Contents
- Scottish Parliament Thursday 3 June 2004
- Economy (Highlands and Islands)
- First Minister's Question Time
- Question Time
- Tenements (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
- Civil Partnership Bill
- Business Motion
- Parliamentary Bureau Motions
- Decision Time
- Asbestos-related Illnesses
Question Time
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Environment and Rural Development
Scottish Water
To ask the Scottish Executive what further measures it is taking to improve the efficiency of Scottish Water. (S2O-2628)
Scottish Water is improving its efficiency year on year. In 2002-03, it became 10 per cent more efficient. I expect further improvements for 2003-04. Scottish Water is required over the four-year period 2002 to 2006 to reduce operating costs while improving services by more than a third and capital procurement costs by a fifth.
The minister's response is about the macro-aspects of Scottish Water, but I want to bring to his attention a couple of micro-aspects that I am sure many other members of the Parliament have come across recently.
The first is the issue of underground bursts. Consistently, Scottish Water's response to such bursts is to ignore them, at least in effect. Scottish Water takes the view that, provided that the water is running into a drain or a culvert, it is not required to take any action, despite the fact that that can often cause great inconvenience to local communities.
Secondly, we are approaching the school holidays, during which fire hydrants seem to become an attractive target for many people. Scottish Water seems not to be liaising closely enough with the Scottish fire service on that issue. When the minister next meets representatives of Scottish Water, will he take up the two issues that I have raised? They may seem fairly small in the grander scheme of things, but they have a considerable impact on local communities and cause a great deal of distress to many constituents.
I thank Mike Watson for making two important points. I am happy to take up with Scottish Water the issue of underground bursts, as I would be disturbed to find out that it was not paying adequate attention to those. I want to address that issue.
The vandalism of fire hydrants is becoming a serious problem. I assure Mike Watson and other members that Scottish Water and the police and fire authorities take the issue very seriously. It may be of interest to the member to know that last year Strathclyde fire brigade, Scottish Water and Strathclyde police had to deal with 4,000 open hydrants and that the cost of doing so came to something in the order of £1 million. Scottish Water is in close touch with the police and the fire authorities on this serious issue. It is a matter of great regret that an element of our society sees fire hydrants as targets for vandalism. The cost of dealing with the problem is considerable. Much more important is the risk that fire brigades arriving at the scene of an incident will be unable to deal with it satisfactorily because a fire hydrant has been vandalised.
I listened with interest to the minister's comments on Scottish Water's efficiency. Is he aware that, in the past week, Scottish Water has announced a total embargo on residential and commercial developments in Perth, despite the fact that it was consulted in the preparation of local plans that were agreed as recently as June 2003? Scottish Water made the announcement without giving any prior warning that there was the slightest difficulty. Does he accept that such an embargo would have a catastrophic effect on the future growth of Perth and will he agree to meet council leaders urgently to discuss solutions to the problem?
I would be very happy to meet council leaders to discuss the problem that Roseanna Cunningham has described. I am disappointed by what has happened. In the previous Scottish Water capital plan, which preceded the creation of Scottish Water, we arrived at a capital programme of £1.8 billion, but now we discover almost on a daily basis that that very substantial programme, which equates to more than 50 per cent of all the civil engineering contracts that are placed in Scotland, is not dealing with some of the problems. There are issues of prioritisation, but I would be happy to meet the council to discuss what is clearly a major problem.
Recycling (Edinburgh)
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to recycling in Edinburgh. (S2O-2568)
In February, we announced a strategic waste fund award of £83.3 million, for the period to 2020, for the City of Edinburgh Council to implement a variety of recycling and composting initiatives in the capital.
Does the minister agree that recycling should be as convenient as possible and therefore that doorstep recycling schemes must be expanded rapidly in Edinburgh and elsewhere and that easy-to-access local community facilities should be provided for tenement properties where doorstep recycling may not be feasible?
Yes. One of the key elements that came out of the research that we did in the run-up to the creation of the strategic waste fund was on the need for easily accessible facilities. Among the many matters that are included in the Edinburgh submission are kerbside collections, on-street collection, on-street recycling and city-centre recycling. Obviously, I do not have the details of the programme, but I would be disappointed if it did not address those issues. I think that Mike Pringle will agree that the City of Edinburgh Council is being awarded a very significant amount. I am sure that in the context of its overall plan that funding will make a real and significant difference.
Will the minister ensure that, before it is approved, the Highland Council waste strategy bid, which has been submitted to the Scottish Executive, must include the community recycling projects undertaken by HomeAid Caithness in Thurso and the Golspie Recycling and Environmental Action Network?
I have no doubt that if those projects are part of the integral plan, they will be included. The Scottish Executive applies the following criteria to the plans. First, does it basically and fundamentally meet the area waste plan, as set out and agreed? Secondly, within that, does it meet the best practical environmental objective? Thirdly, does it also meet the value-for-money tests? I stress that that is the third test and that it does not override the two previous conditions.
