the only member who received a Christmas card from the Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust branch of Unison. That Christmas card h...
Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I am surprised to find myself speaking at this stage of the debate, but I will briefly take the opportunity to say something, as I was one of the business ma...
Mr Mike Rumbles (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (LD):
LD
Will the member give way?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
Not at this stage.
Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
No. Not at this stage.I am suggesting that it is appropriate to move on those lines because I believe that it is the responsibility of Parliament to deal wit...
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
We all find the subject very difficult and in no way do I criticise any member who comes to a different conclusion from mine. After a lot of swithering, I ha...
Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I speak in support of Shona Robison's amendment. I am aware of the hard work and long hours that every member contributes and I am aware that elsewhere, whet...
Ms Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I will vote for the SSRB's recommendation, but not because I particularly think that I am worth that amount of money. That is not what I am being asked to vo...
The Minister for Parliamentary Business (Patricia Ferguson):
Lab
I am sure that, for Ms MacDonald, the public of Scotland would make an exception on the beheading. I do not intend to make a long speech, but a couple of poi...
Dorothy-Grace Elder:
SNP
I am rather puzzled about why we are repeatedly hearing the mantra that things will be much better next time because the issue will not be publicly debated i...
Patricia Ferguson:
Lab
If Dorothy-Grace Elder's premise were correct, I would probably agree with her, but it is not correct. The motion will mean that in future the SPCB will have...
George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD):
LD
I will not support the motion for two reasons. First, there is a desperate need for the Parliament to rebuild confidence among the general public. Any member...
John Young:
Con
I shall be brief. As I said in my opening remarks, the role of the corporate body has been to facilitate the debate. A number of interesting comments have be...