Infrastructure and Capital Investment
Mortgage Indemnity Scheme
Good progress has been made, facilitated by the Scottish Government’s £250,000 loan and grant funding to Homes for Scotland. The captive insurance company for the scheme has now been established, and Homes for Scotland has begun discussions with lenders and house builders regarding participation.
The cabinet secretary will have noticed Her Majesty’s Government’s recent announcement of a similar scheme for England. It will cover new-build houses and flats and will be open to all potential buyers except those buying to let and second-home owners. It is intended that a guarantee will be provided for up to 100,000 new mortgages.
I am glad that the United Kingdom Government is catching up with the Scottish Government in that regard. We will finalise the details of our scheme early in the new year, when I will make a detailed announcement and answer detailed questions.
What other measures are we taking to encourage private housing development? I welcome the empty homes initiative in South Ayrshire, but a major project in south-east Ayr is being held up by disagreements between bodies such as Transport Scotland and the local council on planning gain issues. Can we do something to expedite that project?
We are happy to try where we can to help parties—in that case, the developer and the local authority—to reach agreement more quickly. The Scottish Government is undertaking a range of initiatives to help the owner-occupied sector, including shared equity programmes for new-start houses and the open market. We recently launched an infrastructure loan fund specifically to assist in private sector housing development.
Broadband Funding (European Parliament)
Scottish ministers have not yet had any direct discussions with the European Parliament regarding additional funding for broadband. As the European Parliament has not yet commenced discussions on future funding for broadband, the most appropriate level of engagement at present is with the European Commission at ministerial and official levels. It is at that level that the Scottish Government has been progressing its engagement.
That is helpful. Will the cabinet secretary give us an idea of the principles that will underpin the criteria for determining the spending priorities for broadband in rural communities throughout Scotland when he announces his plans in January?
We published our overall approach and strategy earlier this year, and we will publish a detailed action plan in January. Liz Smith will see from that that we will focus on the roll-out of broadband in rural areas in Scotland and in particular on filling the gaps that are not being filled by the private sector.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the £100 million that was allocated to broadband in the autumn statement. Does he believe that the broadband funding, which is geared towards cities and urban areas, will attract additional European funding, or would it be better targeted towards rural areas, which are less likely to be covered by the market?
I will answer that question in two parts. First, the details of the scheme have not been made clear to the Scottish Government, so I cannot give a specific answer on whether it will qualify for European funding. When the details become available, I will of course inform the chamber.
Capital Investment
We will not reduce capital investment over the budget period, despite a cut to our capital budget by the United Kingdom Government. Our focus on capital investment will support economic recovery and boost employment. As a result, Scottish Government-supported capital investment will be 25 per cent higher in 2014-15 than in 2011-12.
I thank the cabinet secretary for his reply, which was robust if somewhat inaccurate, based on the information that I have received.
The member is talking utter rubbish. The capital spend in Scotland over the next three years will total between £11 billion and £12 billion, averaging nearly £4 billion a year.
Winter Resilience
The full cost of winter resilience on Scottish trunk roads and motorways will not be known until the end of the winter, but current estimates are that we will invest an additional £4 million to £6 million this winter, bringing the total cost of the trunk road winter service for 2011-12 to an estimated £14 million to £16 million.
Does the minister agree that coping with the ravages of winter is as much about people as it is about planning and hardware? Will he join me in acknowledging the many individuals and organisations that will contribute to ensuring that, whatever extremes of snow and ice might lie ahead for us, Scotland does not grind to a halt?
First, I whole-heartedly agree with the member. Last year, staff in the sectors that he has mentioned, and across the wider public and private sectors in Scotland, played a pivotal role in getting Scotland moving again in the face of what we now know was an extremely severe winter, with many examples of individuals going beyond the call of duty. For that, I am very grateful.
Scottish Water (Meetings)
I met representatives of Scottish Water—indeed, the board—on Tuesday 29 November 2011, two evenings ago.
Lucky them.
Scottish Water’s investment programme will be as planned during this regulatory cycle and will not in any way be reduced. What has changed is the need for Scottish Government money to fund that programme. That is because, as a result of its outstanding performance in managing its assets, Scottish Water has been able to husband enough money to make a much more significant contribution to funding the investment programme than had been forecast. As a result—I am sure that the member will be glad to know it—we are making much more effective use of the Scottish Government’s resources.
