SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Community Schools
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop further the community schools initiative. (S1O-3022)
Forty-seven projects are up and running under the new community schools pilot programme. A further 15 have been offered support and will start in April. That fully meets the commitment that we gave in the programme for government to establish 60 new community schools by 2001. The pilot projects will be evaluated locally and as part of the programme of inspections of Her Majesty's inspectors of schools. A three-year evaluation of the pilot programme started in April 2000 and is being conducted by the University of London.
If the community school model proves successful after evaluation, what steps will the minister take to ensure that larger councils such as North Lanarkshire Council benefit on a scale that is proportionate to their need?
Following representations from some colleagues, I am considering the position of the larger councils, which may have felt that they deserved proportionately more than two community schools under the pilot programme. However, in the short term, before the evaluation of the pilots is complete, we must discuss whether local authorities might take the initiative to roll out the community schools initiative, because they must be involved in those innovations rather than always rely on direction from the centre. I would be keen to discuss that with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in due course.
As new community schools have made a contribution to the lives of children and their families, what reassurance will the minister give projects that are reaching the end of their three-year funding period? Will they be able to consolidate their good work and continue confidently, knowing that their future funding is secure?
The reassurance comes in their success. We must discuss with local authorities how existing and future projects are best funded as part of mainstream funding, rather than as an add-on. We can do that in the next year or two as the evaluations come through. However, it is most important that we celebrate the success of the community schools and expand that good practice throughout Scotland. We need not badge everything as community schools to make schools good, integrated examples of best practice.
Does the minister agree that the best way of evaluating the schools is by using softer indicators and by ensuring that HMI understands the value of community participation and joined-up working?
Yes. I am sure that that is that case. I hope that inspections will evaluate the whole nature of the community school, particularly the integrated working with departments, agencies and the local community.
External Affairs
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a policy on external affairs. (S1O-3013)
In my speech to the Centre for Scottish Public Policy on 4 December 2000—copies of which are available in the Scottish Parliament information centre—I set out the Scottish Executive's policies on European relations. I discussed that policy with the European Committee on 12 December and am now involved in discussions with several other bodies to develop that strategic approach.
I thank the minister for his reply, but my question concerns our external affairs policy, not our European policy. I would like to know whether a document will be produced that outlines the Executive's policy towards Europe and towards non-European Union states.
The last time I looked at a map, Catalonia, the Basque country, Flanders, Norway, Finland and Denmark were all in Europe and would therefore be covered by our policy.
Norway is not in the European Union.
Order. I want to hear the question.
Was that a supplementary, Presiding Officer?
No. I am waiting for Hugh Henry.
Members will be aware that Lloyd Quinan's point is valid. No committee in the Parliament scrutinises the external affairs remit of the Scottish Executive. Will the minister ensure that there are early discussions with parliamentary representatives to ensure that there will be scrutiny by an appropriate committee of the Parliament?
As the member knows, I am happy to discuss that matter with parliamentary representatives at any time the committees choose. In the discussions that took place in the European Committee in December, we strayed beyond the boundaries of Europe when we talked about the importance of external affairs to the Parliament.
Does the minister agree that bilateral relations between Scotland and Ireland—and indeed between Scotland and other countries in the world—would be enhanced if the Scottish Parliament as a whole were to play a leading role instead of leaving it to an unholy trinity such as Helen Liddell, John Reid and Frank Roy?
That is an unfortunate remark in the week when the Parliament has joined the British-Irish Interparliamentary Body. I welcome the Parliament's involvement in that body and celebrate the fact that we have good relations at parliamentary level as well as at Executive level.
Housing (Investment)
To ask the Scottish Executive what resources for investment in housing stock are available to housing associations and local authorities not pursuing stock transfer. (S1O-3044)
In the current year, housing associations will receive £169 million to invest in social housing. It is estimated that local authorities will have around £347 million available, through housing revenue account borrowing consents, usable capital receipts and revenue surpluses. It is not possible at this stage to show separate figures for authorities that are not pursuing stock transfer.