Environmental Targets
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on meeting its environmental targets. (S2O-2622)
The Executive outlined its ambitious programme of environmental and sustainable development commitments in "A Partnership for a Better Scotland". I believe that progress is being made on implementing those commitments across a broad range of areas.
I welcome the minister's response. However, he will not be surprised to know that my constituents in Greengairs believe that those assurances ring a little hollow. Does he agree that we need firmer targets to reduce substantially the use of landfill and increase recycling opportunities? Does he also agree that, although reducing waste output and increasing recycling may not always be the cheapest options, they are certainly the only sustainable options for Scotland?
I certainly agree with the latter point. The Scottish Executive has recognised that point in the level of support that it is giving to the strategic waste fund. Previously, we had an extraordinarily economically efficient waste collection, which on average cost about £40 a tonne. By any international comparison that was extremely economically efficient, but it was an environmental disaster. We are now moving to increase the use of recycling and composting and are making efforts to reduce waste, which is just as important. That will result in a more expensive system, but it is only expensive in financial terms. It is only with difficulty that we could calculate the cost in environmental terms had we pursued the previous objective.
I understand Karen Whitefield's real interest in the matter as she has a constituency interest at Greengairs. I share her view that the objectives that we are setting to increase the level of recycling and reduce the amounts going to landfill—and not necessarily considering it as a matter of expense—are the only ways to improve the situation at Greengairs, in which I know that she has a real interest.
What concerns does the minister have about the assertion by the green guru, Dr James Lovelock, that current renewable energy targets threaten energy supply into the future and that a nuclear generation programme requires to be commenced? What can the minister do about that?
I am not sure that recycling is the answer, but perhaps Phil Gallie knows something that I do not know.
Probably.
He has obviously read more than I have.
The Scottish Executive's clear commitment is to increase the renewables target, which was mentioned in this morning's debate. Because the target of 40 per cent is ambitious, we cannot wholly depend on wind, but the Executive would much prefer to develop wind and tide technologies. In Scotland we are almost uniquely placed to develop those technologies and that is the way in which the Executive will proceed.
Question 4 has been withdrawn.
Landfill Targets
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland will meet its targets for the reduction of landfill. (S2O-2631)
We are putting in place a landfill allowance scheme to ensure that Scotland will meet its European Commission targets for the reduction of landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste by 2010, 2013 and 2020. The scheme will also ensure that all local authorities make a fair contribution. We are supporting that with a £230 million strategic waste fund, which is available to all local authorities in Scotland to assist them in meeting their targets.
Will the minister join me in congratulating Fife Council on increasing its recycling rate to almost 20 per cent? That has been made possible by funding from the Scottish Executive and measures that include an innovative contract whereby Smith Anderson paper mill in my constituency collects the council's waste paper, recycles it and turns it into envelopes that are then sold back to the council. However, does the minister agree that significant additional capital investment will be needed for facilities if we are to meet the increasingly stringent targets that have been set by the European Union? Will he give the Parliament further details about the funding to which he has just referred, such as how and when applications must be made and how funds will be allocated?
I have no hesitation in joining Christine May in congratulating Fife Council on its collaborative efforts with, among others, Smith Anderson to carry out that work. That is the kind of co-operation and collaboration that we want to happen throughout Scotland as part of our efforts to engage with the wider community to ensure that recycling is not just an add-on but an integral part of the way in which we deal with biodegradable municipal waste.
I should make it clear that the landfill allowance scheme has two objectives. Its first objective is to try to ensure that we meet our targets, but it will also try to smooth out the transition process in relation to allowances for individual local authorities by giving two local authorities, including Fife Council, their allowances for all the years from 2005 to 2020. We believe that that will be an enormous help to local authorities in planning the process.
When the capital allocation of £230 million has been made, it will be open to all councils—as it has always been—to make applications. As I said in response to an earlier question, those applications will require to come within the confines of authorities' area waste plans and, in relation specifically to landfill reduction, will have to be in accord with meeting the allowances that will be allocated to local authorities.
The minister will be aware that the European Environment Agency published a report this week that shows that the volume of packaging waste that is being produced in Europe continues to grow. What plans does the minister have to ensure that Scotland's waste policy focuses effectively on the supply side in order to reduce and, in the long term, all but eliminate the waste that is produced, so that we will no longer need landfill?
The Executive continues to have regular meetings with those who distribute such packaging, to encourage them in every way possible to play their part in trying to reduce packaging. We discuss the matter with industry and many bodies. We cannot impose standards, but we must make it clear that such producers are increasingly out of step, because the public are beginning to react much more forcibly in recognising the importance of reducing waste and participating in recycling schemes.
Highland Council recently doubled its rate of recycling and composting from 2 per cent to 4 per cent, but it still has the lowest recycling levels in Scotland. In a meeting with MSPs on Monday, the council said that it needs a substantial share of the £230 million to achieve its target. Is the minister in talks with Highland Council and is he sympathetic to the request for a large share of the £230 million?