Question 6 has not been lodged. Ms McDougall is on parliamentary business elsewhere.
CalMac Reorganisation
The services provided by CalMac are defined in the contract between the company and Scottish ministers. Any reorganisation of CalMac will not lead to any changes to services defined by that contract. There is therefore no reason to suggest that there should be any negative impact on the communities that are served by CalMac. On the contrary, I would expect any reorganisation or refocus by CalMac to look at how its services to customers and communities can be improved to maintain the high quality of service that the company has been providing for many years.
The minister is aware of the importance of CalMac in my constituency, where the headquarters and ticketing centre provide much-needed jobs. Given that a number of jobs were lost there earlier in the year with changes to the Gourock to Dunoon crossing, can he give an assurance that the impending tendering process, which I understand is to be completed by September 2013, will not impact negatively on jobs in Inverclyde?
With regard to the job losses referred to by Duncan McNeil, it is worth pointing out that there were no compulsory redundancies as a result of the previous tendering process.
Does the minister agree that the announcement this week of the rolling out of the road equivalent tariff to the isles of the Clyde and western seaboard shows this Government’s commitment to island communities and others served by CalMac? Such islands and other communities can only be boosted by such investment, which gives a shot in the arm to tourism, business and employment.
The member is absolutely right. What he says is borne out by the facts and findings of the pilot study that was carried out into RET as it applied in the Western Isles, which saw for example a 31 per cent increase in carryings. We are hopeful that this week’s announcement to provide RET across a range of routes around Scotland over the course of the next few years will have a similar impact on tourism and will provide an economic boost to those island communities.
Is the minister satisfied with the level of service of Argyll Ferries on the Gourock to Dunoon route? I am sure that he is aware that the people of Dunoon are certainly not.
It is fair to say that we very much share the concerns that have been expressed. Yesterday the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment and I met the chairman and chief executive of CalMac. We have undertaken to work closely with them to ensure that the improvement plan that the cabinet secretary has asked for is implemented and that the people of Argyll receive the standard of service that they expect and to which they have a right. We fully recognise that the service has not met our expectations, as the client, or those of our customers, and we are focused on improving it and making it work.
Plains (New Railway Station)
The cabinet secretary has not had meetings with North Lanarkshire Council officials in a ministerial capacity on the matter. I am the lead minister for such issues.
Does the minister agree that a railway station at Plains is vital to the local economy? Is he aware—I am sure that he is—that, in 2007, North Lanarkshire Council was happy to give its full support to the proposal for a station at Plains before the Scottish National Party took the decision not to proceed? Will he get around the table with North Lanarkshire Council and Network Rail and make good the election pledge that his party made to deliver a station at Plains?
I am afraid that I have to advise the member that the situation has not changed since June this year. Network Rail has made passive provision for a future station at Plains. Obviously, if substantial housing development occurred, that would help the case for introducing a new station there.
Trunk Road Network (North-east Scotland)
I met the leaders of Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council on 1 November to discuss major transport infrastructure projects in the north-east, and officials continue to meet regularly to discuss a number of topics.
Many in the north-east are concerned about maintenance and the current trunk road network being downgraded because of anticipation of a new trunk road network—I know that we are all waiting in anticipation for that. Can the minister assure me that maintenance work is continuing as usual on roads such as Anderson Drive?
I can certainly assure Kevin Stewart that trunk road maintenance will not be downgraded in the north-east in anticipation of new trunk road projects going ahead, such as the Aberdeen western peripheral route and the A90 Balmedie to Tipperty route. We are keen to crack on with those projects as soon as possible. The existing A90 and A96 in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will continue to be maintained as part of the trunk road network until the opening of those projects. Following completion of the Aberdeen western peripheral route and the A90 Balmedie to Tipperty route, responsibility for all detrunked sections of the A90 and the A96 will revert to the relevant local authority, which will be best placed to manage those roads in accordance with local policies.
Train Passengers (Behaviour)
The Scottish Government has had regular discussions with train operators and British Transport Police, which have included the raising of passenger complaints about antisocial behaviour on trains.
