DOCSLIB.ORG

Journal of the Scottish Parliament

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Journal of the Scottish Parliament Journal of the Scottish Parliament Volume 1: 1st Parliamentary Year, Session 3 (9 May 2007 – 8 May 2008) SPJ 3.1 Foreword The Journal is the central, long-term, authoritative record of what the Parliament has done. The Minutes of Proceedings, which are produced for each meeting of the Parliament, do that in an immediate way, while the Journal presents essentially the same material but has the benefit of hindsight to allow any errors and infelicities of presentation to be corrected. Unlike the Official Report, which primarily records what is said, the Minutes of Proceedings, and in the longer term the Journal, provide the authoritative record of what was done. The Journal is required under Rule 16.3 of Standing Orders and contains, in addition to the Minutes of Proceedings themselves, notice of any Bill introduced*, notice of any instrument or draft instrument or any other document laid before the Parliament; notice of any report of a committee, and any other matter that the Parliament, on a motion of the Parliamentary Bureau, considers should be included. (* The requirement to include notice of Bills introduced was only added to Rule 16.3 in January 2003. However, such notices have in practice been recorded in the Annex to the Minutes of Proceedings from the outset.) Note: (DT), which appears throughout the Journal, signifies a decision taken at Decision Time. Chamber Office Directorate of Clerking and Reporting Journal of the Scottish Parliament Volume 1: 1st Parliamentary Year, Session 3 (9 May 2007 – 3 May 2008) Contents Page Journal ……………………………………………………………………..………. 1 Annex A Bills introduced ……………………………………………………….…………. 266 Annex B Subordinate legislation— 1. Affirmative instruments ……………………………………………….. 269 2. Negative instruments …………………………………………………. 274 3. Instruments not subject to any parliamentary procedure ……..……295 4. Legislative consent memoranda …………………………..………….295 Annex C Other documents ………….……………………………………………………..297 Annex D SPCB papers ……………………………………………………………………. 331 Annex E Committee reports ………………………………..…………………………….. 332 Journal Index ……………………………………………………………………339 Index to Annexes B, C, D and E ……………………………………………. 358 No. 1 Wednesday 9 May 2007 The meeting opened at 9.30 am. 1. Oaths and Affirmations: The following members took the oath of allegiance or made their solemn affirmation before the Clerk— Oath Affirmation Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond Jack Wilson McConnell Annabel MacNicoll Goldie Robin Charles Moreton Harper Nicol Stephen Brian James Adam Bashir Ahmad Claire Baker William Mackie Aitken Sarah Herriot Boyack Wendy Alexander Rhona Margaret Brankin Alasdair James Allan Keith Brown Jacqueline Marie Baillie Robert Edward Brown Richard James Baker William Gerard Butler Edward Brocklebank Malcolm George Richardson Chisholm Gavin Lindberg Brown Bruce Robert Hardie Crawford Derek Scott Brownlee Roseanna Cunningham Aileen Campbell Nigel Anderson Don Jackson Carlaw Bob Doris Angela Constance Linda Fabiani Catherine Craigie Joe FitzPatrick Margaret Patricia Curran George Foulkes Helen Stirling Eadie Kenneth James Gibson Fergus Stewart Ewing Robert McKay Gibson Patricia Josephine Ferguson Marlyn Laing Glen Alexander Charles Onslow Fergusson Charles Gordon James Ross Finnie Christine Grahame Murdo Fraser Patrick Harvie Karen MacDonald Gillon Jamie Douglas Hepburn Patricia Godman Fiona Jane Hyslop Rhoda Grant Adam Hamilton Ingram Iain Cumming Gray Catherine Mary Jamieson Christopher Thomas Harvie Bill Kidd Hugh Henry Johann MacDougall Lamont Jim Hume Richard Neilson Lochhead Alexander Johnstone Kenneth Wright MacAskill James Kelly Alison McInnes Andrew Palmer Kerr Ian Hume McKee John Robert Lamont Christina McKelvie Marilyn Margaret Livingstone Michael McMahon Liam Scott McArthur Stuart McMillan Francis McAveety Tricia Marwick Thomas McCabe William Coffey Lewis Macdonald James Stuart Mather Margo MacDonald Michael Stephen Matheson 1 James Angus Roderick Neil McGrigor William Stewart Maxwell Kenneth Donald Macintosh Alasdair Neil Morgan David William McLetchie Hugh O’Donnell Duncan McNeil John Park Pauline Mary McNeill Catherine Campbell Peattie Desmond McNulty Jeremy Purvis Paul Martin Shona Robison Nanette Margaret Milne Iain William Smith Janet Margaret Mitchell Nicola Sturgeon Margaret Mary Mulligan Stefan