Malcolm comments on al-Megrahi, HBOS, Trident, jobs in the
constituency, and more...
You
can read a full list of Malcolm's speeches and questions to date in this session
of the Scottish Parliament, by clicking here >>>
Malcolm questions the Scottish Government on the Leith Biomass Plant (June 9th & July 1st)
"Is the minister aware of recent American research by the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, which shows that electricity from biomass would result in even more greenhouse gas emissions than coal-fired electricity would do by 2050? Will she ensure that the summary of the research, which I have sent to the Scottish Government, is read by all her colleagues who have responsibility for energy and by the First Minister?" Read
all the questioning and answer in full >>>
Malcolm on public spending cuts (July 1st)
"I understand why Conservative and Liberal Democrat members do not want to deal with the wider context. Their view, as expressed by Danny Alexander on Tuesday, is that there is no choice at a UK level, but that is patent nonsense. We should remember that there is no sound economic rationale for making cuts so deeply and so fast. The action that the Tories and the Lib Dems are taking may well be counterproductive not just for growth, but from the point of view of its effect on the markets, which are already getting spooked by the impact on growth of the European deficit reduction programmes." Read
the speech in full >>>
Malcolm debates minimum pricing for units of alcohol (June 10th)
"I am as concerned as anyone about the potential effect on low-income drinkers, which is an issue that I certainly take very seriously, but let me make two points in response. First, as others have said, poorer communities suffer the most from alcohol. Indeed, the death rate in such communities is 13.5 times greater than in the most affluent communities." Read
Malcolm's speech in full >>>
Malcolm questions the Government about NHS funding in Lothian (May 13th & 27th)
"Is [Nicola Sturgeon] concerned that, this year, NHS Lothian is getting 13.69 per cent of the cake although it is entitled to 14.61 per cent of it? That is a funding gap of £69 million. It is even more concerning that the gap is £5 million greater than it was last year." Read
the questions and answers in full >>>
Malcolm's concerns for vulnerable children (May 20th & June 30th)
"In the United States indicated that children in vulnerable families who received intensive home visiting from health visitors up to the age of two were, by the age of 15, half as likely to have psychological problems and half as likely to have been involved in the criminal justice system as similar children who were not in the programme." Read
the speech in full >>>
"Since August 2008, Circle has been working with female offenders in prison and when they return home to enable them to maintain and rebuild their family lives. Many women who enter Cornton Vale have no idea what happens to their children from the point at which they enter custody. There is a real breakdown in communication at that point, and Circle provides an important bridge in passing on information about care arrangements, facilitating parent-child visits and ensuring that the offending parent is aware of and can participate in their children's hearings sessions." Read
the speech in full >>>
Malcolm debates domestic violence against women and men (June 10th)
"A gendered analysis of domestic abuse that seeks to understand the context, meaning and impact of violence and how it affects men and women differently is vital in ensuring that the right support is available to all who need it.
That is consistent with the gender equality duty, which requires that we recognise the different needs and experiences of men and women in all aspects of life. Therefore, a gender-neutral approach to domestic abuse would be to the detriment of all victims." Read
the speech in full >>>
Malcolm raises issues around aftercare for Breast cancer patients (May 19th 2010)
"It is estimated that at least one patient in five who undergoes surgery for breast cancer goes on to develop lymphoedema in their arm. Because of the good news that more women are surviving breast cancer, more women are now at risk of developing lymphoedema." Read
Malcolm's speech in full >>>
Malcolm defends Edinburgh schools and local projects (February 10th 2010)
"The Government must find a mechanism to ensure that local government prioritises schools because, as I have said several times in the past few months, nothing is more important to the future of Scotland than the education of our young people. As budgets get tighter, it will become increasingly important for the Government to decide what its priorities are and to find a mechanism for delivering them.
