Carol Mochan
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“I think that we could take a different approach in that area. A number of older people have been convicted of terrible crimes, but their risk to the general population is much lower than it used to be because of their age and circumstances.”
“Industrial conditions such as those that my constituents were exposed to show what the approach of big business and the insurance giants has been.”
“I am interested in the point about upstream measures, and I am particularly interested in women, because we know that they should not always enter the criminal justice system and prisons in particular. Perhaps there is more that the cabinet secretary could do in that area, because there is a lot of research on it.”
“Those who were members during the previous session of Parliament will know not only that Richard Leonard was a passionate and committed campaigner but that his speeches were also very passionate—as passionate as his beliefs. I thank him for his time in the Parliament, for his guidance and for his commitment to economic justice.”
“I support the Cape must pay campaign, which calls on the former asbestos manufacturer Cape plc, now Altrad, to donate £10 million to mesothelioma research. As my colleague Jackie Baillie said, that is a small amount to expect. Such companies and the state owe a great deal to individuals, families and communities.”
“For a number of years, I was a director of Turning Point Scotland, which is Scotland’s biggest social welfare charity, although I am not any more. Fifteen years ago, we commenced an initiative called housing first, which is primarily a way of dealing with homelessness.”
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“Proper and efficient scrutiny of health board finances is critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability of our health service. This week, Audit Scotland revealed that NHS Ayrshire and Arran, the health board that serves many of my constituents, owes nearly £130 million in loans and is on the brink of collapse. It has the highest outstanding loan amount of any Scottish health board. Can the cabinet secretary provide any reassurance to people in my region that immediate action will be taken to recover NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s financial position? The Deputy Presiding Officer: The member’s supplementary has gone a bit wide. The question was about NHS Grampian. Neil Gray: I will briefly say that I expect Professor Gordon James, the new interim chief executive, to do exactly that. General Practitioner Walk-in Centres 5.”
“We, in Scottish Labour, are updating our policies in line with some of the recommendations, and we continue to review their effectiveness so that we can help as many people as possible. We have to improve Scotland with meaningful policy that will not simply disappear into news cycles. The committee’s report is an opportunity to take a step in that direction, and we welcome it. 14:58”
“However, we need to consider further whether the current level is enough, how the fund can be accessed and whether it will be brought in across the board. The evidence that was received during the inquiry highlighted numerous barriers that victims face in accessing the support that they need. A large part of that is about debt, as we have heard from other members. Survivors often face debt that has come through desperation or deliberate manipulation by partners. I know that the minister mentioned that in her speech, but the Government must consider that aspect and work with partners to help victims when they are in temporary accommodation, so that they are not drowning in financial obligations and can maintain their housing. We know that maintaining housing is a key way of ensuring that victims have a more positive outcome.”
“Abusers begin the process very early in relationships, so the signs are often there, but, naturally, not everyone can see them, particularly in those early moments. We must use what we have learned from police, social services and health settings to inform policy and improve the offer that we have. That cross- portfolio working is key to ensuring that information and support are provided at the correct time and in the correct way. If we are serious about supporting women to leave abusive relationships, we must give them the financial freedom to leave. Others have spoken about that. The fund to leave can go a long way to assisting not only women in that situation but their children or dependants.”
“We know that far too many people have no idea about the programmes and funds that are available to them. That information should be present in as many settings as possible, especially during people’s lives in education. We heard about the need to inform young women and girls of the help that is provided and the platforms where they can get support throughout their lives. That is important in ensuring that young girls and women grow up knowing what is available to them. Women who are trapped in an abusive relationship are, in effect, unable to live any form of healthy life. A key component of that is the restriction in their access to finance. That is often deliberate, and it is cruel.”
“I have heard—I am sure that other members have, too—harrowing stories from constituents about financial exclusion causing a great number of problems when they are leaving domestic abuse situations. My party and I want to play a constructive and positive role in achieving change. We need to ensure that any legislative efforts are making the impact that women and girls need, and we need efforts that reflect the reality of life for domestic abuse victims in Scotland. The committee’s work goes some way to improving the landscape on that, and Scottish Labour welcomes its recommendations. I will touch on a few that I hope jump out as a priority. Overall, the equally safe strategy is good, but it can be effective in helping victims only if more is done to raise awareness of its existence.”
