SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Rail Services
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in its forthcoming meeting with the chief executive of Railtrack, it will discuss the issue of investment to reduce journey times between Aberdeen and Edinburgh. (S1O-1269)
During my forthcoming meeting with the chief executive of Railtrack I will discuss a wide range of matters.
I thank the minister for her answer. Is she aware that it currently takes longer to travel to Aberdeen from Edinburgh by train than by car and that a journey time of two and a half hours represents an average of 52 mph, which is hardly acceptable for what should be one of Scotland's main communication links?
It is important that we improve the travelling times for rail journeys between Aberdeen and Edinburgh and Aberdeen and Glasgow. I draw to the attention of members the fact that new rolling stock from ScotRail and the new east coast main line franchise will improve journey speeds. Furthermore, investment in infrastructure, particularly in Fife, will bring down the journey time between Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Will the minister detail the actions that she has taken and the instructions that she has given to Railtrack to ensure that the renovation and maintenance work on the Forth rail bridge will be carried out without further delay? What assurances has she sought from Railtrack to secure the long-term future of the bridge and the future of the Edinburgh to Aberdeen line?
The member raised the issue of instructions, which are not within my power. It is not a question of my instructing Railtrack; I represent the Scottish Executive and I encourage Railtrack. I discuss with Railtrack the key priorities of the Executive. The Forth rail bridge is a key part of the Scottish infrastructure, and, of course, we will encourage Railtrack to do everything in its power to ensure that the infrastructure is maintained to the highest standards.
What action has the minister taken to take advantage of the route's designation under the European Union's trans-European network programme? Has any assessment been made of possible additional funding from that source?
I am grateful to Nora Radcliffe for giving me the opportunity to highlight trans-European network funding. However, I must draw to the attention of the Parliament the fact that such funding provides an opportunity for only 10 per cent of the investment on any particular route. Although it is an important opportunity, it should not be overstated, and such matters must compete with other European Commission priorities. In the context of railway investment in Scotland, I am happy to consider the opportunities that might arise from trans-European network status.
First Minister (Website)
First, I must declare my registered interest in British Telecommunications.
The Scottish Executive's internet site already includes a message from the First Minister. The Scottish Executive has no plans to establish a separate First Minister's website.
I am disappointed to hear that, although I am not sure how we in Scotland would benefit from Tony Blair's ABC of politics, which I see says that "R is for reshuffle".
I am delighted to hear that the Conservatives have such interest in the views and aspirations of the Prime Minister and the First Minister. We have a good website, which is currently being improved. The website will not include a separate First Minister's site, but will include improvements that will benefit all authorities in Scotland.
Infectious Salmon Anaemia
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to revise the infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) control regime in the light of the expected revised EU directive permitting national ISA regimes. (S1O-1279)
The proposed amendment to EU directive 93/53 to allow greater flexibility when handling infectious salmon anaemia cases and the possible use of vaccine has now been cleared by a council working group, by chief veterinary officers, and—earlier today, I am happy to report—by the European Parliament. It is expected to be submitted to a full Council of Ministers for adoption later this month.
The minister will share my pleasure at today's announcement of the European Parliament. Will he be sure to be at the Fisheries Council when this matter comes up, to ensure that it goes through, as I hope it will?
It may be possible to get this matter to the council even before the next Fisheries Council, which would mean that it could be dealt with by another meeting of the European Council. Doing that would be going as quickly as possible.
Is the minister confident that his policy of not compensating salmon producers who have lost their stocks because of the Government's slaughtering policy is compatible with human rights legislation? When did the Government decide on its policy of not compensating for losses incurred because of naturally occurring fish diseases?
It has been a long-standing policy of successive Governments not to pay compensation for naturally occurring events. However, we are keen to support and to help the industry. That is what the restart scheme is all about.
Mental Health and Well-being<br />Development Fund
To ask the Scottish Executive how much money has been distributed from the mental health and well-being development fund, and how many projects have benefited. (S1O-1284)
Since 1998, the fund has offered support to 72 separate projects, spanning every health board area in Scotland. Over £6.6 million has been allocated so far to the projects and related activity.
I am grateful to the minister for highlighting the fact that so much good work is being done. Will he confirm that especially valuable pioneering work has been done in Glasgow in finding practical solutions to the very real difficulties that people with dementia and their carers face?
Mr McNulty has highlighted a particular project that was supported by the fund; indeed, 17 projects in the Greater Glasgow Health Board area have been supported by the fund. Glasgow 1999 culminated in an especially successful international conference on dementia in which I took part. The conference drew in innovative ideas in dementia-friendly design from across the world, and it was especially well co-ordinated by the Scottish Dementia Services Development Centre, a world leader of which we in Scotland can be very proud.
