Plenary, 02 Sep 1999

Meeting date: Thursday, September 2, 1999

Official Report 773KB pdf

---

Question Time

I remind members of what the standing orders say about question time. They provide that

"a member may ask a supplementary question only on the same subject matter as the original question and shall, in asking the question, do so briefly."

I intend to implement that standing order this afternoon.

---

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

---

“The Scotland Bill: A Guide”

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it still endorses the contents of "The Scotland Bill: A Guide", published by the Scottish Office in December 1997. (S10-203)

As Mike Russell has said, the guide was published in 1997 and was an accurate description of the Scotland Bill and of how the white paper proposals were being translated into legislative form. The process, which was completed with the passing of the Scotland Act 1998, was widely welcomed in Scotland.

I thank the First Minister for his reply. Indeed the guide was widely welcomed, particularly the section on the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament. Will the First Minister advise his colleagues at Westminster—particularly Mr Brian Donohoe, with whom I am having a series of tedious media debates about the issue—that section 19 of the document says:

"The Parliament will have the power to debate both devolved and reserved matters".

As that statement from the First Minister—and from his previous incarnation as Secretary of State for Scotland—seems definitive, let us hope that, as far as this Parliament and Mr Donohoe are concerned, the matter is at an end. [Applause.]

Some applause is rather easily earned.

The First Minister may also have some applause if he answers properly.

I have made it clear on many occasions that the first priority of this Parliament is to deal with the areas that are devolved to it, which are its responsibilities and its duties. I am very sorry to hear that Mike Russell is involved in tedious public debates, but I am not surprised, as I understand that the Scottish National party is committed to the principle that it should oppose everything and propose nothing. I suggest that a solution to the problem would be for him to desist in the debate, which would also be widely welcomed in Scotland.

---

Tall Ships

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will congratulate Inverclyde Council and its partners on the staging of the recent tall ships event in Greenock. (S1O-204) The Minister for Children and Education (Mr Sam Galbraith): Yes, we would like to congratulate Inverclyde Council and everyone involved in making the event a huge success.

The event was such a success that we made a video and there is a free copy for Sam at the end of question time. For everyone else, it costs £11.99 from Inverclyde District Council.

Does the Executive recognise that while event- based tourism such as the tall ships race boosts an area's image, confidence and self-esteem, long-term gains can be achieved only by supporting the Invest in Inverclyde campaign that seeks to deliver significant benefits by improving infrastructure and by sustainably developing tourism? Such measures allow areas such as Greenock to overcome serious problems that arise from the demise of heavy industry.

I am grateful to the member for his comments. I think I am answering this question on two dubious pretexts: first, that because boats and sailing are involved, the issue is related to sport; secondly, that I come from Greenock, which is where the event was held.

There is no doubt that, when we seek to regenerate and revitalise areas, we have to consider the broad spectrum of available tools, one of which is large sporting events. I want to congratulate not just Inverclyde Council on its outstanding work on the event, but Shetland Islands Council, which saw the next leg of the race. My heartiest congratulations go to both for taking a wide view of their responsibilities and of the way to push their areas forward.

---

Business Start-ups (Internet)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on how it intends to use the internet to provide assistance for business start-ups. (S1O231)

As part of our wider policy of support for the small business sector, the Scottish Executive is keen to improve the provision of information and assistance to business start-ups and other small businesses via the internet. Both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have basic start-up support available through their websites and work is in hand to enhance that considerably over the next few months.

Is the minister aware of a new communications technology recently announced by British Telecom to provide high bandwidth internet access called asynchronous digital subscriber line, which will be rolled out to 10 UK cities by March next year? Does he agree that providing modern communications infrastructure, for instance in Aberdeen and the north-east, will encourage economic activity? That might help to balance the 10,000 jobs which a report this week suggested would be lost in the oil and gas industry in the next 10 years and—

That is enough.

I am aware of the new technology that my colleague mentions. Last Friday, we had a knowledge economy breakfast with industrial and education leaders in Inverness and the matter was important not only for that part of Scotland but for the north-east. I reassure my colleague and the chamber that we are doing everything we can, in Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, to embrace the new technologies.

We assume that items such as e-commerce are the future and that investment is required. More important, we have to work alongside many of the private providers, including BT, to ensure that we have an infrastructure that is fit for business in the next century.