“I thank the other members of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee for preparing this important contribution to our national discussion. I am now a member of that committee, but I was not when the report was prepared. I thank the clerks and all those who contributed the important evidence. I know that, in this place, we all share the goal of ending violence against women and girls in Scotland by tackling the underlying attitudes and systems that perpetuate it. We all understand that that has to be a priority for any Government and for the Parliament as a whole. Equally, however, we need to understand that that will not result from good sentiments and kind words alone. I therefore welcome the minister’s comments so far in the debate, and I look forward to hearing her closing contribution at the end of today’s discussion.”
“Awareness of the condition is so important, and I know that the minister will give a good response to the debate. 17:30”
“It is important that the Parliament commits to funding for smoking cessation and other health-improvement measures. In relation to the link to liver damage, other measures that have come to light are reducing alcohol intake and minimising exposure to hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses. Doing those will, we think, help with this cancer and others. We know that there should be a greater focus on Scotland’s relationship with alcohol and its culture of binge drinking. Through targeted interventions to lower excessive drinking rates, we will reduce people’s chances not only of developing cancers such as cholangiocarcinoma, but of developing other diseases. I repeat my appreciation to Marie McNair for bringing the issue to the chamber.”
“Although it is most common in people over the age of 60, incidence of the cancer is increasing across all age groups, including among younger people, which emphasises the need to increase public awareness of symptoms, risk factors and treatment options. Although there is no guaranteed way to avoid bile duct cancer, people can take proactive steps to reduce their chances of developing the disease. When I was researching this, I looked at information from NHS Inform, which suggests that healthy lifestyle factors such as quitting smoking would also have positive impacts on people’s health in that way. Smoking is a leading and silent killer. When smoking rates reduce across Scotland, people’s health, lifestyles and outcomes improve.”
“When we are speaking about bile duct cancer, which tends to be diagnosed at a late stage, it is important to have that in our minds. We must always seek ways to ensure that the cancer inequality gap is closed. I know that the minister has spoken about that in the chamber; she might mention it again in her closing speech. As we read in the motion, bile duct cancer symptoms are difficult to spot, particularly at an early stage. The risk factors are largely unknown and it is believed that the cause of bile duct cancer is likely to be a combination of factors, including other illnesses that cause chronic damage to the liver and bile ducts.”
“As we have heard from others, the incidence is higher in Scotland than in England; we must seek to understand why that is and what we can do about it. The debate will help to highlight the causes of and risk factors for bile duct cancer, as well as to increase awareness. That is why it is so important that debates such as this are secured. Marie McNair is excellent at using her members’ business debates to do that. We have already heard that timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial, and we also know that the diagnosis of bile duct cancer can often come late, resulting in poorer outcomes. I want to highlight—as I often do—the health inequalities that others have mentioned. People in more deprived areas have higher rates of preventable cancers and are more likely to be diagnosed at later stages.”
“I, too, thank Marie McNair for securing this debate in the chamber. I also thank AMMF for all the work that it does to support research on cholangiocarcinoma, raise awareness and support those who have been diagnosed. Its campaign and Marie McNair’s call to ensure the funding for testing are so important, and I look forward to the minister’s response to them. Although it has often been documented that cholangiocarcinoma is rare, I was really interested in Marie McNair’s point about the changing reality of that rarity—I had not picked up on that, so I was glad to hear about it in the debate. Bile duct cancer is aggressive and it is on the rise: it is considered to be the second most common primary liver cancer in the world.”
“I hope that members will ensure that the financial resolution gets through at this stage. 16:58”
“Like others, I was not going to speak in the debate, but I want to make a short contribution. The Parliament has been commended on the way in which it has handled the bill. The debate was very sensitive, and the bill has been steered through very well by Liam McArthur, as has been commented on many times. In my view, it is important to allow the bill to go to the next stage. To do that, we have to support the financial resolution. As Mr McArthur said, we can further debate the issues at stage 2. Members have had a real opportunity to submit amendments, with 300 or so having been lodged. We will debate those amendments to try to strengthen the bill and will allow members to vote for or against it in a free vote. In that process, we will also be able to discuss the financial implications of the legislation.”