Will the minister acknowledge that there is a serious shortage of affordable rented housing in many parts of Scotland? Does she share my concern that about 5,000 people are stuck on the council house waiting list in East Lothian, many of them in overcrowded accommodation? Many of them are having to pay inflated private sector rents and some face homelessness. Will the Executive take urgent steps to help local authorities and housing associations to build more houses to meet that need? Can we have a sensible debate about the right to buy, with the objective of sustaining an efficient and adequate supply of affordable rented housing in all areas of Scotland?
I assure John Home Robertson that that is precisely why our programme for government commitment has increased from 18,000 to 20,000 the number of new and improved homes that we will build over the next three years. I pay particular tribute to East Lothian Council, which will receive some £10 million of support from our new housing partnership initiative to build 500 new houses for rent in the area. I hope that that will address some of the problems that John Home Robertson has outlined.
Does the minister agree with the view of our local authorities—expressed this week at the Local Government Committee—that the case for abolition of housing capital set-aside arrangements is overwhelming and that failure to abolish set-aside betrays a lack of trust in local government's ability to decide whether housing investment or debt repayment is a priority on a council-by-council basis? Is the minister willing to put her faith in Labour councils on this issue?
I can assure Kenny Gibson that I have enormous faith in all local authorities, but his question oversimplifies the issue. We have some £4 billion of debt in Scottish housing stock. That housing stock is valued at only £2 billion. People who are tenants are currently bearing the cost of that debt. It is therefore critical that we reduce that debt to benefit them.
Will the minister give a clear undertaking that there will be really significant increases in the number of available socially rented houses in Scotland year by year for the foreseeable future, if she has anything to do with it?
If I have anything to do with it, I am quite happy to give Mr Gorrie that commitment. Our programme for government statement clearly indicated that we wanted to build 20,000 new and improved homes across Scotland, and we are on course to deliver that.
Does the minister agree that, notwithstanding her enormous faith in Scottish local authorities, stock transfer is still the preferred way forward for Scottish council house tenants, as it seeks to overcome the failure of Labour local authorities to maintain their housing stock to a satisfactory level?
It is not very often that I find myself agreeing with Bill Aitken, and this is not going to be one of those occasions. The high level of debt and disrepair is a direct consequence of the 18 years of underfunding that local authorities experienced at the hands of the Conservatives. We are keen to create that step change in investment to ensure that people in Scotland have access to warm, dry and affordable homes. Our policy is to support community ownership, not just for financial reasons but to ensure that communities themselves have control over their houses.
Stirling Council (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Stirling Council and what issues were discussed. (S1O-3030)
The Scottish Executive regularly meets representatives of councils, including Stirling Council, to discuss matters of mutual interest.
When the minister last met representatives of Stirling Council, did they tell him that, following the financial settlement, that local authority will have to cut its education budget? Did they tell him that it will have to raise local taxes by 17 per cent over three years? Did they tell him that it will have to cut its voluntary sector budgets during the United Nations international year of volunteers?
The last time I met the leader of Stirling Council, he welcomed the settlement of an additional 7.3 per cent in the coming financial year, 5.5 per cent the year after and a further 4.2 per cent the year after that, on top of the 26 per cent increase in capital spending. That settlement, unlike the grant settlements under the Conservative Government, is allowing Stirling Council and other Scottish councils to stabilise their provision and grow services where appropriate.
Brian Monteith rightly referred to the cuts that are being made in funding for the voluntary sector. Does the minister accept that the voluntary sector in the Stirling area is the cement in that community and that reductions such as the £10,000 reduction in funding to the Stirling volunteer centre and reductions to the citizens advice bureau cut right across what the social inclusion agenda is trying to achieve?
Several members come from the voluntary sector. The Parliament is renowned for its support of the voluntary sector and I support it as well. The decisions of local councils are ultimately a matter for those local councils and they must stand accountable for those decisions in their local communities.
