McConnell urges parades overhaul

Jack McConnell wants the number of marches to be reduced

First Minister Jack McConnell has said there are too many contentious parades and marches in Scotland.

Mr McConnell suggested their number could be reduced with the introduction of a new framework for agreeing dates and parade routes.

The move could see the Orange Order and republican organisations working more closely with local communities.

Former Strathclyde Police chief constable Sir John Orr is due to publish his review on marches.

The first minister said communities across Scotland should have a greater say on the number of parades.

"I think there are too many parades," he said.

I think there are many communities across Scotland that would like to see fewer parades First Minister Jack McConnell

"Far too many communities are affected too regularly by the kind of parades that you are referring to.

"I think there are many communities across Scotland that would like to see fewer parades and I think if they had more influence over the decisions that were made there would be fewer parades.

"If local authorities and the organisations involved had a framework within which they could reach better agreements then there would be fewer parades too".

Notice periods

Mr McConnell said there were too many parades in the west of Scotland, particularly some parts of Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Ayrshire.

He added: "I hope that that is an issue that the publication of (Sir John's) report and our response to it will address."

Sir John, 58, was given the role in June last year following a number of controversial loyalist and republican marches.

His review has been considering issues such as the period of notice required for proposed marches and the basis for determining when to restrict, refuse or reroute parades.

It has also examined the number of marches and parades occurring in any particular community and the effects these have.

The system for granting parades and the cost of policing processions and marches have also formed part of the review.