Plenary, 06 Feb 2003

Meeting date: Thursday, February 6, 2003

Official Report 697KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Young Offenders

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in speeding up the processes of hearings to deal with young offenders. (S1O-6375)

Since 1999, the average time between offence referral and hearing disposal has been reduced from 141 days to 123 days. The national standards for youth justice aim to reduce, by 2006, the time between offence referral and hearing disposal to an average of 80 days. Fast-track hearings pilots have now commenced with the aim of speeding up the process for persistent young offenders and of ensuring that they are placed in appropriate programmes.

Does the minister agree that the fast-track hearings should be piloted in Glasgow, given the higher volume of youth offenders there? That volume would allow us to fine tune the process so that the programme could be rolled out to other parts of Scotland. Will she consider adding Glasgow as a further pilot area for fast-track children's hearings?

I know that Paul Martin has pursued this issue vigorously on behalf of his constituents. We decided to pilot the fast-track hearings in an urban area, in a mixed urban and rural area and in a rural area, because we genuinely want to learn lessons from each type of setting. Dundee, the three Ayrshire authorities and East Lothian and the Borders were, therefore, chosen. We considered which areas were most ready to pick up the work that needed to be done on the basis of their local youth strategy teams, their local youth justice teams and the use that the authorities had made of the resources that were already available. I will not give a commitment to introduce an additional pilot scheme in Glasgow, but I emphasise the fact that each local authority area will be required to meet the youth justice standards by 2006.

Will the minister concede that the point that was made by Mr Martin has considerable merit? Will she also concede that, until children's hearings are given appropriate and realistic powers of disposal, the fast-track system will be, in effect, a fast track to nowhere?

No. I do not agree with Bill Aitken. On several occasions, he has asked me similar questions and I have given him the answer that I give him now. The children's hearings system has a range of disposals available to it. We have provided significant additional resources through the youth crime prevention fund, from which, through the voluntary sector and local authorities, various initiatives have benefited. We have also allocated intensive community support money, which has provided additional places for persistent young offenders who are most at risk. I believe that the children's hearings system can do more with the disposals that are already available to it. However, that is not to say that we will not reconsider the matter in the future.

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Firefighters' Dispute

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to facilitate a solution to the firefighters' dispute. (S1O-6384)

It is very encouraging that agreement has been reached on the resumption of talks next week between the employers and the Fire Brigades Union under the auspices of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. We all want those talks to result in a settlement that is fair for the firefighters and for the public.

Will the minister make it clear that the Scottish Executive will make additional resources available for a fair pay settlement, so that meaningful negotiations can take place? Will he clarify the Executive's position on John Prescott's threat to impose a settlement by emergency legislation? Is the Scottish Executive opposed in principle to such a suggestion, or is it simply saying that there is not sufficient time for such legislation to be passed before the Parliament is dissolved at the end of next month?

I gave a clear indication of the Executive's view when I made a statement to the Parliament last week. It is important to recognise that, since then, the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, has said that, if negotiations between the parties were to get under way, it would not be necessary immediately to address at Westminster the kind of reserved powers that he spoke about in his statement last week.

There has been an issue about the funding of a possible interim pay gap. We would be prepared to consider that it might be necessary to provide a small amount of transitional funding over the next two years in order to achieve savings in the years beyond. That would be subject to a satisfactory pay agreement and adequate provision for implementing and auditing the modernisation process.

It is important to recognise that the Executive has increased the grant-aided expenditure for the fire service from £187 million in 2000-01 to £238 million in the next financial year—an increase of 25 per cent. With regard to capital, there has been an increase from £15.6 million to £24 million over the same period—an increase of 53 per cent. That is the work of an Executive that is committed to the fire service in Scotland.

We would all welcome an end to the dispute on a mutually agreed basis. However, from the answer that the minister has just given, I ask that two points be clarified. First, if the dispute is resolved, will that mean that there is no intention to pass the legislation that the Deputy Prime Minister indicated that he wanted? Secondly, if the dispute is not resolved in the immediate future, what is the cut-off date by which a resolution must be reached before the Government abandons any idea of emergency legislation?

The member's colleagues in Westminster should perhaps address that question to the Deputy Prime Minister. It is not for me to make statements of intent as to what legislation might or might not be introduced at Westminster. I indicated last week that, because of the nature of the legislative process in the Scottish Parliament, consultation and consideration must precede any legislation that is made here.

Will the minister provide an assurance that discussions on the recent consultation document on the future of the fire service in Scotland will involve all stakeholders, especially local government and the fire service union?

