Plenary, 27 Oct 2004

Meeting date: Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Official Report 481KB pdf

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Parliamentary Bureau Motions

The next item of business is consideration of eight Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Margaret Curran to move motions S2M-1884 to S2M-1887 inclusive, on the approval of Scottish statutory instruments.

Motions moved,

That the Parliament agrees that the Fishing Vessels (Satellite-tracking Devices) (Scotland) Scheme 2004 (SSI 2004/379) be approved.

That the Parliament agrees that the draft Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (Modification of National Parks (Scotland) Act 2000) Order 2004 be approved.

That the Parliament agrees that the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Functions Exercisable in or as Regards Scotland) Order 2004 be approved.

That the Parliament agrees that the draft Scotland Act 1998 (Modifications of Schedule 5) Order 2004 be approved.—[Ms Margaret Curran.]

I ask Margaret Curran to move motion S2M-1888, on the approval of an SSI.

Motion moved,

That the Parliament agrees that the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning) (West Coast) (No.10) (Scotland) Order 2004 (SSI 2004/412) be approved.—[Ms Margaret Curran.]

The Scottish Conservatives have consistently called for a move from the use of blanket bans, such as this order, to a system of health protection based on end-product testing, which is acceptable to the European Union.

Blanket bans not only damage the shellfish industry and the economy, but take time and effort to implement and remove, at a cost to the taxpayer. Our fishermen are disadvantaged in that at times of seasonal risk in the North sea and surrounding waters, Irish product can be sold in Scotland while our own product cannot. End-product testing would improve consumer confidence while moving the cost to the industry and saving it from economic disruption.

The former Minister and Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care consistently attacked our position and proposals. However, I am delighted that the new Minister and Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care have moved from that position. I was told at yesterday's meeting of the Health Committee that they are moving to a scheme of end-product testing, which should reduce dramatically the number of future blanket bans. I welcome their acceptance of our position at last and the latest U-turn of the new ministerial team, which I trust will be the first of many.

However, today we will oppose this SSI and ask that the Minister for Health and Community Care inform members of the timescale for the implementation of an end-product testing regime for Scotland.

Mr Davidson fails to understand that our priority continues to be the protection of public health. The Tories imply that there is no risk to public health, but the fact is—let us get this fact straight—that toxins affecting Scottish shellfish have been detected at levels many times higher than those that can cause illness and death. Just one case of shellfish poisoning in Scotland could destroy the whole shellfish industry. The Tories in opposing the motion, and the SNP in abstaining from the vote, are failing to put public health at the top of the agenda, which is a disgrace.

I ask Margaret Curran to move motions S2M-1889 and S2M-1890, on the designation of lead committees, and motion S2M-1892, on the membership of a committee.

Motions moved,

That the Parliament agrees that the Justice 1 Committee be designated as lead committee in consideration of the International Criminal Court (Enforcement of Fines, Forfeiture and Reparation Orders) (Scotland) (Revocation) Regulations 2004 (SSI 2004/437).

That the Parliament agrees that the Justice 2 Committee be designated as lead committee in consideration of the Victim Notification (Prescribed Offences) (Scotland) Order 2004 (SSI 2004/411).

That the Parliament agrees that Alasdair Morgan be appointed to replace Stewart Stevenson on the Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Bill Committee.—[Ms Margaret Curran.]

The questions on the motions will be put at decision time.