Media Briefings - Oct 04, 2001
The First Minister's Press Secretary (FMPS) opened by
highlighting a major announcement made by Enterprise
Minister Wendy Alexander earlier in the day, Global
Connections. This important announcement underlined that
Scotland is a globally-connected economy for the 21st
Century and demonstrated that the Executive wants to move
forward in terms of our place in that global economy.
He then highlighted that the Executive would publishing
Chief Economist Andrew Goudie's report tomorrow, Friday,
which examined the impact of the US terrorist attacks on
the Scottish economy. The First Minister would be speaking
at a business breakfast attended by a variety of business
leaders and the leaders of political parties. The FM would
underline that we have to acknowledge that there has been
an impact on the world economy, and that translates to the
UK and Scottish economy. The Report goes into great detail
and the key message is that confidence is important. We
have to remain confident - the foundations are right and
the strategy the Executive is pursuing is the right one.
The FM will certainly not say all is well - there are
problems, but there were problems before and these problems
were worsened by the events in the US.
Asked if the FM's statement on religious incitement was
a U-turn following Executive statement yesterday, the FMPS
said Executive wanted to move in parallel with the
announcement David Blunkett made on Wednesday and put
religion on the same criminal status as race in terms of
legislation. The Executive always said it wouldn't rule
anything out. Asked how this would be taken forward, the
FMPS said it was too early too say - but the options were
the Gorrie Bill, a Sewel motion or Executive legislation.
Asked whether there was a specific meeting between FM and
Deputy First Minister to discuss this, the FMPS said the FM
meets the DFM on a regular basis to discuss a range of
issues. The important thing, the FMPS added, is that this
legislation will be taken forward.
Asked whether the Executive was commenting on the
publication of MSPs' expenses, and, in particular, the
expenses of Minister for Parliament Tom McCabe, the FMPS
replied that this was a matter for the Parliament but added
that Mr McCabe works hard in an extremely demanding post.
His post effectively combined Chief Whip and Leader of the
House, which is a demanding post by anyone's standards. FM
re-appointed Mr McCabe to that post because he believes he
is doing a great job. On the general issue of expenses, the
FMPS said the system was open and transparent.
The FMPS then highlighted Scotland Week in Brussels from
next Tuesday. FM will be attending the opening event, along
with Europe Minister Jack McConnell and the Secretary of
State. FM had always said he believed a devolved Scotland
gives Scotland its position within the UK - Scotland
benefits from the Union and being a part of the wider
European Union. Scotland must play its part in the
structure of Europe. Asked whether the issue of resumption
of meat exports would be raised, the FMPS said that if
Scottish Ministers met their counterparts, there would be
the opportunity to discuss a range of issues.
The FMPS was then asked again about the FM's statement
on religious incitement and whether this was a U-turn from
the statement the previous day. The FMPS said the current
measures were robust, but that didn't mean they couldn't be
improved. Asked if the FM had stepped in because he was
unhappy, the FMPS said the DFM had outlined his position in
an interview that day and it had been exactly the same.
Asked if the FM had over-ruled the DFM, the FMPS said
absolutely not.
Asked if the FM had been surprised by apparently racist
incidents in Scotland, the FMPS said FM was shocked when he
went to the Mosque in Edinburgh that had been the scene of
an arson attack. He went there to see it for himself and
because he thought it was the right thing to do. The most
important thing for a politician is to be in touch with
reality. Seeing the Mosque first-hand made a big impression
on him. Asked about the timing of the decision on religious
incitement, the FMPS said the Executive had wanted to move
in parallel with England and Wales before the FM went to
the Mosque.
Asked if anything was planned to mark the anniversary of
Donald Dewar's death on October 11, the FMP said there was
but he couldn't say any more at that stage.
FMPS: Peter MacMahon
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