A rather subdued FMQs today I thought but of course the main subject matter warranted it. Ian Gray's questions were all concerned with the swine flu virus which led to the First Minister giving some interesting facts about the present situation in Scotland and pandemic processes. Of particular interest was the FM's explanation of why the WHO has raised the level from 4 to 5. It seems that in accordance with pandemic WHO structures, once they have proof that a virus can travel human to human and enough evidence is available in two countries to verify this, then the WHO have no option other than to raise the warning level. There was evidence in both Mexico and the US and it was this which triggered the level increase. As well as these details the FM explained the testing system used in Scotland and the differences between possible and probable cases.
Alex Salmond detailed the preparations for a pandemic in Scotland and suggested perhaps we are better prepared than any other country. The exchange between Mr Gray and the FM was all rather cordial, a pleasure to see.
Annabel Goldie also questioned on the flu's progress but also asked if we were prepared for a pandemic where gatherings in public places may be banned. The FM stated he was concentrating on the present and immediate situation but Scotland's NHS and other agencies were fully briefed on how to handle further developments.
Tavish Scott decided to go with the alleged fall in teacher numbers. (A bit of advice Tavish, don't try to put so many puns into one paragraph). Of course the FM suggested Tavish's sums were quite incorrect but hoped he agreed Scotland's budget was being cut by just short of £500m. I've heard that before somewhere.
All in all an informative FMQs with regard to our public health system.
Note: Several times I've criticised Ian Gray and said he really does need to show some sparkle at FMQs. Seems I'm not the only one. Perhaps now there are two of us he may take heed.
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14 comments:
Perhaps now there are two of us he may take heed.
Well I bet he'll take heed at how much his Wife will take him for. Could cost him his new paramour when he finds out the Gray one is broke!
Oldrightie, do you mean the best laid designers, gang off the Gray?
Wv is outan. This software is awesome.
Oh OR the rumour is only a rumour of course. If it was true surely the MWM would have reported it :)
Conan I'm still waiting for an answer to your last remark about if it could be Justin or his sidekick.
Your software knows no bounds - thank goodness!
Oldrightie, I hope she does him for every penny he has. Men who behave in that manner deserve everything that's coming to them. They have no idea of the anguish and hurt they leave behind, especially when their hetrosexual partner just thinks they've lost interest of they have developed a low sex drive in middle age.
They do deserve everything they get and I hope she gets everything she desire. (Speaking as one who knows).
It would appear that Tavish has yet again got it stupendously wrong. There is barely an FMQ goes by that Tavish isn't found crying his eyes out in the exec loos.
According to Fiona Hyslop's department the latest statistics show that the number of maths, science and drama teachers in Scottish schools increased between 2007 and 2008, in the face of falling school roles. There were 159 more maths teachers, 45 more science teachers and 13 more drama teachers.
Poor Tavish, go and sit in the corner.
WV alist, which Tavish don't belong on....
Conan,
That's terrible, LOL!!
WV is imente - what can it mean?
I watched the rest of FMQ,s online and Gray, okay good questions but something about the guy tells me he was hoping for a slip up.
Aunti Anabell, well she was in am muddle, Tavish is just Tavish..
Hmm, FMQ,S was a right swine today!!
Auch Monty, I think us FMQ watchers know that Tavish is always looking for the drama regardless of content. He really ought to be in pantomime himself.
Spook I think he was just going through the motions. He knows he's down and out but can't do anything about it. Poor man, you've got to have some sympathy.
Like Conan, I'm still wondering if it's Justin.
Brownlie, imente? I think my mother would have defined it as 'in a minute', but of course that was Dundeese, a language she spoke but hated.
Monty, are you serious when you said Tavish gets upset after most FMQs? He was laughing at Alex's reply today.
I wish folk would give the source of figures when they quote them at FMQs then we can check out their authenticity.
I think Gray would love to be merely boring - that would be quite aspirational for a Scottish NuLab drone. Mostly they're scary. They're all Brownies, and not deep down. Meet one, and you know you've definitely had a Close Encounter of the Turd Kind. One look at any of these buggers and it suddenly becomes helluva hard to convince yourself that David Icke is entirely bonkers.
Loved the description someone on the blogosphere was pushing around of Spud Murphy as Steerpike. The whole blooming NuLab party looks like something that crawled off the pages of Mervyn Peake.
And I'm so glad we have an SNP government - can you imagine the hysteria about Parmageddon if NuLab was in power?
I remember visiting the parliament a few years ago Vronsky and it was Jack against Nicola in FMQs. Quietly watching all the hangers on go into the chamber I was so unimpressed with even the dress of the labour lot that I nearly decided to give it a miss. Glad I didn't because Nicola Sturgeon gave an excellent performance and Jack did his usual huff and puff.
Nicola has impressed me since with her handling of her remit and although I've never met her, she's one of the few 'career' politicians I respect.
If labour were in charge here we'd all be sitting in oor beds waiting for the big bad germs to attack us.
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