Infrastructure and Capital Investment
Transport Infrastructure Investment (North Ayrshire)
To ask the Scottish Executive what investment in its transport infrastructure North Ayrshire will receive in the next five years. (S4O-00739)
On 8 February, the Minister for Housing and Transport announced that work to progress the £28 million A737 Dalry bypass would get under way with an initial investment of £10 million. That funding will allow the scheme to progress through its preparatory stages and begin construction, subject to satisfactory completion of the statutory processes.
A road improvement scheme at the Den near Dalry is in preparation, and approximately £2.3 million has been allocated for the current structural maintenance programme in North Ayrshire in this spending review period.
In addition, a road safety route action plan on the A737 has been commissioned. The first phase is complete and works are currently being implemented on site.
Subject to the availability of funding and finalisation of the detailed design, preparations are also under way for an estimated £14 million improvement to Brodick pier to be completed by 2015.
I thank the minister for that full answer. I have some concerns that some of the money for the Dalry bypass may have come from cancelling safety improvements to the Head Street and Barrmill Road junctions on the Beith bypass. Will the minister confirm that road safety has not been compromised to fund the project?
According to Transport Scotland, the project will cost £28 million. Will the minister provide information on when it will start, given that the £10 million is intended to allow it to progress to the construction stage?
The £10 million also includes the initial construction phase. We will continue into the further spending round to ensure that the job is completed.
It is absolutely not the case that the project is being funded by reallocation of funds from road safety. Indeed, the figures show that there has been a reduction of something like 70 per cent in road safety problems throughout Scotland.
We are also making substantial progress on road safety in North Ayrshire, including—as I said in my initial reply—implementing the road safety route action plan on the A737. We are tackling road safety as well as building a bypass for Dalry.
The cabinet secretary’s announcement of additional investment in North Ayrshire is extremely welcome. Is he aware that Ms McDougall said on her website:
“This £10 million is of course a welcome investment, and it’s also an achievement following my continued lobbying since joining the Scottish Parliament last year”?
Will the cabinet secretary confirm that Ms McDougall had no influence on the decision to build the Dalry bypass? Does he agree that she has a bit of a cheek to try to claim credit for the decision to construct the bypass when she voted against it in this chamber on 8 February, despite it being the policy of the ruling Labour administration in North Ayrshire, where she remains one of the party’s 12 councillors?
I am never one to meddle in the politics of a part of Scotland outwith my constituency. All that I can say is that we have taken the right decision and are proud of the fact that, after many years of waiting, it took a Scottish National Party Government to make the decision to build a Dalry bypass.
Homelessness (2012 Target)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the latest statistical bulletin shows that the Scottish Government is meeting its 2012 homelessness target. (S4O-00740)
The Scottish Government and its partners in local government are committed to achieving the 2012 target. The latest statistical bulletin shows that we are making excellent progress towards the target, with 90 per cent of applicants assessed as homeless being accorded priority. That is a 3 per cent increase on figures for the same period in 2010.
I thank the minister for that response and welcome the progress, but I am sure that he will acknowledge that nearly 50,000 people presented as homeless in the past 12 months, so the challenge continues.
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities has said that welfare reform could lead to an additional 3,000 homeless presentations in Scotland alone. What measures is the Scottish Government taking to prevent homelessness arising from the welfare reform changes?
I do not deny for a second that some more work needs to be done, but it is worth taking a bit of time to recognise the effort that is being put into the issue by local government in particular. The figures are the lowest recorded homelessness figures for a decade. That is a tremendous achievement, not least because, as Jackie Baillie said, we are having to deal with the early consequences of welfare reform, particularly changes to housing benefit.
It is the case that COSLA and different ministers in the Scottish Government have made a series of representations to the United Kingdom Government on the issue. We have also provided additional funding so that the housing hubs, which have been the source of some success on homelessness targets, can undertake work to mitigate the effects of welfare reform.
Given welfare reform and where we are in the economic cycle, our progress towards the homelessness target underlines the strength of the achievement so far, albeit that there is more to be done.