Scottish Cycle Challenge Initiative
To ask the Scottish Executive what action will be taken to encourage further school and workplace cycling initiatives in the light of the recent evaluation of the Scottish cycle challenge initiative. (S1O-3039)
I will give prominence to cycling, walking and safer streets projects when allocating resources from the public transport fund. The fund itself will be increased to £150 million over the next three years.
I welcome that answer and I welcome the additional resources that the minister has said are likely to be made available over the forthcoming years. Does she recognise the contribution that schemes such as the safe routes to schools project, which aims to encourage more walking and cycling by Scotland's young people, will make to improving the health of our young people, to reducing congestion in our towns and cities and to improving traffic awareness among young people?
I strongly agree. Bristow Muldoon will know that West Lothian Council received £151,000 last year for work to improve safer routes to schools. I am keen to ensure that that kind of work can carry on across the whole of Scotland and over a long period, rather than as a one-off. The critical task is to ensure that safer routes to schools and safer opportunities to cycle and walk are built in throughout Scotland in all local authority areas.
Question 6 has been withdrawn.
Tourism
To ask the Scottish Executive what specific initiatives it has introduced or will be introducing to assist and develop tourism. (S1O-3023)
The new strategy for Scottish tourism, which we published last year, includes several actions, including encouraging the use of information technology by the industry, improving training and skills, improving marketing and, in particular, promoting niche products, in which Scotland has particular strengths.
Does the minister agree that a report into the economic potential of tourism if the Borders railway were to be reinstated should consider the reinstatement of the whole line, from Edinburgh to Carlisle? Can the minister explain why the tourism report lodged as evidence in the feasibility study considered a railway only to Galashiels? On the subject of initiative, will the minister now show some and instruct a proper report?
The current position is that the promoters of the railway, headed by Scottish Borders Council, must establish the costs associated with any project and whether any public funding is necessary. Scottish Borders tourist board, in consultation with tourist boards across the border, has examined the likely uplift in traffic and the potential for tourism that would be associated with the development of the rail link.
Notwithstanding her response to Christine Grahame's first question, does the minister agree that in promoting tourism in Scotland we should not concentrate solely on traditional tourism areas, but should promote less visited yet historic areas of our country?
Such as Dunfermline and Fife, perhaps?
The minister will be aware of the stresses and strains that area tourist boards are under due to lack of support because councils are no longer able to give them as much as they did. In Aberdeen, the net result of that is the closure of the tourist information centre because of local government's inability to support it. Will the minister consider funding area tourist boards directly from the centre?
I was concerned to hear about the possible closure of the tourist information centre. We have provided Aberdeen City Council with a budget for the next three years, so it should now be able to look favourably on the level of assistance it provides to the area tourist board.
When will the minister be able to make an announcement to Parliament on the appointment of a new chief executive for the Scottish Tourist Board?
I am hopeful that I should be able to make an announcement on the new chairman and the new chief executive within the coming month and certainly before we rise for Easter.
Warrant Sales
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will clarify the remit of the working group on a replacement for poindings and warrant sales. (S1O-3002)
The working group is tasked with identifying a humane and workable alternative to poinding and warrant sale and making proposals to the Deputy First Minister. Information about the group and its work can be found on the dedicated pages of the Scottish Executive's website.
First, will the minister clarify whether the group is examining an alternative to poindings and warrant sales only in relation to moveable assets or whether it will consider a replacement for a system of arresting movement of household goods? Secondly, will he clarify that the remit will extend to ending other injustices in the system of debt recovery?
The remit of the working group is exactly as it was when the group was constituted; it has not changed. The working group has considered a wide range of issues that form the background to the need to deal with the current system. In the course of considering those issues, it has discussed, for example, the need for a comprehensive system of debt counselling.
The minister answered Alex Neil's question by saying that the working group is considering a replacement for poinding and warrant sale. The remit given on the website, which he kindly invited us to visit, is
If Mr Sheridan had remained present throughout the meeting from which he walked out when he resigned from the working group, he would not have had to ask that question in Parliament today. The remit of the working group stands as it did when the working group was constituted, as it did when Mr Sheridan was invited to join the working group and as it did when Mr Sheridan left the working group.
