Chamber
Plenary, 28 Mar 2002
28 Mar 2002 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Enterprise
Alex Neil has left the chamber, but I point out that I have never before heard Wendy Alexander called complacent.
I would like to focus on the significant role that is played by the enterprise network in the development of the Scottish economy. The Conservative motion is short-sighted, to say the least, in its understanding of the role played by the development agencies. It fails to grasp the importance of the enterprise network in encouraging new ventures, fostering enterprise and providing strategic oversight for the way ahead.
Encouraging growth and innovation throughout our economy is dependent on a large number of factors. Quite rightly, developing modern infrastructure is a key pillar of that. However, there is a great need to provide targeted support and assistance to business and entrepreneurs, allowing ideas to be turned into employment. The small business gateway is providing a one-stop shop for a wide array of quality advice and services for new businesses throughout Scotland.
In my constituency, the service is enabling start-ups to grow and to establish healthy market foundations. Only last week, Scotchem—a pharmaceuticals supply company based in Kirkcaldy—celebrated achieving significant growth in its first year. The company has cited the essential role that market research, advice and business planning from Fife small business gateway—which is a partnership between the enterprise network and Fife Council—played in its success. That is just one example of a growing band of start-ups in Fife.
The underlying theme of the Executive's approach to the enterprise network, expressed in "A Smart, Successful Scotland", is enabling ideas and innovations to get out into the marketplace.
Bridging the gap between innovation, enterprise and capital investment is the essential role that the enterprise network plays. Scottish Enterprise's proof of concept fund is a pioneering example of how that philosophy is being put into practice. The fund of more than £30 million is targeted at assisting commercialisation, particularly in science and technology.
I would like to focus on the significant role that is played by the enterprise network in the development of the Scottish economy. The Conservative motion is short-sighted, to say the least, in its understanding of the role played by the development agencies. It fails to grasp the importance of the enterprise network in encouraging new ventures, fostering enterprise and providing strategic oversight for the way ahead.
Encouraging growth and innovation throughout our economy is dependent on a large number of factors. Quite rightly, developing modern infrastructure is a key pillar of that. However, there is a great need to provide targeted support and assistance to business and entrepreneurs, allowing ideas to be turned into employment. The small business gateway is providing a one-stop shop for a wide array of quality advice and services for new businesses throughout Scotland.
In my constituency, the service is enabling start-ups to grow and to establish healthy market foundations. Only last week, Scotchem—a pharmaceuticals supply company based in Kirkcaldy—celebrated achieving significant growth in its first year. The company has cited the essential role that market research, advice and business planning from Fife small business gateway—which is a partnership between the enterprise network and Fife Council—played in its success. That is just one example of a growing band of start-ups in Fife.
The underlying theme of the Executive's approach to the enterprise network, expressed in "A Smart, Successful Scotland", is enabling ideas and innovations to get out into the marketplace.
Bridging the gap between innovation, enterprise and capital investment is the essential role that the enterprise network plays. Scottish Enterprise's proof of concept fund is a pioneering example of how that philosophy is being put into practice. The fund of more than £30 million is targeted at assisting commercialisation, particularly in science and technology.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr Murray Tosh):
Con
We move to the next item of business, which is a debate on motion S1M-2946, in the name of Miss Annabel Goldie, on enterprise in Scotland. There are two amen...
Miss Annabel Goldie (West of Scotland) (Con):
Con
The political process in Scotland has never been more visible, more accessible or more expensive. Never have more consultations, strategies and initiatives i...
Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I agree with Miss Goldie's analysis. However, does she agree that Scotland's slow growth and relative decline is not a function of the Labour period since 19...
Miss Goldie:
Con
I do not agree with Mr Wilson, whose views on the economy are a bit like his sartorial style: casual to the point of being random and demonstrably unco-ordin...
Dr Sylvia Jackson (Stirling) (Lab):
Lab
Will the member give way?
Miss Goldie:
Con
Forgive me for not doing so. I want to expand my point.It was predictable that on 13 March 2002 the newspaper Business a.m. should have an article entitled: ...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
Will the member give way?
Miss Goldie:
Con
I am sorry, but I want to proceed with this.If the business community, which is being sold a pup, looks at the minister's amendment it will find only pap, wh...
The Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning (Ms Wendy Alexander):
Lab
I thank my Conservative colleagues for securing a debate on this issue. We in the coalition parties look forward to the opportunity to reaffirm our commitmen...
Miss Goldie:
Con
What I made crystal clear was the fact that the business community cannot be expected to have any confidence in the devolution process or the presence of the...
Ms Alexander:
Lab
I think that we might have smoked a position out of the Conservatives. They are suggesting that we should cut the entirety of business support—which is worth...
Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I welcome the additional money that is being invested in research. However, does the minister accept that the percentage of Scotland's GDP that is spent on r...
Ms Alexander:
Lab
The figure of 15 per cent relates to public investment in science. Scotland leads Europe in terms of the investment in research and development by higher edu...
Mr Adam Ingram (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
Despite Tony Blair's complacent spin that the United Kingdom is the fourth-largest economy in the world, with average earnings of just over £20,000, the UK i...
Bristow Muldoon (Livingston) (Lab):
Lab
Mr Ingram is talking about the taxation system. Will he clarify what his vision of the taxation system in an independent Scotland is? In particular, will he ...
Mr Ingram:
SNP
I am just about to expound those matters. If Bristow Muldoon will be patient, he will get his answer.
Mr Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab):
Lab
I will not hold my breath.
Mr Ingram:
SNP
Mr McMahon should try it.In Scotland, we are faced with a double disadvantage compared to the Irish. Not only are we stuck with the consistent failure of UK ...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
Will Mr Ingram give way?
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
No. He is in his last minute.
Mr Ingram:
SNP
London's dominance is self-perpetuating. What is more, little can be done about that as long as Scotland is trapped in a unitary state that imposes uniform t...
Mr Jamie Stone (Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) (LD):
LD
The minister has talked about research and development. I point out to members that everything that the Executive has done to increase access to universities...
Alex Johnstone (North-East Scotland) (Con):
Con
Will Jamie Stone give way?
Mr Stone:
LD
I will in due course.I have given the euro note to the Conservatives deliberately, because they must focus on the key issue for Scotland's economy, which is ...
Mr Gil Paterson (Central Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Does Mr Stone have any more €20 notes?
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
That is not a point of order; nor is it a matter for the chair whether Mr Stone gets his money back.
Alex Fergusson (South of Scotland) (Con):
Con
Speaking from a rural perspective, I can say unequivocally that the most important parts of the motion are the plea"that public funding of enterprise program...
George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD):
LD
How much of the budget does Alex Fergusson propose to spend on upgrading the roads in the south of Scotland and on providing the information superhighway?
Alex Fergusson:
Con
If George Lyon had been present at the previous debate, he would have heard exactly the answer to that question, so I suggest that he read the Official Repor...
Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab):
Lab
There is an end-of-term feel to the debate. One wonders whether it is spring when one sees the first moleskin suit, and Andrew Wilson, in whom Simon Templar ...