Commenting on an Audit Scotland report out today on cardiology services in Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said: "Audit Scotland's findings are deeply worrying.

"It is unacceptable that people in more deprived areas of Scotland may not be getting the care they need because of where they live.

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP today hit out at an NHS board after the Scottish Government ordered an investigation into its procedures.

Mrs McInnes was commenting as Ayrshire and Arran NHS Board is accused of 'perhaps the most serious catalogue of failings' for not handing over more than 50 reports on serious incidents at hospitals.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP today criticised the Scottish Government as the plans to centralise the police took another twist.

She was commenting after Chief Constable Kevin Smith warned that police staff may bear the brunt of a potential £22 million annual VAT bill through the creation of the new Scottish national police force.

Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP today attacked the Scottish Government for disregarding parliament after it was revealed that the new Scottish police force will start operating next year.

Commenting on a statement from the Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland (ACPOS) that the single national police force is intended to begin operating from 1 April 2013, Mrs McInnes said: "It is truly astonishing that, before the Scottish Parliament has even begun its scrutiny of the proposals for a single national police force, ACPOS and the Scottish Government are already talking about the date when the new force will begin operations.　

Scottish Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP has expressed concern at the rise in gastric bypass operations in Scotland.

Answers to Parliamentary Questions submitted by Mrs McInnes have revealed that gastric bypass operations have risen significantly in Scotland in the past four year years, increasing by 30% in the last year alone.

Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes today challenged the Transport Minister over the Government's plans for progressing work on dualling the A90 between Balmedie and Tipperty.

It had been widely reported last week that initial works on the upgrade would begin in the summer, but after being pressed by Mrs McInnes on the issue at Question Time in Parliament today (Thursday), Keith Brown was forced to admit that there is still no timetable for the project's completion.

North East Liberal Democrat MSP Alison McInnes has called for Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils to be given a fair share of funding from the Scottish Government.

Speaking during the Local Government Finance Order debate at Holyrood today (Thursday), Mrs McInnes reiterated her support for the 'Fair Share' campaign, calling on the Government to ensure that every council receives at least 90% of the national average of funding.

Commenting as the Justice Secretary launches the latest phase of the No Knives, Better Lives campaign, Scottish Liberal Democrat justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said today: "The No Knives Better Lives campaign is a really positive scheme with a strong message backed up by robust action.

"Successful campaigns such as this take a lot of dedication and hard work from people who know their local communities.

Independence debate

The one story that has been dominating the headlines since Parliament returned from its Christmas break is the debate over the Independence referendum.

We have finally seen a date set - autumn 2014 - and we've seen the launch of two consultations, one from Westminster aimed at ensuring the referendum is legal, and one from Holyrood discussing how the referendum should be framed. I think it's clear already that the debate on both sides of the issue is going to be, at times, heated, but I do hope that ultimately politicians on all sides can ensure that the public get all the information they need to make an informed decision.

Speaking following the debate on Prison Visiting Committees in the Scottish Parliament today, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Alison McInnes MSP said: "Today's debate highlighted the serious flaws in the Government's proposals to abolish Prison Visiting Committees.

"More than simply being an independent voice for prisoners, the Committees play a far greater role in ensuring that standards in our prison estate are maintained.　Yet the Cabinet Secretary refuses to acknowledge this.