Plenary, 28 Jun 2007

Meeting date: Thursday, June 28, 2007

Official Report 682KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Rural Affairs and the Environment

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Town Centres

To ask the Scottish Government what is being done to improve the living environment in town centres. (S3O-370)

The Scottish Government has provided local agencies with a range of powers and resources that they are using to deliver safer, cleaner and more attractive town centres. The quality of life initiative is being used to improve street lighting and closed-circuit television provision. The antisocial behaviour legislation, supported by £120 million over four years, is enabling swift and effective action to be taken against a range of low-level offending in town centres, from antisocial driving and noise nuisance to vandalism and littering.

The minister will be aware of the problems in town centres that are frequently used for large gatherings of car cruisers—as is the case in Falkirk town centre, where up to 1,000 cars can gather in an evening. Many constituents who have contacted me find that their lives are being made a misery because of the modifications that have been made to many of the cars' exhaust systems, which cause considerable noise pollution in the town centre. The police tell me that they have limited powers to deal with the issue in the criminal justice system. Is the minister prepared to consider using environmental regulations to try to tackle the noise pollution problem?

Mr Matheson has campaigned tirelessly on that issue and there is certainly a problem to be addressed. Unfortunately, prohibition of the adaptation of vehicle exhausts—which is a possibility, as it is exhaust noise that causes a great deal of problem—is a reserved matter, strangely enough. That came as news to me as well, but a range of other actions can be taken. Part 10 of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 includes provisions that allow the police to seize vehicles that are being driven antisocially, and that power has been used successfully to seize 170 vehicles and to issue 1,917 warning notices, to the end of September last year.

Mr Matheson is right to say that other things can be done. For example, the Environmental Protection Act 1990 can be used, or a local authority can apply to the courts for an antisocial behaviour order to restrict a persistently antisocial driver from a particular area or even to prohibit the individual concerned from driving a particular vehicle.

My colleague the Minister for Community Safety will visit Tayside Police in the coming months to see the new seizure of vehicles initiative that they have introduced. However, we plan to take a fresh look at the community safety and antisocial behaviour strategy to determine how it can be strengthened and improved. Mr Matheson's point is important and will be included in that process.

Michael Matheson mentioned one of Scotland's larger towns. In the part of the world that I represent, smaller towns such as Wick, Stornoway, Buckie, Dingwall and Dunoon also face significant environmental challenges, particularly relating to dereliction of buildings. Will the Government, in the spirit of consensus and co-operation that has been evident from its members in recent weeks, consider the proposals that the Labour Party made at the election for town centre regeneration trusts to fund regeneration? Will it also consider whether local authorities have sufficient powers to tackle dereliction quickly and effectively and whether they have sufficient compulsory purchase powers when that ultimately becomes necessary in order to make the environmental improvements that many of our smaller towns urgently require?

My colleagues and I are always willing to consider good ideas wherever they come from: that is true of my colleagues, as well.

There are a variety of moves afoot to assist the regeneration of town centres. As Mr Peacock points out, it is not simply a matter of behaviour, although there are considerable problems of behaviour that can be encouraged out of existence. It is extremely important that premises do not remain empty for too long. The radical, exciting and, I am sure, worthwhile initiative on business rates that is coming may do even more on that than any town centre regeneration trust could.

Welcome though the business rate reductions are, they will not be a panacea that will improve the quality of town centres—the Labour Party as well as the Conservative party had proposals on that during the recent election. So, too, did the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, which estimates that the reductions will cost £1 million for every town centre that is regenerated. In view of the state of town centres such as that in Dumfries—which he will know well, as I do—will the minister commit to additional funding for regeneration specifically to help such towns?

I am sure that Mr Brownlee would not expect me to commit to immediate funding for Dumfries, much as I would like to. However, he made a valid point. Dumfries is an interesting example of a town where a mix of actions will be required. I believe that the reduction and elimination of business rates will have an enormous effect in Dumfries because, as Mr Brownlee will know, one of the major problems is the difficulty for start-up businesses to base themselves in town centres.