Over the Christmas period I visited the Bethany Christian Trust winter shelter that operates in Aberdeen. The co-ordinators of the shelter were keen to comment that the number of people using the shelter had reduced significantly and they pinpointed the work being done by Aberdeen City Council, which has now implemented a prevention team on homelessness, as a key factor in that. Does the minister welcome the 56 per cent reduction in homelessness applications in Aberdeen for the period April to September compared with that of the previous year? Does he agree that that is testimony to the fine work of the prevention team and that other local authorities should consider implementing such a team?
I am more than happy to do that. The 56 per cent reduction to which the member referred was a remarkable achievement by Aberdeen City Council and was the highest figure in Scotland in that regard, although great work was done in many other local authorities as well. The member is right to point to the work of the homelessness hubs, which were established by my predecessor as minister, Alex Neil, now the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment. They have really helped councils, but in particular Moray Council, which has a particular issue.
Having the target has been very important and we are all signed up to it, but the prevention work has brought real dividends for the councils that have grasped it. I hope that that good work and best practice will be exemplified across the rest of the country during the course of this crucial year of 2012.
Ayr to Stranraer Railway Line
To ask the Scottish Government what its priorities are for the development of the Ayr to Stranraer railway line. (S4O-00741)
Stena’s move to Cairnryan has provided the opportunity to refocus rail services to better meet local needs. The December 2011 timetable goes some way towards that, with some quicker direct rail services. The recently formed Stranraer waterfront task force will look at local priorities to further promote Stranraer and the surrounding area as a destination in its own right to help grow passenger numbers and help deliver social and economic benefits to the local area.
I was encouraged to hear from the minister that a working group has been established with the remit to bring forward implementation of a short-term action plan for the Ayr to Stranraer line. Can the minister comment on a parallel but unconnected initiative at this time to establish a stakeholder group or forum that will include elected members, community organisations and local business interests and will focus on rail regeneration in the south-west of Scotland? Clearly, we do not want duplication of effort, but can the minister envisage a complementary role for a strategic body such as that?
I think that we would generally welcome the establishment of a strategic rail partnership such as the member described. The wider the engagement that we have with the railways, the better the services that will be provided. Indeed, the “Rail 2014” consultation explores options for third-party involvement in the operation and management of stations—I know from a meeting earlier with the member and one of his colleagues that he and the group are interested in that—and in the development of service provision.
In addition to the working group that I mentioned, which is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, a rail sub-group has been established by the Stranraer waterfront task force to explore issues around service provision and how to increase patronage. I am sure that the member will be interested to know that that group includes key stakeholders such as ScotRail, Network Rail, the south of Scotland transport partnership, Dumfries and Galloway Council, South Ayrshire Council, Wigtownshire Chamber of Commerce, the Stranraer to Ayr line support association—SAYLSA—VisitScotland and Transport Scotland.
The minister rightly mentioned local concerns about Stena’s move to Cairnryan and he will appreciate that those local concerns have been somewhat exacerbated by the fact that Stena now buses its foot passengers to Girvan rather than to Stranraer to catch the train. I understand that Stena has approached the Government to say that it would be willing to consider busing foot passengers to Stranraer if the rail timetable were altered slightly to coincide with ferry sailings. What steps can the Government take to facilitate that? If there are steps that it can take, is it willing to take them?
That is just one of the issues that is being explored by the cabinet secretary through the task force and the rail sub-group that I mentioned. I was in Stranraer quite recently to talk about that very issue and other issues to do with the future of the station. The issue will be taken up by the cabinet secretary, who will receive the rail sub-group’s report.
Forth Replacement Crossing (Tendering Process)
To ask the Scottish Government what the tendering process is for work related to the Forth replacement crossing project. (S4O-00742)
We have ensured that the contractual arrangements for the Forth replacement crossing provide all possible opportunities for Scotland’s firms and workforce to benefit from the huge public investment that is being made in this essential infrastructure project.
The main contractor must advertise all subcontract work that is to be tendered so that Scottish companies are fully aware of opportunities to bid. However, as it is not a public procurement process, that is entirely a commercial matter for the main contractor.
