Plenary, 02 Apr 2009

Meeting date: Thursday, April 2, 2009

Official Report 746KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Finance and Sustainable Growth

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Marine Renewables Devices (Infrastructure)

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to build the port and transport infrastructure that is needed to launch marine renewables devices in Scottish waters. (S3O-6491)

Ports in Scotland have a major role to play by providing strategic transport infrastructure, thus contributing strongly to the Government's core purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth. The ports sector in Scotland is diverse and adaptable. It is well placed to pursue commercial opportunities in partnership with the expanding marine renewables sector.

The recently reconvened forum for renewable energy development in Scotland's marine energy group is considering the marine renewables industry's port and transport needs. The identified needs will be set out in the Scottish Government's renewables action plan, which is to be published later this year.

I thank the minister for that reply and for sharing my view on the need for urgency in the drive to install clean energy machinery. Will he identify the Scottish, United Kingdom and European Union funding streams that ports such as Scrabster, Scapa Flow and those in the Cromarty Firth can access to speed up what the minister and I both wish to see, which is the development of tidal and wave devices in the Pentland firth and so on?

It is indeed important that we maximise access to all sorts of funding sources for our harbours, and that funds are available from all. That is particularly the case in light of the substantially higher than expected interest from developers, as a result of the Crown Estate's recent round 1 leasing programme for the area. We will keep a very close eye on funding from all possible sources.

One possible funding source is the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, which has very deep pockets. I am thinking of the on-going work to decommission Dounreay. Can the minister give an assurance that, when he comes to consider the potential of harbours including Scrabster and Wick, he will co-ordinate closely with the NDA with a view to getting as much money as possible from the authority for those two harbours?

I am always a very good friend of anyone with deep pockets. The NDA is certainly a key player in the far north of Scotland, where it plays a very important role. I would be very happy to discuss with the NDA any role that it could play in the development of harbour and wider transport infrastructure.

The minister will be aware that the best tidal energy resource in Scotland is to be found in the central part of the Pentland Firth, which is—as he will also be aware—an international shipping channel. Will he ensure that steps are taken to reduce the risk of conflicts between tidal energy development and the safety of those at sea? Will he work with the Crown Estate and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to ensure that the issues are given the highest priority?

Mr Macdonald is entirely correct to point to the potential for conflict and to identify by his reference to the MCA the need for different jurisdictions to work closely together to ensure that their respective responsibilities are focused on the same direction. He can be assured that we will do that.

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Public Spending Advances

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the advances made to it by Her Majesty's Treasury to allow it to accelerate public spending in the recession should be paid back. (S3O-6552)

In his pre-budget report, the Chancellor of the Exchequer offered us the opportunity to have early access to some capital spending provided that it is repaid in 2010-11. That is the basis on which we took up the offer. It would be nice not to have to pay it back, but I believe that that would be a difficult case to argue.

The real point of the question is to draw attention to the grave risk in implementing the changes to the United Kingdom budget from that which we expected for 2010-11. The consequence of the Whitehall baseline changes and the Chancellor of the Exchequer's so-called efficiency savings is a reduction to capital. My answer on that is that those cuts should not be made. Over many weeks and at every opportunity, both the First Minister and I have made urgent representations to the Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury on the matter.

I am grateful for that response. I appreciate that not having to repay money may be beyond the powers even of our estimable Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, but there is an important point on which I wish to press him further. I understand perfectly what he says about the timing of any repayments, but I seek from him an assurance that when we talk about the repayment of moneys, the Government is not against the principle of repayment but is concerned about the timing of any repayments.

Mr Finnie makes a fair distinction. When the chancellor produces his budget on 22 April, we will have further information on the likely profile of public expenditure in 2010-11, when the sums of money in question fall liable to be repaid. In my estimation, the economic situation has changed significantly since the chancellor set out his expectations in the pre-budget report, in which he made it clear that the accelerated capital expenditure would be required to be repaid in 2010-11.