There are other problems. There is work to be done on historic buildings in Dumfries town centre—I understand it is likely to be under way shortly—and there is the question of behaviour in all town centres. The Government intends to focus strongly on promoting positive social behaviour among young people and others, and to crack down on the antisocial minority. Those two aspects must be taken together. We want to promote good behaviour as well as to punish bad behaviour. Provided that we do that in the context of a variety of initiatives, all town centres—whether in Dunoon, Wick or Dumfries—will flourish.

I, along with the former Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform, met Scottish Borders Council to discuss its small towns review. That review is supported by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and is looking at whole-town plans as well as, if not dedicated funding—which I appreciate the minister will not be able to announce—other potential funding routes through COSLA, which may address some of the issues that other members have raised. Can officials brief the minister on the matter and can he come back to Parliament if there has been any progress? It is a cross-party issue and the work of COSLA and Scottish Executive officials across all departments on planning, economic development, regeneration and the environment is crucial.

I am happy to arrange for that to happen so that we are working cross-party and in the spirit of consensus to improve our towns throughout Scotland. Mr Purvis and I were in Hawick on Friday morning. We saw some of the difficulties that that town faces and some of the exciting things, particularly the new Tower mill development, which is immensely impressive. The use of such buildings, in the way that Tower mill is now being used, can only be a good thing for any small town.

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Fishing (East Neuk)

To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the fishing communities from the east neuk of Fife and what matters were discussed. (S3O-377)

There is regular dialogue between the Scottish Executive and representatives of the Fife fishing community. My officials met Fife Fishermen's Association on 1 December to discuss quota management issues, and on 11 May Fife Fish Producers Organisation was represented at a Scottish Association of Fish Producers Organisation meeting. In addition, Fife Fishermen's Association is a member of the Scottish inshore fisheries advisory group, which last met in March. I am looking forward—as are my officials—to the open meeting with Fife fishermen on Monday 9 July, at Anstruther, to discuss further the management of inshore fishing.

I am sure that the issues that will be discussed at the meeting on 9 July will include the quota for the nephrops fishery, which I know the minister is aware is important in the east neuk. Will the minister urgently review reallocation of the nephrops quota from the producer organisation sector—where it is not being fully taken up—to the non-sector fleet and under-10m sector, which desperately need additional quota? Will he also assist the long-term sustainability of the east neuk fleet by agreeing to consider a trial reopening of the commercial sprat fishery in the Firth of Forth? Finally, can he explain why his department has withdrawn funding for the post of south-east Scotland inshore fisheries group co-ordinator?

First, I recognise how crucial the nephrops quota is to Fife fishing communities and to communities in the member's constituency. I clearly want to be careful before swapping quota from the producer organisations to the under-10m sector and non-sector fleet. However, we have secured swaps from elsewhere, which have provided more quota for the rest of the year. I am sure that the member will welcome that. We accept the need to provide stability to those sectors in the Fife fishing communities and to have long-term planning.

I am happy to consider a trial reopening of the sprat fishery and will get back to the member on that. If he wishes to write to me with more details on why that should go ahead, I will be grateful to hear his views.

On the south-east Scotland inshore fisheries group co-ordinator, I am reviewing the way forward and taking stock. I certainly support the principle and want the inshore fisheries groups to go ahead, but at this stage we are taking stock because the setting up of groups has been slower than expected.

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Environmental Projects (Schools)

To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to support environmental projects, based on the living garden approach, in schools. (S3O-385)

I was pleased to support the living garden approach by visiting the living garden earlier this month at gardening Scotland.

The living garden was a show garden and information village that was put together by the garden for life forum to demonstrate how to put garden for life principles into practice by using peat-free compost, by planting for wildlife, by growing food in the garden, and by dedicating an area to recycling and composting.

The Scottish Government is a member of the garden for life forum, along with a range of conservation, environmental and health charities, horticultural organisations and Scottish Natural Heritage. The aims of the forum are to increase enjoyment and understanding of biodiversity, to support action by gardeners for the benefit of Scotland's biodiversity, and to promote the benefits of gardening for health and well-being.

Grounds for Learning, one of the forum partners, offers help and advice to schools on all aspects of school grounds development for biodiversity. It is important to note that the Scottish Government actively supports the eco-schools programme, which includes modules on biodiversity and developing school grounds as outdoor classrooms to enhance pupils' interaction with, and understanding of, the natural world.

