Today's FMQs were more interesting than of late. Leaving aside some of the political point scoring some important facts were given by the First Minister. Ian Gray's questions concerned abscondees in open prisons and he focused on one prisoner in particular. The FM stated in the last year of the labour/libdem government there were 339 prisoners in the open estate and 79 abscondees. Since Kenny MacAskill introduced the reforms 342 prisoners were in the open estate with 16 abscondees - approximately 20% of the last government's total. This is an all time low. We now have 16,675 police officers in Scotland and continue to train more.
Annabel Goldie, unfortunately for her, asked the FM if he would be prepared to be questioned before MPs at Westminster now that David Cameron has stated, if he became PM, he would treat the Scottish Government with respect and responsibility. What an opening for the FM! Alex Salmond's response was he was quite happy to appear before any Westminster committee and he had already done so, but of course he kept his best until last. Honing in on Ms Goldie's 'respect' comment, he said that was an admission that tories were viewed as anti-Scottish because they had not treated Scotland with respect. I have to admit Ms Goldie couldn't quite suppress her amusement at the FM's attack. Ms Goldie's second question asked the FM to support her call for a general election and with this the FM said he could definitely concur.
Tavish Scott questioned the FM on the subject of Scottish banking job losses. The FM replied saying the Finance Task Force, which the libdems are requested, was now up and running and, as well as helping with those who have been made redundant, it is engaging with those companies who are growing in the financial sector. He reminded Tavish Scott that many areas of the Scottish finance sector are doing very well.
There was a constituency question which deserves a mention. Michael McMahon, who has campaigned long and hard for an answer to the deaths of 14 residents of the Rosepark Care Home in his constituency of Uddingston, asked the FM if the loophole in the law regarding prosecution of those responsible for the home at the time, could be closed. The FM replied the Scottish Government and the UK legislators were working together to close the loophole but he had just received notification from the Crown Office that a fatal accident enquiry is to be started. At last good news for the families concerned.
Posts