I confirm for Mr McCabe that, in the preparation of that document, there was considerable consultation. I am also happy to give an assurance that we intend to have discussions with stakeholders, including the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the unions through the Scottish Trades Union Congress. Arrangements are in hand to have a meeting as soon as possible.

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Forestry (Transportation)

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress was made on the issue of transportation of timber at the meeting on 8 January 2003 between it, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities' rural affairs committee and representatives of the forestry industry. (S1O-6403)

I had a very positive meeting with representatives of the forestry industry and COSLA on 8 January to discuss the transportation of timber. The industry and COSLA put forward a proposal to establish a strategic timber transport fund. Although we have no financial provisions for such a fund, I have asked the Forestry Commission to help COSLA and the forestry industry to work up the idea and to undertake a cost-benefit analysis through the timber transport forum steering group.

I am grateful to the minister for that update on the meeting that was instigated following my members' business debate in Aberdeen. Will he assure me that, following that meeting, he will no longer accept the position whereby a local authority can effectively cut off a mature forest from the market by placing closure orders—either temporary or permanent—on a road or a bridge, thus rendering a 40-year investment of public and private money virtually useless?

Abandonment of forest is clearly a possibility in some remote areas while timber prices are so low. The member's party shares responsibility for the current state of affairs because, when it was in government, it treated the planting of trees as a tax-avoidance measure and the wrong trees were planted in the wrong places. We now have to pick up the cost of that folly. I assure the member that I am working with the industry and COSLA to ensure that we get the product to market and that we maximise the value of that product to the industry and to the local communities.

The rail industry represents a suitable way in which to extract timber. Is the minister aware that a working time directive will be introduced in the rail haulage industry on 1 August 2003, which is 19 months ahead of its introduction in the road haulage industry? How does he think that that will affect the competitiveness of the rail industry in tendering for timber extraction work?

The SNP would obviously support the working time directive, as the Labour party does, because the directive helps to regulate employees' hours and can help to secure safety in our transport systems. I do not know what impact it might have on timber extraction, but I will look into the matter that Alasdair Morgan raises and get back to him.

The minister will be aware that in parts of central Sutherland in my constituency there are stands of timber that will probably never be removed because of the state of the roads. He will also be aware that, in years gone by, the Scottish Office had a scheme, worth about £2 million per annum in an area such as the Highlands, to do up those roads. Does he agree that it would be a positive move if the Scottish Executive were to discuss with suitable local authorities the reintroduction of such a scheme?

The purpose of our discussions with the industry and with COSLA about establishing the strategic timber transport fund would be to do precisely that. In the early stages of the development of such a fund, it is important to understand what the fund would be for, if it were to materialise. Increasing industry competitiveness and securing long-term benefit for investment would be two of the key criteria for ensuring that the moneys in that fund, if they became available, were put to best use.

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Vulnerable Families (Support)

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the support available to vulnerable families. (S1O-6404)

We are expanding and improving support to vulnerable families. By 2006, at least 15,000 vulnerable children under five will have an integrated package of health, care and education support to meet their needs. The Scottish budget has secured additional funding to support sure start Scotland, the child care strategy and the changing children's services fund.

I welcome the minister's commitment to practical support. In providing more resources to local authorities and the voluntary sector, will she ensure that resources and qualified staff are available to deliver those desperately needed services for vulnerable families? Will she redouble the efforts that she is already making to encourage more young people into social work and into the caring professions as their first career choice?

I am happy to give Sarah Boyack that reassurance. She will note that I recently launched a further initiative connected with plans to recruit and retain social work staff. We are also giving local authorities financial support to ensure that they can train a whole range of people who will be working with children and vulnerable families.

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Victims Strategy

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making with the victims strategy. (S1O-6374)

A report on the progress on the Scottish strategy for victims was published yesterday.

Now that the Executive has made such strong moves to support victims its main plank in changing the justice system, will the minister ensure that the support provided by police, fiscals, sheriff courts and High Court victim services will be fully integrated, along with the development of further victim-based reparation and mediation services?

I can certainly give Richard Simpson the assurance that he seeks. It is important that more attention should be paid to the victim in the criminal justice system. For too long, the victim was a person pushed to the sidelines. It is important to provide victims with support and information and to allow them to participate more. The victim should be given a much more prominent place in our criminal justice system.

Richard Simpson properly mentions the various agencies that are involved. I add to that list Victim Support Scotland, which has played an important part in the development of the victims strategy and will play an important part in implementing it.

Does the Deputy First Minister accept that victims come in many different forms? In the light of this morning's news, will he tell us whether, in addition to liaison between the police services of Northern Ireland and Scotland, there was any prior contact between the Northern Irish and Scottish Administrations before the arrival of the family, supporters and friends of Johnny Adair?