Alcohol consumption on trains often leads to an uncomfortable travelling experience for many passengers. That is the result of the behaviour of a minority of passengers who take things too far. Will the minister join me in welcoming the fact that British Transport Police has identified alcohol misuse on the train network as a strategic priority for next year, and will he assure me that the Scottish Government will work constructively with British Transport Police and the train operators on that matter?
I am happy to provide that reassurance to the member. As he knows, that issue features in the rail consultation that we have just launched. I welcome all actions that decrease antisocial behaviour on trains. Those actions make the job of British Transport Police much easier and, crucially, improve the travelling experience of rail passengers. The Scottish Government will continue to work constructively with British Transport Police and train operators to look at the options to improve the travelling environment for rail passengers.
What information is collated on alcohol-related antisocial behaviour on Scottish trains? In the past 12 years, I have regularly travelled by train between Edinburgh and Stonehaven and have not experienced any antisocial behaviour as a result of alcohol consumption.
The obvious sources of information on that are British Transport Police, which has said that it is an issue, and the train operating companies. I mentioned that I recently met the leaders of Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council, who raised that issue with me. Perhaps there is no such behaviour on the particular route that Alex Johnstone uses, but it is certainly an issue in the north-east of Scotland.
Does the minister agree that the problem would be somewhat alleviated by having well-trained guards with the experience and knowledge of dealing with rowdy behaviour in charge of trains?
Given the franchise environment, the responsibility for dealing with that matter must rest with train operating companies. However, individual responsibility must also be to the fore. A lot of people who consume alcohol manage to behave perfectly well on trains; however, some do not and they ruin the environment for others. As I have said, although the train operating companies and British Transport Police are primarily responsible, individuals also have a responsibility in this regard.
Culture and External Affairs
Aid (African Diaspora)
The Scottish Government remains committed to its international development programme and values the unique expertise and insight offered by the African diaspora in Scotland. In addition to funding international development projects in Malawi and sub-Saharan Africa, the Scottish Government provides core funding to two networking organisations, the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland and the Scotland Malawi Partnership, both of which are tasked with furthering the sector’s capacity and reviewing and implementing best practice, including, for example, increasing and strengthening their members’ engagement with diaspora-led organisations and communities in Scotland.
I thank the minister for his reply, particularly given the extremely interesting session that we had on the matter at the last meeting of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on international development. In view of the Government’s commitment, is the minister able to outline when the next Malawi and Africa funding rounds will be announced?
Funding rounds for the Malawi and sub-Saharan African development programmes will be opened at the start of December. Funding for successful projects will be released at the start of the next financial year and, as is standard with each funding round, guidance, best practice, advice and frequently asked questions are included in the application papers published on the Scottish Government website. The Scotland Malawi Partnership and the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland will also be informed. Following the launch of the funding rounds, the Government will hold an information session with both organisations on 15 December with discussion, planning and context sharing on how best prospective grant applicants can effectively tap into and benefit from expertise in the Malawian diaspora community in the development and management of projects.
Historic Vessels (Preservation)
We recognise the importance of Scotland’s historic vessels and are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that future generations continue to enjoy them as we do. The Scottish Government works with the United Kingdom advisory body, National Historic Ships UK, on high-priority preservation cases and also recognises that the remains of many historic vessels, such as the famous early aircraft carrier HMS Campania and the wrecks of the German high seas fleet in Scapa Flow, can be found on the seabed around Scotland. As a result, Historic Scotland has invited views on a new five-year strategy for the protection, management and promotion of marine heritage under the Parliament’s new marine legislation.
I am sure that the minister is aware of the role that the Scottish maritime museum in Irvine plays in preserving Scotland’s maritime heritage. In addition to the collection of marine vessels, engines, artefacts and exhibitions, the museum contributes to the local economy by training apprentices, providing volunteer opportunities, hosting educational trips and attracting tourists to the area. Unfortunately, the museum cannot open in winter as it requires a new roof and is housed in a grade A listed building of historical importance. Is the minister able to give any assurance about continued Scottish Government support for the work of that important industrial museum and will he ask the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs whether she will visit the museum with me some time in the near future?
I thank the member for her kind invitation to the cabinet secretary and will pass the request on to her when she returns.