“Its advice is that the groups that are eligible for Covid-19 vaccination this winter—not just in Scotland but elsewhere in the United Kingdom—are residents in care homes for older adults, those aged 75 and over, and those aged six months and over who have a weakened immune system. I understand that the groups that are no longer eligible, which include the 65-to-74 cohort, those who are at wider clinical risk and front-line health workers, might feel anxious. To them, I say that the overall threat of Covid has, thankfully, diminished over time, due to high levels of vaccine-based immunity and naturally acquired immunity from infection. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Service Delivery Review) 3.”
“The Scottish Government has tightened its criteria for Covid vaccinations in the NHS, which means that boosters will no longer be offered to adults who are under 75. I understand that that decision follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. However, as winter approaches, many people are concerned. What reassurance can the Scottish Government offer those who are no longer eligible for the Covid booster? Is it not concerned that removing the booster from under-75s might lead to an increase in Covid cases, which will put pressure on services as we head into winter? Neil Gray: As Ms Mochan has set out, we are guided in our vaccination programmes by the advice of the independent expert Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.”
“On Monday night, I raised those concerns directly with the chief executive of NHS Lothian, and I received assurances on her commitment to ensuring that staffing is increased to safe levels and that the right skill mix is put in place. I expect that to be the case across all boards, not only because of a report from HIS. On the nursing and midwifery task force, I expect the recommendations to be implemented at pace. I will work with the new chief nursing officer, who comes into post in the next couple of weeks, to ensure that that is the case. On reporting, I set out in my statement my expectation of immediate action from NHS Lothian, and I will follow up with the chief executive by the end of”
“When the report from HIS was shared with me last week, I made plain to NHS Lothian my expectation that there be an immediate response and that the recommendations in the report be set out. I am satisfied that the Government has done and is doing everything possible to ensure that there is public confidence and staff confidence in maternity services, not only in NHS Lothian but—as we heard in last night’s important BBC “Disclosure” documentary—across Scotland. It is for boards to employ staff and to ensure that the right staff skill mix is available, but I hear Carol Mochan’s concerns about the need to ensure that the level is appropriate, given the concerns that have been raised in the HIS report on NHS Lothian.”
“Today, the cabinet secretary announced a new Scottish maternity and neonatal task force, but, after months, many of the nursing and midwifery task force recommendations have not actually been implemented—some of the work has not even been started. How can the Parliament be confident that the new task force will ensure the delivery of better outcomes for staff and patients on the ground? Has the cabinet secretary ensured that tight timeframes are in place for reporting on that? Neil Gray: On the point about listening and hearing, when I became aware of concerns about NHS Lothian in December, I instructed the chief medical officer and the chief nursing officer to support NHS Lothian.”
“For years, midwives have issued warnings about the sustainability of services, but it seems that the cabinet secretary has not fully listened. The cabinet secretary has been told many times by the profession that our hard-working, dedicated staff face mounting pressures and an increasing workload. Junior midwives are being forced to enter the profession with limited mentorship and support. The Government mentioned an increase in midwife numbers, but what about the numbers of whole-time equivalent staff, the unfilled shifts and the changing complexities of cases, all of which have been raised by the profession? Staff on the ground are burned out, and it is clear that urgent action is needed.”
“I thank Brian Whittle and other members for having this positive discussion about how preventative healthcare can help our constituents. I reiterate that our health and wellbeing is the most important thing in all our lives. Living a long and healthy life is possible. It is possible for us to allow all our constituents to have a long and healthy life, but to do that, we need to take our responsibility as legislators seriously. I hope that, in closing, the minister will address the measures that the Government is taking and will continue to take, because it is the responsibility of Government to provide sufficient direction and leadership to ensure that Scotland’s population live long and healthier lives. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I invite Tom Arthur to wind up the debate. 17:47”
“East Ayrshire, which is in my South Scotland region and is where I live, has some of the lowest healthy life expectancy rates in Scotland, with the average male expected to live 55.8 years in good health and the average woman 55.4 years. NHS Ayrshire and Arran also has the joint lowest healthy life expectancy estimates of all Scottish health boards. It is important to me and my constituents that, in Parliament, we work towards a preventative system. The health inequalities that exist in our deprived communities must be considered when determining the targeted interventions that are required to improve outcomes. We must also ensure that more targeted interventions happen. More resources and support need to be put into those communities.”