We are in talks with all the councils and we are encouraging all of them to apply to the fund as part of the area waste plans. We have been marginally disappointed that Highland Council has taken rather longer than other councils have to submit an application. We recognise the importance of the fund. As I said earlier, the key question for me and the Executive is whether the councils meet the objectives of the area waste plans; whether they provide the best practical environmental solution; and whether they provide value for money. If councils meet those criteria, their applications are likely to succeed.
What measures will the Executive take to communicate to my constituents who think that they are recycling waste when in fact that waste goes to landfill? Will the Executive work with local authorities to set up an audit trail to give full confidence to those who receive doorstep collections of newspapers in Galashiels, such as me, that the waste is being recycled?
That is a matter for individual local authorities and it is within their powers. A local authority that allowed waste that was to be recycled to go to landfill would not be acting within the spirit of its commitment to the area waste plan, nor within the spirit of its application for strategic waste fund moneys. I would be concerned about such a situation, but it is up to local authorities to ensure that their collection systems are such that waste that is to be recycled goes to that end use.
Given the minister's worthy aim of reducing landfill, how can he possibly justify his decision not to call in for review the public-private partnership proposal for Dumfries and Galloway's waste collection, which includes a massive expansion of the landfill site at Aucheninnes near Dalbeattie in my constituency?
I am always interested in questions from Alex Fergusson that are posited in such a pejorative way. The issue is not simply about his local area; we must take account of the area waste plan. The national waste plan and the area waste plans make it clear that the aims are not simply laudable ambitions but targets that the local authorities and the Executive believe can be met. The plans will not eliminate the need for landfill nor, in some circumstances, for incineration, but they will bring us down to levels of landfill and incineration that are more comparable with those of the mainland European states that are much more advanced in the process. Alex Fergusson talks about an enormous landfill, but that must be viewed in the context of the Dumfries and Galloway area plan, which will in fact result in a long-term reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill and in the need for landfill sites. In some circumstances, there may appear to be an increase in waste going to landfill, but viewed within the context of the plan, there will be a reduction.
Questions 6, 7 and 8 have been withdrawn.
Sheep Quality
I did not expect that we would reach this question.
To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to assist crofters in the development of the quality of their sheep. (S2O-2528)
I am glad that Mr Stone has come along.
Training has been offered in ram selection to assist crofters as appropriate. Most crofters will have the skills that they need to select good-quality stock. However, the additional provision will be provided for those who used the ram purchase scheme because they were not confident in their ability to choose a ram.
As the minister is not clairvoyant, he is not likely to know why I submitted the question. I have received strong representations from crofters in my constituency about the withdrawal of the tup scheme. Is the process of elimination of the scheme unstoppable and, if so, will the minister please consider seriously the introduction of a scheme that is at least as good as, if not an improvement on, the scheme that crofters already enjoy? We must remember that, ultimately, the scheme aims to improve the bloodline of stock in remote parts of the Highlands.
I am not sure whether we are talking about rams or bulls.
Did I say bulls? I meant rams—tups. A tup is a male sheep. [Laughter.]
Let us keep this to formal questions, please.
In that case, I can categorically say that the process is complete and that we are not considering reinstituting that scheme.
Questions 10 and 11 have been withdrawn, and the author of question 12 is not present.
Health and Community Care
Waiting Times
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the guaranteed waiting times in the partnership agreement will be met. (S2O-2590)
The commitment on the nine months national maximum waiting time for in-patient and day-case treatment is being met and good progress is being made towards achieving the other partnership agreement commitments on waiting.
I am sure that the minister will agree that the reduction in waiting times is not just a laudable aim but an essential feature of a modern health service. It is not sufficient to meet the current targets without looking to the future. Can he assure us that the improvements so far achieved will be sustained and that firmer targets will be set in future to improve on the current situation?
I can guarantee not only that the targets will be sustained but that they will be improved. Indeed, the single most significant statistic in the plethora of statistics that came out last Thursday was the reduction of almost 3,000 in the number of people waiting more than six months for in-patient and day-case treatment—a reduction of almost one third over the quarter. The firmer target on in-patient and day-case treatment is six months maximum by the end of next year. That was the biggest single change in all the statistics that came out last week. In welcoming that last week, I indicated that a lot more had to be done, particularly in relation to out-patient waiting. Several important initiatives have been launched recently, such as an orthopaedics initiative that was launched last Friday, which will help to achieve the targets in that area.
Does the minister agree that another aspect that came out in those statistics was the tremendous contribution that is being made by the national waiting list centre at the Golden Jubilee national hospital in Clydebank to achieving the targets that he has set? Can he reaffirm the Executive's commitment to ensuring that that good work continues and is enhanced?
The Golden Jubilee national hospital was a major factor in the improvements in the waiting time figures that were announced last week. More than 13,000 procedures were performed there last year and that will increase this year. I welcome the fact that Des McNulty has highlighted the important contribution of that hospital.