---

Rail Services (Edinburgh–Shotts–Glasgow)

I want to place on record a registrable interest in the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union due to an existing constituency agreement with the Livingston constituency Labour party, and the Transport Salaried Staffs Association is in the process of reaching such a constituency agreement. To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available resources to improve the

frequency and quality of services on the Edinburgh-Shotts-Glasgow railway line. R (S1O225)

We are not aware of any firm proposals for improvement of the frequency and quality of services on this railway line and the development of railway services is primarily a matter for the rail industry. However, should they so choose, local authorities on the route of the line could apply to the Government's public transport fund if they believed that proposals for improving rail services on the line were eligible for support.

Does the minister know whether there is any intention to improve services on other lines connecting Edinburgh and Glasgow and, if there are, whether they will have any beneficial effect on other routes in the ScotRail network?

Not directly as the Scottish Executive. However, the introduction of a four- times-an-hour train service on the Glasgow- Linlithgow-Edinburgh line will lead to a cascade of ScotRail trains throughout the network. Then there will be the possibility of higher quality trains on the Glasgow-Shotts-Edinburgh line.

---

Information Strategy

I, too, have to declare a registered interest. I am currently a member of the Library Association. To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement an integrated information strategy for Scotland. R (S1O-207)

I recognise Fiona McLeod's interest in this issue. The Executive recognises the crucial importance of developing an information strategy for Scotland and is committed to making that happen. We will harness the best ideas from the private and public sectors and make effective use of the best of modern technology.

There are many areas in which we can make a difference. For example, we must ensure that the many publicly funded information networks in Scotland are properly integrated. We are therefore driving forward three initiatives which, taken together, will mark Scotland out as a leader in the information age. They are our work on "Modernising Government", the digital Scotland initiative and developing the knowledge economy.

I am delighted to hear that. Will the minister give members the remit of digital Scotland to ensure that it encompasses all areas of the information profession, which is obviously interested in this, and the members of any working group that will be set up to look at that?

As my colleague is aware, a ministerial sub-committee on digital Scotland has been established under the chairmanship of Mr Galbraith. He will make a statement to the chamber in the autumn, to outline the details of our initiative and how it will be progressed.

I am delighted to hear about the sub-committee on digital Scotland, because I have been trying to find out about it since 2 July when I spoke to Mr McLeish. I would appreciate some early information on the remit and membership of digital Scotland.

We will be happy to provide as much information as possible in due course, at the appropriate time. Given Fiona McLeod's interest, it would be helpful if we could use her expertise and glean ideas from her as the strategy develops.

---

CCTV

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to monitor the effectiveness of town and city centre closed-circuit television systems. (S1O-223) The Deputy Minister for Justice (Angus MacKay): The Scottish Executive central research unit is conducting research into the effectiveness of CCTV schemes funded by the former Scottish Office—now Scottish Executive—CCTV challenge competition. An initial findings report will be available in the autumn, followed by a comprehensive report thereafter.

Some of my most vulnerable constituents have told me that they feel like prisoners in their own homes. Does the minister share my fears, in the face of the immense problems that crime presents to us all, that there may be a temptation for us to become dazzled by the quick technological fix, when more low-key, personal strategies for crime prevention may be more effective?

Does the minister also agree that CCTV must be monitored effectively, openly and honestly in order that we can support it on the effective rather than simplyfashionable? basis that it is because it is Finally, does the minister—

That is enough.

The purpose of the monitoring that is under way is to ensure the effectiveness of the current schemes and future expenditure. The community safety challenge competition, which was launched in August for 2000-01, contains provision for £3 million-worth of challenge funding; £1.5 million for new CCTV schemes or extensions to existing schemes and £1.5 million for new

community safety initiatives, precisely to recognise that community safety embraces more than just CCTV. We are looking for innovative new schemes to be developed.

---

Rail Services (Glasgow to Cumbernauld)

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it has provided to enable improvements to be made to the Glasgow to Cumbernauld rail link and whether it intends to fund any new stations on this route. (S1O-222) The Minister for Transport and the Environment (Sarah Boyack): An application to the public transport fund has been lodged by North Lanarkshire Council for the opening of a new station at Gartcosh. I await the outcome of the application with interest.

The provision of a new station on the Glasgow to Cumbernauld line is welcome. I know that my constituents in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth welcome the programme of investments at Cumbernauld station and at Croy station, which is on the Glasgow to Edinburgh line.