As a consequence of the fact that the chancellor's prediction that the recession is likely to improve by the third quarter of 2009 is unlikely to be realised, the issue that Mr Finnie raises—whether it would be appropriate to repay the accelerated public expenditure in 2010-11—is substantial. As things stand, I am concerned that there will be a significant drop-off in public expenditure in 2010-11, at a crucial time of economic recovery, so I would be happy to discuss with Mr Finnie and his colleagues in due course how we might marshal the arguments to protect the continuity of public expenditure through what will be a difficult economic recovery.

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BAA Airports Ltd<br />(Competition Commission Report)

To ask the Scottish Government what it considers the implications to be for transport policy, tourism and the economy of the recommendations in the Competition Commission's report in relation to the future of BAA airports in Scotland. (S3O-6494)

Competition in the airport sector can drive investment, innovation and the further development of Scotland's direct international air links, which can make Scotland more accessible for inbound tourists and improve business connectivity, thereby contributing to sustainable growth in the Scottish economy.

The minister will recall that I have written to him on the issue on a number of occasions. Does he share my concern that every opportunity to ensure that local authorities and other parts of the public sector that have an interest in having at least an equity share in any BAA airport that is sold should be explored? Does he agree that their having such a stake might allow for the greater pursuance of strategic transport, tourism, environmental and economic objectives?

The member may be aware, as others are, that the top-performing Scottish airport in the Which? survey of user satisfaction—Inverness airport—is publicly owned. I take the opportunity to congratulate the staff and management there for that highly significant achievement.

It is clear, therefore, that it is possible to have well-performing public airports. If local authorities are in a position to come to the view that they should take an equity share in any particular airport that is sold off by BAA in Scotland, we will watch the outcomes with interest and hope that they take the opportunity to emulate the top-notch performance at Inverness airport.

What is the minister's view on the planned 12 per cent reduction in the number of flights from Glasgow airport this summer? Is he alive to the danger of asset stripping prior to any sale of Glasgow airport?

I suspect that the reduction in the number of flights is more a reflection of the difficult economic circumstances in which we find ourselves. If BAA were to decide that Glasgow airport is to be sold, I am sure that it would be in its interest to ensure that flight numbers are maintained to maximise its return. If the member feels that there are issues that I can respond to directly, I would be happy to interact with him further.

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Edinburgh Trams Project (Funding)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that adequate funding is made available to the City of Edinburgh Council to enable the completion of the tram project. (S3O-6479)

The Scottish Government has agreed to provide £500 million. Any funding beyond that to enable completion of the project is entirely a matter for the City of Edinburgh Council.

I thank the minister for his reply but I hope that I can change his mind. I hope that he will take comfort from the fact that the project has a new boss, Richard Jeffrey, who has already shown that he can run a very big project extremely well. Added to that, since "not a penny more, not a penny less" was said about the cost of the tram project in Edinburgh, things have changed. We now desperately need the jobs that the project affords. All that I ask is that the minister display the same flexibility and imagination in relation to end-of-year spending that he displayed yesterday in relation to the Dunfermline Building Society.

On the issue of end-year flexibility in general—nothing to do with the Edinburgh trams—I advise Margo MacDonald that the Government can deploy end-year flexibility only when we have the consent of Her Majesty's Treasury and after we have declared something as end-year flexibility. The point that the First Minister made yesterday on the Dunfermline Building Society was entirely contingent on agreement by Her Majesty's Treasury that the Scottish Government could use some of that end-year flexibility at that time and in that fashion.

As Parliament knows, I have negotiated with the United Kingdom Government a three-year approach to the utilisation of end-year flexibility, which is factored into the Government's spending plans. There are no other facilities within our existing spending plans to increase financial support for the trams. If I were to do that, I would have to take resources from another part of the Scottish Government's budget. We have made it abundantly clear, in Parliament and by correspondence, that the Government will contribute £500 million. That is the limit of our commitment to the project.