Elder Abuse
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the issue of elder abuse in residential care homes and domestic settings. (S2O-2542)
I am reassured that the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care, as the independent regulator of care services, including care homes for older people and nurse agencies, can take appropriate action. I am encouraged that it has launched an immediate investigation into the specific care home incidents reported in the Daily Record recently and I have asked to be kept informed. We are also considering what additional measures may be brought forward better to protect vulnerable people who receive care.
The House of Commons Health Committee investigated the extent of elder abuse in England and reported back in April 2004. When will the minister initiate a similar response for the abused elderly in care in Scotland? Why has it not been done already? Do Scotland's elderly have less importance than those in England?
The Executive has promoted a range of actions to improve living conditions for the elderly in general in Scotland and particularly for the vulnerable elderly. We have just concluded a consultation on a list of people to be excluded from working with vulnerable adults. We are considering how to investigate suspected abuse and powers to remove a perpetrator of abuse from the home. We constantly review the position with regard to vulnerable adults and if we think that further legislation is necessary, that will be announced by the First Minister at the appropriate time. We continue to support Age Concern's campaign on elder abuse.
I welcome the measures that the minister outlined and his comments about additional measures. Does he agree that caring for elderly people with dementia in their homes requires entirely different training and skills from caring for those with physical disabilities? Is he aware that although many agencies train staff in lifting and handling, few agencies recognise the particular needs of dementia sufferers? Will he give an assurance that he will work with the care commission and others to ensure that private agencies and others who deliver care to elderly people with dementia in their homes train staff appropriately and that such training forms part of audit and quality control procedures?
I am happy to provide that assurance. Our understanding of the issues is increasing all the time. The Executive works with the dementia services development centre in Stirling and other experts in the field. We understand that the policy direction of keeping people in their homes and maintaining their privacy and dignity creates other issues, and we are constantly working to ensure that we address and resolve them.
Obesity
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the House of Commons Health Committee's report on obesity published on 27 May 2004 and what plans it has to combat obesity within Scotland. (S2O-2588)
Scottish ministers fully acknowledge that obesity is a serious health threat. We share the House of Commons Health Committee's concern about the impact that obesity has on people's lives and we recognise the huge effort that is required to turn the tide of years of physical inactivity and poor diet. Considerable action is under way through the implementation of strategies that are of direct relevance to the prevention of obesity, such as the Scottish diet action plan and the physical activity strategy. Our multisectoral, multi-agency approach to diet and physical activity has been endorsed by the World Health Organisation and fits in with its recently approved global strategy on diet, physical activity and health.
I welcome the strategies that are in place, but is it not time for the Executive to take some bold and radical steps to combat obesity levels in Scotland, where one in five 12-year-olds is clinically obese and one in three is overweight? Will the minister give due consideration and support to the SNP proposals to tackle obesity, which include the introduction of a clear and concise food-labelling system, a ban on the marketing of junk-food products, particularly to children, and the removal of unhealthy food and drink from vending machines in schools?
We in the Executive believe that we are promoting bold and radical proposals. We are prepared to listen to proposals wherever they come from because, as I said, we recognise that obesity is a serious national problem. We have established a range of senior advisory groups to provide leadership, expert advice and co-ordination on both food and physical activity. Those groups will build on the work of the physical activity task force and the food champions and they will inform the work of the ministerial steering group on health improvement. We intend to establish a strong interface with the food and drink industry to promote healthier options, to reduce portion sizes, and to reduce levels of sugar, fat and salt. Earlier this week, I began a series of meetings with food processors and retailers by meeting the chief executive and other representatives of McDonalds UK to discuss those issues.
Does the minister agree that obesity in schoolchildren is a growing problem, and that it is important for high-quality local food to be used to provide a better diet for schoolchildren? Will he support, as I would hope, the initiative that was announced recently in that direction by his colleague Andy Kerr?
Of course I agree that it is important to support local produce. Obviously, we need to take account of procurement rules and regulations and ensure that whatever we do complies with them, but we fully recognise the need to focus on children's diet. We have produced new nutritional standards in schools and we have committed ourselves to altering the content of vending machines in schools. We are issuing free fruit, children are issued with water, and we are spending £24 million on activity co-ordinators in schools. We fully recognise the need to focus on children's needs and, in the near future, my colleague Peter Peacock will announce the results of the physical education review. All that, combined, is beginning to turn the tide and to alter health outcomes for young people in Scotland.
While all the investigation is taking place into obesity—I recognise that it is a major problem—and as we consider diet and lifestyles, I make a special plea that we should remember that, at the opposite end of the spectrum, there are people who suffer from severe eating disorders. We should remember that Scotland severely lacks facilities to address such disorders.
I ask the minister to treat that as a question and to give some kind of answer to it.
I assure the member that the Executive recognises fully the trauma and distress that accompany eating disorders. The Scottish Executive Health Department is working to better our understanding of and our response to such disorders. I assure the member that that work will continue and that we will bear in mind the valid points that she made.
