Plenary, 08 Mar 2001

Meeting date: Thursday, March 8, 2001

Official Report 649KB pdf

---

Points of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. In the light of the decision taken on motion S1M-1725, on which Parliament expressed its support for an amendment that requires the Executive to finance immediately a tie-up scheme in the Scottish fishing sector, may I invite the First Minister to address Parliament and indicate, as I am sure he will, that he intends to obey the will of Parliament?

That stands as a request, but standing orders do not require a minister to make an immediate statement.

Further to that point of order, Presiding Officer. Ministers seem desperate to make statements when it suits them, but not when they have problems in Parliament. Will the First Minister give a commitment—and will you ask him to give a commitment—to make a statement to Parliament, before we rise tonight, to clarify the Government's stance on the amended motion to which Parliament agreed?

It is not up to me to ask the First Minister anything of the kind. I have no doubt that the Executive will reflect on what Parliament has decided and that a minister will make a statement in due course.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. It is normal for the Administration to make a statement after a significant parliamentary defeat. The Executive is departing from usual practice.

I say with great respect that Lord James Douglas-Hamilton cannot say that that practice is normal. We have never before experienced a situation like today's. I think that he is thinking of another place. We will leave things as they are. No doubt we will hear about the issue if and when the Executive wishes to make a statement.