I share Margo MacDonald's concerns about the fact that Edinburgh council tax payers will pay any additional costs that the project incurs. Will the cabinet secretary ensure that, unless we get an assurance from Transport Initiatives Edinburgh that the project will be delivered on time and on budget—something that now seems highly unlikely—it is the responsibility of the politicians in the Parliament and in Edinburgh City Chambers who voted for the project to explain to the residents of Edinburgh what impact their decision will have on other services in the city?

I am sure that it will be clear to members of the public where the political support for the tram project came from, in Parliament and in the City of Edinburgh Council. For the record, the Government lost the vote in Parliament when it proposed that the project should not proceed. We accepted the will of Parliament on that occasion and we have made clear the limit of the resources that we will make available for the project. That is the approach that we have taken in the discussions regarding the Edinburgh tram project.

In my answer to Margo MacDonald, I should have said that I welcome Richard Jeffrey to his post as the chief executive of TIE and wish him well in his job.

The response from Mr Swinney's ministerial colleague to a number of questions that I asked about the tram project was that it is a matter strictly for the City of Edinburgh Council. The cabinet secretary repeated that in his answer to Margo MacDonald. I remind him that £236 million has so far been invoiced from public funds to enable the project to go ahead. Can he assure me that ministers and Transport Scotland are not entirely disengaged from the process of delivering the project or from the expenditure of public money that is associated with it?

The cabinet secretary will recall that he has been in power for nearly two years and that the SNP shares the power in the City of Edinburgh Council. I am afraid that the responsibility rests with him.

I really enjoy Mr McNulty's gymnastics on the floor of Parliament. It was Mr McNulty, perhaps from where Mr Park is sitting just now, who lambasted and berated the Government, demanding that it accept the will of Parliament. Indeed, Mr McNulty was party to dragooning the Government into proceeding with the project. So it is a bit rich for Mr McNulty to come here today and start the usual Labour Party reinvention of history and wriggle out of responsibilities that he and his reckless parliamentary colleagues forced on this Government.

I assure Mr McNulty that the Government takes seriously its responsibilities for managing and distributing public spending in every respect, whether the funding is deployed on behalf of a local authority, a public body or, in the case of the tram project, the City of Edinburgh Council.

We should be spared Mr McNulty's reinventing history for his own convenience in Parliament today.

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Highland Council (Transport)

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to assist Highland Council to find long-term alternative transport options in light of the recent decision by the Royal Mail to withdraw five post-bus routes in Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire. (S3O-6525)

I have written to, and the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism has met, Royal Mail to urge it to work with Highland Council to find a way to continue those vital rural bus services. The Scottish Government is already providing local government in Scotland with record levels of funding over the period 2008 to 2011. It is the responsibility of each local authority to allocate its total financial resources on the basis of local needs and priorities, which include the subsidy of local bus services.

The minister has said in previous answers to similar questions that he will put in place someone to advise Highland Council on rural transport options and funding. No matter how worthy the person might be, would not the money for that post be better spent on front-line services? Decisions on post buses were taken after budget settlements were made. If the post has to be funded from Highland Council's pot of money, it will mean cuts in other areas. Will the minister provide the finance?

The advice provided by the person who will be appointed will be for all councils in Scotland. That is on top of the funding per capita for buses that the Scottish Government provides, which is more than 20 per cent higher than that in Wales and in England outside London. Our support for buses is very substantial.

The member would have to be accountable to the 31 other councils that would be denied the opportunity to have the advice and encouragement that would improve their bus services if we diverted the modest amount of money involved in providing an individual who will promote bus services with councils. I intend to proceed on the basis that was previously advised.

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Glasgow Crossrail

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will approve the Glasgow crossrail project. (S3O-6518)

Improving cross-Glasgow connections is an important part of the west of Scotland rail enhancements recommended by the strategic transport projects review.

