Chamber
Plenary, 15 Feb 2007
15 Feb 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Crichton University Campus
I thank Elaine Murray for providing us with the opportunity to debate a subject that is of great importance to our policy position, and for her speech, which encapsulated the issues better than most.
In the light of what has been said, it is important to stress that the members who are present have been unanimous in sharing our strong appreciation of and support for the Crichton campus in Dumfries. It would be wrong to forget that during the present dispute. I whole-heartedly echo the view of Elaine Murray and other speakers that we should congratulate and applaud all the staff, students and local people who have made the campus such a success that its future has been the subject of one of the most impassioned debates that I have listened to in my time in this place, which is coming up for eight years.
I fully recognise the concerns that have been raised about the news that the University of Glasgow is reconsidering its provision at the campus, but we should not lose sight of the fact that the innovative cross-sector development that the Crichton experiment represents has improved accessibility to higher education in the south-west and formed strong links with local businesses and the community, as we have heard from members. Jointly, we ought to strive to ensure that we build on that success. That is an important message.
In that context, the proposed merger of the University of Paisley and Bell College will establish a brand new university with a new regional mission, which obviously will include the south and south-west. At the same time—and this is not to be sniffed at—the Scottish funding council is investing more than £28 million of new capital, which the Parliament voted for, in relocating Dumfries and Galloway College to Crichton and improving shared facilities, such as the library, for all who are based there. That significant investment will reap dividends for the people of Dumfries and, more widely, those in the south-west. I stress that that is a good news story for the region as a whole. I think that Derek Brownlee also made that point.
By no stretch of the imagination does the situation constitute a crisis. Those exciting new developments should not be blighted by the fact that one institution is choosing to refocus in order to improve its delivery in other areas.
In the light of what has been said, it is important to stress that the members who are present have been unanimous in sharing our strong appreciation of and support for the Crichton campus in Dumfries. It would be wrong to forget that during the present dispute. I whole-heartedly echo the view of Elaine Murray and other speakers that we should congratulate and applaud all the staff, students and local people who have made the campus such a success that its future has been the subject of one of the most impassioned debates that I have listened to in my time in this place, which is coming up for eight years.
I fully recognise the concerns that have been raised about the news that the University of Glasgow is reconsidering its provision at the campus, but we should not lose sight of the fact that the innovative cross-sector development that the Crichton experiment represents has improved accessibility to higher education in the south-west and formed strong links with local businesses and the community, as we have heard from members. Jointly, we ought to strive to ensure that we build on that success. That is an important message.
In that context, the proposed merger of the University of Paisley and Bell College will establish a brand new university with a new regional mission, which obviously will include the south and south-west. At the same time—and this is not to be sniffed at—the Scottish funding council is investing more than £28 million of new capital, which the Parliament voted for, in relocating Dumfries and Galloway College to Crichton and improving shared facilities, such as the library, for all who are based there. That significant investment will reap dividends for the people of Dumfries and, more widely, those in the south-west. I stress that that is a good news story for the region as a whole. I think that Derek Brownlee also made that point.
By no stretch of the imagination does the situation constitute a crisis. Those exciting new developments should not be blighted by the fact that one institution is choosing to refocus in order to improve its delivery in other areas.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S2M-5444, in the name of Elaine Murray, on the threat to the Crichton campus in Dumf...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises and applauds the success of the Crichton university campus in Dumfries over the past seven years and the contribution made by ...
Dr Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the group of stakeholders who are in the public gallery. They comprise students, staff, the chief executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council, and p...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
Before we move to the open debate, I remind those in the public gallery that it is not appropriate for them to applaud.
Alasdair Morgan (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I am glad that Elaine Murray has secured a debate on a topic that is of such vital importance to the future of the south-west of Scotland. As time is very br...
Alex Fergusson (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Elaine Murray on lodging the motion and I echo her warm welcome to those who have made the journey up from the south-west for the debate.Let u...
Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green):
Green
I congratulate Elaine Murray on securing this important debate. Indeed, the debate on the threat to the Crichton campus is currently the most important debat...
Ms Rosemary Byrne (South of Scotland) (Sol):
Sol
I thank Elaine Murray for securing the debate. I also acknowledge and thank the number of people who have come along today. I think that we would all agree t...
Fiona Hyslop (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
I thank Elaine Murray for bringing this important subject to the chamber. As the first non-South of Scotland MSP to speak in the debate, I will discuss the n...
Derek Brownlee (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
I also thank Elaine Murray for securing today's debate on what is a very important subject to Dumfries and Galloway, as well as to the south of Scotland and ...
Robin Harper (Lothians) (Green):
Green
Early in the Parliament's first session, I had the honour and great pleasure to take part in an environmental symposium at Crichton College. I kept up that r...
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Allan Wilson):
Lab
I thank Elaine Murray for providing us with the opportunity to debate a subject that is of great importance to our policy position, and for her speech, which...
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
The minister should just cut to the chase: does he or the Executive have a view on whether they would prefer the University of Glasgow to stay at Crichton ca...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I advise the member to be patient in that regard.On student numbers, I believe that the overall level of provision at the Crichton campus should, at the very...
Chris Ballance:
Green
The minister's allotted time is running out, and we would very much like him to address the question that Alasdair Morgan asked: does he support the range of...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I thought that I had just explained to Chris Ballance and other members that ministers are denied by law from doing what he suggests. Interruption. Chris Bal...
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Alex Fergusson:
Con
Will the minister give way?
Allan Wilson:
Lab
Let me make progress.The funding council allocates a block teaching grant to institutions. It is up to each university, as an autonomous body, to decide how ...
Alasdair Morgan:
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I will continue my point.Comparisons have been made with the level of provision and investment in the Highlands and Islands—Alasdair Morgan made such compari...
Chris Ballance:
Green
Will the minister meet the funding council to discuss the issue?
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Lab
Do not intervene from a sedentary position, Mr Ballance.
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I ask Chris Ballance to be patient, as I will come to that point.I pay tribute to Glasgow University for its support of Crichton campus and I hope that it wi...
Meeting closed at 17:53.