Donald Dewar: I will take the constructive points that Mr Salmond made at the beginning. I say to him that I did not use the word "instructions"; I used the term "guidance". We are not trying to instruct, because we do not have powers to do so. We are writing today to a number of key bodies to ask them to distribute guidance about what is happening on the forecourt and how priority users can get some...
Donald Dewar: I think that we are seeing a statesman being born. If there is anyone in the chamber who is noted—and at times it is an endearing characteristic—for his use of intemperate language, it is David McLetchie. I have been extremely concerned about the situation over the past 48 hours. I made the point forcefully yesterday that there was no physical blocking of the exits and entrances at the...
Donald Dewar: Briefly, I will say that there is a difference, in that Westminster is in recess and we are not. Whether we would have summoned back this Parliament if it were in recess is an interesting hypothetical argument. The recall of Westminster is not our business, but a matter for the Prime Minister and no doubt for the representations that Mr Hague is very publicly making.
Donald Dewar: There are many possibilities flowing from recent circumstances that will have to be examined with great care. The Executive certainly wishes to encourage alternative and sustainable fuel resources—I know that Sarah Boyack and her colleagues are working very hard to do that. The percentage of our total energy supply that comes from such resources, including the contribution from...
Donald Dewar: No. That question simply illustrates the fundamental differences between Dorothy-Grace Elder and me.
Donald Dewar: There is an understanding that the first petrol stations to be supplied will be the designated filling stations, of which there are about 350 in Scotland, with a very wide geographical spread. As I explained in my statement, we are writing to operators and to a number of key bodies to explain our anxiety to ensure that essential users will not be prejudiced but will be given a certain...
Donald Dewar: We are dealing with a situation that I hope is improving, and an improving situation makes such problems much more manageable. Kenny MacAskill shakes his head. I hope that he is not suggesting that the situation is not going to improve or—worse—regretting that it is an improving situation. A guidance on priority purposes that is being sent out with the other guidance mentions 29...
Donald Dewar: Of course, I have heard press reports and seen television reports about the remarks to which Annabel Goldie refers. As she knows—and as I think that her party will agree—I believe that Governments must take honest decisions, balancing the fiscal necessities and possibilities with social justice. I count on the Government of the day—which I happen to support, although I hope that any...
Donald Dewar: That is a fair point. Last night, members of my private office, senior civil servants and people from the departments that deal with energy and attendant matters were in the office very late trying to ensure that we had in place emergency provisions and emergency lines that could pick up pinch points and deal with particular points of pressure. That is sensible, but we should review whether...
Donald Dewar: Bus companies have been one of the particular areas—I was going to say targets, but that is an unfortunate word—that have been prioritised. That is the case not only in rural areas but in Glasgow and Edinburgh. As members know, night services were being cancelled this week and great efforts were being made to deal with that. Those are priorities. We are trying hard to deal with some of...
Donald Dewar: I have an enormous amount of sympathy with the point that Bristow Muldoon has made. I was astonished to learn that Esso had put 2p on the price at the pumps today. It seemed to me to be a counterproductive act. As far as I know—and I say this with a little care—all the signs are that the oil price is shading. That makes the price increase even more difficult to explain. I suspect that...
Donald Dewar: I think that we will have to analyse exactly what happened. Over the past two or three days, I have met an enormous number of people representing a number of interests in the dispute. I agree—I made this point yesterday—that there were no obvious signs of intimidation at Grangemouth at the time—no signs at all, in fact. However, if Fergus Ewing were to talk to the drivers, they would...
Donald Dewar: The answer is no. I do not have the power to do that and I would not exercise that power if I had—but I am sure that Robin Harper will set a good example.
Donald Dewar: I am sure that we will be trying to make an equitable distribution right across Scotland. I think—although I will have to check this—that we have a higher percentage of designated filling stations in rural areas; that relates to the vast percentage of the landmass in rural Scotland as against its share of the population. There are, as there should be, designated petrol filling stations in...
Donald Dewar: I am not anxious to be hard and fast on this matter, but I offered Fergus Ewing the fact that that was given to me as an explanation. The remarks of Cathy Peattie, who, as the constituency MSP, has great local knowledge, give us cause for thought. In fact, the explanation may be something that has been suggested to me on a number of occasions: that the intimidation was not at the Grangemouth...
Donald Dewar: I can assure George Lyon that CalMac ferries will continue to sail. My understanding is that CalMac is reasonably satisfied with its present situation. If crisis point were reached, however, we would obviously try to do something to alleviate the position.
Donald Dewar: I met the Prime Minister last at the joint ministerial committee meeting in Edinburgh on 1 September. We discussed matters of mutual interest. I want to be helpful, so I will tell Mr Salmond that we discussed in particular the success of devolution in Scotland.
Donald Dewar: I certainly accept that tax reductions tend to be popular and that people want to take them up. However, the consequences on public expenditure and social investment and the balancing that may have to be done in other parts of the fiscal system are not necessarily so popular. I am sure that Mr Salmond will admit that, as I pointed out, other matters—such as vehicle excise duty and the toll...
Donald Dewar: I am always interested in discussion and debate, but I am not sure that the kind of summit that Mr Salmond suggests would be likely to reach a unanimous view. In the very near future, we will announce a sharp increase in public spending. Despite that, there will be people, some of whom are probably in the gallery here today—certainly people from rural areas—who will ask why we do not...
Donald Dewar: As a contribution to good manners and tolerance, I will start to refer to Salmond, rather than Mr Salmond, in future. I believe in good and measured government. I am not desperately impressed by the opportunism of the SNP's ever-extending list of concessions on fuel tax, which seems to be born of the events of the past couple of weeks, rather than any deep commitment. I refer again to Mr...