Tymkewycz John Farquhar Munro Andrew Paton Welsh Elaine Kildare Murray Sandra White Alexander Neil Bill Wilson Irene Oldfather John Gordon Wilson Gil Paterson Peter James Peacock Michael Stanley Robert Pringle Michael John Rumbles Michael William Russell Mary Elizabeth Scanlon John Scott Tavish Hamilton Scott Richard Simpson Elaine Agnes Smith Elizabeth Jane Smith Margaret Joy Smith Stewart Stevenson David John Stewart Jamie Hume Stone John Ramsay Swinney David George Thompson James Tolson Maureen Elizabeth Watt Karen Whitefield David Forbes Whitton 2. Motion without Notice: Alasdair Morgan, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved without notice that S3M-1 be taken at this meeting of Parliament. The motion was agreed to. 3. Rule 8.16: Alasdair Morgan, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-1—That the Parliament agrees that, for the purposes of electing a Presiding Officer and two Deputy Presiding Officers, the third sentence of Rule 8.16 of Standing Orders be suspended and that under Rule 8.16 thus varied, this meeting of the Parliament be adjourned until 3.00 pm on Monday 14 May 2007. 2 The motion was agreed to. The meeting was adjourned at 12.07 pm. The meeting was recommenced at 3.00 pm on Monday 14 May 2007. 4. Election of Presiding Officer: The following members were nominated as candidates for appointment as Presiding Officer— Alex Fergusson Margo MacDonald The result of the first round of voting was— Alex Fergusson 108 Margo MacDonald 20 Abstentions 0 Spoilt papers 0 Alex Fergusson was duly elected as Presiding Officer. 5. Election of Deputy Presiding Officers: The following members were nominated as candidates for appointment as Deputy Presiding Officer— Trish Godman Alasdair Morgan Margaret Smith Jamie Stone The result of the first round of voting was— Trish Godman 47 Alasdair Morgan 55 Margaret Smith 12 Jamie Stone 8 Abstentions 1 Spoilt papers 4 Accordingly, Jamie Stone was eliminated at that round and a second round of voting was held. The result of that round of voting was— Trish Godman 49 Alasdair Morgan 61 Margaret Smith 16 Abstentions 0 Spoilt papers 1 Accordingly, Margaret Smith was eliminated at that round and a third round of voting was held. The result of that round of voting was— 3 Trish Godman 49 Alasdair Morgan 77 Abstentions 0 Spoilt papers 0 Alasdair Morgan was duly elected as a Deputy Presiding Officer. The candidates in the election for the second Deputy Presiding Officer were— Trish Godman Margaret Smith Jamie Stone The result of the first round of voting in that election was— Trish Godman 69 Margaret Smith 48 Jamie Stone 8 Abstentions 0 Spoilt papers 1 Trish Godman was duly elected as a Deputy Presiding Officer. The meeting closed at 5.22 pm. 4 No.2 Wednesday 16 May 2007 The meeting opened at 10.00 am. 1. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-14—That the Parliament agrees— (a) the following programme of business— Wednesday 16 May 2007 10.00 am Business Motion followed by Selection of the Parliament’s nominee for First Minister Thursday 17 May 2007 11.15 am First Minister's Motion to appoint Scottish Ministers followed by First Minister's Motion to appoint Junior Scottish Ministers (b) that the period for lodging First Minister’s Questions for First Minister’s Question Time on 31 May 2007 should end at 4.00 pm on Thursday 24 May; (c) that the period for Members to submit their names for selection for General Question Time on 31 May 2007 should end at 4.00 pm on Thursday 17 May; and (d) that the period for Members to submit their names for selection for General and Themed Question Times on 7 June 2007 should end at 4.00 pm on Thursday 24 May. The motion was agreed to. 2. First Minister: The following members were nominated as candidates for appointment as First Minister— Annabel Goldie Jack McConnell Alex Salmond Nicol Stephen The result of the first round of voting was— Annabel Goldie 16 Jack McConnell 46 Alex Salmond 49 Nicol Stephen 16 Abstentions 1 Spoilt papers 0 5 Accordingly, Annabel Goldie and Nicol Stephen were eliminated at that round and a second round of voting was held. The result of that round of voting was— Jack McConnell 46 Alex Salmond 49 Abstentions 33 Spoilt papers 0 Alex Salmond was duly selected as nominee for appointment as First Minister. The meeting closed at 11.23 am. 6 No. 3 Thursday 17 May 2007 The meeting opened at 11.15 am. 1. Appointment of Ministers: The First Minister moved S3M-26—That the Parliament agrees that Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney, Kenny MacAskill, Fiona Hyslop and Richard Lochhead be appointed as Ministers. Murdo Fraser moved amendment S3M-26.2 to motion S3M-26— Leave out “and Richard Lochhead”. With the agreement of the Parliament, amendment S3M-26.2 was withdrawn. Tavish Scott moved amendment S3M-26.1 to motion S3M-26— Leave out “John Swinney”. After debate, the amendment was disagreed to ((DT) by division: For 1, Against 49, Abstentions 73). The motion was then agreed to ((DT) by division: For 49, Against 0, Abstentions 75). 