Transport Scotland is working in partnership to develop a delivery plan for the package. That work will examine the interactions of the crossrail proposal with the proposed wider strategic enhancements.

I am sure that the minister will be aware that my constituents in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth would benefit greatly from any cross-Glasgow improvements. Will the minister give me an assurance that the crucial need for cross-Glasgow connectivity is still paramount in his considerations? Will he give timescales for implementation of the enhancements proposed in the SPTR, including the light metro system?

I certainly agree with the member's observation about the importance of providing Cumbernauld—and many other communities—with cross-Glasgow access.

We had an initial meeting with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Network Rail, First ScotRail and Glasgow City Council on 7 January. A steering group has been established to progress work, which we hope will be completed around the middle of this year.

The difficulty is the constraints in particular parts of the network south of Glasgow Central station, where the longer-term needs—the commitment is already made to improve railway services to the south-west of Glasgow—make it very difficult to consider short-term issues without tackling the long-term ones. Nonetheless, the steering group will show us the way to make progress. There is substantial collaboration and co-operation among all the bodies with an interest, and I remain optimistic that we will deliver a plan in early course.

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Aberdeen City Council (Finances)

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Aberdeen City Council about its financial situation. (S3O-6512)

I have had a number of exchanges with Aberdeen City Council regarding its current financial situation over the last year.

The cabinet secretary will be aware of the funding problems of Aberdeen City Council in finding finances to enable it to proceed with the 3Rs project, which is to provide badly needed new schools in the city. Following the financial problems of Landsbanki, which has been financing the scheme, has the cabinet secretary had any further dialogue with the council on how the Scottish Government might be able to provide the council with support to ensure that the project can go ahead?

The Government has, of course, been in touch with Aberdeen City Council on this matter and discussions are on-going. We will continue that dialogue with Aberdeen City Council. Obviously, the primary responsibility for resolving the issue rests with Aberdeen City Council, which is the contracting party for the project. However, the Government will, of course, maintain its dialogue with the council on this question.

Does the cabinet secretary welcome, as I do, the progress that has been made by Aberdeen City Council—since the Scottish National Party took control in the city and in this Parliament—in redressing its historical spending problems? Will he join me in welcoming the restructuring of Aberdeen City Council's top tier of management as a result of last May's inquiry by the Accounts Commission? The tier now includes a new post of economic development project manager.

A whole programme of action has been implemented by Aberdeen City Council to repair a budget problem that we all know has grown up over many years. The problem had reached the point at which the Accounts Commission had to take necessary action. I required the city council to follow the recommendations of the Accounts Commission.

Good progress is being made by Aberdeen City Council. It is having to take tough decisions, but it is doing so in a mature fashion. The council is also benefiting from the injection of new direction that has come about following the appointment of Sue Bruce as its chief executive. She is building on the substantial progress that was made by the acting chief executive, Mr Coomber, who took office as a consequence of the intervention of the Accounts Commission and the Government. The city council obviously has some distance to go in completing the challenge that it faces, but good progress has been made, and I welcome that.

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Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Meetings)

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth last met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the impact of the equal pay settlement on local authorities. (S3O-6538)

Under the concordat arrangements, I meet COSLA regularly. Those meetings have included discussion about funding pressures, including the costs associated with the equal pay settlement that local government is implementing.

On 18 March at the Local Government and Communities Committee, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing agreed with the view of Glyn Hawker of Unison that equal pay is about taking women out of poverty. The cabinet secretary said that she would raise the issue with her colleagues in cabinet. What discussions has the finance secretary had with his colleagues? What influence does he have to ensure that we break the logjam that is denying justice to some of the lowest-paid female workers in Scotland?

Mr McNeil will know from my discussions with the Local Government and Communities Committee, of which he is the convener, that the Government takes the issue seriously. Fundamentally and properly, it is an issue for local government to resolve, and many local authorities around the country are taking steps to address these questions. Many local authorities, if not all, have made financial provision to tackle the problem.

