Chamber
Plenary, 24 Jan 2007
24 Jan 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Scottish Parliament (Disqualification) Order 2007 (Draft)
This has certainly been an interesting debate. Usually, my good colleague and friend, Mr Morgan, is a calm, collected and level-headed gentleman in debates. We must have hit a raw nerve, judging from his speech.
First, I turn to some of the technical points in the order. The purpose of the order is to update the Scottish Parliament (Disqualification) Order 2003 (SI 2003/409) by applying the same disqualification criteria to new offices that have been vested since 2003, and to remove offices that have been abolished. We have also taken the opportunity of updating the Scottish order with respect to relevant office-holders in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is worth noting at this point that the number of quangos has, in fact, decreased by 100 under the Executive over the eight years since devolution. That completely contradicts some points that were made by other speakers.
The practical effect of the order is to ensure that no conflicts of interest can arise for public appointees should they choose to pursue a parliamentary career. Clearly, the order does not prevent Parliament from benefiting from the skills and expertise of senior public officials. It is open to anyone to stand down from those offices in advance of confirming their nomination. On changes to the criteria for disqualification, updates have been made on the basis of the same criteria that were used in the 2003 order.
Although the subject matter of the order might appear to be routine, it is an important element of the constitutional arrangements that are required to be in place in good time prior to the elections in May. The order that is before us is essentially an exercise in good housekeeping. I hope that Opposition members are equally keen to get their house in order before May.
Mr Morgan was quick to dismiss his own principles and to save his leader in London's face. However, that will not stack up with the electorate. The people of Scotland are not going to take seriously a part-time candidate for First Minister, the people of Gordon are not going to take seriously a part-time candidate for MSP and the people of Banff and Buchan should be demanding that their MP stand down—[Interruption.]
First, I turn to some of the technical points in the order. The purpose of the order is to update the Scottish Parliament (Disqualification) Order 2003 (SI 2003/409) by applying the same disqualification criteria to new offices that have been vested since 2003, and to remove offices that have been abolished. We have also taken the opportunity of updating the Scottish order with respect to relevant office-holders in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is worth noting at this point that the number of quangos has, in fact, decreased by 100 under the Executive over the eight years since devolution. That completely contradicts some points that were made by other speakers.
The practical effect of the order is to ensure that no conflicts of interest can arise for public appointees should they choose to pursue a parliamentary career. Clearly, the order does not prevent Parliament from benefiting from the skills and expertise of senior public officials. It is open to anyone to stand down from those offices in advance of confirming their nomination. On changes to the criteria for disqualification, updates have been made on the basis of the same criteria that were used in the 2003 order.
Although the subject matter of the order might appear to be routine, it is an important element of the constitutional arrangements that are required to be in place in good time prior to the elections in May. The order that is before us is essentially an exercise in good housekeeping. I hope that Opposition members are equally keen to get their house in order before May.
Mr Morgan was quick to dismiss his own principles and to save his leader in London's face. However, that will not stack up with the electorate. The people of Scotland are not going to take seriously a part-time candidate for First Minister, the people of Gordon are not going to take seriously a part-time candidate for MSP and the people of Banff and Buchan should be demanding that their MP stand down—[Interruption.]
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5442, in the name of George Lyon, on the draft Scottish Parliament (Disqualification) Order 2007.
The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon):
LD
I begin by highlighting the unusual nature of this item of business, which relates to a wholly reserved matter that must, under the Scotland Act 1998, be con...
Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Will Mr Lyon give way?
George Lyon:
LD
I will make a little headway first. I know that the deputy leader of the Scottish National Party agrees with me, as she has repeatedly stated on the record t...
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
As Mr Lyon is speaking in his capacity as a Government minister, I hope that he will confirm that the powers under the Scotland Act 1998 from which the order...
George Lyon:
LD
I can confirm that that is correct. I am talking about the general principles behind the order.It is clear that someone who is expected to work in London unt...
Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I suppose the best that we could say about that speech is that it was well read. I shall take no lessons on general principles from members of the Liberal De...
Nora Radcliffe (Gordon) (LD) rose—
LD
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
I am not giving way.Is this the same Liberal party that thought that Donald Gorrie and Jim Wallace—and Andrew Arbuckle—could do two jobs at the same time? I ...
George Lyon rose—
LD
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
No, no. We heard more than enough from Mr Lyon during his allocated time.In his challenge, Mr Bruce says that"the new law would ban MSPs from holding two job...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
When I was nominated to speak in the debate, the first thing I did was look up the debate from four years ago so that I could see what it was all about. Havi...
George Lyon:
LD
This has certainly been an interesting debate. Usually, my good colleague and friend, Mr Morgan, is a calm, collected and level-headed gentleman in debates. ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
Order.
George Lyon:
LD
Those people should have someone who is willing to offer their full attention, full time for the full term.I ask members to lend their support by approving t...