Parliament makes history in Glasgow

The temporary move to Glasgow is historic

Scottish political history is being made again as the nation's parliament sits for the first time in Glasgow.

MSPs have left their temporary home on The Mound in Edinburgh to make way for their landlords, the Church of Scotland, to hold its General Assembly.

The parliament decided to move to the former Strathclyde Regional Council offices in Glasgow for the three-week duration of the assembly.

The transfer fits in with a devolution pledge to take the parliament's business around the country.

'£16,500 per home'

The move to the west of the country was used to launch a debate on the regeneration of Glasgow and for the announcement of a £12.5m housing investment package.

Communities Minister Wendy Alexander said the money, which will be available immediately, will "help make possible the £1.6bn housing investment programme for the city".

She said the executive's plans for housing in Glasgow could see an average of £16,500 spent on every local authority home in the city.

The minister, as well as attending the debate in the former Strathclyde Regional Council chamber, officially opened a new housing development in Glasgow's Gallowgate.

Wendy Alexander: Regeneration is about more than housing

She said: "Regeneration is about more than housing. It must be about tackling the issues that matter to the people of this city.

"Regeneration must link to measures which improve health and create prosperity."

She added: "That is why we have welcomed the Health Board's plans to link up the provision of first class services in Glasgow, supported the modernisation of schools and worked with the City Council to open up the prospect of massive investment in the city's housing."

Council tenants will vote next year on whether to transfer the houses to community ownership.

'Third World conditions'

The proposed transfer has proved controversial and Ms Alexander was attacked by the opposition in Wednesday's debate.

Scottish National Party's Local Government spokesman, Kenny Gibson, a former city councillor said Glasgow was a divided city - where people are tired of being patronised by government.

He said Glasgow's new found wealth should be shared more widely, while Bill Aitken for the Tories said many Glasgwegians are forced to live in Third World conditions because of poor housing.

Mr Aitken suggested the appointment of a Minister for Glasgow.