Long-term Absence of Pupils
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to combat the health causes of long-term absence of pupils from school. (S2O-2562)
Health causes of long-term absence of pupils from school can be many and varied. NHS boards are expected to ensure that the health needs of children in their areas are met. Under section 40 of the Standards in Scotland's Schools etc Act 2000, education authorities have a duty to make special arrangements for such pupils' education.
Is the minister aware of reports that categorically position ME as the biggest single cause of long-term absence from schools? ME sufferers can learn, but they must do so in their own time and at their own pace. Will the minister undertake to play his part whenever possible in bringing together health professionals and educationists to ensure that local authorities take that information into account in formulating and implementing their home-education policies?
I am aware of those reports. The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 will modernise the arrangements for identifying children's needs. The new system will be clear and readily understood. It will promote a shared understanding of roles and a common commitment to the smooth delivery of services.
As the member knows, the Executive established a short-life working group on ME and issued the outcomes of that group's work to NHS boards in February 2003. The results of the boards' considerations are still being ingathered—we had to remind some boards that they were required to respond to us. We have given a commitment that, when all those responses have been received, we will supply them to the Health Committee. When we can analyse the responses, we will consider our next steps.
Asthma
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the recent report by Asthma UK which indicates that 35 per cent of people with asthma expect improvement in how the national health service manages their asthma over the next five years. (S2O-2636)
A range of measures is in place or under development to improve the management of asthma. They include the new general practitioner contract, which identifies asthma as a condition that will attract extra remuneration for doctors if they meet standards of care, and GP practice accreditation procedures for the management of chronic diseases, including asthma.
I hope that the minister agrees that 35 per cent is a fairly low level of patient expectation. He will be aware that the Scottish intercollegiate guidelines network recommends that everyone who has asthma should have an asthma action plan. In Australia, asthma management plans have proven to be the single most effective non-drug means of controlling the condition. Fewer than one in 10 people in this country have such a plan. Personal health plans were promised in the partnership agreement but have not been delivered. What action is the minister taking to ensure that all asthma sufferers have such plans?
I agree with Nanette Milne that the SIGN guideline is extremely important. The recommendation on asthma action plans is a key part of the guideline. NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is working with Asthma UK in Scotland to develop support for the implementation of the guideline. We are keen to aid that process and we are discussing with both those bodies how the Executive can help implementation, in particular through the training of health care professionals in the use of asthma action plans. That is one further important development in addition to those that I mentioned in my first answer. The children's steering group of NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is developing a quality-based approach to the delivery of asthma services for children. That is another important initiative that will improve the services that are on offer.
Given recent research showing a clear link between vehicle emissions and the irritation of the airways of young children, as well as the fact that millions of asthma sufferers say that traffic pollution aggravates their condition, what discussions have taken place about estimating the impact on asthma of continually increasing road traffic levels, particularly in Glasgow, where the volume of traffic is expected to rise by 40 per cent over the first two decades of this century?
The chief scientist office is funding nine asthma-related research projects and the aspect that Patrick Harvie highlights is one of those on which more detailed research is required. In general, people are aware of the importance of the environment with regard to exacerbating asthma. The other important part of the issue is that of smoke-filled environments. As members know, the consultation document on smoking in public places will be launched on Monday. Those who suffer from asthma are keen for there to be further restrictions on smoke-filled places.
General Practitioner Contracts<br />(Quality of Service)
To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements to the quality of service to patients will flow from the new general practitioner contracts. (S2O-2592)
The quality and outcomes framework of the new general medical services contract will, for the first time, directly reward general practices for providing a higher volume and better quality of outcomes for patients. Payments will be made for achievement against a series of clinical, practice management and patient experience indicators.
In light of the large deficits on the part of many health boards that were announced recently, will the minister assure me that boards will continue to provide additional and enhanced medical services where GPs, under the terms of their new contracts, opt out of such services?
The money that is going into the new GMS contract is separate from the general allocations to boards. As most members will know, there is an increase of one third in the resources that are going into primary care over a three-year period. Enhanced services must meet a guaranteed minimum level. Over and above that, boards have the freedom to develop local enhanced services. One of the strong features of the new contract—and of community health partnerships more generally—is that it will encourage the development of a wider range of services in primary care settings.
As the minister will recall, I wrote to him about the row between GPs in Edinburgh and Glasgow and the Scottish Executive Health Department over payments for methadone treatment under the GP contract. As the withdrawal of methadone programmes must throw many users back on to heroin, will the minister give the Parliament a progress report on that dispute?
I will have to write to the member about that issue.
Is the minister aware of the financial cost to NHS Highland of implementing its proposed out-of-hours strategy? Does he realise that the out-of-hours service in Skye will cost £1 million to implement, which is the same amount as for the whole of Glasgow? Does he realise that there is deep anxiety in some rural areas, such as east Sutherland, where there will be no GP cover between midnight and 8 am, and that providing transport to treatment centres in remote areas will prove problematic, as there is often no ambulance station and sometimes not even a taxi service? Can he give any further support to NHS Highland in the rolling-out of the out-of-hours service?
