 Jack McConnell detailed the executive's legislative programme |
Scotland's first minister has outlined his cabinet's legislative programme for the next 19 months, with a strong emphasis on law and order. Jack McConnell announced a public order crackdown, tighter bail and sentencing rules, and Children's Hearing changes.
He also announced measures for schools and a series of business reforms.
The first minister said his programme was based on "justice and respect", the welfare of children, improved health for all and economic prosperity.
He said: "It is a tough and challenging series of actions for the remaining 19 months of this parliament."
In his statement to MSPs, Mr McConnell said the Scottish Executive would respond to concerns in the light of the murder of 11-year-old Livingston schoolboy Rory Blackhall last month.
Simon Harris, the suspect in the case, was later found dead. It emerged that he had appeared in court in Livingston charged with abusing three girls but then never reappeared following the granting of bail.
Serious crimes
In response to calls for tighter curbs on airguns following the death of Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton, the first minister said the outcome of discussions with the Home Office - which has power over the matter - would soon be made known.
Mr McConnell said a new summary justice bill would grant courts more options in imposing bail conditions on suspects accused of serious crimes.
The Sentencing Bill would ensure that "the punishment fits the crime" and the recommendations of the Sentencing Commission on early release were awaited.
The Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice Bill would see a crackdown on problems such as knife crime and the introduction of football hooligan banning orders.
The first minister said that the executive was pressing ahead with new powers for councils to control marches and parades as part of the effort to rid Scotland of the "stain" of sectarianism.
He said the Children's Hearing system would be modernised, the legal aid system would undergo reform and he promised the creation of a Scottish Human Rights Commission.
Alongside this, a bill would be put forward enshrining the reformed and "more open and independent" judicial appointments system in law.
Changes to adoption law, to "improve stability and security for children" were announced as well as tougher inspections of child protection services.
Mr McConnell promised legislation designed to increase parental involvement in schools and measures to improve the standard of food in the dinner halls through the Health, Nutrition and Schools Bill, cutting out products like fizzy drinks.
Vulnerable adults
The first minister hailed the legislation banning smoking in public places, which has been passed and comes into force next year.
New powers to protect vulnerable adults would be included in the executive's programme.
Mr McConnell pledged a crackdown on the abuse of postal ballots, talks with the Home Office on immigration and a new crofting bill to cut red tape.
On the economy, the first minister said business rates would be brought into line with those in England.
The Tourism Bill would ensure the winding up of area tourist boards and the creation of the single legal entity VisitScotland.
New bankruptcy laws were planned, a bill fast-tracking transport projects was in the pipeline and the planning system would undergo modernisation, with the emphasis on speeding up decisions and reflecting local views.
Mr McConnell said a Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill would improve regulation of the sector.
Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon said the programme lacked vision.
'Get a grip'
She told MSPs: "Someone really should tell the first minister that quantity of bills is no substitute for quality.
"What the first minister has announced today lacks coherence, lacks vision and most of all it lacks a clear set of responses to some of the biggest issues confronting Scots."
She said many of the serious problems in the justice system did not require legislation, they simply required the executive to "get a grip".
Labour's Scottish Liberal Democrat coalition partners said the statement was "bursting" with their commitments, including establishment of a human rights commission, a reduction of business rates and health promotion in schools.
Scottish Tory leader David McLetchie welcomed the executive's decision to cut business rates but added: "It's just a pity that your previous policy of keeping business rates 10% higher than the rate in England has lost our businesses over �700m over the last five years."
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Someone really should tell the first minister that quantity of bills is no substitute for quality
