Parliamentary Bureau Motions
The next item of business is consideration of Parliamentary Bureau motions.
Motion moved,
That the Parliament agrees that the draft Transfer of Rail Functions to the Scottish Ministers Order 2005 be approved.—[Ms Margaret Curran.]
I speak against the draft order because I believe that the Executive has misled Parliament over the intended role of Strathclyde Passenger Transport in the management of rail services. In June 2004, Nicol Stephen, the then Minister for Transport, said:
"I still expect SPT to have a direct role in the management and development of rail services in the west of Scotland."—[Official Report, 16 June 2004; c 9099.]
He went on to say that he looked forward to SPT expanding and to "further development" of its powers.
In a written answer in December 2004, Nicol Stephen said:
"the Regional Transport Partnership in the West of Scotland will continue to manage, develop and monitor rail services in its area."—[Official Report, Written Answers, 20 December 2004; S2W-12526.]
We are now being told that, as a result of an agreement that was forced on SPT by the Executive, the powers of SPT in key areas such as fares and branding will be curtailed. The Executive has merely agreed to consult SPT.
SPT, in its use of its rail powers, has been a beacon of success and has earned public confidence. It is a tried and tested model that delivers, yet it seems that, for the Executive, SPT is an inconvenience in the Executive's efforts to centralise rail powers within the new agency. Rather than continuing to undermine an organisation with such an impressive record of delivery, members should seize this final opportunity to reverse this misguided policy and to restore to SPT all the rail powers that it previously had.
This is the final legislative stage of delivering the commitment that we first gave in the 2004 transport white paper to transfer the relevant rail powers of SPT to Scottish ministers. We have been clear and unambiguous in our statements to Parliament that a transfer of powers would take place.
The order before Parliament this evening is the right step to ensure a coherent approach to rail strategy and delivery in Scotland. Unlike the Tories, we feel that we cannot afford to have a fragmented structure as we try to improve the railways and their role in Scotland's integrated transport system. We were always committed to SPT's having a role in the development, management and monitoring of rail services. However, I understand that, despite the agreement reached at the meeting on 8 November, SPT cannot recommend signature to its authority. That state of affairs is regrettable.
As a result, SPT will no longer work on the management and monitoring of rail franchise services and the staff involved in those activities will be transferred and begin work in the Scottish Executive next week. The process of transfer is being progressed with SPT this week and I thank it for its co-operation.
Last week, I reassured the Local Government and Transport Committee that staff who transfer will not be disadvantaged by the move. Transferring staff to the Executive will allow us to retain their experience and expertise, which we will need if we are to continue to improve rail services in Scotland.
This devolved Government argues for a unified, simplified rail structure for Scotland and a rail service that delivers for passengers and the Scottish economy. The Tories argue for fragmentation. [Interruption.] I will repeat that, because the Tories missed it the first time. They argue for fragmentation, chaos and no accountability—but they would, wouldn't they? After all, it was the Tories who privatised the rail industry; it was the Tories who were directly responsible for the resulting chaos; and it is the Tories who now admit that they got it wrong—but not, of course, in Scotland. I urge the Parliament to have no truck with a party that, when in government, made such mistakes. This devolved Government is now putting those things right.
I ask Margaret Curran to move motions S2M-3611 to 3614 inclusive, on the approval of Scottish statutory instruments, and motion S2M-3615, on the designation of a lead committee.
Motions moved,
That the Parliament agrees that the draft Civil Partnership (Jurisdiction and Recognition of Judgments) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 be approved.
That the Parliament agrees that the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) (Orkney) (No. 2) (Scotland) Order 2005 (SSI 2005/548) be approved.
That the Parliament agrees that the draft Regional Transport Partnerships (Establishment, Constitution and Membership) (Scotland) Order 2005 be approved.
That the Parliament agrees that the draft Victim Statements (Prescribed Courts) (Scotland) Revocation Order 2005 be approved.
That the Parliament agrees that the Enterprise and Culture Committee be designated as lead committee in consideration of the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.—[Ms Margaret Curran.]
The questions on the motions will be put at decision time.