There has been a lot of discussion about the out-of-hours service. In general terms, we think that it will be helpful to rural areas, as it will aid the recruitment and retention of GPs in those areas. The approach will be based on team-based care. The GPs who are available will be concentrating on those patients who need to see a GP, as distinct from those who need to see another health care professional. Those general points should help to reassure people about the out-of-hours service. I know that there are concerns about the cost of the service, particularly in rural areas such as Highland. There has been a lot of discussion about board finances. As Maureen Macmillan knows, some extra money was distributed at the end of the last financial year and I hope that we will be able to distribute some more money in the near future to help with some of the modernisation processes that boards are undertaking.
New Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh<br />(Food Hygiene)
To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to intervene if it is dissatisfied with food hygiene standards at the new royal infirmary of Edinburgh. (S2O-2556)
Food safety and hygiene controls on hospitals, including the royal infirmary of Edinburgh, are provided for by the powers of entry and inspection that are given to local authorities under the Food Safety Act 1990 and the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995.
I welcome the minister's answer and am glad that he is not going to wash his hands of his food hygiene responsibilities, so to speak. The minister will be aware of the general public's widespread disgust at the standards of catering for patients at the new royal infirmary, which were shown in a recent television programme. Is he also aware of the recent internal report that was written by NHS managers at the hospital and sent to senior support managers? The report expressed fears about the lack of proper hygiene in Haden Building Management Ltd's food preparation. Indeed, in the report, one manager—
Do not start quoting, Mr Fox. Come to the question.
Okay—I am coming to it. Will the minister assure the Parliament that food that is provided to patients at the new royal infirmary will be of the highest possible standard and that, if it is not, the NHS will withdraw the contract and seek compensation from the private company that is involved?
First and foremost, such matters are the responsibility of NHS Lothian, which constructed the contract. I share the member's concern about the revelations in the recent television programme but am reassured that NHS Lothian and Consort Healthcare sought and received assurances about the quality of food from Tillery Valley Foods Ltd. I expect all boards to monitor matters closely and to take action when shortfalls are revealed and I expect them to apply the full force of contractual obligations that are designed to deal with such occurrences.
The minister has already said that he welcomes the new guidelines on food procurement from his colleague Andy Kerr. Does he share my hope that the new guidelines could conceivably make it easier for health boards to procure locally produced and very high-quality food, which is important?
That is always our hope. As I said earlier, our intention is to promote as much locally produced produce as we can, although account should always be taken of the procurement guidelines that are in place. However, in respect of the royal infirmary of Edinburgh, it is worth reminding ourselves that no Scottish bid was received for that food contract and that, when the contract terminates, it will be open to all operators—including Scottish operators—to submit bids.
General
Electricity Generation<br />(Renewables Technologies)
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the electricity currently generated at Hunterston B, Cockenzie and Longannet will be replaced with electricity generated using renewables technologies by 2020, given the planned closures of these power stations by 2020. (S2O-2609)
We have set a target for 40 per cent of all electricity that is generated in Scotland to be from renewable sources by 2020. How that relates to the retiral of existing power stations will depend on the number and nature of renewable projects that are brought forward, as well as on other changes to energy markets and technologies over the intervening period.
Has the Executive calculated how much of the output of those stations could be saved with comprehensive energy efficiency measures by 2020? If it has not, will it begin to make such calculations now?
We will continue to seek to make energy efficiency savings at the consumer end because it is clear that that is where energy is used—it is not used at the point of generation, but at the point of consumption. Therefore, our focus is rightly on households and businesses. Last year alone, the Scottish energy efficiency office saved Scottish businesses £12 million off the bottom line, which represents savings of more than 200,000 tonnes of carbon emissions that would otherwise have been produced. That is rightly our focus in promoting energy efficiency.
Will the minister give a rough idea of how many wind generators it would take to replace the generating capacity of Cockenzie, Longannet and Hunsterston B, if the wind was blowing? I am happy to support the Executive's objective of maximising the potential of so-called renewables, but I suggest that the Executive has a duty to give early consideration to plans for new nuclear plant if we are serious about maintaining Scotland's contribution to the baseload generation for the United Kingdom.
I am afraid that I cannot give the member a quick answer to his first question. However, as I had a suspicion that some such question might be asked, I worked out that the wind power applications that the Executive has approved in the past 18 months alone are equivalent to roughly half the generation capacity of Torness power station. That gives the member an idea of what we need to do and the progress that we have made. The equivalent to Torness would be something in the order of 500 turbines of the most modern variety. Clearly, we face a big task, but the number of successful applications that are going through the system is encouraging and gives us great confidence that we will reach our renewables target by the end of the decade.