Will the minister make public the progress that has been made in developing the mental health framework for Scotland, and will he indicate the Executive's targets?
The mental health and well-being development fund is very much about progressing the mental health framework, which has been widely accepted across the service since its publication in 1997. Projects are provided with first-year funding to get them started, and the projects must progress the framework. However, the Minister for Health and Community Care and I believe that the implementation of the framework could be accelerated. That is one of the reasons why we held the mental health summit last month and why we have formed the mental health support group. We look to that group to advise us on the targets at which we might aim.
Elderly People
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure the physical protection of elderly people in society. (S1O-1262)
We are determined to ensure that everyone in society, and the vulnerable in particular, can live in safety.
Does the minister agree that it is a great concern that police checks should not be mandatory for people who care for the elderly either in a paid or voluntary capacity and either in a residential or domestic setting? Will he give a commitment to remedy that frightening deficiency in the system and, at the same time, establish a national carers register?
We are developing a number of initiatives to improve our confidence in services for older people who live in care. Next year, we hope to pass legislation to set up the Scottish commission for the regulation of care, which will inspect and regulate residential care and advise us on what further measures need to be taken.
Will the minister assure us that the Sutherland report's recommendations, which are the Scottish Executive's responsibility, will be implemented in their entirety, so that the Scottish Executive and the Parliament will be seen to be responding positively to the real needs and priorities of our senior citizens, unlike the Westminster Government, which insults our pensioners with a miserable increase of 75p a week?
We have developed a significant number of the Sutherland commission's recommendations in extremely important areas such as the regulation and inspection of nationally consistent care standards; the introduction of direct payments for older people; and the carers strategy, which came before the Parliament in November. People who reduce Sir Stewart Sutherland's report to one recommendation and focus solely on that do a disservice to the commission's work. We will develop the report's proposals in the context of the comprehensive spending review, which is already under way.
Is the minister aware that Age Concern is undertaking research into domestic abuse of the elderly by partners, children and other carers? Will he make a commitment to consider the results of that research thoroughly, with a view to Executive action if necessary?
Although we will always consider such research and its policy implications, I should point out that we continue to fund the national telephone helpline which is run by Action on Elder Abuse and provides confidential support for anyone suffering abuse. That organisation has recently produced research which we are currently considering.
National Park
To ask the Scottish Executive what provision it has made for meeting the cost of establishing the Loch Lomond national park, and whether all funding, once determined, will be additional and will not displace resources from environmental programmes in other geographic areas outside the park boundaries. (S1O-1281)
We aim to establish the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park by summer 2001. The draft bill provides for the Scottish Executive to meet all core funding.
Will the minister confirm that, given the tight nature of local authority settlements and the necessity to draw the support of all local interests behind the national concept of national parks, additional local authority resources will not be called on?
The main point behind Robert Brown's question is why we think that it is a national responsibility, and why we are picking up the core costs for the new national parks. It might be helpful to point out that we are increasing our support from 80 per cent of the funding in the previous financial year to 85 per cent of the funding this year in recognition of the significance of national parks and to alleviate the need to make sure that sufficient resources are in place when the new national park is established next year.
From the indicative allocations for the Loch Lomond national park, can the minister tell us what proportion of the budget will be allocated, first, for administration and, secondly, for direct service expenditure? Has any study been undertaken to establish the possibility that some of the park's specific objectives might have been better achieved by earmarked grants to the relevant local authorities?
Investment in the national park will meet the needs of national park designation. The whole point of designating a national park is to bring together the efforts of existing organisations and to add value to them. The purpose of the national park plan is to set out key strategic objectives to develop what is being delivered at the moment, to integrate and to provide a much higher quality of protection and development in the area.
Common Agricultural Policy
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government regarding reform of the common agricultural policy. (S1O-1266)
As Irene Oldfather will be aware, a major reform of the common agricultural policy was agreed by European Union heads of government in March 1999 and is now going through a phased implementation programme. Accordingly, my discussions with other UK agriculture ministers have been directed more towards the implementation issues than further reform.
Does the minister agree that to allow Scottish industry to compete in world markets, export refund systems must fully compensate for the difference between world grain prices and EU intervention prices? Will he give an assurance that he will make representations to ensure that the industries affected in Scotland, particularly the whisky, chemical and paper industries, will not suffer job losses to keep grain prices in the EU artificially high?
