Europe

I'm pleased to have the opportunity to lead this debate for the Liberal Democrats on a subject which not only has reaching implications for the fight against global poverty but which, crucially, also aims to build sustainable and successful communities in the long term so that in the future, communities suffering from poverty can become empowered and not reliant upon aid packages alone.

Clearly Scotland has a moral obligation to play its part in delivering the UN's Millennium Development Goals and Liberal Democrats welcome the committee's detailed report as a helpful indicator of Scotland's progress in helping to tackle global poverty through international development policy.

We Liberal Democrats welcome also the Scottish Government's publication of its international development policy in May and we acknowledge in particular the increase in funding from £6m now to £9m in 2010 as a way to help Scotland's commitment to the Millennium Development Goals. But IDP is about more than simply allocating funds. The strategic aim of the Scottish Government should be to support the delivery of the UN Millennium Development Goals with a particular commitment to poverty eradication and account must be taken of transparency and how money is spent. Is it being used to best effect on the right project or initiative, for example? The report recommends that the Scottish Government should consider a more holistic approach and that there should be greater clarity as to the strategic aims of the policy. Further detail from the Minister on that would be welcome.

There are other key aspects which need clarification.

The Committee recommends a thorough review of previous international development policy with a view to informing the expansion of the current policy. Is the Government currently undertaking a review of previous international development policy to inform future decisions as recommended in the Committee's report?

The rationale behind the extension of the geographic focus should be set out in more detail and with that in mind can the Minister clarify the reasons for extending the international development policy to include the Indian sub-continent?

Will the Minister give further detail as to how the Government will support volunteering schemes that relate to international development?

Does the Government remain open to the possibility of establishing a Scottish representative in Malawi as the report recommends. And I do declare a past family interest in Malawi, but I don't want to bore this chamber with stories of my 3 greats Uncle, who spent so much time there a century and a half ago. A certain Doctor Livingstone that I presume the chamber will know of. I do think it correct that this Parliament should concentrate on areas like Malawi instead of trying to pepperpot our limited resources over the whole World.

And what steps is the Scottish Government taking to encourage the business sector in Scotland to support its international development policy?

Just a few questions there.

Presiding Officer, putting other counties on a fair footing when it comes to trade is hugely important and key in ensuring sustainable economies - { this has probably never been so true than in the present time with the current economic climate, but this in itself presents a significant challenge precisely because of the current economic downturn. }

{The report noted broad support for fair trade, but emphasis was also placed on the importance of trade justice.} The Committee recommends that the Scottish Government seeks to promote trade justice as well as fair trade and thereafter to set out how it intends to promote the fair trade agenda across all Government departments. As said this is a huge challenge made all the more complex because of the current economic situation, but I hope that the Minister can set out in more detail today the Scottish Government's approach to trade justice, fair trade and procurement in relation to international development policy.

Fair trade for local food procurement in Scotland is a subject I've championed for some time and still waiting for Govt action, Fair trade in the World should be at the top of all of our agendas. The South of Scotland Region has done well regarding Fair Trade, in East Lothian the town of North Berwick has done so much to work towards being a Fair Trade town and awaits the local authority there to pass a resolution to the effect. And also in my South region Ayr and Ayrshire are recognised as a fair trade town and County already, as well as my Birth town Peebles and the surroundingTweeddale, the rest of Scotland should look to the South for inspiration.

Presiding Officer, Scottish Liberal Democrats believe that Scotland as a small, but successful economy should play an effective and significant role in the ongoing fight to make poverty history and we look to the Scottish Government to meet that substantial challenge. We are a Parliament that does not have foreign affairs as a fully devolved power, but we do have a duty to the World to concentrate our efforts where best placed. I look forward to hearing the governments response to the recommendations. Thank you.