Ask a question, please.

I am sure that the improvements to the station and to parking facilities, combined with the improvements to the timetable, will encourage more people to use the railway. However, will the minister continue to work with all those concerned to deliver a new station at Abronhill? Will she inform Parliament of the Executive's plans for further investment in our railway network?

We have plans for £18.3 million for this year and the next two years under the Freight Facilities Grant; £90 million will be available over the next three years for the Public Transport Fund, while £14 million will be available from the Rural Transport Fund.

In addition, there are payments to Strathclyde Passenger Transport from the Scottish Executive for rail passenger services provided by ScotRail, which will amount to £88.3 million for 1999-2000. Under devolution, the Scottish Executive will secure responsibility for funding the rest of the ScotRail franchise; this year this is worth £120.4 million.

---

Poverty

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has set targets for the elimination of poverty in Scotland. (S1O192) The Deputy Minister for Communities (Jackie Baillie): As announced on 29 June, the development of targets for social inclusion is being progressed by the ministerial task force on poverty and inclusion led by Wendy Alexander.

Two weeks ago, the Secretary of State for Social Security set a target for the UK of taking 1.25 million out of poverty. Even if that target is achieved, it will leave more than 1 million people in Scotland in poverty. What is the minister intending to do to take those people out of poverty? Does she agree that it is impossible to eliminate poverty in Scotland while benefit cuts are imposed from London?

As ever, Mr Neil poses an interesting question.

The targets are currently being developed and, as Mr Neil will appreciate, there is no single definition of poverty. It is partly to do with low income, but includes wider issues such as lack of access to work, poor health, poor education and so on. We will develop a comprehensive set of targets that are appropriate for Scotland.

---

Bus Services (Lanarkshire)

To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to improve the frequency of bus services in Lanarkshire. (S1O-219) The Minister for Transport and the Environment (Sarah Boyack): We propose to introduce legislation later this session. Our aim is to improve bus quality and frequency by giving a statutory basis to quality partnerships, by setting new standards for timetabling, through ticketing and enforcement, and by making arrangements for quality contracts where appropriate.

I thank the minister for her answer. I am sure that all of my Lanarkshire colleagues will agree that the improvement of bus services is essential to the regeneration of Lanarkshire.

What steps is the Scottish Executive able to take to help with the affordability of bus transport in Lanarkshire, as that is a major barrier to people using bus services?

In a deregulated market, it is for the bus companies to set fares. Through quality partnerships, we will encourage bus companies to introduce simpler and fairer ticketing schemes and to try to reduce costs. The hope is that generating greater bus use will bring the price of bus services down and the system will be made more straightforward and provide a wider range of good tickets.

---

Parliamentary Questions

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish an audit of the parliamentary questions it has been asked, broken down by MSP and topic. (S1O-206) The Minister for Parliament (Mr Tom McCabe): I am arranging for an audit of the approximately 1,300 written questions that have been lodged and prepared to date. Such information will be helpful to the Parliament in considering whether we are promoting the most effective dissemination of information and using resources efficiently.

Given that more than 1,300 questions have been asked, amounting to an expenditure of over £130,000 by this Parliament on questions—according to information obtained in response to a previous question—will the Scottish Executive consider, when responding to Parliamentary questions, indicating whether the information requested is already in the public domain, in order to ensure that we are making appropriate use of public funds and not wasting them?

If the information is in the public domain, we are happy to consider where it lies. If the Executive is not the main source of the information, we are also happy to consider which would be the appropriate body to provide it, and to highlight the answers where the information is clearly already public or is available from a source other than the Executive. There are concerns about value-for-money issues and about the most effective use of the Parliament's, and the Executive's, resources.

---

Tourism

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it intends to take to address the decline in the number of tourists visiting Scotland. (S1O233) The Deputy Minister for Highlands and Islands and Gaelic (Mr Alasdair Morrison): I will publish a new strategy for the industry around the end of the year. It will address all relevant issues.

I thank the minister for his response. I also thank Henry McLeish for his time when he met me last Friday to hear major concerns raised by the tourism industry in the Highlands and Islands. I welcome his approach to working together.

Prior to the November budget, will the Scottish Executive make strong representations to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to alleviate or reduce the crippling duty on fuel that is such a major part of the budget for a holiday in a rural area?

