– in the Scottish Parliament at on 10 September 2020.
Liam Kerr
Conservative
8. To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the Stonehaven train crash. (S5O-04580)
Michael Matheson
Scottish National Party
My thoughts continue to be with the families and friends of those affected by this tragic incident. I visited the site on Monday to show my support to those involved in the investigation, recovery works and service restoration. The site remains under the control of Police Scotland and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch. The removal of the carriages has started and will continue during the coming days. Network Rail advises that the restoration of passenger services is planned for October.
Liam Kerr
Conservative
In harrowing and tragic circumstances, the railway family and all our emergency services were challenged in the extreme that day—and beyond. Their commitment and courage have been rightly noted.
Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport, met Police Constable Liam Mercer, who was one of the first on the scene. I understand that he intends to write to the chief constable of Police Scotland, recommending a commendation for his bravery and for that of PC Eilidh McCabe. Will the Cabinet secretary consider writing to the chief constable in support of that recommendation?
Michael Matheson
Scottish National Party
On the day of the incident, I met PC Liam Mercer, other officers and those in the railway industry who had responded to it. I am conscious of the significant efforts that they all made and the heroic way in which they went about dealing with a complex and tragic event. I assure the member that I have already asked for measures to be taken to recognise the outstanding contribution and bravery that was demonstrated on the day by all those who responded to the tragic incident in such an exemplary way.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
The cabinet is the group of twenty or so (and no more than 22) senior government ministers who are responsible for running the departments of state and deciding government policy.
It is chaired by the prime minister.
The cabinet is bound by collective responsibility, which means that all its members must abide by and defend the decisions it takes, despite any private doubts that they might have.
Cabinet ministers are appointed by the prime minister and chosen from MPs or peers of the governing party.
However, during periods of national emergency, or when no single party gains a large enough majority to govern alone, coalition governments have been formed with cabinets containing members from more than one political party.
War cabinets have sometimes been formed with a much smaller membership than the full cabinet.
From time to time the prime minister will reorganise the cabinet in order to bring in new members, or to move existing members around. This reorganisation is known as a cabinet re-shuffle.
The cabinet normally meets once a week in the cabinet room at Downing Street.