Can the cabinet secretary confirm that he would oppose any move towards protectionism or the restriction of free trade, as proposed by Labour? Does he agree with Strathclyde partnership for transport that the best deal for its new escalators is offered by Czech company Otis? Does he agree that exporting companies such as Dewar’s whisky and Scottish Leather Group in my constituency, which export much of their produce, would be hugely damaged if trade were restricted, especially in regard to valuable jobs in Scotland?
The member makes some very valid points. The suggestion that we should suspend the Forth crossing contract is absolute economic madness, would result in many Scottish workers being made redundant and would cost the Scottish taxpayer an absolute fortune.
In relation to the Forth replacement crossing, what is the total value of the contracts that have included community benefit clauses, which are in line with European Union rules and are common practice throughout the EU?
The main contract is subject to substantial community benefit requirements, which include the provision of apprenticeships and training places and a range of other requirements. One of the restrictions that we face is in our ability to place community benefit contracts throughout the supply chain of a major contract. That is an issue that I intend to address in the sustainable procurement bill.
Rail Services (West of Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the tendering process—I beg your pardon.
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve rail services in the west of Scotland. (S4O-00743)
For a second, I was worried.
The Scottish Government is committed to improving rail services in Scotland, including the west of Scotland, and our record on delivering improvements is undeniable.
Those improvements include the substantial completion of the £169 million Paisley corridor improvements programme, the forthcoming £1 billion Edinburgh to Glasgow improvement programme and the west of Scotland strategic rail enhancement programme, which will offer better opportunities to enhance connectivity for the heaviest rail demand patterns in and around Glasgow. As I mentioned earlier, we have also established the Stranraer task force, which will explore local priorities for the future of Stranraer through improved connectivity.
The minister will be aware of the extra capacity that now exists on the Ayr to Glasgow rail line following the completion of the work at the Shields junction. Given that the route utilisation strategy for Scotland envisages growth in passenger numbers of between 48 and 74 per cent on its interurban services in the next 15 years, and that the Ayr to Glasgow line already carries a similar number of passengers to the service between Glasgow and Edinburgh, will he now support a 15-minute service between Ayr and Glasgow, including a more frequent service to Barassie in my constituency?
Despite the extra capacity that the member mentions, there are a number of competing demands. He will be aware that through the “Rail 2014” consultation, which has just concluded, a number of representations have been made about capacity. I am happy to say that a definitive response will be given as part of our response to the “Rail 2014” consultation, and I will be happy to provide the member with more information on that, if he would like.
Fuel Poverty (Collective Bargaining Energy Schemes)
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to promote collective bargaining energy schemes as a means of tackling fuel poverty. (S4O-00744)
Shopping around for the best deal on energy can bring significant savings for households. Many households need help in accessing the most appropriate tariff; the marketplace is confusing. I have brought forward discussions between the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Scottish Government procurement officials, to find solutions. I am also asking the Scottish fuel poverty forum to provide fresh thinking in the area.
The most sustainable way to reduce bills is to ensure that a property is well insulated and has an efficient boiler. Yesterday I announced just under £2 million of further funding for the universal home insulation and boiler scrappage schemes, to help households in that regard.
I thank the cabinet secretary, but I understood him to be talking about tariffs and other measures, although I asked specifically about collective bargaining energy schemes. I am happy to give him more information about such schemes if he would like me to do so, because it is estimated that they reduce household fuel bills by 20 per cent, which I am sure he agrees would have a significant impact on households in fuel poverty and could lift some households out of fuel poverty.
Will the cabinet secretary engage with me on the proposals and consider recommending collective bargaining to local authorities and housing associations?
I will be more than happy to engage with Ms Marra on the issue. We have had meetings with SFHA, Link Housing Association and our procurement officials, to discuss how to take matters forward. Housing associations that have registered Scottish charity status are eligible to join the national electricity contract for Scottish public bodies and can receive significant savings. That is one option in relation to initiatives of the kind that Ms Marra is talking about.
In all such initiatives, the barrier is in persuading the end user—tenants, in particular—to switch supplier, because people are often reluctant to do that. However, I am happy to meet Ms Marra and to receive other ideas on how to take the matter forward.