There was no specific contact between the Northern Ireland Office and the Scottish Executive prior to the events to which Lord James Douglas-Hamilton refers.

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Food Supplements (EC Directives)

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has had with the European Union regarding planned European Community directives restricting food supplements. (S1O-6391)

The Food Standards Agency has represented the United Kingdom in negotiations on the EU directive on food supplements, which came into force on 12 July 2002. The Food Standards Agency Scotland is currently consulting with stakeholders on the implementation of the directive into domestic legislation. The FSA has negotiated hard in Europe and will continue to press for maximum limits for individual vitamins and minerals in food supplements to be based on thorough, scientific risk assessment.

It is claimed that the directives have little to do with health and more to do with the powers of the pharmaceutical giants, which see the health and food supplements industry as a threat to long-term profitability. Will the minister assure me that he will raise the matter with UK and EU officials so that the Scottish people can retain the right to choose supplements and alternative therapies? He should bear in mind the possibility that people who are denied access to self-medication could turn to expensive NHS drugs, which would have cost implications.

The reality is that the EU directive now exists. The UK, through the Food Standards Agency, argued harder than any other member state to ensure that the interests of consumers were protected, but that is in the past. The issue is how to implement the directive. On the permitted list of sources for vitamins and minerals, we shall take and use the maximum derogation for which the FSA argued. There is no question of any products being outlawed in the immediate future.

The minister may be aware that I have been appointed as the European Committee's reporter on the issue, which was the subject of a petition to the Parliament. Will he ensure that maximum consultation is had with the FSA on the regulations, as that would be the greatest service to users of supplements throughout Scotland? At a meeting in the city chambers last week, people were concerned about the matter.

I am certainly keen to hear people's representations, but I have explained the context. We have a directive to implement and we will do so by using the maximum derogation, for which we successfully argued. There are still issues to be resolved on the maximum limits, but I described in my first answer the principles that will be followed in giving our views on that.

Given that the research base for the directive is not known and that food supplements on sale work very well, will not further regulation on such products simply encourage more people to buy lower-quality products over the internet? In the long run, that will have the opposite of the intended effect.

Again, Mary Scanlon is arguing against the directive per se. There is no point in going down that route because we have a directive to implement. We must use the derogation that we have secured and argue on issues such as the maximum limits, which have not yet been resolved. That is certainly what we intend to do.

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Recycling

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to meet representatives of voluntary and community recycling businesses to discuss proposed changes in their funding. (S1O-6370)

My officials have recently met a range of organisations with an interest in the landfill tax credit scheme in order to inform the design of the interim funding scheme, which I announced on Monday, to assist projects currently funded via landfill tax credits.

It is being claimed that the mess caused by the sudden changes in funding of category C projects under the landfill tax credit scheme is the result of a history of unforeseen consequences. Does the minister agree that that claim takes the biscuit? Hundreds of voluntary organisations are currently in despair and despondency. Will the minister guarantee that, over the next year, not one job in Scotland will be lost as a result of what has been monumental incompetence on the part of Chancellor Gordon Brown's office?

I think that I can guarantee that the Scottish Executive has taken the matter seriously and has received a wide range of representations. I hope that a whole range of organisations throughout Scotland are not deeply depressed, as indeed they might have been at the announcement that the landfill tax credit scheme was to come to an end. However, on Monday, we announced the interim support, which is designed to be in place over the whole of the next year. In that way, we will not only be able to give interim support to many organisations that provide a valuable service, but have adequate time in which to find out what the longer-term plan might be.

Does the minister agree that the disappointing figures on recycling rates that Audit Scotland announced this week are a sad indictment of the failure of the Liberal-Labour Executive to move Scotland off the bottom of the recycling league? Does he agree that it is disappointing that there has been delay after delay in the production of a national waste plan? Can he tell us today whether the national waste plan—when it is finally produced—will contain a commitment to the kerbside collection of materials for recycling in all areas of Scotland?

I do not agree that the figures are an indictment of the Executive. The figures prove exactly what the Executive has been saying for some time. It is because Scotland's record on recycling is disgraceful that the Executive has embarked on putting together a national waste strategy, the purpose of which is to reverse the trend that Audit Scotland identified.