Given the widely acknowledged dietary deficiencies in Scotland. I am sure that the minister will recognise that the hungry for success initiative has played a significant role in dietary awareness and improvement. Will the minister consider including an expansion of support for that initiative in the biodiversity schemes to which he just referred, as well as in school allotments schemes?

Certainly. The issue of local food becomes ever more local when young people are involved in growing it for themselves. It is an important matter for this Government. We acknowledge the importance of the hungry for success programme and its achievements. Just this morning, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and I met a range of environmental organisations, including Friends of the Earth. One of its priorities is to stress the importance of growing fruit and vegetables for oneself in gardens or allotments.

I am aware of the strong pressure from the Scottish Allotments and Gardens Society in its report, "Growing Scotland", which I read with great interest. It talks about the need for more allotments. Although that is a matter for local authorities and others, it is actively supported.

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Environmental Improvements

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures to improve the local environment it recommends for locations where there is a historical interest. (S3O-409)

Initiatives to improve the local environment are generally for local authorities to pursue. If the historic environment is affected, then Historic Scotland might become involved in associated casework on behalf of Scottish ministers.

The minister might be aware that part of the Antonine wall is located at Croy hill in my constituency. The Croy Miners Charitable Society has worked hard over the years on behalf of the local community to improve the environment around the wall for the local community and visitors. The presence of small disused quarries encourages illegal dumping and poses a danger to children and visitors. The Croy Miners Charitable Society wants to further improve the environment in the area, but without encroaching in any way on the Antonine wall. It feels that Historic Scotland is being less than helpful in its endeavours.

Can we have a question, please?

Will the minister encourage a better working relationship with Historic Scotland? I encourage that from a local level.

I am sorry to hear of that experience of Historic Scotland, which works closely with the Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture. That is an operational matter for Historic Scotland. I am aware that the member has written about the case to Historic Scotland's chief executive, but I am sure that her comments today will be drawn to his and the relevant minister's attention.

The land in question belongs to the Forestry Commission Scotland. Historic Scotland is involved in discussions with Forest Enterprise and others about improving the amenity and landscape of that land. Historic Scotland recently received a general inquiry from Croy community council about infilling the quarries and has offered to meet the interested parties to discuss that. It might reassure the member to know that although the case she refers to is important to the community, the wider issue of the bid for world heritage status for the Antonine wall will not be affected by it. The professional advice is that the problem is not significant enough to affect the bid.

National planning guidelines on archaeology are in place and must be observed. We must also ensure that local plans, development plans and policies are adequate to cope with circumstances such as the one that the member mentions. The policy in the Kilsyth local plan from 1999 states:

"The Council will oppose any development which would adversely affect or threaten a Scheduled Ancient Monument or its setting, in particular in the vicinity of the Antonine Wall."

There is a commitment from the agencies, including Historic Scotland and Forest Enterprise, and from ministers, to ensure that we get the matter right. I hope that that reassures the member, but I know that Historic Scotland will have heard the question and, I presume, will be in touch with her again as a result.

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Coastal and Marine National Park

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on examining proposals for a coastal and marine national park. (S3O-438)

Some support was expressed during the coastal and marine national park consultation exercise, as well as a number of concerns. I am clear that we need to consider how a coastal and marine national park would sit in the broader context of the management of our marine resources. Although I am not opposed to the principle of a coastal and marine national park if there is local support, there are a number of other priorities facing Scotland's coastal communities and seas that I wish to address first.

The cabinet secretary will know that we are about to debate the competing priorities to which he alluded. Does he support the introduction of a marine bill to identify the future priorities? Many stakeholders would like such a bill to be introduced soon. Does the cabinet secretary have such a bill in mind now or will he consider it in the near future?

As I explained to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee only yesterday morning, I am in favour of a Scottish marine bill. I know that there is widespread support for that among all the parties in Parliament and beyond, in the nation, for going down that road. I cannot comment on the timetable for future legislation—that timetable will be made available after the summer recess. However, I am clear that we should first tidy up the bureaucracy and the governance of Scotland's marine waters. After all, Scotland has the biggest share of European Union waters. There are increasing and competing demands on our waters, including the demands of renewable energy, marine wildlife and tourism. We must first sort out the existing governance before we consider adding new layers of governance, such as a coastal and marine national park.