2. Appointment of Junior Scottish Ministers: The First Minister moved S3M-27—That the Parliament agrees that Bruce Crawford, Linda Fabiani, Jim Mather, Stewart Stevenson, Maureen Watt, Adam Ingram, Shona Robison, Stewart Maxwell, Fergus Ewing
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Act of Sederunt (Simple Procedure) 2016 SSI 2016/200
    Act of Sederunt (Simple Procedure) 2016 SSI 2016/200 1. Citation and commencement, etc 2. The Simple Procedure Rules 3. Interpretation of the Simple Procedure Rules 4. Warrants 5. Arrestment to found jurisdiction Citation and commencement, etc 1. (1) This Act of Sederunt may be cited as the Act of Sederunt (Simple Procedure) 2016. (2) It comes into force on 28th November 2016. (3) A certified copy is to be inserted in the Books of Sederunt. The Simple Procedure Rules 2. (1) Schedule 1 contains rules for simple procedure cases and may be cited as the Simple Procedure Rules. (2) A form referred to in the Simple Procedure Rules means— (a) the form with that name in Schedule 2, or (b) an electronic version of the form with that name in Schedule 2, adapted for use by the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service with the portal on its website. (3) Where the Simple Procedure Rules require a form to be used, that form may be varied where the circumstances require it. Interpretation of the Simple Procedure Rules 3. (1) In the Simple Procedure Rules— “a case where the expenses of a claim are capped” means a simple procedure case— (a) to which an order made under section 81(1) of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014a applies; or (b) in which the sheriff has made a direction under section 81(7) of that Act; [omitted in consequentials] “a decision which absolves the respondent” means a decree of absolvitor; “a decision which orders the respondent to deliver something to the claimant” means a decree for delivery or for recovery of possession; “a decision
    [Show full text]
  • Scottish Parliament Annual Report 2012–13 Contents
    Scottish Parliament Annual Report 2012–13 Contents Foreword from the Presiding Officer 3 Parliamentary business 5 Committees 11 International engagement 18 Engagement with the public 20 Click on the links in the page headers to access more information about the areas covered in this report. Cover photographs - clockwise from top left: Lewis Macdonald MSP and Richard Baker MSP in the Chamber Local Government and Regeneration Committee Education visit to the Parliament Special Delivery: The Letters of William Wallace exhibition Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee Festival of Politics event Welfare Reform Committee witnesses Inside cover photographs - clockwise from top left: Health and Sport Committee witnesses Carers Parliament event The Deputy First Minister and First Minister The Presiding Officer at ArtBeat studios during Parliament Day Hawick Large Hadron Collider Roadshow Published in Edinburgh by APS Group Scotland © Parliamentary copyright. Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body 2013 Information on the Scottish Parliament’s copyright policy can be found on the website - www.scottish.parliament.uk/copyright or by contacting public information on 0131 348 5000. ISBN 978-1-78351-356-7 SP Paper Number 350 Web Only Session 4 (2013) www.scottish.parliament.uk/PresidingOfficer Foreword from the Presiding Officer This annual report provides information on how the Scottish Parliament has fulfilled its role during the parliamentary year 11 May 2012 to 10 May 2013. This last year saw the introduction of reforms designed to make Parliament more agile and responsive through the most radical changes to our processes since the Parliament’s establishment in 1999. A new parliamentary sitting pattern was adopted, with the full Parliament now meeting on three days per week.