Joint Ministerial Committee on Europe (Meetings)
The date for the next joint ministerial committee on Europe has yet to be agreed. It is expected that the discussion will focus on business that is related to the spring Council of the European Union and the United Kingdom Government’s and devolved Administrations’ co-ordination of European Union issues.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that the EU will shortly embark on a review of state aid rules for shipbuilding. Will he press as strongly as possible the commercial shipbuilding opportunities that exist in Scotland, particularly the west of Scotland, and stress that, with an even playing field across Europe, there is no reason why Scottish shipbuilders cannot compete and thrive, and increase employment and training opportunities?
I recognise the vital importance of shipbuilding to the Scottish economy. The industry accounts for 18 per cent of the total employment in the Scottish manufacturing sector, with about 7,200 employees. The member is right to raise the issue of state aid. The Scottish Government is doing everything possible to fight Scotland’s corner with regard to the EU framework on state aid to shipbuilding. Last year, the Scottish Government responded to the European Commission’s consultation on the subject. We are pleased to note that the Commission’s new draft framework has retained the unique provisions on assistance for innovation in the sector, which is important for the future of Scottish shipbuilding. The Scottish Government requested that those provisions be retained in our response to the consultation.
European Commission (Meetings)
The Government has regular contact with the Commission on a wide range of issues. Most recently, my colleague Fergus Ewing met the Commissioner for Energy, Günther Oettinger, on 24 November while attending the energy council. On 14 November, Richard Lochhead met the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development to discuss the reform of the common agricultural policy while attending the agriculture and fisheries council.
As the minister knows, the ending of air route development funding in 2007 has had a damaging impact on the creation of new routes to and from Scottish airports. That is certainly true of Prestwick airport, which affects many of my constituents. Will the minister take up that matter with the European Commissioner for Transport to seek a way forward that would allow the creation of an EU-compliant successor to the air route development fund?
As I am sure the member is aware, such discussions are on-going. The European Commission’s restrictive guidelines have meant that, since 2007, we have not been able to provide such funding. However, the Commission is consulting on the issue and the Scottish Government has participated in that consultation. As recently as earlier today, the latest exchange took place between the Scottish Government and the European Union on the issue.
What response has the Scottish Government received from the UK Government over amendments to the Scotland Bill that were suggested in August to give Scotland greater control over its representations in Europe?
Three months after our paper on that was published, the UK minister for Europe, David Lidington, requested further details to allow him to “consider the proposal fully”, to use his words. The Scottish Government responded in detail two days later, on 18 November. Those letters have been provided to the Scotland Bill Committee. The Scottish Government would welcome the opportunity to have substantial discussions with the UK Government on the issue and on other suggested amendments to the Scotland Bill. We have made repeated requests for meaningful negotiations with the UK Government to secure a bill that we can recommend whole-heartedly to Parliament for its final consent next year.
China (First Minister’s Visit)
The First Minister will undertake a series of high-level Government, cultural, business and trade engagements in several mainland Chinese cities and in Hong Kong. Those meetings will strengthen Scotland’s relationships with China by deepening the current areas of engagement and seeking to establish new ones. Attracting investment to Scotland and supporting Scottish development in international engagement with significant Chinese companies will be an important element of the First Minister’s visit.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the Chinese community in Edinburgh does much to enrich the cosmopolitan nature of our capital city? Will he extend an invitation to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs and the First Minister to meet members of that community and see at first hand the excellent work of the Confucius institute and the Edinburgh Chinese community school at Liberton high school in my constituency? May I also ask the minister to think carefully before he answers, as I will be having his reply translated for the benefit of the Chinese community?
I think that most people in Scotland probably have a problem with my accent, far less the Chinese community. I thank Jim Eadie for his question, and for his obvious interest in the Chinese community in Edinburgh.
In view of the increasing number of tourists coming from China, and of the planned growth in exports to China, what discussions have taken place on the question of more direct flights between Scotland and China?
Obviously, there will shortly be a direct flight bringing our pandas to Scotland, in the shape of Tian Tian and Yang Guang, or Sweetie and Sunshine—I am sure that this meeting has been much more like that than certain other, more robust meetings that we have had.
Traditional Arts
Creative Scotland, our national body for the arts, culture and the creative industries, is actively and energetically taking forward the recommendations of the traditional arts working group, to ensure that the traditional arts are supported and their future secured.