As Mrs Scanlon knows, we are currently consulting on tourism and we are delighted that we have had 400 responses to date. Anecdotal evidence suggests that fuel might possibly impact on the number of visitors to the Highlands, but that is only part of the matter. A great number of other considerations have to be taken into account, such as the price and quality of accommodation. Those issues are being addressed in our strategy and in our consultation exercise.

---

Housing

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will deal with submissions and responses to the green paper "Investing in Modernisation—an Agenda for Scotland's Housing". (S1O-221) The Minister for Communities (Ms Wendy Alexander): I thank Bill Aitken for his question, as it gives me an opportunity, on behalf of the Executive, to thank the many organisations and individuals in Scotland who responded to the green paper.

I have today published a summary of the responses and set out the next steps that the Executive is going to take, including our plans to publish a draft housing bill in the first half of next year.

I am obliged to the minister for her response. Does she agree that the lack of investment in public sector housing is one of the major issues facing her remit? Does she also agree that the housing partnership proposals, as outlined in that green paper and as first enunciated by my friend Lord James Douglas- Hamilton when he was the housing minister, provide an appropriate response to that difficulty? In conclusion, will she undertake to expedite matters?

I am somewhat puzzled by the invitation that Bill has extended to me. I will try to encourage him by saying that the sum of £464 million which we inherited, which was planned by the Conservative Administration, will have been increased to £640 million by the end of the comprehensive spending review period. That is an increase of 40 per cent above the planned level. I would, however, like to say that the challenge is not simply about accessing public investment, but much more fundamentally about accessing other investment in partnership with the public sector. That is one of the fundamental challenges on housing policy that faces this Parliament.

---

Cattle Cull

To ask the Scottish Executive how many storage units exist in Scotland containing animal remains resulting from the BSE cattle cull and what are their locations. (S1O-201)

Two. One at Ratho and the other in Glenrothes.

The minister may be aware that the disposal of this render material from the BSE cattle cull is causing particular concern to people living in the Saline and Blairingone areas of Fife, Clackmannanshire and Perth and Kinross conjoined boundaries. In view of that concern, can the minister tell the Parliament how many tonnes of this material are still in storage, what methods have been deployed for disposal and what methods will be used in future?

There are 22,300 tonnes of that material at Ratho, and 49,800 tonnes is held at Glenrothes. As Mr Crawford will be aware, it was never the intention that this material be stored, because the EU regulation lays down that it should be incinerated. Unfortunately, at the time of that regulation—this is an important point to make— while there was sufficient incinerator capacity to deal with the animals that were already suspected of having BSE, there was insufficient capacity in Scotland and in the United Kingdom to deal with animals in the over-30-months scheme. The intervention board, which acts on our behalf in dealing with this, has now placed three contracts with incinerators. A further two are being negotiated and the intervention board has been given a target of achieving a 60 per cent disposal of the present stock by no later than March 2002.

Can I ask for the minister's assurance that none of the BSE rendered material that is held in the storage units will at any stage be disposed of by dispersal on land?

I can give a categorical assurance on that.

---

Disabled People

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve public services for the disabled. (S1O-226) The Deputy Minister for Communities (Jackie Baillie): A new equality unit is being set up within the Scottish Executive. Its remit will include promotion of a greater awareness of the needs of people with disabilities in service planning and delivery.

Will the minister agree with me that people with disabilities need equal access to services, and the independence to access those services? Some of my constituents with disabilities are currently working in partnership with the local authority to establish a shop mobility scheme in Airdrie which will enable them to shop in the town and to access the local authority's service centres for social work and housing. I hope that the minister—

We must have a question.

There is a question. I hope—

Hoping is not a question.

I hope that the minister will give me a commitment to support and resource local authorities to introduce and improve schemes such as this one. Will she support it?

I entirely agree with Karen Whitefield's earlier sentiments. In general terms, the regulations provided for by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 to improve access to public service vehicles are being worked up. Specifically, we would all accept that shop mobility schemes can be an important help to the disabled. It is primarily for local authorities to develop those schemes at a local level, and I encourage them to do so with disability groups and with existing community transport schemes.