The issue of refunds, particularly in relation to the Scotch whisky industry, was discussed in an adjournment debate in the House of Commons yesterday. To that end, I had discussions with Joyce Quin, the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. We agreed that our position would be supported in the way in which the position is put forward at the next meeting of the European Council.
What role does the minister foresee for himself, or for his successors, in future renegotiations of the CAP? As the Scottish minister, what authority does he expect to carry within the UK delegation?
There are two aspects to that question. It is important that we take the opportunity of having a Scottish Parliament, and all that that implies, to do something that has not been done seriously in the past—to engage with the industry to ensure that, when we come to the next round of CAP reform, we have a clear view of what we are trying to do. We can then take that view and have a positive position within the UK delegation on how the UK should promote its position towards CAP reform. There is every opportunity, through the Rural Affairs Committee and others, to have a much more robust line on what we want to suggest as positive proposals for the reform of CAP in the next round.
Child Workers
To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities now have byelaws in place to protect children from taking on unsuitable employment at a young age and what steps it is taking to ensure that those byelaws are enforced where they exist and are promoted as necessary where they do not. (S1O-1241)
Sixteen local authorities have revised byelaws in place following guidance issued in May 1998. Ten have submitted byelaws for confirmation and six are engaged in the process of local consultation on future byelaws. Local authorities are responsible for enforcement.
Given the need for all agencies and organisations concerned with the employment of children to take a strategic approach, is the minister prepared to explore the possibility of supporting a particular pilot scheme, involving, for example, the Scottish Low Pay Unit and the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland, to investigate ways in which employers can employ children and young people safely and responsibly?
That sounds like a very interesting idea. If Elaine Smith could provide me with more details, I would be happy to consider it. If we can find constructive ways to help young people to engage in employment within the framework that we have set out to protect their rights, we are happy to consider them.
Will the minister impress on the police the need to act urgently when the law in this area is broken, given that this is an issue of public and child safety?
Once the framework of byelaws is in place, and before that framework is finalised, we are anxious to ensure that their introduction is followed by enforcement. Byelaws by themselves, without an enforcement process, would be of little value. I have asked officials to report to me about what we might do to strengthen that position.
Renewable Energy
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the incineration of municipal solid waste to create electricity is a renewable form of energy generation. (S1O-1278)
Under United Kingdom renewable energy policy, waste-to-energy technologies, including incineration of municipal waste, have always been accepted as a form of renewable energy generation. They were therefore included within the Scottish renewables obligation. Municipal waste incineration processes are licensed for pollution control purposes and are subject to regulation by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.
Does the minister agree that if—I hope that we will not—we in Scotland build incinerators to deal with our excess waste, we will be tying ourselves to producing waste to feed the incinerators instead of minimising waste, which is, I believe, a Government policy? Does she agree that if we allow that as part of the SRO, we can squeeze out other forms of renewable energy, such as wave power and wind power, in the development of which Scotland should be leading the world?
Robin Harper is correct to identify the problem of accumulating, which relates to the amount of waste that we generate as a society. We need a variety of ways to deal with that, and I am keen to encourage local authorities to work with SEPA, through the national waste strategy, to identify appropriate ways to deal with waste.
Further to that, and on an imminent threat to the Scottish environment, the minister may be aware that the United States Navy has been banned from a Puerto Rican firing range, which was judged to be too dangerous, following the death of a local person. Now, however, the Ministry of Defence has agreed to—
Order. What has this got to do with Robin Harper's question?
The question is this. As the Ministry of Defence has agreed to allow the American navy to fire on and shell Cape Wrath instead, will the minister—
Order. That has nothing whatever to do with the question.
Given the pressure on existing landfill sites, and given the introduction of successful pilot projects in other parts of the United Kingdom, does the minister agree that incinerator plants may well be the way forward? What audit is she carrying out of what the Scottish councils propose to do in the future?
Jamie Stone is right: there may be a need for some incineration in the future. The £40 million waste-to-energy plant at Dundee is an example. It is being supported through the SRO. The critical thing is to get the approach right.
Does the minister agree that, even if such incineration plants are deemed to be acceptable, their establishment at locations such as Newton Stewart in Wigtownshire is totally unacceptable?
I cannot comment specifically on an issue which is likely to be raised prior to planning. I stress that it is important for local people to get involved in the planning process and to make their views heard. I do not want to comment on the particular case of the application that Alex Fergusson raises.
Question 10 has been withdrawn.
Measles, Mumps and Rubella Immunisation
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any concerns regarding the uptake of the MMR injection. (S1O-1282)
The Executive was pleased to note that 92.3 per cent of the target group received MMR vaccination in the third quarter of 1999. We want to see that figure rise to 95 per cent, so that a sufficient level of immunity is achieved to prevent continuing transmission of the viruses among the population.