    [Show full text]
  • Spice Briefing
    MSPs BY CONSTITUENCY AND REGION Scottish SESSION 1 Parliament This Fact Sheet provides a list of all Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) who served during the first parliamentary session, Fact sheet 12 May 1999-31 March 2003, arranged alphabetically by the constituency or region that they represented. Each person in Scotland is represented by 8 MSPs – 1 constituency MSPs: Historical MSP and 7 regional MSPs. A region is a larger area which covers a Series number of constituencies. 30 March 2007 This Fact Sheet is divided into 2 parts. The first section, ‘MSPs by constituency’, lists the Scottish Parliament constituencies in alphabetical order with the MSP’s name, the party the MSP was elected to represent and the corresponding region. The second section, ‘MSPs by region’, lists the 8 political regions of Scotland in alphabetical order. It includes the name and party of the MSPs elected to represent each region. Abbreviations used: Con Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Green Scottish Green Party Lab Scottish Labour LD Scottish Liberal Democrats SNP Scottish National Party SSP Scottish Socialist Party 1 MSPs BY CONSTITUENCY: SESSION 1 Constituency MSP Region Aberdeen Central Lewis Macdonald (Lab) North East Scotland Aberdeen North Elaine Thomson (Lab) North East Scotland Aberdeen South Nicol Stephen (LD) North East Scotland Airdrie and Shotts Karen Whitefield (Lab) Central Scotland Angus Andrew Welsh (SNP) North East Scotland Argyll and Bute George Lyon (LD) Highlands & Islands Ayr John Scott (Con)1 South of Scotland Ayr Ian
    [Show full text]
  • Act of Sederunt (Summary Applications, Statutory Applications and Appeals Etc
    SCOTTISH STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS 2019 No. 140 SHERIFF COURT Act of Sederunt (Summary Applications, Statutory Applications and Appeals etc. Rules Amendment) (Labour Market Enforcement Orders) 2019 Made - - - - 17th April 2019 Laid before the Scottish Parliament 18th April 2019 Coming into force - - 18th May 2019 In accordance with section 4 of the Scottish Civil Justice Council and Criminal Legal Assistance Act 2013( a), the Court of Session has approved draft rules submitted to it by the Scottish Civil Justice Council with such modifications as it thinks appropriate. The Court of Session therefore makes this Act of Sederunt under the powers conferred by section 104(1) of the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014( b) and all other powers enabling it to do so. Citation and commencement, etc. 1. —(1) This Act of Sederunt may be cited as the Act of Sederunt (Summary Applications, Statutory Applications and Appeals etc. Rules Amendment) (Labour Market Enforcement Orders) 2019. (2) It comes into force on 18th May 2019. (3) A certified copy is to be inserted in the Books of Sederunt. Amendment of the Summary Application Rules 1999 2. —(1) The Act of Sederunt (Summary Applications, Statutory Applications and Appeals etc. Rules) 1999( c) is amended in accordance with this paragraph. (2) In Part XLIX (illegal working orders)( d)— (a) in the Part heading, after “WORKING” insert “AND LABOUR MARKET ENFORCEMENT”; (b) after rule 3.49.3 (applications for compensation) insert— (a) 2013 asp 3. Section 4 was amended by the Courts Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 (asp 18), schedule 5, paragraph 31(3), and by the Inquiries into Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths etc.
