----------------- ----------------- |  | | Last Updated: Friday, 4 June, 2004, 15:40 GMT 16:40 UK |
Scotland: First Minister's Questions (03/06/04)
| | First Minister Jack McConnell announced that there was to be a major review of Scotland's rape laws. Mr McConnell was concerned by the lack of convictions for rape, which he attributed to the strict rules on proof. During First Minister's Questions he said: "We want to see effective prosecution of rape and other sexual offences. The time is right to consider clarification of the law in Scotland on these matters." In the week the chamber was visited by Tibet's elder statesman, the Dalai Lama, Mr McConnell also faced questions on pensioner poverty. Questions John Swinney(SNP) asked the first minister to condemn the increase in fuel duty.
The first minster began by sending the Parliament's best wishes to the D-Day veterans who left Scotland that morning to go to Normandy. He responded to Mr Swinney's question by stating that he believes that the Scottish Parliament should support the UK Government's efforts to pressurise those who are responsible for the production of oil and the international price of oil, in order to secure lower prices.David Mcletchie (Conservative) asked what issues would be discussed at the next meeting of the Scottish Executives's Cabinet meeting. Mr McLetchie wanted the cabinet to consider tolls and taxes on the country's motorists. He quizzed the first Minister on the proposed �2 congestion charge for Edinburgh.
The first minister stated that , as an Executive, they could not take a position on it until nearer the time. Mr McConnell went on to say that it was right for the City of Edinburgh Council to test public opinion in the city through a referendum.Alex Neil (SNP) asked the first minister whether the Scottish Executive plans to introduce legislation to amend the current law on rape.
The first minister announced that there was going to be a major review of Scotland's current rape laws. Mr McConnell would like to see effective prosecution of rape and other sexual offences in Scotland. He stated that The Minister for Justice had spoken to the chair of the Scottish Law Commission, who has agreed to consider the issues that surround law on sexual offences and report back here in the near future.John Home Robertson (Labour) asked the first minister how the Scottish Executive is addressing pensioner poverty.
The first minister said that to complement the UK Government's financial measures to reduce poverty among older people, The Executive had improved access to services and acted to tackle fuel poverty in particular. Mr McConnell cited the right to free personal and nursing care, free bus travel and proper central heating as a result of Devolution.John Swinbourne (SSCUP) asked the first minister to use his influence in Westminster to have means testing for pensioners abolished.
The first minister replied that he believed that, on occasion, there was a place for targeted benefits and targeted measures.Mike Pringle (Liberal Democrat) asked the first minister how the increase in heroin use in Edinburgh was being addressed.
The first minister said that the Executive would increase funding in drug treatment services in order to deal with the demand for drugs. He also stated that they were targeting the supply of drugs through the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency and Lothian and Borders police force.Margo MacDonald (Independent) asked the first minister whether any additional emergency measures were planned to combat the advance of obesity among the general population and, in particular, children.
The first minister replied that the measures being taken were: the promotion of walking and cycling, the appointment of new staff in schools to encourage physical activity, healthy food initiatives in schools and the romoval of drink branding from vending machines.You can see First Minister's Questions from Scotland every Saturday on BBC Parliament from 1000 GMT
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