Contents
- General Question Time
- First Minister’s Question Time
- Edinburgh Zoo
- Business Motion
- Scottish Independence Referendum Bill: Stage 3
- Scottish Independence Referendum Bill
- Business Motion
- Decision Time
General Question Time
Police Stations (Opening Times)
1. To ask the Scottish Government what impact it considers reduced opening times at police stations such as Giffnock will have on residents’ feelings of safety and security. (S4O-02582)
Policing in Scotland is performing excellently. The latest crime statistics show that crime is at a 39-year low, 1,000 more police officers are on our streets now compared with 2007 and confidence and satisfaction in the police are high. The Scottish Government shares with Police Scotland the top priority of keeping people safe across all communities in Scotland. Operational policing is a matter for Police Scotland and it will continue to be delivered from local stations. The impact is on the provision of front counter services, which are rarely used. The review of public counter provision aims to help deliver a more consistent, professional service to the public and enable more officers to be deployed in our communities where and when they are needed the most.
Does the minister realise that, following the loss of the local court in Giffnock and then the loss of the ability to phone the local Giffnock police station directly, the severe cutting back of the station opening hours will reassure residents of nothing other than that their service is being reduced?
Let us address the factual situation regarding Giffnock police station. The public counter is currently open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The proposal is for it to be open from 7 am until midnight, seven days a week, so it will close between midnight and 7 am. That is after a Police Scotland review showed that, over a nine-day period, there was a total of 162 visits to the public counter by members of the public in Giffnock, which is an average of approximately 18 people per day. Data analysis throughout the day highlights that public demand is minimal after midnight, when 999, 101 and access to a police officer are available. Mr Macintosh should look at the factual evidence and recognise that the proposal is reasonable and will maintain the visible police presence that delivers an outstanding service to our communities in Giffnock and elsewhere.
Does the cabinet secretary recall my reference, in a recent debate on the counters proposal, to the established use of diary cars in, for example, Midlothian? Police take non-emergency 101 calls and fix an appointment, at a time and place suitable to the caller, to take a statement. Is that happening in other parts of Scotland? It seems a very good idea.
That is a matter for Police Scotland, but I have just come from an international policing conference, at which the chief constable spoke and mentioned matters such as diary cars, which provide a convenient option that allows members of the public to arrange an appointment with officers at their own home at a time of their suiting and of convenience to the police. It ties in with the use of social media, telephone and other aspects. There are issues as to whether diary cars are practical in some rural areas, because of the size of communities, but in many areas they will provide an option that will be greatly appreciated by members of the public, and an improvement and enhancement to the current excellent service.
Fuel Poverty
2. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Minister for Environment and Climate Change has had with the Minister for Housing and Welfare regarding the environmental benefits of measures to tackle fuel poverty. (S4O-02583)
I regularly hold meetings with my ministerial colleagues to discuss portfolio contributions to meeting our world-leading climate change targets, which have provided opportunities for constructive and productive discussions. In fact, I had a scheduled meeting this morning with the Minister for Housing and Welfare. Our conversation included a focus on the multiple benefits that are being delivered by our energy efficiency programmes, which directly impact on tackling the scourge of fuel poverty and make a significant contribution to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions.
Although measures such as shine on Fife and the green deal are welcome, they do not suit every household or property type. Speaking to energy action groups, I have found frustration that there is a lack of funding for smaller measures, such as energy-efficient light bulbs, draft excluders or chimney balloons. Such measures do not cost much but can be beyond the means of low-income households. Will the minister consider giving greater flexibility to the use of the climate challenge fund, so that people in need can access small measures that can make a big difference?
I certainly understand Claire Baker’s point with regard to the climate challenge fund. We are doing a lot of good work through organisations such as Eco-Congregation and indeed individual communities to put in place projects that help people understand what energy efficiency measures can help with their domestic properties. I would be interested in looking at any proposal that the member wishes to make on the use of other technologies, LED bulbs and so on and am certainly happy to discuss the matter with her.
How is the Government targeting its fuel poverty measures on the most hard-to-reach groups such as the very elderly who live alone in remote rural areas?
The delivery of such measures is a matter for the housing minister, Margaret Burgess, but, to help the member with his question, I can say that we are clearly aware that this is becoming more of an issue as we come to harder-to-treat properties and, as I am sure the member will know, it is a bigger challenge in a rural area such as the Highlands and Islands. The Government is committed to making available funding of up to £200 million a year, which includes money from energy companies, and, as a result, the resource available is in line with the investment in energy efficiency measures that the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee had asked for. However, we are getting into harder-to-treat properties, and the focus of my colleague Margaret Burgess and her team is on implementing measures on this kind of scale in hard-to-treat properties such as solid-wall properties in rural areas.