Rail Services (Shotts Line)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to support enhancement of passenger rail services on the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts line. (S2O-2552)
The Executive has funded a report on the issue, which has now been completed and is being considered by us. We recognise the importance of better public transport links for the communities and the economy of West Lothian.
I am sure that the minister is aware that one of the key recommendations of the report is the establishment of a new semi-fast service that will stop at a limited number of stations on that route. Does he agree that the adoption of that plan would meet the Executive's intentions to reduce congestion along the M8 corridor and increase the number of passenger rail journeys across the central belt? Does he also agree that the costs that are associated with the plan are reasonable and could be afforded by the Executive?
We will need to look more carefully at the costings. We are anxious to support such improved rail services and initiatives throughout Scotland. The semi-fast service would be, as Bristow Muldoon suggests, a significant improvement and would reduce the journey time from 90 minutes to 60 minutes. That is exactly what the report has analysed and looked at. I will shortly meet him and Karen Whitefield to discuss the matter further. If there is any way in which we can give further support to the scheme to make it a reality, provided that it gives value for money and achieves its objectives, we would like to do so.
Does the minister agree that the introduction of a semi-fast, limited-stop service on that line would greatly improve the access of the people of Lanarkshire to Scotland's two major cities and the economic, social and recreational benefits that those cities can provide? Does he also agree that such a service would make Lanarkshire—especially parts of North Lanarkshire, such as Shotts—a more attractive destination for businesses that are looking to set up or relocate?
I agree. There would be significant benefits for Lanarkshire, West Lothian and the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. If we are going to deliver on that initiative, we need to take a partnership approach and to get other bodies involved. I am willing to play a leading role in ensuring that that happens and I will work with Karen Whitefield, Bristow Muldoon and the other MSPs who have an interest in the issue.
Proceeds of Crime Act 2002<br />(Allocation of Funds)
To ask the Scottish Executive how funds recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 will be allocated in Scotland. (S2O-2603)
We are determined that recovered criminal assets must be used to benefit the communities that suffer from drug dealing, drug abuse and the crime that goes hand in hand with those. The money will be used to produce tangible and visible improvements to community life. Our emphasis is on working with local communities to choose the most effective way of doing that that makes sense in the circumstances. For example, the money could be spent on dealing with graffiti, on community clear-up, on reclaiming the public areas for community use or on improved facilities for children and young people. We are working on the detail of how we can best use and distribute the resources and an announcement will be made on that in the near future.
I thank the minister and welcome her reply. She will know that my constituency—like many others—is seriously affected by the consequences of drug dealing not just in relation to those who are preyed upon and who become addicted to drugs, but in relation to their families and the local communities. Some fragile communities are becoming more fragile as the physical impact on buildings and the environment, along with the associated difficult behaviour, drives people out and creates a downward spiral for those who remain. Will she assure me that, when she considers the details of the distribution of moneys, those serious community problems will be recognised and that the communities that are most directly affected will be prioritised for funding to be used to tackle, for example, the physical degeneration that I have mentioned?
The existence of the kind of situation that Johann Lamont describes, which affects her constituency and other local areas throughout Scotland, is exactly why we want to ensure that the recovered assets are put into those communities to improve the quality of life for people there, as part of our efforts to make Scotland a safer place for all. We will not let up in the fight against serious and organised crime, especially drug abuse. We will continue to do everything in our power to disrupt those networks that continue to peddle that misery in our local communities.
Question 4 has been withdrawn.
West Coast Main Line (Small Stations)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the proposed reopening of small stations between Lockerbie and Carstairs on the west coast main line. (S2O-2611)
The Executive has funded feasibility work into the development of local services along the west coast main line. We will shortly meet Strathclyde Passenger Transport and Dumfries and Galloway Council to discuss the study's findings.
I am delighted that the minister will meet those authorities soon. When he does, he will find that the study reported market demand and timetable feasibility for a new service. Such a service would also give positive returns against the Government's transport criteria and would provide opportunities to stem the depopulation of rural Dumfries and Galloway. Will he therefore look favourably on Executive subsidies and support for the project?
As Chris Ballance and other members are aware, the ScotRail franchise is tendered on the basis of a continuation of the current level of services, but we have left open the option of making improvements by the introduction of new lines and services. I have already answered questions on one study that we have supported and the Lockerbie to Carstairs line is the subject of another such study, which would make improvements to the west coast main line—one of the most heavily used and busiest lines not just in the UK, but in the whole of Europe. However, the study shows that improvements could be made either by more frequent stopping at existing stations or by introducing new stations and services. Along with SPT and Dumfries and Galloway Council, we will consider the outcome of the report carefully. Obviously, we will do that with a view to making solid progress on the issue.
In light of those comments, will the minister confirm for the record that the ScotRail franchise will contain flexibility for the introduction of a new Edinburgh or Glasgow to Carlisle service that could stop at stations such as Beattock or Symington? As mainline services are not particularly interested in stopping at smaller stations, it is clear that a new service would be required if the full benefit of station openings were to be gained.