Can the minister confirm that if the remit of the working group is restricted to finding an alternative diligence against moveable property, that must involve the poinding and forcible sale of the goods of debtors? As we know that any allegedly wealthy debtors—fly-by-night types who are alleged to have Jaguar cars in the driveway—are probably smart enough to ensure that their moveable property is registered and owned by somebody else, does not that inevitably mean poinding and forcibly selling the goods of poor people? Has not this Parliament already voted to abolish such a system?
As Mr McAllion may know, the Executive will conduct a review of the wider principles of diligence in the legal system of Scotland; it may address some of the points that he made.
Opencast Developments
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it has had with South Lanarkshire Council with regard to the opencast development at Broken Cross Muir. (S1O-3028)
There have been no formal consultations on this matter. The department's written observations on the finalised draft of South Lanarkshire Council's minerals subject local plan, which were sent to the local authority on 14 December 2000, made passing reference to the proposal. In addition, South Lanarkshire officials presented an update of the position at the conclusion of a planning case briefing meeting with my department on 16 January. Further, at a meeting on 19 February to discuss my initiative on the review of strategic planning, my officials were informed that, on 14 February, members had decided to grant planning permission. They were also advised that, as the proposal did not qualify for notification, the matter would not be referred to the Scottish ministers.
I thank the minister for his reply. He will be aware that opencast developments produce strong passions, both for and against. Can he give reassurance to people in the community, who are concerned that the arrangements for transportation breach the Executive's guidelines for the carrying of coal and that the nuisance and difficulty created will be considerable?
That is primarily a matter for South Lanarkshire Council, as the planning authority. My information is that the proposal is a replacement for the existing operation at Dalquhandy, where coal is initially transported by road—via the B7078 and the A70—to the rail loading facility at Ravenstruther, to the north of Lanark. It is proposed to transfer coal from Broken Cross in exactly the same way.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to review the effectiveness of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
We have no plans to review the effectiveness of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. It is a cross-border authority which was reviewed last year by both the National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons. However, the Scottish Executive participated in the Home Secretary's recent review of the criminal injuries compensation scheme. That provides a welcome increase in the level of various awards, specifically for victims of rape, child abuse, serious multiple injury and HIV-AIDS. It also changes the tariff system to make it easier for victims to use.
I thank the minister for that reply. Is he aware of some of the concerns about the system of criminal injuries compensation, especially in the circumstances highlighted by the experience of a constituent of mine: someone was found guilty of a serious assault but payment to the victim of the assault was delayed because the convicted person appealed?
I am certainly aware of that particular case as Johann Lamont has raised it with me previously. I hope that I can send her a full reply in very early course. I have made inquiries into the circumstances of that case. The authority awaits the outcome of criminal proceedings including any appeal as very often such proceedings can bring to light facts that impact on the eligibility to receive compensation.
Has the minister given thought to the situation where those who have committed serious crimes benefit from their harmful escapades by writing about them? Furthermore, will the minister consider means of redirecting such earnings either to the victims or to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority?
As Mr Gallie is aware, some consideration has been given south of the border to the effect—if any—of combating or dealing with people who profit from writing about their crimes. However, as people have the right to freedom of expression, any such measures would be difficult to implement.
Will the Minister for Justice reassure us that he will resist the temptation to limit the freedom of expression? The minister has expressed his own abhorrence of people who profit from writing about their crimes and, like everyone else, I do not wish that practice to continue. The onus is on the people who publish. As a result, perhaps the appeal should be made to publishers instead of the people who committed the crime and might have repented. Does that not come into the equation?
I have already said that consideration of this matter must take place against the background of a very fundamental freedom in any democracy—the freedom of expression.
Housing (Calcium Chloride)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take on the sale to tenants of Cumbernauld Development Corporation of houses that were constructed using calcium chloride but sold after the use of this substance in construction was banned in 1977. (S1O-3007)
Owners who purchased houses from Cumbernauld Development Corporation have responsibility for their own homes. However, I am aware that Scottish Homes is working closely with the affected owners.
