Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson): NPA

Good morning. The first item of business this morning is a debate on motion S3M-4810, in the name of Fergus Ewing, on the fire and rescue framework.We have a...

The Minister for Community Safety (Fergus Ewing): SNP

The Scottish Government requested this debate to give the Parliament an opportunity to discuss our continued commitment to ensuring that Scotland has an effi...

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): Lab

As part of the review, will the minister ensure that IRMP is not just about cost cutting, but does what it is supposed to do?

Fergus Ewing: SNP

During the past three years there has been an increase of 12 per cent in revenue funding, which I think we all welcome. I assure the member that cost cutting...

Paul Martin (Glasgow Springburn) (Lab): Lab

I concur with the minister's remarks in respect of the late Ewan Williamson, and on behalf of my party I send our condolences to his family during this diffi...

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): LD

We will support both the motion and Labour's amendment.I listened carefully to the minister's comments, and I am grateful for the insight that he gave the Pa...

Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP): SNP

I appreciate that the member acknowledges the importance of the work that retained firefighters do. In that light, can he explain why the only Lib Dem member...

Robert Brown: LD

I think that I am right in saying that my colleague, the former member of the European Parliament for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, took a particular view ...

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): Con

I endorse the comments of the minister and others on the tragic loss of Ewan Williamson.The Scottish Conservatives welcome the publication of the "Draft Fire...

The Presiding Officer: NPA

We come to the open debate. I repeat that we have some flexibility with time, so members should feel free to take interventions.

Stewart Maxwell (West of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I associate myself with the minister's remarks on the tragic death of Ewan Williamson. I know that the thoughts of all members go out to his friends, his fam...

Robert Brown: LD

Has Stewart Maxwell been struck, as I have been, by the fact that the majority of fatal casualties occur in fires in dwellings in which smoke detectors are n...

Stewart Maxwell: SNP

Robert Brown makes a salient point. There has been huge success in bringing smoke detectors to the public's attention. Many people install them and change th...

Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): Lab

I express my sincere condolences to the family of Ewan Williamson for their grievous loss. I also state my admiration for the bravery of my fellow trade unio...

Fergus Ewing: SNP

It might be useful to make it clear that the Government has an entirely open mind in respect of governance issues. We appreciate and have discussed with the ...

Bill Butler: Lab

I am grateful to the minister for his assertion that the Government has an open mind on governance issues. That chimes with his opening speech, in which he s...

Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP): SNP

Like other members, I associate myself with the minister's tribute to Ewan Williamson. Many firefighters in my constituency knew and worked with Ewan. I also...

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): Lab

I, too, associate myself with members' comments about Ewan Williamson.I will be fairly brief and will concentrate on a subject that has been mentioned only i...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan): SNP

That is a good time to stop, certainly.

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): LD

It is a pity that we could not have had this debate yesterday, when I understand that an unusually high number of emergency service personnel from throughout...

Fergus Ewing: SNP

Is the member aware that I have an excellent relationship with Mr Raeburn from his party?

Jim Tolson: LD

I was not aware of that detail. However, when it comes to working with others, the minister might recall that, when the Liberal Democrats raised the issue of...

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I welcome the opportunity to debate the Government's draft fire and rescue framework. Like other members, I pay tribute to Scotland's 8,310 firefighters and ...

Elaine Smith (Coatbridge and Chryston) (Lab): Lab

It would be hard to criticise the Scottish Government's motion or the minister's sincere speech. However, I am sure the minister agrees that there are issues...

Nigel Don (North East Scotland) (SNP): SNP

Like colleagues, I pay tribute to the work and dedication of the fire service. The untimely death of Ewan Williamson reminds us that some of the jobs that ar...

Stewart Maxwell: SNP

I appreciate that we are in the early days and that there are not many statistics on the impact. We should not jump to conclusions too early, but it is certa...

Nigel Don: SNP

That is my very point: we should not have to wait very long. After all, good ideas do not necessarily need to come with too many statistics attached. Althoug...

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): Lab

I am pleased to take part in this debate. Like other members, I pay tribute to Ewan Williamson, who gave his life serving his community.The motion and amendm...

Christina McKelvie (Central Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I add my condolences to those of my colleagues from throughout the Parliament to Ewan Williamson's family, friends and colleagues. I pay tribute to all our f...

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): Lab

It is important to provide clarification that the point is not about firefighters enforcing the standards; it is about the services around them, and ensuring...