----------------- ----------------- |  | | Last Updated: Thursday, 1 April, 2004, 17:36 GMT 18:36 UK |
Scotland: First Minister's Questions (01/04/04)
| | Questions this week saw the SNP challenge the Executive's desire to keep corporate headquarters in Scotland. Leader John Swinney referred to a document from 2000 to suggest jobs are being lost and the economy damaged due to this approach. Not so, argues the First Minister, branding the SNP's argument both "cheap and trivial". Mr McConnell later told the chamber that lessons could be learnt from the Irish approach to banning smoking in public places. Questions John Swinney (Leader of the SNP,North Tayside) asked if the First Minister believes that Scottish corporate headquarters should stay in Scotland and referred to a document from 2000.
The first minister says it is important to retain corporate headquarters and said Mr Swinney was quoting out of context. David McLetchie (Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party, Lothian) asked what contact the FM had had with the BBC in an attempt to obtain interview tapes for the Fraser Inquiry.
The first minister replied that he wasn't aware of meetings but that there had been attempts to resolve the disagreement. Dennis Canavan (Falkirk West, Independent) asked for assistance from the executive for workers in his constituency who have lost their jobs in manufacturing.
The first minister conveyed his "absolute support" to the workforce. Richard Baker (North East Scotland, Labour) asked what is being done to regulate gangmasters.
The first minister says discussions are going on on a UK level to tighten things up. John Home Robertson (East Lothian, Labour) asked about the exploitation of agricultural mushroom workers.
The first minister says the introduction of new labour should not mean the exploitation of local workers. Shona Robison (Dundee East, SNP) asked wheter people who contracted Hepatitis C through contaminated blood products will have to waive their right to legal action.
The first minister says people will not have to sign such a waiver. George Lyon (Argyll and Bute, Lib Dem) asked how the new EU constiution will ensure regional fisheries management.
The first minister says a specific provision is not needed in the EU constitution. Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife, Conservative) suggested EU treaties need to be changed to give more power to the UK.
The first minister says he wants decisions made in Scotland, not in London. Janis Hughes (Glasgow Ruthergien, Labour) asked whether there will be any further restrictions on smoking.
The first minister says a consultation will inform the Executive's approach. He went on to say that lessons can be learnt from Ireland's approach. Stuart Maxwell (West of Scotland, SNP) asked whether public place smoking bans should take place.
The first minister says banning smoking in certain places is the right thing to do.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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