The issue of equal pay has not just appeared in the past couple of years but been with us for a significant number of years. However, I note that it engages local authorities in working towards a solution. Of course, the Government is also engaged in that discussion, and will continue to be so.

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Superfast Broadband

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on when the superfast broadband that is to be offered to some internet users in Glasgow and Edinburgh next year will be rolled out across Scotland. (S3O-6554)

Other than parts of Glasgow and Edinburgh, as per BT's announcement of 20 March, we have yet to hear specific plans for the further roll out of superfast broadband in Scotland, However, we continue to engage proactively with BT to seek clarification of its roll-out plans.

Although I welcome the fact that some customers in Scotland will soon have access to broadband speeds of up to 40 megabits per second, I am concerned about the growing digital divide that is opening up in Scotland. I accept that the current Government has continued to roll out broadband and is building on the work of, and some funding that was set aside by, the previous Executive.

Will the minister agree that access to good quality broadband services is increasingly key to sustaining businesses and communities in our remote and island areas? Does he accept that there is now an overwhelming case for a universal service obligation to be put in place, to ensure that all parts of the country benefit from current and future advances in technology? What assurances can he give my constituents that this Government has learned the lesson from the rural priorities scheme—that making Government services accessible exclusively online further disadvantages those who do not have access to quality high-speed broadband?

In responding to the United Kingdom Government's "Digital Britain" interim report, we were supportive of the universal commitment, and Scottish Government officials continue to engage directly with the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, although the United Kingdom Government is yet to articulate its position on that matter.

Next week, we are running a session that will bring together the Office of Communications, public bodies, business organisations and people from telecommunications and computer companies. Liam McArthur and others who are proactively interested in the area are welcome to take part in that meeting. Following that, we will commission further research to strengthen the case for future broadband investment.

Although I welcome the news of BT's investment, I have, as Liam McArthur has, concerns that the roll-out will mean that, at the end of the day, parts of urban Scotland and big towns in Scotland will have access to broadband speeds of up to 40 megabits per second, while very rural areas might have access to broadband speeds as low as half a megabit, which might mean that the gap will widen rather than narrow.

Would the minister support efforts, with Ofcom, to encourage BT to change the habits of a lifetime and invest early in the remote areas of Scotland, not just in our cities and big towns?

As a member who represents a rural constituency, I continue to have that dialogue. However, it is evident that an adequate broadband speed of around 2 megabits per second allows businesses to move forward and, in the current economic climate, we need to focus on getting more businesses active in rural areas. At the moment, the extremely high broadband speeds are mainly aimed at gaming and entertainment. Let us for now focus on making the most of what we have. We are well ahead of what is happening elsewhere in Europe, and we can ensure that rural businesses benefit from broadband as it exists at the moment.

From the Highlands to the Borders, rural areas need that kind of broadband coverage and, indeed, the momentum of investment that started with the pathfinder north and the pathfinder south projects under the previous Administration.

In discussions that I have had with BT on the first tranche of the roll-out, I have not been made aware of any formal Scottish Government submission to BT to press the need for investment in rural parts of Scotland, including the Borders. Can the minister confirm whether any minister has made a formal submission to BT? If that has been done, when was it done, and will he publish it?

We are involved in clear and open engagement with BT. Jeremy Purvis is welcome to sit in on the session that I mentioned earlier and to help us frame the research that we hope to conduct as a result of that session.

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North Ayrshire (Employment)

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to increase the number of employment opportunities available in North Ayrshire. (S3O-6543)

The Scottish Government remains focused on delivering our core purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth across Scotland, including Ayrshire.

Through our Government economic strategy and our six-point programme for economic recovery, we are using all the levers that we have at our disposal to lead Scotland out of this downturn and to position our economy to take early advantage of the recovery. That includes the acceleration of nearly £293 million in capital expenditure into 2009-10, on top of £30 million in 2008-09, which will support 5,800 jobs across Scotland. Many of those employment opportunities will be in Ayrshire.