“We also need to acknowledge our responsibility to ensure that there are cross-portfolio approaches, as others have mentioned. We recognise that poor health is not just about individual choice but about what access one has to housing, transport, space, healthy workspaces, secure work, family time and so much more. We in Parliament and the Government have a responsibility to legislate in a way that tackles rising inequalities. The truth is that the gap in health is unacceptably high. We have a responsibility to close that gap with a robust approach to policies that tackle poverty and inequality. That is a preventative approach. Those who are living in the least deprived areas spend more years living in better health than those in the most deprived areas—we hear that a lot in the chamber.”
“It means that people in Scotland not only die prematurely compared with their counterparts in the rest of the UK but can expect to spend more time in poor health. I think that every member would agree that that is what many of our constituents and their families speak to us about. It is not just about having a long life; it is about having a healthy life. We must recognise that improvements to public health are an investment in our future. Prevention must be viewed as an investment in our communities. As the motion says, health spending is the largest part of the Scottish budget, so it is important, and the Scottish Fiscal Commission expects it to increase significantly over the next 25 years. If we want to see that investment, then, as we all agree, we need to move to a more preventative approach to healthcare.”
“Like everyone else, I thank Brian Whittle for bringing this important debate to the chamber. As everyone has said, he has been a champion of this subject. Our health, and the health of our friends and family, is the most important thing in all our lives, and public health must always be viewed as a priority in guaranteeing a prosperous and thriving Scotland. However, the truth is that Scotland has the lowest life expectancy and healthy life expectancy in the UK and the lowest life expectancy in Europe. That should drive us, as politicians, in how we talk about health and health spending, and it is why we must prioritise the preventative health approach. Recent statistics reveal that healthy life expectancy in Scotland has fallen to a near 10- year low. We should all note that.”
“With that, I invite Maree Todd to respond to the debate. 17:28”
“Supporting public awareness is important, and I hope that the minister will speak to the on-going work that the Government is doing to support the charity and others and help with awareness. I thank everybody who has contributed to the debate and, of course, all those in the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service who work tirelessly with our NHS to continue to make sure that we have a high-quality supply of blood, tissues and cells every day. I again thank Give Blood 4 Good for all the work that it does in Patrick Smith’s name. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Mochan. I add my thanks to the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service for making a return visit to Orkney for the first time in 16 years earlier this year, which allowed me to donate at home rather than down in Edinburgh.”
“Whether the blood is used to treat cancer patients or to save those who have lost blood through an accident, surgery or childbirth, donations have a real power to save lives. When I was researching for this debate, it was heartwarming to read the personal stories of those who have received a blood donation. Many testimonies highlighted the impact of stranger’s generosity and kindness, and they came from both those who have received blood and their families. In just one hour, we have the power to transform a life. I recognise how busy day-to-day life can be, but I hope that this debate allows us to pause, reflect, remember the difference that a donation can make, and consider speaking to others about the issue.”
“Its young ambassador programme helps to break down the fears and misconceptions that are commonly associated with donating blood. It educates young people when they are still at school, allowing them to be well informed before they turn 17. That is key, because 17 is the age at which young people can make their first donation. Understanding the importance of blood donation before that is therefore essential. I am pleased that the Parliament is recognising the work of Give Blood 4 Good and that, through this debate, we can continue to support its work. As members have highlighted, blood donations can be life changing and they are an easy way to help others. As Oliver Mundell said, we should put ourselves in that place as well, and as many members as possible who can donate blood should do so.”
“As the motion states, “each blood donation has the potential to save or improve up to three lives”. That is why we must continue to champion and celebrate the work of organisations and charities such as Give Blood 4 Good, which help to raise awareness of the difference that one donation can make. As we heard, Give Blood 4 Good was established when it became clear that there was a gap in young people’s awareness and education around giving blood. Many were not fully informed on the life-changing impact that blood donations can have, and Give Blood 4 Good sets out to change that. Through innovations, it has worked to improve young people’s education and understanding in order to encourage as many as possible to donate.”
