By Steve Bargeton, political editor

FIRST MINISTER Alex Salmond yesterday made clear that his minority government will not necessarily be bound by decisions passed by Parliament.

At the opening First Minister’s Questions of the new parliament, Labour leader Jack McConnell wanted to know if Mr Salmond would abide by a decision of parliament to press ahead with a new Edinburgh airport rail link (EARL) and a trams project for the capital if MSPs vote for it.

The SNP fiercely opposed the projects and is now reviewing them. However the main opposition parties have united to use their majority to force a motion calling on the Executive not to “arbitrarily” delay or cancel the plans.

Mr McConnell asked, “Will you accept that decision and proceed with the new airport rail link with no further prevarication—yes or no?”

The First Minister said he was not convinced by EARL and will bring a full financial assessment to Parliament at an early opportunity.

Mr Salmond added, “Jack McConnell will know that as part of the perfectly normal constitutional arrangement, except in certain circumstances, the Scottish Executive is not necessarily bound by resolutions or motions passed by the Scottish Parliament.”

Mr Salmond reminded catcalling opposition MSPs he was quoting former Labour First Minister Donald Dewar.

Mr McConnell pressed the First Minister on the trams project.

“Will you accept that decision and proceed with the capital city’s trams without further delay—yes or no?”

Mr Salmond said there were “better ways” to meet Edinburgh’s transport needs.

“We are concerned about cost over-run in capital projects, which is why we are bringing forward assessments for Parliament.

“We haven’t completed the assessment for the tram system yet.”

However, he told parliament that an assessment had been completed for the Stirling-Alloa rail link, which was first estimated by the Labour/Lib Dem administration to cost £35 million but has risen to £70 million.

“Our latest estimate as of today, with the project almost completed, is that we are working on the assumption of £83 million,” he said.

The First Minster told MSPs that the organisation responsible for delivering the Edinburgh trams, was also in charge of delivering the Stirling-Alloa rail link.

Mr McConnell accused the SNP government of spin and said it was time to take decisions.

Legally ministers can simply note the decisions of parliament unless they involve legislation.

“The only time a decision of Parliament is legally binding is when it is on legislation,” said a Parliament spokesman.

“In terms of a debate, a decision is an expression of the will of Parliament.”

* During First Minister’s Questions Mr Salmond said council tax should be replaced with a local income tax within four years.

He told MSPs Scotland needed a “new, fairer and better system” of funding local authorities.

He said he hoped to bring in the legislation to introduce a local income tax within the first half of this four-year parliamentary term, with the change taking effect in the second half.

* Mr Salmond urged the Lib Dems to work with him to help reduce class sizes for youngsters.

The Nationalists pledged to cut class sizes to 18 for the first three years of primary school.

Mr Salmond said his government would make an announcement to Holyrood within weeks on how they would deliver that.

* Tesco chiefs and union leaders were urged to get round the negotiating table after a second walkout was announced by delivery drivers. SNP Livingston MSP Angela Constance raised the dispute at a Tesco distribution centre in the town over the downgrading of terms and conditions.

Mr Salmond said, “I deprecate the sacking of people during an industrial dispute.

“I think far, far better… for the parties in the industrial dispute to get round the table to settle their differences.”

It involves nearly 150 drivers and the Transport and General Workers’ Union confirmed plans to carry out a 24-hour strike next week. Ms Constance said widespread industrial action is now “likely”.