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From YouTube: Topical Questions - 2 October 2018
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www.parliament.scot
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1. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with ScotRail and Police Scotland regarding arrangements for the League Cup semi-finals.
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Read the full transcript of Topical Questions in the Scottish Parliament Official Report: http://goo.gl/Gje1Bt
Published by the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body.
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A
We
turn
now
to
topical
questions
before
I.
Do
I
just
want
to
remind
members
personally,
officers
and
I
have
been
discussing
this
matter
with
business
managers
and
others
were
very
conscious
that
we
want
to
make
sure
we
respect
all
members
when
they
are
asking
questions
and
we
will
try
not
to
interrupt.
However,
it
is
imperative
that
all
members
tried
to
get
to
the
point
of
the
question.
Try
to
do
so
succinctly
do
not
make
an
argument
to
me
make
a
sentence
beforehand,
but
don't
try
to
make
an
argument
and
also
be
very
official.
A
If
ministers
could
answer
succinctly
too
and
we'll
get
through
all
the
questions
and
if
we
don't
make
progress
it'll,
be
there
members
at
the
end
of
the
statement
at
the
end
of
the
queue
for
questions
that
get
dropped
rather
than
us
they're
trying
to
cut
people
off.
So
on
that
note,
we
went
to
trouble
questions.
Question
number
one
make
Rumbles.
B
A
C
Patrick
why
all
this
scheduling
of
matches
is
a
matter
for
the
football
authorities
we
recognize.
There
is
anger,
particularly
among
supporters
who
are
travelling
from
Aberdeen
and
Edinburgh.
Scottish
government
transport,
scotland
and
scott
reil
were
not
consulted
ahead
of
the
SPFL
announcement,
though
we
have
discussed
this
issue
with
all
key
organizations,
including
scott
reil
and
police
Scotland,
we're
actively
engaging
with
all
relevant
partners
to
consider
all
key
cans
of
concern.
This
dialogue
will
continue
and
I
hope
the
appropriate
outcome
will
be
reached.
My.
B
B
Families
are
thinking
twice
about
going
they're
concerned
about
the
logistics
of
getting
their
in
home
again
with
Scott
Reil,
saying
the
logistical
challenge,
challenges
shouldn't
be
underestimated
and
although
we
hope
people
will
act
responsibly,
there
is
concern
real
concern
about
the
risk
of
having
a
hundred
thousand
fans
from
four
rival
teams
conveyed
in
the
same
area
on
the
same
day
and
overnight.
The
Scottish
Police
Federation
have
described
this
as
idiotic,
and
does
the
minister
agree
that
the
change
is
necessary
and
the
date
should
be
moved
at
least
Minister.
C
M,
the
member
makes
a
number
of
very
important
points
and
many
of
which
I
think
M
SPFL
should
have
considered
before
making
their
decision,
but
I
know
that
police
Scotland
has
significant
expertise
and
in
successfully
policing
high
profile
matches
and
discussions
are
continuing
and
I
understand
that
pleased.
Scotland
has
asked
the
SPFL
to
review
its
plans
and
has
thought
assumes
around
public
safety,
and
that
will
be
a
welcome
move
by
many
of
the
funds.
Police
Scotland
will
review
further
information
and
discuss
any
issues.
C
B
Grumbles
I
mean
I,
don't
the
course
got
real,
taking
an
event
organised
as
a
task
so
publicly
before
it
didn't
hold
back.
The
SPFL
is
well
aware
from
previous
events.
Other
logistical
challenges
and
early
kickoff
presents
particularly
from
Sunday
morning.
Services
from
Aberdeen
and
northeast
fans,
and
particularly
speaking
about
northeast
fans,
had
be
given
a
thoroughly
raw
deal
as
there
isn't.
A
train
will
that
well
that
will
get
a
Bodoni
ins,
two
guys
go
before
the
kickoff
and
I'd
like
to
thank
the
Aberdeen
evening,
Express
for
leading
the
campaign
for
a
fair
deal
for
fans.
B
A
C
The
member
makes
a
very
good
point
and,
as
I
said
in
my
first
answer,
and
the
SPFL
did
not
have
any
dialogue
with
scott
reil
prior
to
making
the
decision
and
I
have
asked
the
SPFL
to
ensure
that,
in
future,
appropriate
dialogue
with
all
the
appropriate
agencies
and
takes
place
before
and
decisions
of
this
nature
are
made.
Thank.
A
D
You
very
much
I
was
encouraged
by
the
minister's
initial
response
to
say
that
dialogue
is
continuing
and
that
he
hopes
an
appropriate
outcome
will
be
forthcoming.
He
also
mentioned
our
review
by
pleased
Scotland
can
I
ask
the
minister
if
that
dialogue
includes
a
proposition
from
government,
that
the
SPFL
should
actually
scrap
that
existing
plans
to
have
270
finals
at
the
same
venue
on
the
same
day,
revisit
that
and
do
something
that
serves
the
interest
of
rural
fans
not
just
in
the
northeast,
but
across
Scotland.
C
The
the
decision
of
brain
effects
just
take
place
has
to
be
a
matter
for
the
SPFL,
but
they
have
to
I
think
take
into
account
an
advice
from
police,
Scotland
advice
from
Transport,
Scotland
and
advice
from
Scott
Reil.