Scottish Prison Service (Pensions)
3. To ask the Scottish Government what training and advice the Scottish Prison Service gives staff regarding pensions entitlement and contributions. (S4O-02584)
The civil service pension schemes are a reserved matter and the responsibility of the United Kingdom Cabinet Office. All new Scottish Prison Service staff receive a pension starter pack that advises on the available options, including pension entitlement and contributions, and, as part of their initial training new recruit prison officers attend a session on pensions at the SPS training college. All SPS staff who are members of a civil service pension scheme are advised on an annual basis of their pension entitlements with an explanation of how those are calculated and, in addition, are advised through internal staff notices of any pension changes made by the UK Government.
I have received an inquiry from serving prison officers in my constituency, who have indicated their frustration at not being given proper information following changes to their pensions despite assurances that information sessions would be rolled out to prison establishments. I realise that this is a reserved matter but, as those sessions do not seem to be on the SPS’s agenda, will the cabinet secretary undertake to ensure that a programme advising SPS staff in all prison establishments is rolled out in the very near future?
I understand the member’s concerns and think it appropriate that he has raised them. I am aware of the Prison Officers Association’s anger and frustration at the implementation of the UK coalition Government’s proposal for prison officers at Barlinnie, Cornton Vale, Polmont or wherever to be required to work until they are 68. Frankly, I find the proposal ridiculous.
As I have said, pensions are reserved, but the chief executive of the SPS, Colin McConnell, has confirmed that SPS staff receive information about their pension from MyCSP Ltd, a private sector company that administers civil service pension schemes on behalf of the Cabinet Office. Staff in the SPS human resources department have sufficient pensions knowledge to provide pensions awareness sessions to new recruits and assist existing staff with pension inquiries through liaison with MyCSP. In addition to the pensions sessions for new recruit prison officers that are already being delivered, the SPS is committed to providing additional awareness-raising sessions ahead of the introduction in 2015 of the new civil service pension scheme. Work to design an SPS approach is at a very early stage.
I am happy to discuss the matter further with the member and can also assure him that the SPS is happy to discuss it with his constituent, with him or indeed with the POA. Sadly, the most harmful of these matters are being forced on us and the SPS because of the coalition Government’s proposals.
Detect Cancer Early Programme
4. To ask the Scottish Government what progress the detect cancer early programme has made. (S4O-02585)
We know that the earlier a cancer is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. That is why the £30 million detect cancer early programme, which is initially focusing on breast, lung and colorectal cancers, aims to increase by 25 per cent the proportion of Scots diagnosed in the earliest stage of cancer.
To support the programme, we have launched four detect cancer early social marketing campaigns. Although the initial evaluation of the campaigns that have been run so far has been encouraging, it is still too early to assess what impact the programme has had on early diagnosis. Capital and revenue have been made available to support an increase in diagnostic and treatment capacity. In addition, we have introduced a new two-year primary care initiative to support uptake of the national bowel screening programme. Health Improvement Scotland is also undertaking a refresh of the “Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer”.
Unfortunately, the fact remains that the Scottish Government is meeting the 62-day target for only four of the 10 cancer types. In some areas, such as Lanarkshire, only 75 per cent of cervical cancer patients are being treated on time, while in the Highlands the figure is only 60 per cent for patients with ovarian cancer. In Grampian, one colorectal cancer patient waited for 128 days, a urological cancer patient waited for 139 days, and a patient with melanoma waited for 140 days. Does the cabinet secretary agree that it is unacceptable for some cancer patients to wait more than twice the stated wait for treatment and that the problem is linked to an increasing number of consultant vacancies? Will he commit to investigating the circumstances behind why some boards are underperforming in certain cancer types and pledge to resolve the situation as soon as possible?
There are two cancer waiting time targets: the 31-day target and the 62-day target. We are meeting the 31-day target overall, and we have been doing so consistently. In recent months, there has been a slight underperformance in meeting the 62-day target, one of the reasons for which is an acute shortage of specific oncology specialists, which is affecting not just Scotland but the entire United Kingdom. The northern area, and Grampian in particular, has been adversely affected by the shortage because of retirals and people relocating. We are addressing the situation as a matter of urgency because it is our intention to ensure that both the 31-day target and the 62-day target are met throughout the country and, ideally, in relation to all 10 cancers.
Crimes of Violence and Indecency (Dumfries and Galloway)
5. To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the increase in crimes of violence and indecency in Dumfries and Galloway in the period April to September 2013 compared with the same period in 2012. (S4O-02586)
Recorded crime in Dumfries and Galloway is at a 34-year low, having fallen 44 per cent since 2006-07, thanks to the support of the 1,000 extra officers in our communities that have been provided by the Government. The number of sexual offences has fallen from 150 in 2011-12 to 133 in 2012-13, which is a decrease of 11 per cent. Provisional management figures for Dumfries and Galloway show an increase in the number of violent crimes, including two homicides, in the six-month period from April to September 2012-13. However, to put those figures into context, there was a total of 62 recorded homicides in Scotland in 2012-13, which is the lowest number since 1976, the first year for which comparable homicide records are available.
Every homicide in Scotland is a tragedy. The Scottish Government continues to listen to and work with Police Scotland and other partners including the no knives, better lives campaign, the medics against violence project, the mentors in violence prevention project and local communities in its efforts to tackle crime and violence. Ultimately, we want to make Scotland a safer place in which to live and work.
