Chamber
Plenary, 19 Mar 2003
19 Mar 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
International Situation (Contingency Planning)
On behalf of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party I concur with the First Minister's sentiments and say that our thoughts and prayers are with our servicemen and servicewomen, for a swift resolution to the conflict and a safe return to their families back home. I do not think that anybody wants war, but there are times when armed conflict is necessary to deal with dangerous and tyrannical regimes, such as Saddam Hussein's—this is such a time.
I was pleased to note the substantial backing for the Government's motion in the House of Commons, as was reflected in the votes cast by Scottish MPs at Westminster. However, irrespective of who voted for what in either of Scotland's Parliaments, does the First Minister agree that the time for wrangling and voting in divisions is behind us and that our armed forces deserve the unanimous support of us all?
Having expressed that sentiment, I will ask the First Minister a couple of specific questions. First, will he join me in welcoming the fact that Thursday's strike by the Fire Brigades Union has been called off? Does he recognise that, despite that, 19,000 troops throughout Britain are still on standby, tied up to cover any future industrial action, which has not as yet been ruled out? Does he agree that it would be most helpful if the Fire Brigades Union were to give an undertaking that there will be no more strikes as long as there is a substantial British military involvement in Iraq, thereby enabling the troops who are on standby to be released from their firefighting duties?
I was pleased to note the substantial backing for the Government's motion in the House of Commons, as was reflected in the votes cast by Scottish MPs at Westminster. However, irrespective of who voted for what in either of Scotland's Parliaments, does the First Minister agree that the time for wrangling and voting in divisions is behind us and that our armed forces deserve the unanimous support of us all?
Having expressed that sentiment, I will ask the First Minister a couple of specific questions. First, will he join me in welcoming the fact that Thursday's strike by the Fire Brigades Union has been called off? Does he recognise that, despite that, 19,000 troops throughout Britain are still on standby, tied up to cover any future industrial action, which has not as yet been ruled out? Does he agree that it would be most helpful if the Fire Brigades Union were to give an undertaking that there will be no more strikes as long as there is a substantial British military involvement in Iraq, thereby enabling the troops who are on standby to be released from their firefighting duties?
In the same item of business
Mr Lloyd Quinan (West of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer, I seek your guidance. Several constituents have reported to me that they are being prevented from entering the Parlia...
The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel):
NPA
No one has been prevented from entering the gallery. The police are responsible for controlling, on public safety grounds, any crowd in Mylne's Court. Howeve...
Mr Quinan:
SNP
Further to that point, Presiding Officer, within the past 10 minutes four people have attempted to get tickets for the gallery—which, as you can see, has a c...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
As you will remember, Mr Quinan, following previous demonstrations in the public gallery, I promised a review of security. I can tell you that if anyone has ...
Mr Quinan:
SNP
I suggest that we do not proceed with the business until the matter has been settled, so that the meeting is a genuine public meeting of the Parliament of Sc...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
It is. Interruption. Order. I remind those in the public gallery that they signed a piece of paper agreeing not to interrupt proceedings. Interruption includ...
Tommy Sheridan (Glasgow) (SSP):
SSP
I am sorry, Presiding Officer, but I ask you to review your last comment. People sitting at the back of the gallery happen to have on tee-shirts that say "Do...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
If they are standing up—
Tommy Sheridan:
SSP
I think that you should review your comments.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I will not review them. If they stand up and expose the tee-shirts for publicity purposes, that is not allowed.
Tommy Sheridan:
SSP
As far as I know, you banned publicity.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Yes.
Tommy Sheridan:
SSP
So there is no problem.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
That ban is lifted.
Tommy Sheridan:
SSP
So there is no problem.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
No. The ban is lifted. Let us stop the argument and get on with the First Minister's statement on contingency planning for the current international situation.
Mr Quinan:
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. If people who want to hear the First Minister's important statement are still queueing to get into the public gallery...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Mr Quinan, it is always the case that people come into the gallery during our proceedings. There is nothing new in that today.
Mr Quinan:
SNP
Not when they have been told that they are not allowed in but then that that decision is reversed.
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
I have assured you that everybody is being allowed in. I investigated that just before I came into the chair. I call the First Minister to give his statement...
The First Minister (Mr Jack McConnell):
Lab
Now that the armed forces of the United Kingdom stand ready to take military action to disarm Saddam Hussein in Iraq, it is right that we in this Parliament ...
Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP):
SNP
I thank the First Minister for his statement and for giving me advance sight of its contents. I also thank the justice department officials for their briefin...
The First Minister:
Lab
On Mr Swinney's final point, I made it clear last week in response to a number of questions from him that there was a variety of views on the legal effect of...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
First Minister, I am sorry to interrupt you. Mr Quinan, would you put down that notice, please?
The First Minister:
Lab
The point that I was making was that I certainly do not want to be in a situation where the British Government questions the legal advice that I receive as F...
David McLetchie (Lothians) (Con):
Con
On behalf of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party I concur with the First Minister's sentiments and say that our thoughts and prayers are with our se...
The First Minister:
Lab
On Mr McLetchie's second point, I sincerely hope that, at some point in the near future, the Fire Brigades Union will accept the generous offer that has been...
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
The First Minister's remarks about support for Muslims, Jews and other ethnic minorities were encouraging. Will he indicate any of the practical steps that i...
The First Minister:
Lab
After the horrific events of 11 September and the genuine concern that was expressed by minority communities in Scotland at the time, we allocated resources—...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
A large number of members want to ask questions and I think that, on such an issue, it is important to try to include everyone. Therefore, I appeal for brevity.