    [Show full text]
  • Reports to Conference
    Reports to Conference Spring Conference 2016 REPORTS TO CONFERENCE SPRING 2016 Contents Federal Conference Committee ........................................................... 2 Federal Policy Committee .................................................................... 6 Federal Executive .............................................................................. 10 Federal Finance & Administration Committee .................................... 18 Parliamentary Party Report (Commons) ............................................ 22 Parliamentary Party Report (Lords) ................................................... 24 Parliamentary Party Report (Europe) ................................................. 28 Diversity Engagement Group ............................................................. 31 Campaign for Gender Balance .......................................................... 35 Federal Appeals Panel ...................................................................... 38 Federal Conference Committee Bournemouth 2015 Last autumn we held our conference in Bournemouth. This proves to be one of the more popular venues we visit with 88% of members rating it as an excellent or good venue for an autumn conference. We asked attendees how they felt about the earlier finish time on the final day. 60% of those that responded said they preferred the earlier finish time with only 9% saying they preferred to break for lunch. Next autumn we are trialing greater use of the weekend (see below for details). We will continue to ask all attendees
    [Show full text]
  • Year Book 2013/2014
    Year Book 2013/2014 CONTENTS Statement of Purpose Page 3 Welcome from Convener Page 3 Council Remit Page 4 Membership Page 4 Structure of Council work Page 5/6 Presbytery Coverage of Mission Development Workers and Administrators Page 7 Presbytery Adult Trainers Page 7 Presbytery Representatives for Mission and Discipleship Council Page 8 Dates for the Diary 2013/2014 Page 9 What do we do to resource you in Mission and Discipleship? Page 10 Council Membership Details Page 11 Representatives from other bodies/Council teams/Groups Page 11/12 Committee on Church Art and Architecture Page 13 Council staff team details Pages 13/14 Scottish Storytelling Centre Page 14 Ministers’ Forum Page 14 Useful websites Page 14 2 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE Resourcing Christ’s Mission: to enable and empower people to engage in Christ’s mission through resourcing worship, witness and discipleship in the context of the changing contemporary culture of Scotland and beyond Specifically we will: Stimulate critical reflection and development of places and practice of worship = WORSHIP Communicate Christ’s message lovingly, effectively and relevantly = WITNESS Nurture and develop learning and growth within congregations and communities = DISCIPLESHIP WELCOME FROM CONVENER – REV COLIN SINCLAIR Dear All I am very glad to commend our Mission and Discipleship Year Book 2013/2014 to you. The purpose of this year book is three fold:- a) to remind you of the core purpose and vision of our work and all the different component parts that make up the whole; b) to inform you of the names and contact details and dates to assist effective communication; and c) to be a prompt for prayer for the staff and volunteers who make up the Department, that through our work the Church may be well served in the area for which we have been given responsibility.
    [Show full text]
  • Proposed Abolition of the Tay Bridge and Forth Road Bridge Tolls
    Statement of Reasons by Bruce Crawford MSP In relation to my draft proposal for a Bill to abolish the Tay Bridge and Forth Road Bridge Tolls, I do not consider that consultation on the draft is required for the following reasons: The Forth and Tay Road Bridges are now the only remaining road bridges in Scotland where a toll is collected. Toll bridges have been the subject of a major Government review. As a consequence, I am persuaded that there has been adequate opportunity for key stakeholders and the public to consider the issues relating to my proposal. I also consider that the arguments for and against my proposal have been fully explored within this review. The following paragraphs outline the progress of the Scottish Executives Review.. The Scottish Executive’s Transport White Paper published on 16 June 2004 outlined the approach for the review of existing bridge tolls in Scotland. This major review was conducted in two stages. Phase One of the review focused on the tolling regimes on the Forth, Tay, Erskine and Skye road bridges. The review examined environmental, economic and accessibility issues as well as traffic trends and alternative tolling regimes. The Phase One consultation began in July 2004 and a report was published in December 2004 “Tolled Bridges Review: Phase One Report”. 1 This led to the removal of tolls from the Skye Bridge from 21 December 2004. The Phase Two consultation began in April 2005. The resulting report, “Tolled Bridges Report – Phase Two Report” 2 was published in March 2006. It considered the broader operational and management issues associated with each toll bridge in Scotland.