On the figures which were released yesterday, the national average is 92 per cent. Is the minister aware, however, that the areas of four health boards in Scotland are below the critical level of 90 per cent that is needed to prevent an epidemic?
Mary Scanlon asked a couple of important questions. Rates for MMR take-up are not falling across Scotland, which is good news. The figures for the past quarter in Glasgow show an encouraging increase. That level of take-up is not reflected in all health board areas: in Highland, Shetland and the Western Isles, the figure remains below 90 per cent. We are discussing with health boards local measures that might improve take-up rates.
Given that the concerns of many parents about the MMR vaccination relate to the risks that are associated with the combination of vaccines that is given in that jag, does the Executive have any plans to offer separate vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella on request, to increase take-up and allay such parental concerns?
The suggestion that delivering a three-component vaccine separately is safer has been made without any supporting scientific evidence. It has been recommended neither by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation nor by the World Health Organisation. None of the vaccine manufacturers has applied to the Medicines Control Agency for a licence to produce single mumps or measles vaccines. We fear that administering the three parts of the vaccination separately would mean that some children would miss one or two of the injections or would be exposed to infection while waiting for their second or third injections.
Witness Protection Programme (Strathclyde)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to continue funding the Strathclyde police witness protection programme from 1 April 2000. (S1O-1252)
We are currently considering the further funding of the Strathclyde police witness protection programme.
Does the minister agree that the work that the Strathclyde police witness protection programme does across Scotland is instrumental in encouraging witnesses to come forward when they have witnessed serious crimes and plays an important part in increasing convictions of some of Scotland's most dangerous criminals?
I can confirm that research on the effectiveness of the programme has been encouraging. It seems that there is a need for such a dedicated unit and I pay tribute to those that have been involved during the three years in which funding has been made available. They have made an important contribution towards obtaining convictions for serious crimes in Scotland.
Ferry Services
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure the future of the Campbeltown–Ballycastle route. (S1O-1257)
The Scottish Executive has worked with the Scotland Office and project sponsors to develop a package of support which goes as far as possible within legal constraints. That package may be available to other operators.
Is the minister aware of the anger in the local community, as expressed at a meeting in Campbeltown on Monday, about Sea Containers' decision to pull out?
I am grateful to George Lyon for reminding me of the concern that I know exists in the local community. We are keen to establish the opportunity for a public service order on this route. I understand that the Scotland Office and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions are actively considering that possibility. Great interest has been shown by the sponsors of this route and much energy is being invested in trying to resolve this issue.
If the minister is indeed aware of the deep concern and anger of the people of Campbeltown about the last private operator who pulled out without giving the service a chance, will she give us a commitment today that the publicly owned and run Caledonian MacBrayne will be considered for that route? Is she aware of the view of at least one of the private sector operators that might take over the route that the option of CalMac taking over would be the right one, as
It would be open to CalMac to consider the route if it wanted to. It is not a lifeline service, so it would not be covered by the sponsorship of the Scottish Executive. However, out of a range of options for route operators, CalMac is clearly one that could be considered.
World Cup 2010
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the Education, Culture and Sport Committee in calling for the Scottish Football Association to explore the feasibility of the 2010 world cup being hosted by the Celtic nations of the British Isles. (S1O-1263)
As Mr Monteith is aware, the Scottish Football Association has already stated that it does not support that proposal which, in any event, is ineligible under existing FIFA rules. Under those circumstances, I would find it difficult to support it.
I am sad that the minister cannot agree with me and with other members of the committee. Is he aware that the world cup in Kyoto, Japan, in 2002 is a joint bid, and that the European nations tournament in 2000 is a joint tournament, hosted between the Netherlands and Belgium? Does he agree that the likeliest prospect of Scotland ever holding a world cup—or a European nations cup—would be through a joint bid, and that that option should be explored? Does he further agree that FIFA's attitude might be changed if those joint tournaments are successful?
Once again, I have to point out to Mr Monteith that the Japanese/South Korean bid was not a joint bid: there were two separate bids. FIFA could not decide which country to give it to, jointly awarded it to both, then bitterly regretted its decision and determined never to let that happen again.
Although FIFA makes such an approach ineligible, Union of European Football Associations tournament sponsors certainly do not. In recognising that the Sweden '92 facilities were far inferior to those that we enjoy in Scotland—let alone those that might be shared between Ireland, Wales and Scotland—would the minister consider that a European sponsorship by this Government, promoted in the interests of Scotland, Wales and Ireland, would talk up the interests of Scotland rather than make us more small-minded, which we risk at present?