Since Police Scotland came into being, reported crimes of violence have risen by 25 per cent, murders have risen by 200 per cent, petty assaults have risen by 30 per cent, domestic abuse has risen by 29 per cent, dangerous driving has risen by 55 per cent and crimes of indecency have risen by 60 per cent. The cabinet secretary says that crime is at a 39-year low in Scotland. Is it at a 39-year low in Dumfries and Galloway?
I wish that the member had gone—as some of her colleagues did—to the international policing conference that was held earlier today, at which the chief constable was adamant about and full of praise for the support and efforts of his members. Crime is at a 39-year low and we have the lowest recorded homicide statistics since 1976. We have seen a halving of youth crime and a reduction of 60 per cent in knife-handling offences since 2006-07. Nevertheless, there are difficulties, and every murder is a tragedy. It is unacceptable that there have been two murders in Dumfries and Galloway, and Police Scotland is acting. However, all members of the Parliament have an obligation and duty to support the outstanding public service that is Police Scotland, not to talk it down when its record is impeccable and unimpeachable.
Orkney Fish Producers Organisation
6. To ask the Scottish Government whether it has dropped plans to withdraw recognition from the Orkney Fish Producers Organisation. (S4O-02587)
The Orkney Fish Producers Organisation provides valuable support to the fishermen of Orkney, and the Government strongly supports the work that the organisation does to manage community quotas and to encourage new skippers into fishing. There are a range of issues on which the Government is in dialogue with the organisation and we will continue to work with it during 2014 to develop ideas on how we can support fishermen and deliver a number of initiatives locally. In the meantime, we will maintain the Government’s recognition of the producers organisation as those discussions continue.
The cabinet secretary has acknowledged that the Orkney PO performs a valuable role, but his letter to me of 9 September confirms that
“the PO was advised formally that recognition will be withdrawn on 31 December 2013”.
That move is strongly opposed by the PO, the local council and others. As he will be aware, the PO holds two community quotas and helps to deliver Government policy in assisting new entrants into the industry, which is a key priority of the Government. In addition, the new rules that will come into play in January downplay the issue of size as a criterion for recognition, which reflects the fact that smaller groups are often more active on behalf of their members.
Given all those factors, can the cabinet secretary lift the lingering threat hanging over the Orkney PO or, at the very least, ensure that a formal decision to continue recognition of the PO is taken as soon as possible after the new common market organisation rules are put in place from January next year?
As I said, constructive discussions are taking place between the Scottish Government and the Orkney fishermen to ensure that a valuable role continues to be delivered by the Orkney Fish Producers Organisation. Of course, we need to have that dialogue with the producers organisation because we are under an obligation to monitor these issues and that is why the discussions are important. As I said, we recognise the very valuable role that the PO carries out and we will maintain recognition.
China (Economic Opportunities)
7. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth has had with the First Minister regarding the economic opportunities arising from his recent visit to China. (S4O-02588)
The First Minister has reported to the Cabinet on the considerable economic benefits arising from his visit and the opportunities for the oil and gas and construction missions that he led to China. A showcase of innovative Sino-Scottish partnerships was announced in Beijing that is set to be worth more than £40 million to Scotland over the next decade.
The announcements included the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Unmanned Production Buoy, which designed the world’s first unmanned offshore oil platforms, and Offshore Oil Engineering Co Ltd; the announcement of a partnership between AppleGreen Homes and the Vanke group, which is one of China’s largest property developers, to develop a “home of the future” to showcase innovation and design from Scotland; and—even the national game was involved—the signing of an agreement between the Scottish Professional Football League and Chinese partner PPLive TV to screen Scottish league matches in China to an audience of 60 million people.
With that impressive list, I presume that the cabinet secretary will agree with me that encouraging trade and investment links with China will be a boost to the Scottish economy.
It is important that we establish connections between Scotland and external markets. As a Government, we spend a great deal of time ensuring that the international ambitions and objectives of the Government’s economic strategy are fulfilled. That involves ensuring that we motivate more and more companies in Scotland to participate in international business activity and trade. That is an improving picture, and I welcome the fact that the visit to China by the First Minister and the different delegations has contributed to the development of the Scottish economy.
Review of Expenses and Funding of Civil Litigation in Scotland
8. To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report of the review of expenses and funding of civil litigation in Scotland. (S4O-02589)
Sheriff Principal Taylor published his comprehensive report on 11 September 2013. The report makes extensive recommendations on a range of proposals regarding expenses and civil litigation. The Scottish Government is considering the detail of the report and will publish its intentions in due course.
Briefly, Mr Campbell.
What further consultation is the Scottish Government planning on the proposal to introduce a qualified one-way costs shifting, which would apply to all personal injury claims and would be a departure from the traditional expenses-follow-success rule?
Briefly, minister.
I appreciate the member’s interest in the issue. The wide range of detailed recommendations is being looked at carefully by the Government. When decisions are made about which will be pursued, appropriate further consultation will be undertaken.