They
need
to
take
account
of
the
fines
under
need
to
consider
what
is
in
the
best
interest
of
Scottish
football.
E
F
Presenting
officer
I've
written
today,
SPFL
expressing
what
I
believe
to
be
a
lack
of
consideration
for
families
that
are
expected
to
leave
Glasgow
at
10
p.m.
on
a
Sunday
night
to
travel
back
to
Edinburgh
and
which
could
be
worse
if
the
game
goes
aunty
extra
time
or
penalties.
Does
the
minister
share
my
concern
for
hearts?
Fines
and
my
constituency
who
govern
a
7:45
kickoff,
will
be
allocating
at
home
by
midnight,
Minister.
C
G
You
for
setting
also
my
questions
are
less
for
the
agency
more
for
the
minister.
Can
you
confirm
what
discussions
the
government
has
had
with
Transport
Scotland
scott
reil
to
ensure
the
supply
will
meet
demand
on
the
day?
And
secondly,
as
specifically,
what
discussions
have
been
hard
between
Scotland
BTP
in
the
government
to
ensure
that
there
will
be
adequate
police
numbers
and
increased
presence
and
the
community
to
reinsure
to
reassure
any
concerned
residents
or
businesses.
H
What
levers
has
a
Scottish
government
or
canna
Scottish
government
use
to
remind
football
in
Scotland
that
they
too
have
a
role
to
play
in
reducing
carbon
emissions
and
car
journeys
that
they've
a
responsibility
for
the
health
and
safety
of
their
fans,
as
well
as
their
players,
and
that
without
fans
there
would
be
no
clubs
and
no
football
TV
deals
that
seem
to
drive
everything
and
can
I
ask
those
in
this
chamber
who
have
not
signed
my
motion
to
do
so
and
also
to
support
the
evening
express
campaign
on
this
issue.
Minister.
C
I
You
Peter
and
I
was
hoping
to
take
my
cue
girls
towards
hearts
go
into
the
final,
but
with
the
change
in
time,
and
that
will
be
impossible
due
to
the
age
with
the
Minister
agree
with
me.
But
if
we
are
trying
to
attract
younger
people
to
come
and
watch
goober
and
take
part
in
football,
this
is
a
virtual
age
step
and
the
SFA
should
rethink
the
situation.
I
move
one
game
to
in
a
more
appropriate
time.
Minister
again.
J
You
for
saving
off
so
that
that's
decision
by
the
SPFL
taken
in
secret
behind
closed
doors.
Three
supporters
in
the
general
public
with
contempt
was
a
simple
solution
with
one
of
the
games
to
your
Monday
evening
of
the
fall
and
weekend
well,
government
used
their
offices
to
produce
a
coordinated
response
behind
an
alternative,
an
alternative
date
and
obviously
SPFL
to
the
very
first
disastrous
decision.
Mr.
C
As
I
said
earlier,
government
are
continuing
to
engage
with
stakeholders
but
I.
Think
of
what
I've
already
said.
The
police
Scotland's
have
specifically
asked
SPFL
to
review
its
plans
and
they've
asked
for
assurances
that
I
in
public
safety,
and
it
will
begin
for
police
Scotland,
to
review
further
information
and
and
to
discuss
how
to
take
that
forward
in
the
best
interest
of
Public
Safety.
That
obviously
has
to
be
the
the
the
the
primary
focus
of
police
Scotland,
but
I
do
again.
K
Bearing
in
mind
that
this
fixture
is
set
for
Halloween
weekend,
which
is
unfortunately
one
of
the
busiest
weekend's
of
the
year
for
the
emergency
services,
and
that
this
will
mean
that
police
and
other
essential
services
will
hardly
get
any
time
off,
does
the
minister
agree
that
efforts
should
be
made
to
see
that
all
those
that
can
get
at
least
one
day
a
week
off
from
their
work
and
in
particular,
where
possible?
Those
are
essential
services,
Minister.
E
You
very
much
saying
officer
Kevin.
We
hear
that
the
SPFL
doesn't
even
think
to
contact
scott
reil
and
have
any
discussions
with
pasta
operators
that
the
SPF
are
strongly
opposed
to
the
two
games
going
ahead
in
the
CMD.
Does
the
minister
agree
with
me
that
such
disregard
the
football
fans
of
public
services
and
my
constituents
for
that
highlights,
need
to
improve
the
governments
of
Scottish
football
and
with
the
Scottish
Government
gave
some
thought
to
how
those
could
be
achieved?
Minister.
C
The
members
passion
for
football
and
the
need
to
improve
governance
of
our
national
game
is
well
recorded
and,
following
my
recent
appointment,
I've
now
formally
met
with
the
Scottish
FA
chief
executive
in
Maxwell
and
SPFL
chief
executive
Neill
Doncaster
to
discuss
issues
like
these
and
government
governance
can
be
strengthened
and
the
voice
of
the
supporter
can
be
held
more
loudly.
I.
A
Thank
the
Minister
and
members
for
following
up
in
my
remarks.
I
didn't
expect
to
have
such
success
so
early
on.
However,
I'm
very
pleased
we'll
move
on
shortly
to
the
next
item
of
business,
which
will
be
a
motion
on
one
motion.
One
four,
one:
six
Oh
in
the
name
of
Shirley
and
Somerville,
we'll
just
take
a
few
seconds
for
members
to
change,
seats.