I will not respond to the usual accusation from Andrew Wilson of talking down Scotland. UEFA is not FIFA. To fulfil FIFA rules, a bid must come from one country. The very idea of combining a bid with another country threatens Scotland's unique position as an individual football nation, which is what Andrew Wilson is advocating.
Organised Counterfeiting
To ask the Scottish Executive what incentives are in place to encourage members of the public to report organised counterfeit groups to the relevant enforcement authorities and, if there is none, whether it intends to introduce such incentives. (S1O-1267)
Measures are in place to encourage members of the public to report all forms of crime through the Crimestoppers freephone facility that is supported by all Scottish police forces. In certain circumstances, cash rewards are provided.
Is the minister aware that trade in counterfeit goods costs the Scottish economy around £200 million a year? Is he aware that counterfeiting is putting additional burdens on Scottish manufacturers, especially in the areas of sportswear and computer software? Does he agree that Executive policies that have resulted in 450 fewer police officers today than under the Conservative Government have hampered the fight against counterfeiting?
I do not accept the final part of Mr Johnston's question, but I recognise that counterfeiting across a range of goods is a serious threat to a number of manufacturing industries. People should recognise that such piracy is wrong, and I am sure that Mr Johnston agrees that whenever members of the public come across it, they should fulfil their civic duty and report it to the police.
Science Strategy
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in developing a science strategy for Scotland. (S1O-1264)
Last September, I invited a group of distinguished scientists to join a science strategy review group, with a remit to provide advice on the development of a science strategy for Scotland. As a first step towards developing a strategy, I asked them to identify the key questions and the additional mechanisms necessary to implement a science strategy in Scotland. The report of their recommendations is currently being finalised and I expect to receive it shortly.
I thank the minister. Is he aware that, although there have been recent developments in the commercialisation of scientific research, there remain barriers such as funding and assessment procedures that make undertaking research by universities and research institutes that can be used for commercial purposes more difficult? Has he discussed those issues with members of the scientific community?
I welcome Elaine Murray's active interest in such matters. Parliament appreciates that science and technology play a tremendous role in innovation; innovation in turn plays a tremendous role in the knowledge economy; and it in turn plays a tremendous part in developing the Scottish economy. We have taken positive steps to encourage commercialisation. We are introducing the Scottish Enterprise proof of concept fund, which will inject £11 million into commercialisation. We are working with the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to take many ideas forward. It recently issued two consultation papers that are about accelerating commercialisation and developing our science base. I think everyone here will agree that that is vital to the development of the Scottish economy.
As part of the science strategy, would the Executive be prepared to consider establishing a world research centre on the environment and pollution?
We are looking at possible centres of excellence in a number of areas, such as aerospace and marine engineering, and at a centre of engineering excellence at Rosyth. We are considering developing with an American university a centre of excellence in business studies at Gleneagles. Chip design and manufacturing is being looked at in Livingston through Project Alba, with Cadence Design Systems. We are willing to consider any ideas; if Mr Young would like to write to me, we can consider his idea.
Genetically Modified Food
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans regarding genetically modified food. (S1O-1286)
The Executive's policy is that the protection of public health is paramount in relation to GM foods. The vigorous regulatory regime in place is designed to achieve that. A further central element of the policy is real consumer choice through strict labelling of GM foods. We are keen that there should be intelligent, informed public debate on the science and we welcome this week the congress organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
I thank the minister for his answer and I am glad that he agrees that public safety should be of the utmost concern. Will he outline the role that the biotechnology sector will play?
It is a question of balance. We have a highly developed biotechnology sector in Scotland, which could make an important contribution to the development of the science. However, in no way can we allow the regulatory regime, which is so important and underpins the precautionary principles as set out in the European directives, to be overtaken by such a contribution.
Given the UK Government's position that farm-scale trials are necessary to determine the environmental effects of growing GM crops commercially, will the minister accede to the request of Friends of the Earth and others and undertake not to add T25 maize or any other herbicide-tolerant GM variety to the national seed list until trials have been completed and their results properly assessed and until this Parliament has had an opportunity fully to debate the commercial growing of GM crops?
As I said in my first answer, the Scottish Executive wholly endorses the precautionary principle that underpins the European regulatory framework on GM foods. Therefore, we think that trials are necessary. We also think that the results of trials should be properly evaluated and that at every stage there should be clear scientific advice on how to proceed. On the question of adding seeds and so on to national or other lists, there is no chance that the Executive will agree to any breach of the regulatory framework.
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