Duncan Hamilton: The minister says that he made representations. Will he publish the documentation that relates to the representations that he made? Given the nod-nod, wink-wink, "Don't worry, it'll be a passenger-only subsidy" assurance, surely there is nothing to stop a vehicle service in addition to the passenger service? Did the Executive at any point use different, transparent accounting procedures to...
Duncan Hamilton: rose—
Duncan Hamilton: Maureen Macmillan is right to say that, to a certain extent, European regulations must be obeyed, but the issue relates to the interpretation of the regulations. Does she accept that the Executive should go back with more robust information, which it has had since 2000, and the Deloitte & Touche report, and argue the case for the maintenance of competition?
Duncan Hamilton: I find myself in the unique and pleasant position of agreeing with absolutely everything that George Lyon said and I thank him for securing the debate. I want to augment some of the things that he said and to suggest to the minister three reasons for thinking again on the matter. He must prove that the consultation process is real. First, there is the absolute certainty of the creation of...
Duncan Hamilton: Perhaps the most remarkable admission in Mike Rumbles's speech was that the Scottish Executive is "doing its best". Frankly, the Scottish Executive's best is not good enough. I am grateful to the Conservative party for lodging today's motion. It has given us the opportunity to unveil the range of half-truths and downright lies that we have heard from the Scottish Executive over the past...
Duncan Hamilton: No thank you; I will come back to the member in a second. Secondly, with regard to transport, there have been some interesting statements in the debate. It is obvious to those who represent the Highlands and Islands—Rhoda Grant will know this—that ferries and roads dominate—
Duncan Hamilton: I am just talking about the member's colleague. Ferries and roads dominate just about everything in the Highlands and Islands. I was interested to hear George Lyon argue that Argyll and the isles is a land of milk and honey and that there is a strong economic community there. I refer George Lyon to the submission from Argyll and the Islands Enterprise and from Argyll and Bute Council. The...
Duncan Hamilton: Perhaps that is another difference between Prince Charles and me. I think the member will find that the people in Dunoon and who live along the Clyde consider the matter with dismay. They see an Executive that is now committed to a diminution of service between Dunoon and Gourock; an Executive that is today claiming that it is in favour of economic development. In his contribution, the...
Duncan Hamilton: Will the member give way?
Duncan Hamilton: Not a single member and neither of the two people in the gallery would dispute that we want a strong economy, but will the minister concede that we are in recession? On delivering for rural businesses, the minister mentioned information technology infrastructure. He will remember that Wendy Alexander, the previous Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning, wanted a strategy...
Duncan Hamilton: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in regard to the restoration of the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry link.
Duncan Hamilton: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-10397 by Susan Deacon on 30 October 2000, whether Betnesol eye ointment is now available.
Duncan Hamilton: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the board members of Caledonian MacBrayne are subject to any code of conduct which applies to the board members of public bodies.
Duncan Hamilton: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it treats Caledonian MacBrayne as a private company in regard to any aspects of its dealings with the company.
Duncan Hamilton: To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases of hospital-acquired infection were reported at Inverclyde Hospital in each of the last five years and how this compares to other hospitals (a) in that NHS board area and (b) across Scotland.
Duncan Hamilton: To ask the Presiding Officer how much has been paid for legal advice to assist with the drafting of non-executive Bills in each of the last three years and to whom the money was paid.
Duncan Hamilton: To ask the Presiding Officer what legal assistance is available to members with the drafting of non-executive Bills and who provides that advice.
Duncan Hamilton: Will the member give way?
Duncan Hamilton: I thank Tavish Scott for his good wishes for my health. I have just about recovered from Up Helly Aa. I could just about have managed with Winnie Ewing—although partying with her is always difficult—but to take her and four Orkney councillors was beyond me. I was nearly a hospital case. I have a number of brief questions, some of which have been covered. Constituents have raised directly...
Duncan Hamilton: This debate has been serious and, as John Swinney said it would be, sombre. I should start by praising members of all parties—and, indeed, of none—for the way in which they have approached the debate. Correctly, the main focus has been 11 September and the memories that we have of that day, but the debate has also dealt with the cultural and historical links between our countries and...