Affordable Housing Programme (Targets)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it is meeting its affordable housing programme targets. (S4O-00745)
We have been clear that we aim to deliver at least 30,000 affordable homes during the next five years, despite the tightest budget settlement since devolution. Funding for our 30,000 homes is sufficient and on track. We will be able to report on our progress in the first full year of this parliamentary session when the official statistics for 2011-12 are published, towards the end of May.
The minister will be aware that on 24 February, at the Rural Housing Service conference, Grampian Housing Association and Huntly Development Trust entered into a unique and innovative partnership, which will result in affordable housing being built in the Huntly area and in investment in other projects. Will the minister take the opportunity to congratulate Grampian Housing Association and Huntly Development Trust on their innovative partnership and will he agree to visit the project with me in the near future?
The Scottish Government welcomes Grampian Housing Association’s ambitions for the development of community renewables projects and in particular the recent partnership agreement with the Huntly Development Trust. The member will be aware that around the country there are tremendous examples of work being done by housing associations, for example to provide homes that are adapted for people who have particular needs and in relation to energy efficiency, which is crucial. I will be delighted to join Mr Robertson on a visit to Huntly to find out how the partnership plans to invest in the area are going.
Will the minister say how much of the affordable housing target will be met through the national housing trust? Is he aware that concern has been expressed in rural areas, such as Dumfries and Galloway, that the return on mid-market rent will not be sufficient to enable the necessary loan commitments to be paid off? Has the issue been explored with housing associations?
In two advanced national housing trust projects, which were initially met with scepticism of the kind that Elaine Murray described in relation to her area, the experience has completely transformed people’s views. The approach will contribute to the delivery of affordable homes. Our target of 30,000 houses includes 5,000 council homes and at least 20,000 socially affordable homes, and I am confident that we will achieve the target. The national housing trust is an important part of that and we will continue to develop it. I know that there are qualms about the approach, but I think that we are overcoming them.
European Commission (Public Procurement Processes)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on its discussions with the European Commission regarding public procurement processes. (S4O-00746)
I have recently written to the European Commission on two issues relating to public procurement. Following my meeting with John Park in November last year, I wrote to the Commission to seek clarification on whether public bodies can make payment of a living wage a criterion in a public procurement process or a condition of a public contract in a way that is compatible with European Union law.
Last month, I wrote to the Commission to press for a change to EU public procurement rules to allow public bodies to take account of local economic impact in their contract award decisions and for a significant increase in the thresholds at which advertisement in the Official Journal of the European Union is required. Despite chasing up those bits of correspondence, I still await responses from the Commission.
If the cabinet secretary needs a hand chasing up those replies, he should just give me a shout and I will see what I can do. A recent article in the Financial Times about tendering for the crossrail project favouring the UK states:
“While the tender will not have an explicit ‘made in Britain’ clause, the document will require bidders to explain how their proposal will benefit the UK economy.”
We need a question, Mr Park.
Given the comments that the cabinet secretary made last week about his representations to UK ministers on the issue, will he update us on the position between the Scottish and United Kingdom Governments on procurement?
The UK Government has not supported us in the EU procurement policy review on either of those propositions—on the living wage or on local economic impact being a criterion for deciding how to award contracts. We will continue to press our colleagues in the UK Government, because I believe that those measures would be beneficial to every country in the United Kingdom and the European Union. We will continue to press the UK Government on that, but Labour members have more influence over the Tories than we do, so perhaps they could help us on that.
Culture and External Affairs
Europe (Emerging Democracies)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider establishing closer working relationships with the emerging democracies in Europe in order to share best practice. (S4O-00749)
As I am sure that the member will agree, Scotland has a great deal to learn from its European partners and a great deal to offer, including to European Union candidate and potential candidate countries. We have always been clear that we want to play our role in shaping Europe’s future, to build closer relations with individual European partners and to develop closer economic, educational and cultural links. We continue to explore new and innovative ways of doing that while building on our past successes.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that we recently had visits to our Parliament from the republics of Montenegro, Macedonia and Kosovo. The common message from them is that they see Scotland as a good example of a country that has reliable and effective scrutiny mechanisms to hold our Government to account, which is something that they clearly wish to develop further. Will the Scottish Government consider regularising our association with those countries, using technology and other means, to allow the dialogue and sharing of good practice to continue?