" Read
the question and answer in full >>>
Malcolm calls for progress on flood prevention measures (December 10th 2009)
"Does the cabinet secretary understand the frustration and anger of my constituents
in Bonnington and Stockbridge at the further delays to the Water of Leith flood
prevention scheme because of the failure of the Scottish Government to meet the
original commitment to fund 80 per cent of the work?" Read
the question and answer in full >>>
Malcolm argues that children's early years should be a spending priority (January 7th
2010)
"As we head towards more difficult times for
public expenditure, it is more important than ever that we identify the areas
that are most important for the future of society and ensure that they are prioritised.
I believe that the early years, and the first three years of life in particular,
are such an area." Read
Malcolm's thoughts in full >>>
Malcolm
calls for increased funding of Scottish education (December 16th 2009)
"Is the cabinet secretary aware that in the real world of
Edinburgh, where his SNP colleagues are part of the council administration, there
are proposals not to increase nursery hours, not to extend free school meals,
not to reduce class sizes and - most of all - to cut school budgets for each of
the next three years by 2.5 per cent per annum?" Read
the question and answer in full >>>
The Scottish Government's 2010-11 Budget (December 17th 2009, January 20th, 2010)
"A great deal can be done to support the economy within the
budget over which the cabinet secretary has control. At the Finance Committee
on Tuesday, the cabinet secretary said that the £300 million that he wanted from
capital acceleration would make the difference between growth and recession. If
he really believes that, it is quite astonishing that he has not done more in
his own budget to support areas that would boost economic recovery." Read
Malcolm's contribution to the debate in full >>>
"One advantage of the budget process is that we can hear
a great deal of evidence from a range of stakeholders and experts before we come
to the chamber to debate the budget. I am sure that members have surveyed much
of the evidence. The key message that comes through from a vast number of people
who gave evidence is that the budget is deficient in supporting economic recovery.
That is why Labour's key demand is that there should be movement in the economic
area." Read
Malcolm's contribution to the debate in full >>>
Malcolm
asks John Swinney about funding for deprived areas in Edinburgh (January 28th 2010)
"Is there anything in the single outcome agreements or the guidance to ensure that my council, which is a Scottish National Party coalition administration, will still have to dedicate money to area-based regeneration?"
Read Malcolm's
question in full, with the answer >>>
Malcolm
highlights the Chancellor's Pre Budget Report (December 16th 2009)
"As we would expect, the cabinet secretary emphasised the bad news in the pre-budget
report, but forgot the good. I hope that he welcomes the protection that has been
given by the chancellor for health, schools and police in England, which will
feed through into our budget. I hope that he and his cabinet colleagues will find
a similar way to protect schools, as I said during Michael Russell's statement."
Read Malcolm's
contribution to the debate in full >>>
Question
about the threat to jobs at Telford College (October 8th 2009):
"The cabinet secretary mentioned Telford College in my constituency, and
she will know that there have been several job losses among staff there, including
compulsory redundancies in the business, information technology and finance departments.
Given the importance of those areas to the Edinburgh economy, does she think that
the decision of the management of the college was wise? " Malcolm's
question and the Minister's response >>>
The decision to return Abdelbaset al-Megrahi to Libya (August-September 2009):
"Whatever anyone thinks about the cabinet secretary's
motivation, his decision was certainly not based on populism, given that widespread
opposition could be anticipated. What has taken me aback and surprised many others
is the strength of support for the decision, as I have seen for myself in scores
of e-mails, letters and comments from constituents and others during the past
week." Malcolm's
contributions in full >>>
The Care Commision and services for older people (October 28th-29th 2009):
"Sticking with care, we should remember that only a
minority of older people require care services: 3 per cent of those between 65
and 74, and 40 per cent of those who are 85 plus. Of course, in relation to care,
the welcome explosion in the number of over-85s in the next 20 years will be important."
Malcolm's contributions
in full >>>
"The minister will agree that the care commission is central to addressing these problems. Is she satisfied that downgrading the second inspection of many care homes within any one year is risk free?" More >>>
The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Bill (March 25th 2010):
Malcolm made various remarks including on membership of the Mental Welfare Commission for mental health service users, quality control and pay settlements...