The minister will be aware that, as at February 2009, unemployment in my constituency of Cunninghame South was the highest in Scotland, at 6.3 per cent, compared with the national average of 3.8 per cent. This week, the NACCO Materials Handling Group closed the doors of its fork-lift truck factory after many years in Irvine. Does the minister agree that there is simply no room for complacency in Cunninghame South? Will he consider direct intervention, including the relocation of civil service jobs to the area? The previous Scottish Executive relocated the Accountant in Bankruptcy to Kilwinning, as well as undertaking large transport infrastructure projects.

In essence, we are continuing to focus on all areas of Scotland, trying to bring them up to a better level and encouraging them to take part with us in a mechanism whereby we activate the local community and local businesses and make the best possible proposition to garner other investment in the area. I look forward to continuing to do that with Ayrshire.

Will the minister join me in calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, to use his budget to boost jobs by introducing a trade-in scheme to boost new car sales, cutting VAT on home improvements, and ending the alcohol duty discrimination against Scotch whisky, which is putting jobs at risk in my constituency?

I thank Willie Coffey for those constructive ideas. I am sure that they will get serious consideration at Westminster. We will certainly consider them carefully in Scotland as we make our budget submission to the chancellor.

Questions 11 and 12 have been withdrawn.

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Bus Manufacturing (Support)

To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it is giving to supporting bus manufacturing. (S3O-6497)

The Scottish Government provides a wide range of support to manufacturing companies, including bus manufacturing companies. That support is delivered through Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Development International, local authorities and Skills Development Scotland.

We are committed to supporting all manufacturers in Scotland to improve their productivity and ensure that they can compete globally. The Scottish manufacturing advisory service, which is delivered by Scottish Enterprise, is in the process of expansion. Industry-experienced practitioners work with enterprises throughout Scotland to increase the value of their products and businesses and advise them, as required, on lean manufacturing, waste reduction, process efficiency and product innovation.

The minister will be aware that Scotland's largest bus manufacturer, Alexander Dennis Ltd, which is based in Falkirk in my constituency, recently announced 150 redundancies. Will the minister assure me that the Government and its agencies are doing everything possible to support the company at present? Also, will the Government consider encouraging bus operators in Scotland to consider using hybrid buses? That would not only benefit our environment, but help to boost our economy through companies such as Alexander Dennis, which is a world leader in that area of technology.

I am very conscious of that. I met Bill Simpson of Alexander Dennis when he was selling to the Mexican president in Aberdeen on Tuesday 31 March. Yesterday, Scottish Enterprise officials met Alexander Dennis, the local council and Scotland Europa. We are determined to do everything we can to help Alexander Dennis through these difficult times. We will check out every possible opportunity for the company and help it to encourage sales. Scottish Development International has been working with the company to identify opportunities through the World Bank, and recently it participated in a focused mission to the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, which followed up on a meeting that we had with President Moreno of the Inter-American Development Bank in Edinburgh last year.

In response to an earlier question, the minister said that there is to be a manufacturing summit, which I understand will take place later this month. However, that event will be only two hours in the Parliament. Does the minister agree that the right approach to take at the present time would be to hold another larger event that would take a proactive stance and kick-start consideration of manufacturing?

The manufacturing summit is one of a series of events. We have already had two sessions on engineering and one on manufacturing. It will be a serious session. I was distressed today to see reports in the press that suggest that some members think that it will be a facile gathering. We have had 86 such gatherings, all of which were serious events that came out with action points.

We will begin our work on the next meeting with the action points that emanated from the previous one, and we will issue to members who will attend the questions that were asked at the national economic forum. These meetings have serious inputs and a serious focus, and the work that is carried out at them will continue beyond them.