    [Show full text]
  • The Scottish Bar: the Evolution of the Faculty of Advocates in Its Historical Setting, 28 La
    Louisiana Law Review Volume 28 | Number 2 February 1968 The cottS ish Bar: The volutE ion of the Faculty of Advocates in Its Historical Setting Nan Wilson Repository Citation Nan Wilson, The Scottish Bar: The Evolution of the Faculty of Advocates in Its Historical Setting, 28 La. L. Rev. (1968) Available at: https://digitalcommons.law.lsu.edu/lalrev/vol28/iss2/5 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law Reviews and Journals at LSU Law Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Louisiana Law Review by an authorized editor of LSU Law Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE SCOTTISH BAR: THE EVOLUTION OF THE FACULTY OF ADVOCATES IN ITS HISTORICAL SOCIAL SETTING Nan Wilson* Although the expression "advocate" is used in early Scottish statutes such as the Act of 1424, c. 45, which provided for legal aid to the indigent, the Faculty of Advocates as such dates from 1532 when the Court of Session was constituted as a College of Justice. Before this time, though friends of litigants could appear as unpaid amateurs, there had, of course, been professional lawyers, lay and ecclesiastical, variously described as "fore- speakers," procurators and prolocutors. The functions of advo- cate and solicitor had not yet been differentiated, though the notary had been for historical reasons. The law teacher was then essentially an ecclesiastic. As early as 1455, a distinctive costume (a green tabard) for pleaders was prescribed by Act of Parliament.' Between 1496 and 1501, at least a dozen pleaders can be identified as in extensive practice before the highest courts, and procurators appeared regularly in the Sheriff Courts.2 The position of notary also flourished in Scotland as on the Continent, though from 1469 the King asserted the exclusive right to appoint candidates for that branch of legal practice.
    [Show full text]
  • Sl/S4/11/3/A Subordinate Legislation
    SL/S4/11/3/A SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION COMMITTEE AGENDA 3rd Meeting, 2011 (Session 4) Tuesday 6 September 2011 The Committee will meet at 2.30 pm in Committee Room 6. 1. Instruments subject to affirmative procedure: The Committee will consider the following— Construction Contracts (Scotland) Exclusion Order 2011 [draft]; Scheme for Construction Contracts (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011 [draft]; 2. Instruments subject to negative procedure: The Committee will consider the following— Plastic Kitchenware (Conditions on Imports from China) (Scotland) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/282); Pollution Prevention and Control (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/285); Local Government (Allowances and Expenses) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/304); Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/311) 3. Instruments not subject to any Parliamentary procedure: The Committee will consider the following— Damages (Scotland) Act 2011 (Commencement, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2011 (SSI 2011/268 (C.20)); Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (Commencement No. 1) (Scotland) Order 2011 (SSI 2011/269 (C. 21)); Private Rented Housing (Scotland) Act 2011 (Commencement No. 1 and Saving Provision) Order 2011 (SSI 2011/270 (C. 22); Local Electoral Administration (Scotland) Act 2011 (Commencement) Order 2011 (SSI 2011/277 (C. 23)); Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2011 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2011 (SSI 2011/278 (C.24)); SL/S4/11/3/A Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2011 (SSI 2011/279 (C. 25)); Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 (Commencement No. 1) Amendment Order 2011 (SSI 2011/287 (C. 26)); Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session Amendment No.