The minister has given no timetable for introducing legislation on marine national parks and he will be aware that the Conservatives are of the view that such parks should not be included in the marine bill. Can he give an indication of the timetable for that bill?

He will also be aware that there is strong opposition to a marine national park, particularly in the north and west of Scotland, although opposition does not appear to be so strong in the south-west. Will he therefore assure Parliament that, before any legislation is introduced to create a marine national park, the widest possible consultation will be undertaken and that the result of the consultation will be adhered to? Does he agree that community buy-in is vital to the success of the creation of a marine national park in Scotland?

I certainly agree on that last point. On the timetable, I can only reiterate that after the recess the Government will produce its timetable for future legislation.

I acknowledge that there are real concerns in some communities and that there is opposition to the creation of a marine park, but there is also much support in other communities, so we must strike a balance. I agree that, when we decide to make progress, it will be absolutely essential that we get the consultation right. I am aware of criticisms of the previous round of consultation and am keen to examine it closely. We must get the process spot on next time.

The minister's predecessor, Ross Finnie, instructed the Scottish Enterprise network to talk to all the key stakeholders. The minister will be aware that, when the Cairngorms national park was being established, the business community had concerns similar to those that have been expressed about a marine national park, but that those concerns were addressed when the Cairngorms national park was set up. Has he cancelled the work that was going on or does he intend to make progress with work on a coastal and marine national park, in parallel with his work on the marine bill?

I am preparing to make my position clear on the previous Administration's commitment to set up a working group involving stakeholders and officials to consider marine national parks and on the previous Administration's request to the enterprise companies to consider the economic impact of setting up parks, as was their remit. I have not taken a decision on the exact status and how we will make progress in relation to those bodies. However, I am conscious that we have limited resources and that, if we are to make progress with a Scottish marine bill, that will place demands on parliamentary and Government time and on resources. I must strike a balance in taking that decision.

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Farm Thefts

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will assess the impact on the rural economy of an increased incidence of thefts of machinery, fencing, fuel and quad bikes from farms. (S3O-358)

Data addressing the specific incidence of thefts of machinery, fencing, fuel and quad bikes from farms are not held centrally by the Scottish Executive. Information on farm crime was published in 1998 in the Scottish farm crime survey and there are no plans to repeat this survey or to undertake an economic impact assessment.

In the absence of such statistics, would the minister be prepared to support the rural security zone initiative that was launched in partnership with the community police in Ayrshire, the NFU Scotland and the National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society? The initiative aims to raise the farming community's awareness that traditional methods of securing farm buildings are simply not addressing the problem, in order to help farmers to assess security risks, and to use marking, tracking and equipment-locking devices to secure machinery. All of that is being done in an effort to reduce the impact of crime on the rural economy. Will the minister support that initiative and be prepared to support its extension to other parts of rural Scotland?

I thank the member for her question, although I am not sure whether she is seeking moral or financial support. I am certainly prepared to give moral support at this point and am keen to learn more about the success of the initiative to which she referred; it sounds extremely worthwhile.

It is worth pointing out that the 1998 survey found that the majority of farmers in Scotland enjoy a crime-free working environment. It is important to keep that in mind. Of course, security issues in 2007, to which the member refers, are important and I am keen to find out more about what the Government can do to help.

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Health and Wellbeing

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Alcohol Problems (Young People)

Question 1 was to be asked by Jamie Stone, but he is not in the chamber. That is not a practice that I wish to encourage, as I consider it to be a discourtesy to Parliament.

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National Health Service Employees (Agenda for Change)

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that NHS employees are receiving all the benefits that they are entitled to through agenda for change. (S3O-399)

There are two key strands to the benefits that staff receive under agenda for change. First, since October 2004, many staff have benefited from standardisation of the non-pay elements of agenda for change, such as the length of the working week and annual leave entitlement. Many staff have also gained financially under the new pay arrangements, and the Scottish ministers have guaranteed that no staff member's salary will drop as a result of the new system, with pay protection being applied to the small proportion of staff—currently less than 5 per cent—who require it. Health boards are aware of the need to complete the processes of assimilation into the new system and payment of arrears as quickly as possible.