“I apologise that I am not in the chamber this evening, because the order of business was changed, but, like others, I so wanted to speak in this debate. I thank Fulton MacGregor for bringing this important debate to the chamber and I join him and others in commending the work of Give Blood 4 Good, which has done a great deal, as we have heard, to encourage young people to donate blood. I, too, thank all those who continue to come forward and donate. Donations make sure that hospitals continue to have a good supply of blood. As we have heard, demand can be really unpredictable and blood has a very short shelf life, so there is no such thing as too many donors— blood is always in high demand. We must never underestimate the impact that a single donation can make.”
“We could also have a look at whether alcohol brief interventions might be a valuable tool, and how widely it is used by maternity services and midwives. Again, that might be something that we could work on across the health portfolio as part of the considerable work that needs to be done to reduce the prevalence of FASD. I would say more, but other members have already said it. I will just end by saying that, if we work together, we can make a difference. This is a cross-party issue, and I know that other members in the chamber really want to see a change in this area. Let us hope that, if we are all back here again next year discussing the issue, there are some real improvements that we can talk about. The Deputy Presiding Officer: I invite Tom Arthur to respond to the debate. 18:29”
“Interestingly, I have been involved in a discussion on young women’s health, and I think that young people would appreciate our talking about these things much more openly, so that the information is out there and that they can make up their own minds about what they are going to do. Healthcare professionals do a fantastic job out there, but we know that they find it quite difficult to discuss alcohol consumption, particularly when a woman attends healthcare services for pregnancy- related issues. For those who work in maternity services, raising awareness of the dangers of drinking is not part of their area of expertise. We know that they find it difficult, so there are perhaps some things that we could do to help them, such as exploring women’s drinking habits.”
“That might be an area on which we could work with the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health to ensure that we get accurate information and that we can talk about the use of alcohol in pregnancy. Jackie Dunbar: Do you think that it would help get the message across if we started speaking about the issue in schools, and teaching younger folk what would happen if they were to drink during pregnancy? The Deputy Presiding Officer: It would help, too, if the member could speak through the chair. Carol Mochan: I thank the member for making that important point.”
“Research indicates that individual women are often not aware of the advice not to drink alcohol during pregnancy, so clearly more can be done with regard to public health messages that can improve awareness, especially given that, as colleagues have said, 46 per cent of pregnancies in the UK are unplanned. I would hope that putting out that messaging early to young women could be useful. The Government’s “Women’s Health Plan” commits to providing accessible information and advice on pre-pregnancy care, which is welcome. In the medium term, there is a plan to develop a framework for pre-pregnancy care to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of optimising health before pregnancy.”
“That will keep the risk to the baby to a minimum. Of course, it is important that people understand the risk of drinking during pregnancy, but a point that I would make, and which Rona Mackay made, too, is that we, as elected politicians, must take our responsibility in this regard seriously. We live in a Scotland that normalises alcohol; in fact, excessive alcohol culture is almost normal, up to the point where it becomes a problem. Therefore, we must, as Ms Mackay has said, understand this issue as a public health situation, and we must have more debates about population-wide measures to reduce alcohol-related harm.”
“I thank Rona Mackay for bringing the debate to the chamber once again and allowing Parliament to recognise fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. As she will know, I have participated in these debates because the issue is close to my heart, and I really appreciate her bringing it to the chamber. It is important that we continue to highlight FASD’s impact on Scotland’s communities and raise awareness of the long-lasting impact that exposure to alcohol during pregnancy can have. As other members have highlighted, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder affects 4 per cent of Scotland’s population, which is a startling figure, given that— as others have said—it is preventable. The UK chief medical officer recommends that the safest approach for people who are pregnant or are planning a pregnancy is not to drink alcohol at all.”
“To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the progress being made in developing the next phase of the “Women’s Health Plan”. (S6O-05005)”
“From my conversations with the Construction Industry Training Board, which has been very receptive on the issue, there is a recognition that we need to get smaller employers to come together to assure individual training providers—whether they are colleges or the private sector—that they can provide a critical mass of students in a locality and, thereafter, a pipeline of students. If they do that, I know that colleges are willing to consider running courses in more places, but we need both of those things to come together.”