    [Show full text]
  • SLR I25.Indd
    scottishleftreviewIssue 25 November/December 2004 Contents Grand scale medicine ...................................12 Peter Murray Comment ........................................................2 Choosing who decides ..................................14 Briefing ...........................................................5 Bill Butler The first ills to cure.........................................6 Spinning off track..........................................16 Jean Turner Kevin Lindsay Extinguishing a beacon...................................8 Irresponsible government ............................18 Dr George Venters Scott Vietch A pound of health..........................................10 Whose hills?..................................................20 Robert McMaster Iain Frazer Grigor world’s governments hold their cash reserves in Dollars, primarily because oil is still traded in Dollars. Were this situation to change Comment (for example, were oil to be traded in Euros) then America could quickly make Argentina look like a stable economy. (In fact, one ou give them the Enlightenment – rational thought, of the most telling answers to the questions “why Iraq? Why now” Ymodernity, the seeds of tolerance – and they throw it back is that in 2000 Sadam Hussein started trading his oil in Euros. It in your face like an unwanted present. Scotland has reason was an act of political spite, but as the Euro grew stronger and to take the result of the US elections personally. For the first stronger against the Dollar is actually made Iraq a lot of money. time since the fall of the Ottoman Empire we face the serious This was, for America, a petrifying precedent.) No, stop believing prospect of a globally-significant faith-based Empire, and the business commentator classes which are perpetually aroused the people of America can reasonably expect to drift rapidly by American capitalism; if you want to find an economy which has towards a fundamentalist Old Testament version of Shiara the underlying characteristics to dominate start looking to China.
    [Show full text]
  • Nicol Stephen Speech to Liberal Democrats Spring Conference 2008
    Nicol Stephen Speech to Liberal Democrats Spring Conference 2008 As we meet here in Aviemore we have good reasons to be confident. In Nick Clegg an outstanding new leader, with an inspirational first conference speech determined to double our number of MPs at Westminster And in our MPs the strongest team of powerful campaigners. To one of whom I give special mention today. He gave exceptional leadership at a time when our party needed it the most. Menzies Campbell has given huge commitment to this party and we give him our heartfelt thanks. At Holyrood, we now have five new MSPs – a young, positive, dynamic team and most spectacular of all our outstanding success in Dunfermline for Jim Tolson MSP – until this week the biggest earthquake we had seen for a generation. Reasons to be confident And none more so than our growing strength in local government Those Labour fiefdoms swept away after decades of one party rule. Now 13 councils with Liberal Democrats in government And some of Scotland’s most important councils led by Liberal Democrats the great cities of Edinburgh and Aberdeen; Aberdeenshire council all led by Liberal Democrats Our councillors do a fantastic job. We should thank all 167 of them for all that they have done - and do - to build the strength of our party. The biggest reason of all for our confidence and optimism is an enduring one. It is about what unites us all It is about liberalism The rights of the individual, decentralising power, fighting for communities standing up against injustice freedom, fairness, honesty the great values of liberal democracy.
    [Show full text]
  • THE DEATH of BAHA MOUSA the Death of Baha Mousa GERRY SIMPSON*
    THE DEATH OF BAHA MOUSA The Death of Baha Mousa GERRY SIMPSON* [Between March 2003 and September 2004, 100 000 Iraqis are believed to have died as a consequence of the invasion of Iraq on 20 March 2003. Baha Mousa, an Iraqi hotel clerk was one of them. Mr Mousa died in Basra on or around 15 September 2003, after sustaining 93 separate injuries while in the custody of British soldiers belonging to the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. This think piece is about the law produced and invoked by his death.] CONTENTS I Introduction II Unlawful Conditioning III Common Law Crime IV War Crime V Human Rights Violation VI Baha Mousa How violent Schultz had sounded over the telephone. ‘I want justice,’ he had said. I wonder how many murders have been committed, and how many wars have been fought with that as a slogan … Justice is a thing that is better to give than to receive, but I am sick of giving it … I think it should be a prerogative of the gods.1 I INTRODUCTION On 14 September 2003, in Basra, southern Iraq, a hotel receptionist named Baha Mousa2 was detained by soldiers of the British Army’s Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. Mousa and several other Iraqis were brought to a detention facility operated by the United Kingdom Armed Forces, and formerly run by Saddam Hussein’s cousin, Ali Hassann al-Majid, better known as ‘Chemical Ali’. Thirty-six hours later, Mr Mousa’s family were informed that Mr Mousa had died during detention. A subsequent post-mortem revealed that he had received 93 separate injuries, including a broken nose and fractured ribs — other prisoners suffered serious kidney damage.3 The reaction (on the part of the military, the legal profession, the media and the British establishment) to this incident tells us a little about the way * Gerry Simpson is a Professor of International Law at the London School of Economics.
    [Show full text]