The minister must be aware that those owners were sold homes that, without their full knowledge, contained a substance that was banned for a purpose. Calcium chloride leads to corrosion of the blocks, which is why those houses are now crumbling and why we are in this crisis situation. Is the minister aware of one of the owners, Sheila Benjamin, who was reported in the Sunday Mail—[Interruption.] Labour members should be aware of a serious issue that is facing them.
Order. I have a point of order.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Should not Mr Wilson declare an interest when he introduces the Sunday Mail?
I hope that he was not following on from the previous question.
It is important for Labour members to listen to serious quotations. This occupant, who has serious problems, has said:
Can we have a question?
Will the minister take responsibility for homes that were sold that were a pig in a poke and people now having to pick up the pieces?
I do not think that there was any suggestion that Cumbernauld Development Corporation knowingly sold those homes on with faults. I am aware of the problem, not as a result of reading about it in the local press, but as a result of discussing the matter with Cathie Craigie, the MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth. I have told Cathie that I would be happy to have a further discussion with her on the basis of Scottish Homes commissioning structural reports and working with the owners to try to find solutions to the problems.
I thank the minister for her reply to Mr Wilson's supplementary question. The Sunday Mail article described him as a local member for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth; he might want to take that matter up with the paper. The minister is very well aware of the difficulties faced by the—[Interruption.]
Order. Let us hear the supplementary.
The minister is well aware of the difficulties that are faced by owners and tenants who live in this small area of Cumbernauld. She is also aware of the concerns of owners, tenants and tenants of private landlords. Will she ensure that Scottish Homes continues to support the recently established steering group that hopes to examine the engineers' report and make recommendations? Will she agree to meet both me and the steering group when that information is available?
I would be happy to meet Cathie Craigie and the steering group, which has worked extremely hard to find solutions. That is the fundamental difference: people can quote the headlines, which last for 24 hours, or they can do some real hard work to help.
Bank of Scotland
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to the Bank of Scotland and the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry regarding the impact of retaining the bank's head office in Edinburgh in the event of any merger involving the bank. (S1O-3014)
The Scottish Executive recognises the significance of the head office of the Bank of Scotland in Edinburgh and is in contact with the parties concerned.
I thank the minister for that answer. Does she agree that the Abbey National's termination of interest in a merger with the Bank of Scotland gives the opportunity for the Executive, or perhaps the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, to mount an audit or inquiry into all the changes that have been taking place in the Scottish financial services sector, which are of fundamental importance to the economy not only of Edinburgh, but of Scotland?
The Executive is aware of the situation and is monitoring it closely. I do not want publicly to speculate further on what is a fluid situation. The Scottish financial sector has been one of the most dynamic growth areas in the Scottish economy over the past few years and is a key financial centre, ranking fifth in Europe in equity markets management. We can therefore be assured of the future of the sector in Scotland.
Asylum Seekers
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to help integrate young asylum seekers into the education system. (S1O-3008)
Local authorities are responsible for the delivery of school education, and it is the primary responsibility of individual councils to consider and take action that is appropriate to the circumstances of pupils who attend schools in their areas.
I thank the minister for his answer and I accept it. Notwithstanding the fact that the primary responsibility lies with the local authorities, will the minister confirm that he is aware of the report from the Scottish Refugee Council, entitled "Rebuilding lives", and will he take note of the comments that have been made by many young people who have arrived in Scotland as refugees and asylum seekers? Will the minister condemn any form of racist attack on those young people and assure me that the Scottish Executive will do all that it can to support local authorities in ensuring that those young people receive a proper education and are welcomed by the people of Scotland?
I am aware of that report. I am extremely concerned whenever there is evidence of racism, especially in schools, and I condemn all such activity. About 350 children of asylum seekers are currently in schools in Glasgow. If Cathy Jamieson or any other member would like to discuss with me any issues that relate to those children or to the children of refugees, I will be happy to do so.
