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Scotland: First Minister's Questions (18/03/04)
| | Scottish Tories pounced on Gordon Brown's budget announcement that he is to slash 40,000 civil service posts this week. First Minister's Questions saw them challenge Jack McConnell to follow the Chancellor's lead and cut back the Executive. But Mr McConnell insists his devolved Government will cut administration and backroom costs. Three Kurdish asylum seekers who have been on hunger strike for four weeks are urged to end their protest by the First Minister. Answering a question from Margo Macdonald he stressed that when an application had been rejected it must be accepted. Questions John Swinney (Leader of the SNP, North Tayside) led with a question to Jack McConnell about the Scottish whisky industry. He asked whether the FM would "lead a national campaign" to reverse the Chancellor's "hammer blow" to the industry.
The First Minister replied that "we should not get involved in the sort of battle in which Mr Swinney suggests that we get involved." David McLetchie (Leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Lothian) asked whether Scotland will see a review of civil service staffing levels.
"Yes" was the First Minister's response. Tommy Sheridan (Leader of the SSP, Glasgow) brought up the issue of nursery nurses currently on strike. He asked the FM if he would agree to have a review of pay and conditions for them.
The First Minister agreed there should be a review but "at the right time." Paul Martin (Glasgow Swinburn, Labour) wanted to know what can be done to meet the challenges in a report on health and wellbeing.
The First Minister pointed to the Executive's increased funding for measures to stop smoking. Shona Robison (Dundee East, SNP) whether the FM would accept responsibility for the fact that life expectancy between the richest and the poorest has doubled.
The First Minister criticised the member for using statistics from the Conservative years of powers. Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan, SNP) asked when changes in the regulation of the white-fish industry will be announced.
The FM says that efforts are being made on an European level to secure the changes. Iain Smith (North East Fife, Liberal Democrat) asked whether a review of security measures on Scottish public transport will occur.
The FM said following the tragic events in Madrid the Executive is working with the UK Government and keeping security measures under review. Margo Macdonald (Lothians, Independent) referred to three asylum seekers on hunger strike and asked how Scotland can be promoted as a welcoming place.
The FM said the men should end their hunger strike.You can see First Minister's Questions from Scotland every Saturday on BBC Parliament from 1000 GMT
| | WATCH AND LISTEN BBC Parliament broadcasts Scottish FMQs
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