Malcolm's contributions
in full >>>
Question to the First Minister about Scotsman jobs
(October 8th 2009):
"Does the First Minister share my concern at the loss of 100 jobs in my constituency as a result of the decision of Johnston Press to print its titles in Sunderland and in the west of Scotland, without creating any additional jobs in those areas?
." Malcolm's
question and the First Minister's response >>>
The shared history and links between Scotland and Poland
(October 28th 2009):
"It is fitting that there is a war memorial in the Redbraes
community garden in my constituency to the Poles who died in the war. I pay tribute
to PC Simon Daley, whose idea the memorial was; it was one of several actions
to help bring the Scottish and Polish communities together." Malcolm's
contribution in full >>>
You
can read a full list of Malcolm's speeches and questions in this session of the
Scottish Parliament, by clicking here >>> Motion
proposed for debate by Malcolm (July 2009): School
closures in Edinburgh North & Leith >>> The
Climate Change Bill (Scotland) (June 2009): "This
is the most important debate on the bill; indeed, this has been the key issue
throughout the whole process. We all know that cumulative emissions are what matter
and that, as a result, early action is crucial" Malcolm's
speech in full >>> The Climate
Change Bill (Scotland) (May 2009): "The Climate
Change (Scotland) Bill is the most important bill of the parliamentary session
and climate change is the most urgent issue of the age. Climate change not only
threatens the future of our children and grandchildren, but is already affecting
millions of people throughout the world." Malcolm's
speech in full >>>
Motion proposed for debate by Malcolm (July 2009):
Congratulations
to Bethany Christion Trust >>>
Question to the First Minister about Telford College (June 2009):
"Given that business, tourism and information technology are central to the Edinburgh
economy, is the First Minister as appalled as I am that Edinburgh's Telford College,
in my constituency, is talking about axing most of the teaching staff in its departments
on those subjects in addition to support staff throughout the college?" Malcolm's
question in full, and the First Minister's response >>>
Malcolm's motion for debate on the cuts at Telford College >>>
Leith Festival (June 2009): "Can
a modest amount of the expo fund be used to support the Leith festival, given
that it has lost some of its commercial sponsorship? Can I encourage members to
attend some of the wonderful events that will be on during June in the greatest
community arts festival in Scotland?" The
Minister's response >>> Spartans
Community Football Academy (May 2009): "The outstanding
success over the past few months of the Spartans Community Football Academy ...
has provided facilities for hundreds of young people in my constituency - many
of whom would otherwise be on street corners. Does the cabinet secretary share
my disappointment that the academy was not successful in the previous round of
applications to cashback for communities?" Malcolm's
speech in full >>>
Motion proposed for debate by Malcolm (May 2009):
Congratulations
to The Junction community health project >>>
Antisocial behaviour in flats let short term for holidays (June 2009): "Can
the cabinet secretary confirm that he is open-minded about modifying section 7
of the 2004 act so that antisocial behaviour notices can be enforced on landlords?"
Malcolm's question
in full, and the Justice Minister's response >>> Community
Health Nurses (June 2009): "Does the minister agree
with the majority of nurses that the generic community health nurse model would
result in a loss of nursing experience in relation to children, young people and
families, and that it would be better to have multidisciplinary community health
teams that concentrate on either early years or adults?" Malcolm's
speech in full >>> Looking back
at the HBOS - Lloyds TSB merger (May 2009): "One very
interesting piece of information is that the Lloyds Banking Group is beginning
to see Edinburgh as a centre of excellence, including for its procurement arm
and asset management business. We have to look at what happened in terms of swings
and roundabouts." Malcolm's
speech in full >>> Questions
on antisocial behaviour and housing (April 2009): "As
the minister will know, I wrote to him a few weeks ago asking him to consider
various options for dealing with antisocial behaviour in short-term lets"
The Minister''s
reply >>>
"The City of Edinburgh Council has said clearly that it cannot meet [the
2012 homelessness target with the level of resources that it receives" The
Minister's reply >>> Motion proposed
for debate by Malcolm (April 2009): Citadel
Youth Centre and intergenerational work >>> Malcolm
on the UK Government's budget (April 2009): "The
Centre for Economic and Business Research, which is one of the bodies that analysed
the VAT element, said in its report that turnover will be between £8 billion and
£9 billion higher this year because of the VAT measure. That has clearly been
of substantial benefit to the economy." More
>>> Question to the Finance Minister
on borrowing powers for the Parliament (February 5th 2009):"There
are two ... reasons why borrowing powers cannot be a panacea. ... We would have
to pay back any borrowing from what will inevitably be tighter budgets over the
next few years. Secondly ... any borrowing that we undertake would be part of
UK borrowing, which cannot expand without limit, partly because of our membership
of the European Union and partly for sound macroeconomic reasons." More
>>>
Widening access to new drugs (March 2009):
"The co-payment arrangements ...