I am interested to hear of the Parliament’s activity. Much of the question is about the Parliament’s activity, so the Presiding Officer might want to consider some of those points.
The important contribution that we make is valued and recognised elsewhere. We are a constructive player in global affairs. We contribute expertise on a number of areas, including climate change, inequalities and renewables, and we are always ready to assist possible states, states that are building into democratic free states and those that aspire to different positions. However, some of the points about scrutiny might be for the Parliament. Clearly, on independence, the Government would be able to play an even greater role.
BBC Scotland (Service Reductions and Job Losses)
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to BBC Scotland regarding the proposed service reductions and job losses at Radio Scotland and what the outcome has been. (S4O-00750)
The Scottish Government has made numerous representations to BBC Scotland and to the BBC trust on handling in Scotland the cuts that have been forced on the BBC by the coalition Government’s imposed licence fee settlement. Most recently, the First Minister and I met the trust’s chairman, Lord Patten, for a positive meeting last month, at which we all agreed on the need to ensure that the BBC is properly equipped and staffed to properly cover Scottish news and current affairs at an absolutely pivotal time in the country’s history. We now need that common ground and agreement to be reflected in practice. I hope that we will have all-party support for that in the debate later today.
As the minister said, we will debate this subject tonight in my members’ business debate and the information that I have just received will be useful in shaping that debate.
Does the cabinet secretary share my concern that, if the cuts continue, the quality of programming will suffer?
That is a critical issue and we will have a chance to debate it later.
People have expressed concerns about radio and the Education and Culture Committee has taken evidence on that. It is a real concern because, if the democratic process is to be successful, it is important to have media scrutiny and quality journalism. That is precisely why members from all parties have raised their concerns and Sandra White has raised the issue at First Minister’s question time. I look forward to this evening’s debate, which can be a message from all members of this Parliament to the BBC.
Contemporary Arts Initiatives (Aberdeen)
To ask the Scottish Executive what dialogue it has had with Aberdeen City Council on the potential for funding new contemporary arts initiatives in the city. (S4O-00751)
Creative Scotland, Scotland’s national agency for the promotion of the arts, has established a formal place partnership with Aberdeen City Council. Place partnerships are a key tool that Creative Scotland uses to develop its relationships with local government and to share good practice and celebrate different strengths across Scotland. Creative Scotland has invested £250,000 in Aberdeen City Council as part of its work to develop a set of strategic actions to develop cultural provision in the city that I expect will include new contemporary arts initiatives.
The business case for the Union Terrace gardens project says that Creative Scotland has been involved in the plans for a contemporary arts space in that proposal. Has Creative Scotland committed any funds to the development, as it did to the previous proposal for a contemporary arts centre in the gardens from Peacock Visual Arts?
Creative Scotland is represented on the Aberdeen city gardens project group, and in informing and influencing the strategic content of the proposed granite web. Creative Scotland wants to make sure that a contribution is made to the contemporary arts scene in Aberdeen in particular. As an arm’s-length body, Creative Scotland seeks to support projects that it considers to have artistic merit. If the member wants me to, I can find out from Creative Scotland what financial arrangements have been made, but I cannot give him an answer to that just now.
The referendum on the city garden project is taking place in Aberdeen. I have cast my vote for the project but we will see what the people of Aberdeen decide at the end of the day. As well as the creative arts centre in the city garden project, funding for the art gallery is included in the tax incremental financing business case. Following the outcome of the referendum, will the minister meet me and other interested colleagues to discuss how we move forward, depending on the outcome of the referendum?
It would be wise to await the outcome of the referendum, which, I believe, closes today. I am sure that members will bring representations to me on the creative future of Aberdeen.
I am pleased that Peacock Visual Arts is continuing to receive £262,000 a year from Creative Scotland in support of its activity.
It might be wise to wait for the referendum result. I am more than happy to meet members at any time although, as I explained to Richard Baker, Creative Scotland is taking the lead in its relationship with Aberdeen City Council and is taking forward what I hope will be a vibrant future for Aberdeen, regardless of the referendum result.