---

Employment (Forth Valley, Fife and Lothian)

To ask the Scottish Executive if it is aware of new employment opportunities identified by the local enterprise companies covering the Forth valley, Fife and Lothian areas. (S1W-245)

The ministers and officials in the enterprise and lifelong learning department maintain a regular dialogue with Scottish Enterprise and with local enterprise companies to discuss the promotion of economic development and the identification of new employment opportunities. One very good example in Margo MacDonald's area of Lothian, which also involved Locate in Scotland, was the announcement—with the First Minister—earlier this week of 1,500 new jobs at the Bathgate plant of Quintiles.

I, too, am delighted to hear about the Quintiles announcement. I also welcome what Henry McLeish said at the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee meeting yesterday about the rapid response unit that has to be established.

I also very much approved of the improved intelligence gathering—

Can we have a question, Margo?

I am flattering Henry, with all due respect. [Laughter.]

Is Nicol Stephen able to share with us the result of any discussions between public agencies within his ministerial domain and the management of Babcock at Rosyth about the future size of its work force?

Even flattery must be in the form of a question.

I am not able to say anything about that issue directly. Clearly, the Scottish Executive wants to encourage new enterprise and new start-ups; it wants to grow existing enterprise and encourage inward investment.

A good example of that, announced today, was the investment of £60 million by Motorola at South Queensferry and the creation of 200 jobs there.

Babcock, please.

That is the sort of commitment that we want companies to make to the areas to which Margo MacDonald refers. It shows great confidence in Scotland, in Lothian and in the work force at South Queensferry.

On a point of order. I did ask about Babcock, and although I am highly delighted about Motorola and the rest, there is such an enormous work force and such a huge element of the Scottish economy represented at Babcock that I should have an answer on that.

I will treat that as a supplementary question rather than as a point of order.

I think that I explained that, at this stage, because of the confidential nature of discussions—

There are discussions?

There are many issues that the Executive, Locate in Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and the local enterprise companies are involved in. I am not able to say anything further at this stage, but I will take up the matter and the concern expressed by Margo MacDonald. If I am able to give her any information in addition to what I have just said, I will do so.

---

Warm Deal Grants

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on what provision is being made to promote the take-up of warm deal grants to pensioners and families on low incomes. (S1O-238) The Deputy Minister for Local Government (Mr Frank McAveety): The warm deal registered installers have contractual responsibility for publicising the scheme in their areas. In addition, we propose to promote the scheme through organisations such as Help the Aged, Energy Action Scotland and Disability Scotland. A number of warm deal promotional events are also scheduled to take place to coincide with the onset of winter.

How does the scheme relate to other initiatives to tackle fuel poverty?

It is important to stress that the scheme is part of an overall package to tackle fuel poverty in Scotland, in conjunction with our colleagues in the UK Parliament. It complements the UK Government's commitment to reduce the level of VAT on household fuel bills from 8 per cent to 5 per cent, to introduce winter payments for pensioners and to increase income support for needy pensioners, payable from April 2000. Through our strategy, combined with that of our partners in the UK Parliament, we believe that we can journey on the road to tackling fuel poverty in Scotland.

---

Economic Aid (Unst)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is working with the Ministry of Defence in preparing a plan for economic aid to the island of Unst to help replace the jobs to be lost at the RAF Saxa Vord base, and when an announcement on the plan will be made to the people of Unst. (S1O-191) The Deputy Minister for Highlands and Islands and Gaelic (Mr Alasdair Morrison): We will work closely with the Ministry of Defence to assess responses to its current consultation, and will explore with the local community and agencies what action is appropriate.

I am grateful for that reply. I further ask the minister if he will recognise what effect the job losses will have on the economy of a community of 1,000 people in the north of Scotland. The loss of those jobs will mean that 30 per cent of the population, more than 50 per cent of the work force and two thirds of the school roll will potentially go. Therefore, the current 42-day consultation period is not adequate. Will the minister make representations to the Ministry of Defence on the length of the consultation period, and will he consider the designation of the area as initiative on the edge? That could give much- needed stimulus to the area.

I empathise with Tavish Scott. I face a similar situation in the island of Benbecula, although not quite on the same scale. I am grateful to Wendy Alexander, who recently visited the island of Unst and gave me a valuable insight into the situation. We are having a conference on the

island of Harris on 5 November, when the issue of initiative on the edge designation will be discussed. I assure Tavish Scott that I shall visit Unst shortly, and I shall liaise with him and the Deputy First Minister as we continue our dialogue with all the relevant agencies to identify possible options for that community.