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Programme for Government
05/09/2007
The Scottish Government today laid out its programme for the year ahead.
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, First Minister Alex Salmond set out the priorities - both legislative and non-legislative - contained in a new document Principles and Priorities: The Government's Programme for Scotland
Mr Salmond said:
"Today, I ask the chamber to support the 11 Government bills in this year's programme, but never to confuse that legislative activity - important as it is - with the totality of what Government can achieve.
In truth, most people already believe there is too much legislation and yearn for a more considered and more restricted approach. I embrace that sense of legislative restraint.
It is not the purpose of Government to legislate - rather it is for Government and Parliament to legislate with a purpose.
"This Government has adopted an approach to Government based on three objectives.
First, we believe that to win and retain the trust of the people requires an administration willing to focus on showing competence and direction in the day to day business of government.
Secondly, we believe also that the people of Scotland want a Government based on principle but able to move with mainstream opinion to build consensus in the public interest.
But thirdly, we also believe that Government must always be about vision. Restoring belief in the power of democratically elected Government to effect change - something which remains one of the great challenges for any modern Government - is about focusing on the 'possible' rather than merely accepting the status quo."
The full list of proposed bills is:
Abolition of Tolled Bridges (Scotland) Bill
Public Health (Scotland) Bill
Graduate Endowment (Abolition)(Scotland) Bill
Interest on Debt and Damages (Scotland) Bill
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Bill
Budget (Scotland) Bill
Judiciary (Scotland) Bill
Local Healthcare (Scotland) Bill
Creative Scotland Bill
Rape and Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill
Flooding Prevention (Scotland Bill)
The First Minister also told Parliament that the Government would consider what support they could offer to the two Members' Bills being proposed by Jamie McGrigor and Ken McIntosh on creating a register of tartans and restricting sunbed use respectively.