Thursday, 18 December 2008
Scottish Parliament Thursday 18 December 2008 [THE PRESIDING OFFICER opened the meeting at 09:15]
Good morning. The first item of business this morning is a debate on motion S3M-3125, in the name of Kenny MacAskill, on drink driving. I invite all members who wish to speak in the debate to...
To ask the Scottish Executive when the review of the antisocial behaviour strategy will be published. (S3O-5320)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to alleviate Aberdeen's affordable housing shortage. (S3O-5318)
To ask the Scottish Government what procedures are in place to monitor the safety of food products imported from European countries and the rest of the world. (S3O-5348)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the system of distinction awards for hospital consultants is in the interests of the national health service. (S3O-5338)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that vulnerable older people in Argyll and Bute receive the most appropriate care services for their needs. (S3O-5261)
To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available to carers of people in the community with mental health problems. (S3O-5281)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure the competitiveness of Scottish universities. (S3O-5317)
To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day. (S3F-1294)
To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland. (S3F-1295)
To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Cabinet. (S3F-1296)
To ask the First Minister, in light of the recent research report by the University of Glasgow on the effectiveness of methadone prescribing policy, what actions will be taken to address the...
To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's position is on the statement by the Scottish Building Federation that the 20,000 construction jobs lost in the last year will put...
To ask the First Minister when the Scottish Government will produce an energy efficiency action plan. (S3F-1313)
The next item of business is a members' business debate on motion S3M-2878, in the name of Pauline McNeill, on dignity for Palestinians. The debate will be concluded without any question being...
. Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to increase the number of railway stations. (S3O-5337)
. Bill Butler (Glasgow Anniesland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it next plans to meet the chief executive of Scottish Water and what will be discussed. (S3O-5266)
. Bashir Ahmad (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives from the Institute of Asian Professionals to discuss the current economic climate. (S3O-5324)
. Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the local government finance settlement will impact on front-line local authority services. (S3O-5264)
. Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the financial impact on small businesses of roadworks. (S3O-5310)
. Angela Constance (Livingston) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will work with local authorities to improve public transport. (S3O-5327)
. Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to assist the construction industry through the economic downturn. (S3O-5302)
. Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for new transport projects in Fife. (S3O-5263)
. Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in relation to the project to reopen the Waverley line between Edinburgh, Midlothian and the...
. David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in improving transport links to the Highlands. (S3O-5298)
. Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what investment models the Scottish Futures Trust has recommended to local authorities for infrastructure projects for which...
. Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has held in the last month with local authority, enterprise company and local business...
. Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the reported statement of Professor John Kay, a member of its Council of Economic...
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-3124, in the name of Nicola Sturgeon, on the organ donation task force.
There are five questions to be put as a result of today's business. The first question is, that amendment S3M-3125.1.1, in the name of Bill Aitken, which seeks to amend amendment S3M-3125.1, in...
The Scottish Parliament is the national legislature of Scotland, located in Edinburgh. The Parliament consists of 129 members known as MSPs, elected for four-year terms; 73 represent individual geographical constituencies, and 56 are regional representatives.