The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 1028 contributions
Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 4 December 2024
Ben Macpherson
Before I ask my question, I remind everyone that I am registered on the Law Society of Scotland’s roll of Scottish solicitors.
Building on the previous questions and the opening remarks, as a point of clarity, if the not proven verdict is removed, are you stating that 10 out of 12—a five-sixths majority—or unanimity would be your optimum position? Is that what you are arguing for, rather than a two-thirds majority?
Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 4 December 2024
Ben Macpherson
Thank you. I just wanted clarity on that.
Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 13 November 2024
Ben Macpherson
Commissioner, you have provoked a question that I have wondered about for some time. It is in relation to what you said about travel. Often, when people enter or exit other countries, biometric data is taken. Do constituents have any ability through your office—not in relation to a criminal justice investigation or any attachment to a crime but in relation to when their data is taken as they travel—to inquire as to whether that data is still held or can be deleted? Do you have that international connectivity?
Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 13 November 2024
Ben Macpherson
Good morning to you and your officials, cabinet secretary.
You said that there was a 12 per cent increase in capital for Police Scotland in the past financial year. Given that that was, of course, in the context of a 9 per cent decrease for the Scottish Government overall, that 12 per cent increase clearly shows that investment in policing is a priority for the Government. However, as you have laid out, there is a need, whether it be in the estates review or otherwise, to continue to enhance and rationalise appropriately for a 21st century police force.
In relation to capital, the SPA and Police Scotland mentioned to the committee not only that multiyear funding would be beneficial, but that using the powers in the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 to enable the force to borrow and hold reserves could make a difference. Will you comment on those proposals that the SPA made, and can you give us any update on the conversations that the Scottish Government is having, particularly with the SPA? I appreciate that the overall call from the SPA was for more capital investment at a UK level, which would help the Scottish Government provide more capital funding.
Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 13 November 2024
Ben Macpherson
So what makes it tricky is the fact that the Scottish Government is constrained in its capital borrowing powers.
Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 13 November 2024
Ben Macpherson
Clearly, that would make a difference to the estate and to Police Scotland more generally.
Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 13 November 2024
Ben Macpherson
In a similar vein, there has been much public deliberation about the capital position of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The SFRS has told the committee that it has a backlog of around £818 million, and that it requires investment to increase by £80 million annually in the next 10 years, compared to the £43 million that it currently receives. What is the Government’s response to that deficit and to what the SFRS has said that it will require for its capital backlog to be met? What is the Government’s position on the need to fund and modernise the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, while ensuring that risk is mitigated and that suitable cover is available in both urban and rural Scotland?
Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 13 November 2024
Ben Macpherson
Lastly, in the context of a borrowing position that is, in my view, wrongly constricted by the UK Government, if that Government’s plans for the period—whether they be multiyear or just for single financial years—continue to move towards a position where increased capital resources are available and there are Barnett consequentials as a result, will making improvements to the SFRS and the police service’s capital position be top priorities for the Scottish Government? I am assuming that the answer is yes.
10:00Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 7 November 2024
Ben Macpherson
I think that Mr Greer has touched on this already, but is there a need to consider the inconvenience and public cost of multiple by-elections following the main local authority elections, which are cyclical? The next one is scheduled for 2027.
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee [Draft]
Meeting date: 7 November 2024
Ben Macpherson
I do not question the Government’s good faith. However, not just in this area but more widely, in all subject areas, there is a challenge, in that bills with scope to make changes come around only every so often. Passing bills is a significant process, so we should utilise each bill to make the changes that people wish to see.
It is right that the issues have been raised at stage 2, and the consultation will be an important one. I will leave it up to others to consider whether there is scope, practical ability or enthusiasm from the committee, the Parliament or the Government to have a longer period between stage 2 and stage 3.
Lastly, members will notice that the pronoun that is used in amendment 59 is “he”, which is because the pronoun that is used in the Scotland Act 1998 is “he”. It would be appropriate for the committee, the Parliament and the Government to consider ahead of stage 3 whether it is possible to change the pronoun across all the criteria, given that we are seeking to have a more equal and representative Parliament that is reflective of Scotland, with more female MSPs. It is archaic that that language is still used.