Anne McTaggart: 2. To ask the Scottish Government what the Lord Advocate’s position is on the legal validity of the agreement between the United Kingdom and Scottish Governments on an independence referendum. (S4O-01750)
Anne McTaggart: In response to a question from my colleague Mark Griffin MSP, the Lord Advocate said: “the Edinburgh agreement, in laying out an agreed route to independence, provided the basis upon which specific legal advice could be sought.”—[Official Report, 7 November 2012; c 13131.] However, the Lord Advocate will be aware that the Advocate General for Scotland said in a written answer that was...
Anne McTaggart: Before I begin, I declare an interest, in that I am a member of Scotwest Credit Union, Glasgow Credit Union and the cross-party group on credit unions. I am delighted to contribute to this debate on the increasingly squeezed standards of living for families in Scotland and to express my growing concern that a part of the financial industry that is responsible for the economic crash is...
Anne McTaggart: The current economic reality of low wages and high unemployment has led to some of the most difficult years in living memory for thousands of Scottish families. That, coupled with the rising costs of energy, has resulted in an increase in Scots suffering fuel poverty, as we heard. Every day, people are forced to make a choice between putting food on the table and heating their homes. We live...
Anne McTaggart: The spend in 2011-12 was £53 million. It was cut from 2010-11, from £67.3 million.
Anne McTaggart: First, I give a warm welcome to the Parliament tonight to the Leprosy Mission Scotland, which is based in Stirling. I am delighted to contribute to this debate on the work of charities tackling the disease of leprosy. I thank Bruce Crawford for securing parliamentary time to recognise the importance of world leprosy day, which is to be held on 27 January 2013. Leprosy is a debilitating...
Anne McTaggart: I welcome the opportunity to speak in this members’ business debate on safer social networking for children and I thank Alex Johnstone for securing the opportunity to consider such a serious issue of our time. I was shocked to discover from statistics that the number of young people who have fallen victim to cyber-bullies in recent years is not only alarmingly high, but is increasing. That...
Anne McTaggart: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the Scottish Government’s proposals on planning reform and I am keen to contribute to the debate on ensuring an efficient, fair and transparent planning system for local authorities, developers and the communities that they serve. As the planning minister Derek Mackay has recognised, the Planning etc (Scotland) Act 2006 was a significant improvement in...
Anne McTaggart: We always welcome extra additions to our local authorities. Any reform to current procedures must be accompanied by additional support, which the minister has talked about. However, as John Pentland mentioned earlier, we must ensure that that is cost effective if we are to ensure that there is a win-win situation and that local government is not affected to its detriment. It is right that we...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to contribute to this debate on the Scottish coal industry’s importance to the wider Scottish economy, and I thank Adam Ingram for securing it. In the face of new and emerging technologies, coal’s importance as an energy source can often be forgotten or marginalised. However, as the motion states, more than 4,000 people are directly or indirectly employed in an industry...
Anne McTaggart: Violence against women is too often a hidden problem in Scottish society, and the work of campaigns to promote zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and physical abuse is invaluable in the wider effort to tackle sexism and promote a fairer and safer society. I thank Malcolm Chisholm for bringing the debate to the chamber to celebrate the progress that has been made as a result of 20 years of...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to contribute to the debate on the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games and I join other members in congratulating the organisers and supporters on the fantastic progress that has been made. I am a proud Glaswegian, so I look forward to welcoming athletes and supporters from all over the Commonwealth to the city. I firmly believe that the event provides a unique and special...
Anne McTaggart: I welcome the opportunity to discuss the important contribution that migrants make to Scotland’s unique social and cultural identity. I thank Christina McKelvie for securing time for a debate to celebrate international migrants’ rights day, which is held on 18 December annually. I wish her a speedy recovery and thank Sandra White for stepping in as cover. I am confident that the majority...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to take part in this key debate on the outcomes of the UN climate change negotiations, and I welcome the opportunity for members in the chamber to consider carefully the impact of the international agreements in a distinctly Scottish context. It is clear that the serious environmental challenges that we now face must be tackled by means of international co-operation, and that...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to contribute to this debate on the Camphill movement in Scotland, and I thank Alison McInnes for securing time in the chamber to highlight the valuable work that Camphill and its many volunteers and staff undertake. I also welcome the Camphill staff who are in the gallery. As we have heard, Camphill is an international organisation that supports people who have mental and...
Anne McTaggart: What impact will the transfer of financial resources and responsibilities to Scotland’s new police and fire services have on local government budget settlements? Furthermore, how will the Scottish Government ensure that any initial or subsequent adjustments to the figures are redistributed in a way that is transparent and accountable both to local government and to residents and businesses...
Anne McTaggart: 5. To ask the Scottish Government, further to the First Minister’s meeting with the Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom in June 2012, what representations it has made to China regarding the treatment of the Tibetan people. (S4O-01500)
Anne McTaggart: The minister will be aware of the recent and increasing instances of self-immolation as a form of protest in Tibet and will recognise how tragic the consequences of that have been for the families of those who have died in the struggle against Chinese oppression. Does the Scottish Government intend to raise the issues of Tibet and Chinese human rights abuses in any future meetings with the...
Anne McTaggart: I am delighted to contribute to this important debate on business tourism, and I thank Fergus Ewing for securing time for us to raise some of the key issues to do with visitor numbers and the economic benefits that business tourists can bring to Scotland. I begin by highlighting the excellent record of Glasgow City Council in attracting corporate and commercial visitors to our city. Glasgow...
Anne McTaggart: I sure do acknowledge that and congratulate Mr Robertson on it. It is clear that, to realise our ambition, we must build transport links for our visitors that are faster, cheaper and more efficient. We must focus on connecting travel hubs with our city centres and on building a comprehensive network and onward connections so that many of our towns and cities can benefit from high visitor...