V&A at Dundee
To ask the Scottish Government what impact the V&A at Dundee will have on the community of Angus. (S4O-00752)
The 2010 V&A at Dundee business case estimated that the V&A at Dundee could attract 500,000 visitors initially, and 300,000 a year thereafter, with a total net employment impact by 2019-20 of 354 jobs to Dundee city region, 336 to Dundee and 30 to Scotland.
Work is being done to maximise the impact of the V&A at Dundee on the surrounding region. A meeting between neighbouring local authorities, including Angus Council, and VisitScotland on 10 January 2012 sought to identify areas for collaboration, tourism, promotion of the region, and cultural opportunities. That was followed up by a VisitScotland and V&A at Dundee industry event this week which aimed to bring the tourism and creative sectors more closely together in the year of Creative Scotland, and to allow businesses to network and to discuss opportunities, collaboration, issues and priorities for their individual businesses and for Angus and Dundee as a destination.
I thank the cabinet secretary for her comprehensive answer, which has given me everything that I wanted to hear at this stage—I just hope that it all works out. Does she also feel that there are cultural opportunities from which our universities and schools can benefit? Are there plans to ensure that the V&A is open to everyone, far and wide, and that proper communication will follow?
The Universities of Dundee and Abertay are founding partners in the project, so there will be university involvement on a whole number of levels, including economic and cultural involvement. There will also be an interactive web resource and a learning resource space to help educational links with schools, not just in Dundee and Angus, but across Scotland.
I welcome the cabinet secretary’s long-standing and continuing commitment to the V&A at Dundee. The cultural and economic benefits of the V&A to not just Dundee, but Scotland as a whole, are clear. Can she talk about some of the benefits of the construction and development phase of the V&A at Dundee, particularly given the 36 per cent cut that Scotland has received from Westminster?
The investment from the Scottish Government in particular, and from the other partners, means that the project will be a substantial boost to the construction industry. As a magnet for activity, the V&A has drawn in and attracted activity to other businesses in Dundee, and the project itself will create construction jobs. It is important at difficult times to do big things, and that is exactly what we are doing at the V&A.
Antarctic (Scotland’s Role)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to raise the Antarctic, and Scotland’s role there, with the United Kingdom Government as part of any future discussions on devolution or an independence settlement. (S4O-00753)
The Scotland Bill proposes to remove this Parliament’s responsibility for Antarctica. The Scottish Government believes that the proposal is unnecessary and disproportionate. However, recognising that our responsibility has never been exercised, we have not opposed that part of the bill.
I thank the cabinet secretary for her response. However, does she agree that we should not just hand the responsibility back, and that any agreement on Antarctica should be part of discussions to help return the 15,000 square kilometres of Scottish waters that were agreed in the Continental Shelf (Jurisdiction) Order 1968, but which were transferred unilaterally from Scottish to UK jurisdiction under the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order 1999 just weeks before the Scottish Parliament came into being? The 1999 order was subsequently endorsed by unionist MSPs acting in London’s interest, thus denying an independent Scotland the rights to oil, gas and minerals below the sea bed of the waters concerned?
Mr Gibson has set out an imaginative approach to negotiations in this area. He also draws attention to the sell-out of the 1999 order for Scotland. However, the proposed linkage between Antarctica and the boundaries of Scottish waters is not one that we have made.
Will the cabinet secretary acknowledge the University of Edinburgh’s pioneering research, which recently led to the discovery of fjords in Antarctica? The discovery not only sheds light on ice formations and the impact on sea levels, but demonstrates that Scotland continues to be at the forefront of world-leading science projects.
That is one of the reasons why there was an issue with Antarctica. In recent years we have co-operated with the UK precisely because of some of the University of Edinburgh’s work. As an Edinburgh MSP, Colin Keir is absolutely right to draw attention to the really important work on climate change that the school of geosciences at the University of Edinburgh is carrying out. It is also working with other universities and other international operations. That is an example of excellence in our universities and of our will to collaborate and co-operate wherever we can.
Children (Cultural Visits)
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to encourage parents to take their children to visit art galleries, theatres and museums. (S4O-00754)
The Scottish Government is committed to widening access to culture and increasing cultural participation. We encourage all the national cultural bodies, companies and national collections to contribute. I will give a couple of examples.