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Buildings' Energy Performance (Measurement)

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the most efficient way to obtain and register accurate measurements of the energy performance of buildings. (S3O-06480)

For calculating energy use in buildings based on standardised occupancy patterns for different building types, the Government uses as its calculation tools the standard assessment procedure 2005 for dwellings and the simplified building energy model for non-domestic buildings. The tools calculate only the energy loads that are directly associated with the building—that is, lighting, heating and cooling—and do not take account of process loads or the use of domestic appliances.

We welcome the UK Government's announcement of the roll-out of smart meters to all domestic customers by the end of 2020. Indications are that it will take around two years to design and establish the full details of the roll-out, after which there will be a 10-year roll-out period.

This is a highly technical and complicated issue. Will the minister meet me and my advisers so that we can bring to his attention a paper that points the way to methods of measurement that are far more efficient, quicker and easier to apply than current methods. I apologise for not sending him the paper in advance of my asking this question.

I am always prepared to listen to good ideas, wherever they come from, and I will be happy to sit down with Mr Harper and see what he has come up with.

A recent Audit Scotland report entitled "Improving energy efficiency" has stated:

"In 90 per cent of councils, energy management teams or officers are in place, compared to only 59 per cent of NHS bodies and 36 per cent of central government bodies."

Why is the central Government figure so low?

We in central Government have taken considerable steps to reduce the cost of, and to green, the energy that we use. For example, we are looking at replacing the heating system in St Andrew's house and are carrying out similar activities elsewhere in our estate. We are actively engaged in stepping up to the mark on this important issue.

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Scottish Futures Trust

To ask the Scottish Executive what construction projects the Scottish Futures Trust has pending. (S3O-6531)

The Scottish Futures Trust is taking forward a series of community-focused projects across Scotland as part of the hub initiative, and is working in a supporting role with public sector partners on a range of projects that will be announced over the course of this year. We will also confirm the next part of our schools investment programme, which will involve working with local authorities to take forward capital investment through the SFT.

I thank the cabinet secretary for his answer, but I point out that, despite the fact that 832 schools throughout Scotland need to be repaired or replaced, the Scottish Executive has delayed the building of new schools. For example, in my constituency, Fife Council has reneged on its commitment to make Kirkcaldy East school a priority, even though the site is in an area that is both a regeneration area and an area of high deprivation.

Will the cabinet secretary explain why the SFT board has met only twice in seven months? According to the Scottish Building Federation, that situation has prompted delays that have resulted in 20,000 people in the construction industry losing their jobs.

I am not sure whether Marilyn Livingstone joined us for yesterday's debate on the Finance Committee's report on methods of funding capital investment projects. If she had, she would have heard me say that the SFT is taking forward a range of different projects as part of the dialogue that it is having, and the requirement that the Government has placed upon it. Much of that activity is focused on the hub initiative in the north-east and south-east of Scotland and the next part of the schools investment programme.

Marilyn Livingstone should be also aware of the Government's extensive capital investment programme, which is carrying on regardless of the arrangements for the Scottish Futures Trust. The total capital investment in the forthcoming financial year will be approximately £4 billion, and construction activity is going on in every part of the country.

As we all know, there has been a clear decline in the construction sector as a consequence of the global economic position. However, I assure Marilyn Livingstone that the Government has seized—and will continue to seize—every opportunity to accelerate capital investment and to support and sustain activity in the construction industry in Scotland.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I realise that you only came into the chair a few seconds ago. Question 10 was specifically about North Ayrshire and, although I had been waiting since 2.15 to ask a supplementary question, the Presiding Officer instead took a question from my colleague Mr Coffey, who does not represent North Ayrshire. When questions are asked about a specific area, is not it appropriate for members who represent that area to be given priority in asking supplementary questions, especially when that supplementary is to do with the member's constituency?

I understand Kenneth Gibson's point of view, but selection of speakers is a matter solely for the Presiding Officer. If you wish to take the matter further, you should write to the Presiding Officer.