I am sure that we all welcome this year’s Hands Up for Trad awards, pioneered by Simon Thoumire, which are to be broadcast on BBC Alba. In further promoting traditional music, and in the context of the ministerial working party on traditional arts, will the minister consider Simon Thoumire’s proposal to set up singing centres around Scotland, starting next year, to promote singing in general, including local songs, and the health benefits from singing, which have been well researched?
I am sure that the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs will work on the member’s interesting proposal; perhaps others within the Government will do that, too. Creative Scotland, as Scotland’s national body for the arts, culture and creative industries, is engaged in taking forward the recommendations of the ministerial working group on traditional arts, including those on music. Recently, Creative Scotland supported a project with the national Gaelic boys choir and, in north Skye, a traditional arts project in Gaelic across the Highland region. The latter was supported through the youth music initiative, and I hope that those examples will give Mr Gibson confidence in the future.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
The refurbished portrait gallery has opened today. Seventeen new galleries showcase the best of Scotland’s cultural treasures. Some original features have been restored and there is a new education suite and enhanced visitor facilities.
As the gallery is a national collection, can the minister advise how it will support education and community engagement throughout Fife and across Scotland?
I am pleased to inform Mr Walker that the galleries receive many visits from schools in Fife and they will continue to provide that excellent educational function. The opening exhibitions will cover a huge range of attractions that, I am sure, will be of interest to children in Fife, including pioneers of science; women of 19th century Scotland; the age of improvement; Sir Henry Raeburn; citizens of the world; David Hume; Allan Ramsay; and others too numerous to mention. A veritable embarras de richesse, one might say.
The Winning Years Campaign
The winning years is not a new VisitScotland corporate campaign but a way of describing the unique opportunities that the period 2012 to 2014 presents to Scotland. The aim is to create a joint drive around the year of creative Scotland 2012, the year of natural Scotland 2013, homecoming 2014, the Commonwealth games and the Ryder cup.
I am delighted that VisitScotland is taking part in on-going activities. In relation to large events such as the Commonwealth games, will new facilities such as the national velodrome help to drive not only new tourist interest in Scotland but new corporate opportunities to maximise benefits to the citizens of Glasgow, whom I represent?
The Commonwealth games, along with the infrastructure and buildings that are being put in place for that purpose, will provide other opportunities for business tourism, which has already achieved marked success in Glasgow, contributing—from memory—more than £150 million a year. In particular, the new sports arena will be available for such activities as pop concerts, which I am assured are extremely popular.
Winter Tourism
I have had several discussions with Fiona Hyslop and other ministers on many aspects of tourism.
Can the minister confirm that the Government’s museums and galleries strategy helps our cultural attractions to realise their full potential as visitor attractions? Will he ensure that, as far as possible, the museums and galleries are open to visitors in all seasons, as is the excellent national museum of rural life in East Kilbride? I encourage all members to visit that museum, if they have not already done so.
Over the winter festival period, including Christmas, we wish to see as many as possible of our major attractions open to visitors, consistent with the needs of the staff to enjoy some time off to celebrate these occasions. I am happy to offer an assurance that we will do everything possible. Fiona Hyslop will look specifically at the local museum that the member mentioned to see what is being done there. I thank the member very much for a positive contribution.
Tourist Facilities (Local Communities)
The Scottish Government encourages such community involvement. That makes good business sense in an industry that earns more than £4 billion every year for the Scottish economy and supports around 200,000 jobs in Scotland.
Does the minister agree that Braemar castle and the people of Braemar are a perfect example of a community coming together to preserve its natural heritage and that the Scottish Government should be applauded for the grant that it supplied to Braemar castle to ensure that it is open not only to the local community, but to schools under the curriculum for excellence?
Yes. I am advised that Braemar castle is operated by local people who volunteer as guides, work in the shop and tend the garden and that they believe passionately that the castle is worth saving. We are delighted that Historic Scotland agreed in July this year to provide a grant of up to £144,600 to Braemar Community Ltd for repairs to Braemar castle and I understand that a comprehensive, sustainable business plan is being developed. I look forward to working with Dennis Robertson, the local member, to build on that success.