announced today will be tolerable only if universal access to new drugs is extended
rather than reduced" The
Health Secretary's reply >>>
Malcolm on the need for investment in housing (April 2009):
"It is right to skew capital expenditure to housing. Harder times are coming for public
expenditure, so it will be more important than ever to pick the right priorities.
Emphasising capital expenditure on housing over other areas of expenditure
is important for three reasons.."
More >>>
The Pre-budget Report: Housing & Education (December 3rd 2008):"The
City of Edinburgh Council has made it absolutely clear in its strategic housing
investment plan, which the Government has, that it cannot meet the target without
significant increases in supply of about 500 houses each year over and above what
the council is already building. The £36 million a year that the council
receives will not address that need." More
>>> Malcolm in the opening debate
(September 3rd 2008):"For me, the key
issues in politics now, in recent times and, in some cases, for all time, are
how the Government's programme will deliver social justice, how it will deliver
on climate change and how it will deliver on economic growth" More
>>> Malcolm
on the Scotish Performing Arts (March 13th, April 24th 2008, May 22nd):
"Does the minister accept that the Scottish Government
has a responsibility because the drama courses in particular are not funded at
conservatoire level and have to cross-subsidise the music courses? Will she intervene
with the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council to try to rectify
the underlying problem?"
More >>>
"[Linda
Fabiani]
recognised that creative Scotland will have many new responsibilities, but that
means that traditional support for the performing arts will decline. Does that
not give her cause for concern? " More >>>
"In Edinburgh, is not the council's SNP coalition administration depriving
children of opportunities to access and enjoy Scottish Ballet and Scottish Opera?" More >>>
Malcolm on Fair Trade (March 19th, May 22nd 2008):"Madrid
put forward tendering proposals for the supply of Fairtrade T-shirts. Perhaps
Scotland could develop that idea further to include fair and ethical criteria
in its procurement contracts for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth games. That is
just one way in which Scotland can do more not only to support the ideals of
Fairtrade but to promote more ethical codes of practice in business in Scotland
and abroad. " More >>>
"Was the First Minister concerned by this week's BBC Scotland report that
several public authorities have entered into contracts with companies accused
of serious abuses of workers' rights, including child labour?" More >>>
Malcolm on the way forward for the NHS in Scotland
(March 12th 2008):
"Independent
scrutiny represents another step towards establishing an open and effective procedure
for bringing about service change that is based on developing options with people,
not on presenting options to them.It is fair to say that such an approach has
been evolving over a number of years and that, as I say, this is the next stage
in the process." More >>>
Malcolm on renewable energy (February 28th 2008):"Small-scale
renewable energy technologies can play an important role in reducing domestic
energy consumption ... the 15 per cent renewables target for new developments
set out in Scottish planning policy 6, which was issued before the election,
can be important in expanding their use" More >>>
Malcolm on Trident (June 14th 2007):"The
non-proliferation treaty is crucial to the debate. The treaty is a bargain: nations
without nuclear weapons promised not to develop them and, in exchange, nuclear
weapons states promised to pursue negotiations towards nuclear disarmament in
good faith. As Mohamed ElBaradei, head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog,
asked recently, how can Britain expect other countries to refrain from acquiring
nuclear weapons if it upgrades Trident?" More >>>