I thank the cabinet secretary and apologise for the technical nature of my question.

In circumstances where a member of health board staff is subject to protection arrangements that were set up prior to their assimilation into agenda for change, does the minister agree that it is contrary to the detail and the spirit of national and local policies on protection for any increase in basic earnings that arise as a consequence of that assimilation to be offset against the protection, as is happening in Tayside NHS Board, thus resulting in individuals getting no benefit from agenda for change?

I undertake to write to Roseanna Cunningham about the specifics of her question, but I will explain some more of the background to the current arrangements.

Agenda for change was negotiated under the previous Administration, but during the development of the arrangements it was recognised that for a small proportion of staff—currently 4.5 per cent in Scotland—agenda for change pay would be less than their previous pay. Although a position of complete no detriment was not achievable, there was consensus that it would be unfair for staff to receive a reduction in salary. It was therefore agreed, in partnership with the trade unions, that staff in such a position would receive pay protection.

Pay protection applies in the other United Kingdom health services for a maximum of five years, but in Scotland it will remain in place for as long as individual staff require it. That means that no member of staff in the NHS in Scotland will suffer a cut in salary as a result of the implementation of agenda for change. Pay protection will be applied to any individuals who have been affected until such time as their pay under agenda for change overtakes their protected pay, at which point they will begin to receive annual pay uplifts.

The cabinet secretary is right to recognise the generous arrangements in Scotland for agenda for change. I share her desire to ensure that we take care of assimilation and back pay as quickly as possible. Members sent me a number of letters on the issue when I was the Minister for Health and Community Care.

What progress is being made on the knowledge and skills framework and on the possibility of our well-trained staff being more flexible and increasing their skills in the national health service? That is at the heart of how we will change the future of the NHS. Pay assimilation and back pay are important issues, but we must also progress the knowledge and skills framework.

Andy Kerr may be interested if I update him on the progress that has been made towards assimilation and the payment of arrears. Ninety per cent of those who have been job matched—124,000 staff—have been assimilated and are being paid on agenda for change pay scales. In addition, 77,000 staff—nearly 60 per cent of those who have been job matched and assimilated—have been assessed for arrears and have had arrears paid where appropriate.

Uncharacteristically, I agree with Andy Kerr on the other issue that he raised. Agenda for change is a package of modernised terms and conditions. I do not underestimate for a minute the value of pay, but there are significant non-pay benefits in the new arrangements, for example relating to annual leave and working hours. In addition, agenda for change was designed to improve all aspects of equal opportunity and diversity, especially in the area of careers and training opportunities. As the biggest of the NHS pay modernisation schemes, it is well on track.

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Scottish Health Council

To ask the Scottish Executive what role it envisages for the Scottish health council. (S3O-425)

The Scottish health council was set up in 2005 to improve the way in which people are involved in decisions about health services. As well as being a champion for patient and public involvement in NHS Scotland, the council scrutinises local national health service boards to ensure that they work with and listen to people in their community.

Will the cabinet secretary clarify whether she envisages the council's role continuing? Can she assure me today that the views of not only local communities but clinicians will be taken on board, to ensure that any decisions that are taken produce the best outcomes for patients?

I give Marilyn Livingstone a clear assurance that the valuable role of the Scottish health council will continue. To date, the council has produced seven reports on major service change proposals. As the member will be aware, it was a manifesto commitment of the new Government to introduce a new process of independent scrutiny that will take place prior to public consultation. The new arrangements will enhance the decision-making process and allow the views of not just the public but clinicians to be taken fully into account.

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Homes to Rent

To ask the Scottish Executive what priority funding for building homes to rent will have in the spending review. (S3O-379)

The Scottish Government is examining all funding as part of the spending review process. That includes the funding that subsidises the construction of new houses for social rent.

The minister will be aware that capital investment funding for housing associations in the Scottish Borders is expected to be around £7 million in this financial year, which is an increase of about 150 per cent on the figure for 2002-03. That reflects the particular need for social housing in the Borders. However, we are still not meeting demand. Will the minister guarantee that investment will continue to rise in the spending review period? Will he also commit himself to giving more support to land banking in the Borders? According to the minister's latest statistical report, there have been large increases in land value in the area. Will he meet Scottish Borders Housing Association, other housing associations in the Borders and me over the summer to discuss local priorities?