National Galleries of Scotland provides free, regular and special events for families with children. In the recent half-term week about 1,000 people took part in such activities, with more than 850 visiting the reopened Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
As part of its outreach work with families, the National Theatre of Scotland is working with Queens Cross Housing Association in Glasgow to encourage families to attend its open doors event in April and to take a behind-the-scenes look at theatre.
Museums Galleries Scotland is working with local museums to ensure that the 2012 festival of museums offers stimulating activities for all ages this May.
Family-friendly activities are planned at the Stirling Smith art gallery and museum, the Kinneil museum in Falkirk and the Andrew Carnegie birthplace museum in Dunfermline.
I had no desire to wear the cabinet secretary out; I thank her for her response. She might be aware of an English survey of 2,000 parents of five to 12-year-olds, which reported last month that 40 per cent of those children had never been to an art gallery and 17 per cent had never been to a museum and that a quarter of the parents had never taken their offspring to the theatre. Is the situation the same in Scotland?
We have had research carried out, which was published last Christmas. I am happy to share that research with the member and to send it to her. What was interesting in that longitudinal survey was the fact that, regardless of parental income and activity, as long as youngsters had participated in cultural activities—not just made visits—they were more likely to participate as adults. The information is complex, but I am more than happy to send it to the member.
Is the cabinet secretary aware of the annual arts festival that is organised by the youth arts and literary guild? In Airdrie this week, there has been a display of artwork produced by pupils in high schools throughout North Lanarkshire. Does she agree that such community-run festivals are a fantastic way of introducing young people to the concept of art galleries?
I agree with the member and I hope that the festival goes well. She is right: we must find different and inspiring approaches, and community-led festivals are sometimes the first step to introducing youngsters to cultural experiences. I hope that the weekend’s activities go well.
Historic Buildings (Disposal)
To ask the Scottish Executive who has the right to dispose of historic buildings that have been gifted to communities. (S4O-00755)
As I am sure Elaine Murray appreciates, the answer depends on the particular circumstances, such as who owns a property and the conditions on which it was gifted to the community concerned.
I will clarify the question a little more. I am thinking of an area where there might be a conflict between members of a community, such as community council members, and a local authority about a building that is held in the common good. In the cabinet secretary’s view, who has the right to determine whether such a building should be disposed of or used in an alternative manner?
Under the common good, it can be the use of a property rather than necessarily its ownership that has been gifted. That can cause issues. A council might have been gifted ownership as well as use. If we are talking about only the use of a property as being common good, that is perhaps a different matter.
The subject is complex. Perhaps looking at the different parts of local government legislation that determine the position might help the member. I can send her some of the relevant documentation, if that helps her to access it. We could be here not just all day but all week discussing the common good and the issues that relate to it.
Culture and Arts (Youth Employment)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs is doing to support employment opportunities for young people in the culture and arts sector. (S4O-00756)
The culture sector has an extensive reach to Scotland’s young people through creative education programmes and because it is an exciting area in which to work and learn new and valuable skills. Apprenticeship projects are in place in heritage and culture organisations. Historic Scotland will employ an additional 30 apprentices in traditional skills over the next three years—10 are to be employed in this financial year—and there are further apprenticeship opportunities in the National Records of Scotland and Creative Scotland.
The five national performing companies provide vocational training in the performing arts, internships and roadshows on employment opportunities and career planning. The Museums Galleries Scotland internship programmes have attracted huge numbers of applicants. Recently, more than 3,000 young people applied for the 20 paid internship programme places that were on offer in local museums across Scotland.
I know that the cabinet secretary appreciates young people’s huge appetite for jobs in the sector. Does she therefore share my concern that young people might have fewer opportunities to realise their dreams and hopes of jobs in such areas because of cuts that her Government has made to college budgets?
There is an appetite to ensure that we provide opportunities in all the cultural sectors. The Government is investing more in the college sector than the previous Administration did. The creative industries have been an important area. Through difficult times, employment opportunities for young people who come through the college sector into the creative industries have been quite successful relative to other areas.
Tavish Scott did not lodge question 9. I apologise to Neil Findlay, who lodged question 10, because we must move on to the next item of business.
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