Yes, I can confirm that that opportunity will exist. Across Scotland, there is a lot of demand for improvements to the rail network, which we are trying to support as much as we can. Clearly, there are limitations on how much we can do and how soon, so it would be wrong to raise false expectations or raise expectations too early. However, the reason why we are investing in such studies is that we are heavily committed to public transport. We strongly support greater investment in public transport projects and we want the rail network in Scotland to grow and improve.
Petrol Prices (Rural Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to make representations to Her Majesty's Government on the impact of rising petrol prices in rural Scotland. (S2O-2563)
The Executive appreciates the concerns about rising fuel prices among people and businesses throughout Scotland, particularly in remote and rural communities. We will remain in close contact with United Kingdom ministers about the issue and we will make representations to the UK Government to protect Scotland's interests.
Is the minister truly aware of the impact of high fuel prices in constituencies such as mine where, as has been said many times before, the car is not a luxury but an essential requirement for getting to work? Furthermore, is he aware of the impact of high fuel prices on tourism in rural areas as we enter the summer season? Given that the Treasury automatically benefits from rising fuel prices, will he endeavour to change the stance that the First Minister set out earlier today and get him to use whatever influence he has to persuade the UK Government either to freeze fuel duty or, better still, to reduce it? Will the minister also undertake to explore with the petrochemical suppliers the possibilities of reducing the iniquitous differentials between urban and rural petrol prices, which are, frankly, little short of discriminatory?
As Alex Fergusson is aware, the Executive has a range of schemes to support transport in rural communities. However, we must always remain aware of the significant number of households even in rural areas that do not have access to a private motor car. That is why we are investing in a range of public transport fund initiatives. We have also supported some important schemes to help to retain the petrol station infrastructure in our rural and island communities.
We have a worrying situation at present because of the sharp increase in the price of crude oil. However, as Alex Fergusson knows, that is a worldwide phenomenon that is caused by the current shortage in supply of oil and a perceived increasing shortage over the summer period. The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is in discussions at the moment—the UK Government is making direct representations to the oil-producing nations about increasing the supply of oil and several countries have indicated their willingness to support that. We hope that a result of those representations will be that the price will return to the level that it was at just a few months ago.
We are concerned about the impact on our communities and on our industries. This morning, I met the Scottish branch of the Road Haulage Association to discuss those issues. I undertook to remain in close contact with the association and with others who have an interest in the matter. We will continue to make representations as appropriate to the UK Government, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Transport and Scotland.
The minister will be aware that the current price of fuel in Islay is 98p per litre, which I suspect is the dearest petrol price anywhere in the United Kingdom. As the First Minister made clear at First Minister's question time, the current strategy is to put pressure on OPEC to increase supply in order to dampen down the current spike in the price of oil. Will the Minister for Transport give a guarantee that, if that long-term solution fails, representations will be made to the chancellor to think carefully before any increase in taxation is brought into effect?
Fuel taxation is a reserved issue; as every member is aware, it is for the UK Government and the chancellor to make decisions in that area. However, I give an absolute guarantee that the Scottish ministers will make representations on the matter—indeed, they are already making representations and they will continue to do so. On the price of fuel in Islay, I assure George Lyon that the potential for petrol to slip above £1 per litre concerns us greatly. We realise the impact that that would have on the communities concerned. If he wishes to make further representations to me on that matter, I would be pleased to forward them to the UK Government.
Will the minister tell us the exact nature of those representations? What steps has the Scottish Executive taken to record and review the range of fuel prices throughout the Highlands and Islands and the impact on local costs and economies?
The representations between the UK Government and Scottish ministers are not made public. However, it would not take a great genius to work out that the issues about which we make representations are exactly those that Jim Mather has identified—the impact on communities, the costs involved and the impact on businesses. We keep those matters under careful review, we listen to the representations that are made by local communities and we identify the particular impact on rural and island communities. However, a serious impact is felt throughout Scotland as a result of rising oil and petrol prices and we are determined to ensure that, if at all possible, that impact is lessened. We will continue to make that case and to discuss with the UK Government what appropriate steps can be taken.
I am glad that the minister recognises that not everybody in rural areas in Scotland can afford to have a car or chooses to have one. Does he also recognise that, over the past 25 years, the cost of public transport in Scotland and the UK has been increasing sharply while the cost of motoring has declined? In that context, does he agree that what rural areas in Scotland really need is better, affordable public transport and not ever-cheaper motoring?
It is clear that the level of use of public transport in Scotland is rising. There is an increase in the number of people who use local bus services—indeed, the bus is still the dominant form of public transport in Scotland. The number of passengers who use the Scottish rail services has also improved. We want to encourage that trend. Although we have to take affordability into account, we also have to bear in mind the quality, frequency and reliability of public transport services. That is why we are determined to spend 70 per cent of the Scottish transport budget, which is being increased to about £1 billion a year, on public transport initiatives. Indeed, our investment in public transport has risen dramatically over the past three years.