Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Sir David Steel): NPA

Our final item of business this morning is the members' business debate on motion S1M-4020, in the name of Elaine Thomson, on the Great Northern Partnership ...

Motion debated,

That the Parliament commends the work done by the Great Northern Partnership (GNP) in Aberdeen; notes that the GNP plays an important role in improving quali...

Elaine Thomson (Aberdeen North) (Lab): Lab

I am pleased to introduce the debate today, which is almost our last debate.The Great Northern Partnership is one of 48 social inclusion partnerships that we...

Brian Adam (North-East Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I lodged an amendment to the motion and I am delighted that, in her speech, Elaine Thomson referred to the role of the community representatives within the G...

The Presiding Officer: NPA

Please move to a close.

Brian Adam: SNP

I am just about to do so, Presiding Officer.Rather than duplicate the administrative functions of other public and voluntary sector agencies, we could better...

Mr Tom McCabe (Hamilton South) (Lab): Lab

I welcome the motion and I congratulate Elaine Thomson on securing a debate on SIPs as the first session of our Scottish Parliament draws to a close. It is d...

Richard Lochhead (North-East Scotland) (SNP): SNP

What a joy it is to follow Tom McCabe's positive contribution. However, it is a pleasure to speak in today's debate. The first members' business debate in th...

Mr McCabe: Lab

The member seems to be making an argument for refining social inclusion partnership funding, yet the SNP's policy is to abolish such partnerships. Which is t...

Richard Lochhead: SNP

Brian Adam has outlined the SNP's position. My point is that organisations such as the GNP cannot even get access to the funding that is currently available ...

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): Lab

I am happy to congratulate Elaine Thomson on securing the debate. I think that I replied to the first members' business debate in the Parliament so it is pro...

Brian Adam: SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Sarah Boyack: Lab

I will when I get into my discussion.Many communities in my constituency in Edinburgh, which is one of the most prosperous cities in the United Kingdom, expe...

Brian Adam: SNP

We probably agree on the analysis of the source of the problem but we disagree about the solution. Will Sarah Boyack comment on the proportion of the funding...

Sarah Boyack: Lab

I think Brian Adam misunderstands the purpose of SIPs and the way in which they operate. I have yet to be lobbied on that issue, although voluntary organisat...

The Deputy Minister for Social Justice (Des McNulty): Lab

One of the number of points that Brian Adam got wrong in his speech was his claim that this is the last debate. I understand that there will be a further deb...

The Presiding Officer: NPA

Modesty prevents me from commenting on that.

Des McNulty: Lab

I begin by pointing out that this is the final members' business debate. I know that the Presiding Officer and Tom McCabe were very much involved in setting ...

Brian Adam: SNP

I readily acknowledge that that is the intention. In as much as success has been achieved, the SIP programme has been a success. However, will the minister d...

Des McNulty: Lab

I will deal later with that issue, which is important in considering the transition that lies ahead as SIPs move towards community planning.It is important t...

Brian Adam: SNP

Will the minister give way?

Des McNulty: Lab

I will finish my point.

The Presiding Officer: NPA

Technically, the minister is in his last minute.

Des McNulty: Lab

We are progressing links so that the experience and skills that have been gained through the way in which the SIP has worked can be shared. We want to develo...

The Presiding Officer: NPA

I close the last members' business debate of this Parliament.

Meeting suspended until 14:30.

On resuming—