I cannot say any more about the spending review, as we must await its outcome. The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and I will input our views on housing and the amount of money that is available for it to the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, but we will have to wait until the review process is complete.

Land banking has been fairly successful in a number of areas, and my officials are examining it to find out whether we can do more with it.

As for Mr Purvis's invitation to come to the Borders to meet him and officials, I am pleased to say that, during the recess, I intend to visit the Borders to discuss a number of housing issues. If Mr Purvis writes to me, I will ensure that he is informed of my visit. I hope that we will be able to make some time to fit in a meeting with him and others.

Will the minister confirm that he recognises the importance of houses for rent as well as houses for sale in any affordable housing strategy? Will he confirm the apparent indication by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing in committee yesterday that the Government intends to increase significantly the role of the private sector in meeting housing need? Will such an approach include houses for purchase and houses for rent? Does the minister acknowledge the cabinet secretary's indication that the increased role results from the current unsustainable level of public investment in social rented housing? Although he cannot tell us what will be in the comprehensive spending review, will he at least indicate the finances that he will argue for in support of affordable housing strategies, given his own back bencher Tricia Marwick's comment that the failure of housing policy in the past has been due not to the direction of travel but to the level of investment?

I am happy to reply to the member's question about houses for rent. The area is certainly as important as other areas of the housing market. Indeed, it is not a question of putting one sector above another: we place equal importance on the private sector, the low-cost ownership sector, the private rented sector and the social rented sector, and we have no dogmatic preference for one particular form of tenure.

As for private sector involvement, the private sector clearly has an important role in housing. After all, the majority of people in Scotland own their own homes. However, I make no bones about or apologies for saying that the private rented sector also has a role to play.

Although Johann Lamont is quite right to say that I cannot pre-empt what will be in the comprehensive spending review, I can tell her that the cabinet secretary and I will argue for the review to give the tenants of Scotland a fair deal.

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NHS Ayrshire and Arran (Meetings)

To ask the Scottish Executive when it next intends to meet representatives of NHS Ayrshire and Arran. (S3O-437)

I expect to meet the chair of NHS Ayrshire and Arran at my regular meeting with national health service board chairs on 23 July, and I will meet other NHS Ayrshire and Arran representatives when I chair the board's annual review later this year. That review was scheduled to take place on 3 September, but I have advised the board that I expect it to give priority over the coming months to developing revised proposals for the retention of accident and emergency services at Ayr and Crosshouse hospitals. I have, therefore, decided to postpone the review and I will set a new date shortly.

The minister is no doubt aware of a paper that went before the board yesterday that recommended that five community casualty units, including the one at Ayrshire central hospital in my constituency, should be put on hold. Is she also aware that, according to that report, it will not be possible under the timescales set out by the cabinet secretary to provide the same level of engagement, involvement and public consultation as we had in the initial review of services—a level of engagement with which, I believe, she herself was unhappy? Is she concerned that the report refers to the potential disillusionment of clinical staff and loss of clinical engagement? Finally, will she confirm to the people whom I represent whether the community casualty unit at Ayrshire central hospital will go ahead—yes or no?

I say to the member as gently as I possibly can that the new Government had a manifesto commitment to save the accident and emergency unit at Ayr hospital. In case she missed the event, we won the election, and we have now met that commitment. Since then, I have set a timescale for NHS Ayrshire and Arran that strikes the right balance between getting the decisions right and getting on with the job. I assure the member that with the process undertaken by the board and the process of independent scrutiny, the public's views will be taken into account. Perhaps if the previous Administration had taken those views into account we would not be where we are now.

Question 7 is from Jackie Baillie.

I think that you have missed out question 6, Presiding Officer.

Question 6 has had to be withdrawn for a legitimate reason.

I do apologise.

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Social Work Services (Argyll and Bute Council)

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to improve social work services for older people in Argyll and Bute following the publication of the Social Work Inspection Agency report on Argyll and Bute Council's social work services. (S3O-402)

The report of the Social Work Inspection Agency on Argyll and Bute Council's social work services is due for publication in late October. I will provide my response to that report once it is available and I have had time to consider its findings.

