Margo MacDonald: Does the member trust any Treasury in London to see through the measures that he is suggesting?
Margo MacDonald: I thank Rhoda Grant for taking an intervention. I will try to make it brief. I agree with every word that Rhoda Grant has said, but she must say where she would get the extra money to put into the colleges.
Margo MacDonald: Will the member give way?
Margo MacDonald: Does my colleague agree that it would be no bad thing to remind people that there is a history of attention to human rights, with reference to the Scottish weavers and the people who fought for good contracts in the isles and so on? Attention to human rights in Scotland is not new.
Margo MacDonald: 3. To ask the First Minister for what purpose the Scottish Government has recently contacted the foreign ministries of European Union member states. (S4F-01158)
Margo MacDonald: I thank the First Minister for his reply, but let me probe him on the issue. In her letter, the Deputy First Minister says that his Government considers there to be “a case for reform of certain aspects of the EU” and that “we are supportive of the on-going process of institutional reform”. Does that support of institutional reform mean support for the creation, as the Commission has...
Margo MacDonald: I refer to what the cabinet secretary said about hospital bed provision in Edinburgh in particular. It was obvious that the Royal infirmary was too small. What plans are there to increase the number of beds in Lothian?
Margo MacDonald: Further to Jenny Marra’s question, is that difference in the accounting arrangements because there is specific intelligence about trafficking into Scotland during the Commonwealth games, or is it because of a more general warning?
Margo MacDonald: Will the member take an intervention?
Margo MacDonald: No one can steal the credit from Glasgow for getting the games: it was Glasgow that went out and got them, backed by the rest of Scotland. That is how Glasgow should graciously accept the fact that it is leading the games—not only it is involved.
Margo MacDonald: Is the member able to say what the local authority has done to try to make it known throughout the Commonwealth that it has a facility that could be used for training camps?
Margo MacDonald: Is there a plan for the future use of the new facility that is being provided?
Margo MacDonald: Blantyre in the member’s constituency is not the most salubrious or wealthy area, but the people who live there have a great interest in cycling. However, in two years’ time we will be two years further into a depression. Is the member concerned about ticket prices and accessibility because of the lack of cash?
Margo MacDonald: I appreciate Jenny Marra’s sincerity on the issue, but I caution her about placing too much emphasis on a direct parallel between what happened in London and what is likely to happen in Glasgow. The intelligence flow is different in relation to those cities. I will say no more on that at the moment, because I do not want to crash into this debate about the Commonwealth games. I support...
Margo MacDonald: I am grateful for that assurance and I will watch to see what the result is. Like Graeme Dey, I have memories of the Robert Maxwell games, but mine are about a lady following a gentleman into the gentlemen’s toilet. Some other people may remember that, too—there were no medals awarded on that occasion. I liked what Graeme Dey said about Angus’s get-up-and-go as regards outreach, which I...
Margo MacDonald: Is it me?
Margo MacDonald: There was so much noise, Presiding Officer.
Margo MacDonald: Why does the Deputy First Minister insist on pursuing a line of argument that conflates the policy on Europe of the party in government with the principle? There is great confusion outside the walls of this place about the two. Why will she not meet the Governments of the European Free Trade Association, because that would be time better spent?
Margo MacDonald: I thank the cabinet secretary for giving way, given the shortness of time for his speech. Before he moves on to talk about staffing, I want to ask him about policy making. I have in front of me the strategy and supporting operational guidance for policing prostitution and sexual exploitation that was agreed in September last year. It recommends that there should be a devolved or localised way...
Margo MacDonald: Can Graeme Pearson tell me what the clear notion in the legislation is on who fires and who hires? We have had mad and bad in that position before.