Margaret Curran: To ask the Scottish Executive how much from the CashBack for Communities scheme has been spent on communities in the east end of Glasgow in each year since 2005.
Margaret Curran: As I am sure that all members recognise, this debate is welcome and is, as has been said, important for the whole of Scotland. The constructive approach that we have taken this afternoon—we do not always take such an approach—is vital if we are to fulfil our ambitions. I recognise the points that many members have made about the challenges along the way. The celebration of the decision...
Margaret Curran: I never like to disappoint. We might not achieve all that we want, but it is critical that we ensure that we achieve the benefits for the people of the east end of Glasgow. We must keep focused on their interests. The promise of having the very best facilities in the east end is a significant achievement. On that, I pay tribute to the sustained efforts of Jack McConnell and Patricia Ferguson,...
Margaret Curran: I am pleased to be back in a health debate. It is some time since I spoke in one, and such debates have become terribly consensual and friendly in my absence. I will not take that personally. As an issue in all of our constituency work, health never goes away. Over the years, the Parliament has debated many health priorities—from inequalities to long-term conditions and the general...
Margaret Curran: Will the member give way?
Margaret Curran: Thank you, Presiding Officer. I will not take that request personally, although it might have been an indication that I overrun from time to time. Yes, I think it was. I begin with an apology, as I may have to leave the chamber at some point. I hope that I will not miss the closing speeches but, in case I do, I apologise in advance. It can be tempting for members to resort to business as...
Margaret Curran: To ask the Scottish Executive whether procurators fiscal have increased the proportion of applications for special bail conditions since January 2009.
Margaret Curran: To ask the Scottish Executive how many people are currently on bail and how many people were on bail at the same date in 2008.
Margaret Curran: To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to reduce the number of people held in prison.
Margaret Curran: To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been imprisoned in 2009 and how many were imprisoned in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008.
Margaret Curran: I accept that everybody should get around the table to try to create a solution, but will the minister clarify whether the Government will put on the table some of the £75 million to help Vion and the workers?
Margaret Curran: I, too, thank James Kelly for securing the debate and put on record my thanks to Scott Walker and the other members of Unite who have worked so hard to tackle the job losses at Vion. I should declare an interest, as I, too, am a member of Unite. It is no surprise that James Kelly has instigated a debate on the issue, given its seriousness and the role that he plays in dealing with such...
Margaret Curran: I, too, came into politics to help the Scottish people. I say to members that if that is what we are getting from Mike Russell, the Scottish people still need a lot of help. Substantial comments have been made about the Government during the debate. I say to Mike Russell, who is a man in the SNP for whom I have some respect, that for him to dismiss in such a disgraceful manner the...
Margaret Curran: No, I will not. The SNP's gall is breathtaking. Mike Russell thinks that all the main parties should agree to a free vote on an independence referendum. That is not in our manifesto, but we are supposed to bail out the SNP. It is not an issue of conscience—[Interruption.] Hang on—I will address the issue of a free vote.
Margaret Curran: The SNP says that we should bail out its manifesto commitment on independence when it has shown absolutely no commitment to the rest of its manifesto commitments.
Margaret Curran: I was just about to mention Christina McKelvie. If she waits, I will come back to her in a second. Is it not interesting what issues the SNP prioritises for a free vote? How about a free vote on a public inquiry into the C difficile outbreak at the Vale of Leven hospital? At a meeting of the Public Petitions Committee, John Wilson and Christina McKelvie voted for such an inquiry.
Margaret Curran: Will Christina McKelvie support a free vote on the matter now?
Margaret Curran: What a shame—perhaps Christina McKelvie can explain another time why she buckled under instruction from Nicola Sturgeon. When it comes to honouring pledges, the SNP speaks with no credibility. The fundamental point today is for us to recognise the changed economic circumstances in which we live. We have witnessed an SNP that wants to play at being a Government but, when times are hard,...
Margaret Curran: Does the First Minister agree that urgent action is required to tackle the appalling level of rape convictions in Scotland, and that efforts to encourage women who have been raped to come forward have been seriously undermined by the actions of a temporary judge who, when faced with a woman who broke down because of the trauma of giving evidence and fled the court, sent her to the cells for a...
Margaret Curran: To ask the Scottish Executive how much Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has spent on public affairs and public relations over the last two years.
