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Prime Minister (Meetings)
Open Question Time — Scottish Executive
2:30 pm
David McLetchie (Conservative)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the First
Donald Dewar (Labour)
I met the Prime Minister on 3 September when he visited Scotland. I talk to him on a fairly regular basis and will continue to do so. It is evidently in all our interests that that level of contact and co-operation is built into the system.
David McLetchie (Conservative)
I agree entirely with the First Minister and I welcome his answer. I am glad that there is a degree of concord at this level of government.
Will the First Minster tell us whether, at his meeting with the Prime Minister on 3 September, they discussed the future of higher education funding in Scotland? Will he let us know whether the Prime Minister, as the architect of tuition fees, is happy for tuition fees to be abolished for Scottish students, if that is what the Cubie committee recommends?
Donald Dewar (Labour)
That decision will be taken in this Parliament. We have not seen what the Cubie committee will recommend. I will go so far as to say that, when we look at how we organise those affairs, what happens to the 20 per cent of the undergraduate population in Scotland that comes from England is a matter of some importance and sensitivity. That is not a reference to any specific conversation with the Prime Minister, but is a general point of importance. It is right that we try, at least, to keep our colleagues in touch with what is happening, so that they can consider the implications. I would certainly expect a similar courtesy if things were the other way round.
David McLetchie (Conservative)
I am glad that the First Minister confirms that we are free to develop a Scottish solution to the problem. Having been teased this morning about filling in his pools coupon, will he demonstrate that he really is a gambling man?
Mr Donald Gorrie has said that he would happily bet a year's pay that tuition fees will go. Is the First Minister prepared to bet a year's pay on Mr Wallace abiding by the principles of collective responsibility should the Executive decide otherwise?
Donald Dewar (Labour)
Mr McLetchie's question was lodged as a very clever question, but it has not reached first base.
In my gambling activities I give ground to the leader of the nationalist party who is, I gather, a confirmed player of the tables.
Donald Dewar (Labour)
Only fools and horses. [Laughter.]
As for Donald Gorrie, he is far too stylish and rakish a figure for me to compete with.
Dorothy-Grace Elder (Independent)
Further to that lesson from Mr Dewar's charm school, and as Mr McLetchie's question was confined to meetings between the First Minister and Mr Blair, will the Scottish Executive say how many times the Prime Minister of England telephones the First Minister of Scotland about the governance of Scotland?
Donald Dewar (Labour)
We can look at it two ways: either it adds to the gaiety of the nation or it is a cross to bear—I am not quite sure which. I have made it clear that I keep in close touch with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair. I am glad to do so. I count him as a friend and, more important, as a player of some significance. However we organise our affairs in this Parliament and in this country, I can assure Dorothy-Grace Elder that that will still be the case.