“In June, I hosted a parliamentary reception for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, which was well supported by MSPs from across the chamber. Speakers at the event highlighted the personal challenges for apprentices in getting to college for training purposes, which I have raised with the minister previously. In my South Scotland region, some apprentices are forced to complete a four-hour daily commute to undertake college- based training. Does the minister think that that is acceptable and equitable, and what can be done about it? Graeme Dey: I am well aware of the instance that Carol Mochan refers to.”
“On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app has gone blank. I wanted to know whether my vote has been recorded. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Thank you, Ms Mochan. Your vote has been recorded.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the Royal College of Nursing’s reported concerns regarding the decline in the number of nursing students, in light of recent Universities and Colleges Admissions Service figures showing that the number of accepted places on nursing courses beginning this autumn in Scotland is 5 per cent lower than last year. (S6T-02665)”
“I thank Sarah Boyack again for bringing the debate to the Parliament. I wish the Scottish Youth Parliament more successes, and I hope that it continues to push us to make sensible decisions around accessibility, infrastructure and affordability for young people in all aspects of our community, so that no one is left behind. 13:16”
“Under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, children and young people have the right “to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities” and the right “to participate fully in cultural and artistic life”. It is the responsibility of the Government and all of us in the Parliament to encourage the provision of appropriate and equal cultural, artistic, recreational and leisure opportunities. Access to affordable and reliable transport plays a huge part in ensuring that right. We must all work together to ensure that the experiences of young people are as good as they possibly can be and that the opportunities work for everyone, particularly for those in rural areas. I hope that the minister has some information and feedback for us in that regard.”
“In the rural community where I live, pupils from about 15 schools came together to go to the school that I went to. We could be connected with our young friends at school, but it was really difficult when we were out of school in the long holiday periods, for example. My children have made really good use of the under-22s scheme, which allows them to have a real connection with their friends over the holidays. I note the committee’s research. The young people have said that the scheme is a great thing to have but that having limited services limits the opportunities. That is certainly true in my region. Finally, I want to recognise the human rights aspects of the issue.”
“Whether it is for employment, attending hospital appointments or even visiting family and friends, constituents depend on timely, reliable and regular transport. From the young to the elderly, public transport is a vehicle for social connection, and that must be considered when making decisions on provision. For young people, affordable and accessible transport is a key factor in enabling educational and employment opportunities. The under-22s free bus travel scheme has been a welcome step in improving the affordability of public transport, and it has been fantastic in improving access to travel for many young people. In my region, the distance between towns and villages can be tens of miles, so the scheme is welcomed by the young people who are completely reliant on bus services.”
“I thank Sarah Boyack for bringing the debate to the chamber. Throughout her time in the Parliament, she has long been a champion of affordable, accessible and sustainable transport, and it is welcome that she brings the voices of the Scottish Youth Parliament to the Scottish Parliament debate today. It has been a great delight to read through the work of the Scottish Youth Parliament on transport. I congratulate the convener of the group, David McGilp MYSP, who represents my home area of Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, which is in my South Scotland region. It is tremendous to see that. Public transport is an asset to many of our constituents, none more so than our young people. Within my region, there are many remote and rural towns and villages whose connections with larger towns and cities rely completely on good public transport.”
“The Scottish Labour Party is umbilically linked to the Labour Party in London, and what is the Prime Minister doing? He is making it more difficult for healthcare workers to come from other countries to work in this country. Twenty-six per cent of our social care staff come from other countries, and the Prime Minister is shutting the door on all of that. The Scottish Labour Party has got nothing to offer the Parliament on the health service. Scottish Labour is delivering a lack of support to the NHS, and this Government is delivering for the NHS in Scotland. Public Dental Service (Support) 6.”
“Has the Government made any progress at all in developing apprenticeship models for healthcare workers, as recommended by the nursing and midwifery task force? The First Minister: That action is coming through the work of the midwifery task force. That is under way—I reassure Carol Mochan on that point. Carol Mochan offered to make clear the Scottish Labour position. Let me make clear what Scottish Labour’s position is on all those issues. Scottish Labour members’ position is that none of them— not a single one—was prepared to put their support towards the Government’s budget, which pays for NHS staff the length and breadth of the country. That is a pathetic contribution from the Scottish Labour Party. I will tell Parliament what the other Scottish Labour position is.”