Will the minister tell us what progress is being made to ensure that, as part of the integration into the education system of young asylum seekers, funding is being made available to local authorities and schools, as it has been made available to the Department for Education and Employment in England?
We are considering that issue. When the scheme was announced by the DFEE in England, only a small number of children in Scotland fell into that category. The number has now grown and it is appropriate for us to review the situation in the light of experience.
Transport (Aberdeen)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the next steps will be in progressing the transport strategy for Aberdeen. (S1O-3021)
I will announce presently my decision on Aberdeenshire Council's revised bid for public transport fund support for studying improved rail links between Stonehaven and Inverurie. The new park-and-ride site at Kingswells, which will open this autumn, offers commuters and shoppers an attractive alternative to car use in the city.
I look forward to the minister's visit to Aberdeen on 14 March, when she will discuss with the north-east Scotland economic development partnership the best ways in which to progress Aberdeen's proposed modern transport system. What will be the minister's main priorities in that discussion, which will start to deliver for Aberdeen the integrated transport system—including the western peripheral route—that it so desperately requires for its future prosperity?
I am keen to work in partnership and my objective in meeting representatives of NESDEP later this month will be to follow on from the discussions that we had last year, when I said that I would ensure that one of my officials would work in regular contact with NESDEP. We followed that work up and the First Minister was in Aberdeen last month to talk about partnership work between the Scottish Executive and NESDEP. The key challenge is to talk about individual projects and ways in which we can work together through the public transport fund and the Executive's integrated transport fund to deliver in the short term and the long term for Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.
In light of the First Minister's fairly positive comments about the western peripheral route at a recent business breakfast in Aberdeen, is the minister in a position to give a commitment to designate that route as a trunk route and to accept the financial responsibilities that come with that?
If Mr Adam had listened carefully to my answer to Elaine Thomson, he would have noted that I said that the task was to talk about individual projects and ways in which they add together. My officials and I must do a lot of number crunching and detailed work with Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council and the economic development interests in the area. That is why I will visit Aberdeen this month.
I hope that the announcement about the rail link between Stonehaven and Aberdeen will be positive; I look forward to it.
Mike Rumbles is not right. Ideas—which I described as exemplary last year—about putting together an integrated transport strategy have been produced. I repeat the point that I made to Mr Adam. My officials and I need to discuss with NESDEP and the other interested parties the detail of the proposals, the modelling issues and the ways in which the range of projects that are contained in the integrated transport strategy can be dealt with practically.
Schools (Discipline)
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer by Mr Jack McConnell to question S1O-2893 on 1 February 2001, what further measures are being taken to improve discipline in schools. (S1O-3045)
The discipline task group is examining current measures. It will make recommendations in June on how policies can be improved and on what else we can do to combat disruptive behaviour in schools. Following its first meeting in January and a seminar in February, the task group has formed three sub-groups on school management, pupil attitudes and inter-agency working. Earlier this week, I announced that the Scottish Executive will continue to offer financial support to secure the operation of the ChildLine anti-bullying helpline and I am also considering the future funding of the anti-bullying network. I expect to make an announcement on the subject presently.
I welcome the commitment to tackling bullying in schools.
I can give that commitment. I want to make it clear that, while we will take those disruptive pupils out of the classroom, we do not want them out of the system. It is vital that we get the right balance between excluding pupils who affect the learning of their peers from the environment in which they cause disruption, and making sure that they get an education and learn to be better citizens.
The minister will agree that there is a high rate of early retirement among Scottish teachers and that that is partly because of stress and ill health. I would like to find out the latest figures on that—if the minister does not have them to hand, he could pass them to me later.
As I once did. The issue of stress in schools is important. We do not have the figures from authorities. They are the employing bodies and the matter is therefore not our responsibility. We have not collected such information in the past. However, it is important that we take the matter seriously, which is why we set up the discipline task force. Stress in schools was the No 1 issue that was raised in every private listening meeting that I have had with teachers and parents and, for that matter, with pupils. We will continue to give priority to the issue in the coming months.
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