The minister will be aware that Argyll and Bute Council underspends on older people's services by a substantial amount—under one budget heading alone, it spends 50 per cent less than the Government gives it. I understand that questions might arise about the quality of the services that are being delivered, too. On that basis, when the report is published, if Argyll and Bute Council does not produce a robust improvement plan that addresses both the funding and the quality of services, will the minister use her powers of intervention to protect the needs of older people in Argyll and Bute?

We will expect the council to act on any recommendations that the Social Work Inspection Agency may make and we will expect to see the results of that action through the new outcome-based monitoring approaches that we will develop with our local authority partners. I will keep a close eye on that process.

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Affordable Housing

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to ensure that there is adequate land available for affordable housing developments. (S3O-390)

As I announced in Parliament last week, we are establishing a housing supply task force with the objective of tackling the obstacles that have been hampering the delivery of more housing. The adequacy of land supply for all forms of housing will be one of the major issues to be examined by the task force.

I welcome the setting up of the task force, which I note will report in the autumn. Can the minister assure me that, prior to the autumn, he will meet the City of Edinburgh Council, which, through planning decisions, has been trying to deliver on the target to set aside 25 per cent of new homes for affordable housing, but which along the way has discovered loopholes? Once the task force has reported, might the Executive introduce plans to tighten planning rules, to ensure that developers have to deliver at least 25 per cent affordable housing in developments in a decent timescale?

Margaret Smith makes some important points about the problem. I hope to meet the City of Edinburgh Council at some point over the recess. I look forward to that meeting, at which I am sure the provision of affordable housing in Edinburgh will be one of the issues that we discuss.

I could not agree more with the member's comments about the 25 per cent target. We want that target to be met, as a minimum, and we want it to be met timeously, so that the building of affordable housing is not left until the very final stage. I confirm that planning will be a central focus of the remit of the housing supply task force. In particular, it will consider how the overall planning situation can be improved in relation to affordable housing.

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Scottish Society for Autism

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support and promote the work of the Scottish Society for Autism. (S3O-398)

We recognise the real contribution that the Scottish Society for Autism and other voluntary organisations make to improving the lives of people with autism spectrum disorders and their families throughout Scotland.

The Scottish Government works collaboratively with the Scottish Society for Autism, along with other voluntary sector organisations, service users and carers, on groups such as the national ASD reference group and the ASD education working group to develop appropriate and responsive services for people on the autism spectrum. We will continue to work in partnership towards our shared goal of improving services in Scotland.

Will the minister ensure that public bodies—in particular, local authorities—are made fully aware of the excellence of New Struan school at the headquarters of the Scottish Society for Autism in Alloa in my constituency, and of the cutting-edge nature of that facility and the learning experience that is offered to children there? Will she accept my standing invitation to come and visit the society and New Struan school at any time?

I agree with Keith Brown's comments about New Struan school, which provides excellent services. I encourage local authorities and other public bodies to use those services, and I am happy to accept the invitation to visit the school.

We move to question 10, just so it can be said that I once got to it.

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Cancer Care (West of Scotland)

You are a gentleman, sir.

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in improving and developing cancer care in the west of Scotland. (S3O-427)

There has been a significant programme of investment in cancer care in the west of Scotland—thanks to the previous Administration, of course. That includes the completion of the new £105 million Beatson west of Scotland cancer centre, which provides state-of-the-art equipment and treatments for patients throughout the region. The Beatson is an internationally renowned teaching centre and its team is able to see more than 8,000 new patients every year.

I thank the cabinet secretary for her wonderful commendation of the work done by the previous Executive. Long may that continue—I recommend the approach to the First Minister.

Will the cabinet secretary say how she can work not just with the Beatson centre but with Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides incredible support services to ensure that families can deal with the awful challenge of cancer? In particular, the charity assists people to cope with cancer at home rather than in an acute hospital setting.

I hope to continue the spirit of consensus. The work of cancer charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support in researching cancer and providing much-needed support for cancer patients is second to none. Most people with cancer want to stay at home for as long as possible and then receive the right care towards the end of their lives. Charities such as Macmillan help to make that possible, and I look forward to continuing to support them in their future work.