Glasgow SNP MSP Bob Doris has today applauded Nicola Sturgeon's announcement on behalf of the Scottish Government that hospital car parking charges are to be abolished across Scotland.

The Glasgow MSP has campaigned since his election against such hospital car  parking charge regulations - regulations which were actually passed by the last Labour and Liberal Democrat Scottish Executive.

Of the abolition Bob Doris said: "The Scottish Government has listened to the concerns of staff, patients and relatives at Glasgow's hospitals about car parking charges and agreed with me that they should be abolished.

"This announcement should be welcomed by all and we should not forget that if there was a Labour Executive in Scotland people using hospital car parks would likely be paying £12 a day for the privilege.

"This is excellent news for Glasgow with access to the city's hospital car parks free again from the New Year.

"It is unfortunate that thanks to the use of private finance by the previous Labour administration, Glasgow's Royal Infirmary will continue to charge while patients, visitors and staff across the city will be able to park at all other hospitals for free.

"The hypocricy of Labour MSP's such as Paul Martin whose own party passed the regulations for the car parking charges is astounding.

"Mr Martin compains about charges at PFI car parks yet it was Labour that both brought in PFI and presided over the great PFI rip off.

"I agree with Nicola Sturgeon when she says the abolition 'would reaffirm the NHS's founding principle of healthcare free at the point of delivery."

Note:

This will apply to Gartnavel General and Royal, Stobhill Hospital, Victoria Infirmary, Southern General, Western Infirmary and the Yorkhill Hospitals from the 31 st of December 2008.