First minister's questions

Alex Salmond told MSPs Scotland needed full fiscal control and national capital spending was the best way to deal with any impact from the Eurozone crisis on Scotland, during first minister's questions on 24 May 2012.

Mr Salmond was said there were a number of "shovel ready" projects and it would be "better if we as a parliament could decide to get on and do it" rather than having to go "cap in hand" to Tory chancellors.

The first minister was responding to Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont who had asked if he had estimates of the impact on the Scottish economy of the Eurozone crisis.

Ms Lamont said the first minister should be focussing on the economy not launching the yes to independence campaign and said his economics were that of "escapism".

Mr Salmond insisted the economy was the "huge abiding concern for this government".

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said the government had withdrawn funding two years ago for the new Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital and now NHS Lothian had delayed the project for the fifth time, then asked "when will the doors open?"

The first minister hit back saying Scotland had been hit be cuts to the direct capital budget of 30% by the government in London and went on to say the hospital would be built on the non-profit distribution model which took time, but would be done.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie asked following the publication of a letter signed by religious leaders, politicians and journalists calling for an independent inquiry into the Lockerbie bomber's conviction, would there be a Scottish inquiry?

Mr Salmond said a court of law was the place where guilt or innocence was determined.