The only reason for any delay is that the Executive has not adopted a top-down approach in preparing the national waste strategy. Instead, we have worked with all local authorities in Scotland, dividing them among 11 area waste plans. It has taken the authorities this amount of time to put those plans together. The Executive, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and local authorities are bringing all those area waste plans together into a national waste strategy. In 2005-06, the strategy should take us forward from the current abysmal total to 25 per cent recycling and composting of waste, towards a target of 50 per cent in 2020 or 2030. That seems to be a positive reaction by the Executive in tackling head on a problem of which Scotland should be ashamed.

I warmly welcome the minister's announcement of transitional assistance for social economy organisations that operate in the recycling sector. One of them, Greenlight Environmental Ltd—which employs 110 people in my constituency and conducts a number of major projects in recycling and environmental work and training—relies heavily on the landfill tax credit. Will the minister provide further details of the scheme? In particular, will he describe the support that is to be provided and will he say how quickly such support can be put in place?

Our discussions with various organisations indicated that, in the interim period, there would be a shortfall of about £3 million to £4 million among all such organisations. As I made clear in my announcement, that finance is to be put in place simultaneously with the cessation of the landfill tax credit from 1 April. As I indicated to Robin Harper, we are making funds available to cover the year. There will clearly be a number of difficulties to overcome in dealing with the various organisations concerned. Much of the work is done through Entrust, which is helpful, but we must devise a proper, long-term successor. We recognise the huge and valuable role that such organisations play in waste gathering throughout Scotland.

The minister has let me know that the national waste plan will be launched outwith Parliament on 24 February. Will he make a statement to Parliament about the plan before or after revealing it to the world at large?

Even Mr John Scott is now indulging in the trade of pieces of information—I am not even sure where he got his information. I do not normally make that kind of announcement on such matters—I see you glowering at me, Presiding Officer. Normally, matters that should be advised to the chamber are advised to the chamber first. I am not at all clear where Mr Scott got his information.

I never glower—that is just my normal look.

On a point of information.

That is not a point of order; I think that you are having an argument with the minister.

On a point of order, then.

Go on.

The information was given in response to a written question.

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Gypsies and Travellers

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure equal treatment of Gypsies and Travellers in the public services. (S1O-6376)

The Executive is committed to the fair and equal treatment of Gypsies and Travellers in Scotland. We have supported a number of groups and projects to promote equality for Scotland's Gypsy Traveller community. Gypsy Travellers' specific needs are also recognised in the Scottish Executive's race equality scheme.

The minister will be aware that Gypsy Travellers have been subject to discrimination in housing, education, health and employment by communities in Scotland for many years, and that Gypsy Travellers are not covered by the Race Relations Act 1976. Will the minister assure me that Gypsy Travellers are being included in all the projects and initiatives that the Executive is instigating to address racism and equality issues and that they are being consulted on the appropriateness of those initiatives to their circumstances?

I can give the member the assurance that she seeks. Gypsy Traveller needs are included in all our equality work. As I indicated in my previous answer, as part of the race equality scheme, we intend to progress work relating to Gypsy Travellers. Last week, Cathy Jamieson issued guidance on supporting the needs of Gypsy Traveller children in schools, to ensure that education practice reflects those. Recently we extended the regulatory concerns of Communities Scotland to ensure that pitches fall within that framework. There is clear evidence that the Executive is recognising the needs of Gypsy Travellers and the discrimination that they have faced in the past. We are making determined efforts to tackle the problem.

Is the minister aware that concerns are being expressed in North Lanarkshire about the reduction in the number of sites that will be available to Gypsy Travellers? Can she respond positively to those concerns?

As I have just said, the work of Communities Scotland is significant in that regard. Last year, we asked Communities Scotland to consider the provision of sites throughout Scotland and to develop appropriate regulation. Through Communities Scotland, we will consider not only the existence of sites, but the standard of a number of sites about which we are concerned. We are in discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and all key authorities to ensure that that work is progressed. I would be happy to examine the situation in North Lanarkshire.

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Social Workers (Recruitment)

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in recruiting additional social workers. (S1O-6371)

The national recruitment and awareness campaign has had a significant impact. There has been an increase in the number of calls to the Scottish Social Services Council and to the Jobseeker Direct helpline. On 27 January, I announced unprecedented investment in social work education. The additional £2 million to meet the costs of student practice placements, the fast-track scheme for graduates, the return-to-practice programme and the scheme to repay up to £9,000 of student loans will all assist in recruiting and retaining social workers.

I welcome the initiatives that the minister has outlined. Given the importance of practice placements in academic courses for the training of social workers, will the minister assure me that adequate financial assistance will be provided both to students who undertake a social work placement and to those who offer such placements?

As I indicated in my previous answer, we have made available an additional £2 million to meet the costs of student practice placements. Some of that money will be allocated to the higher education institutions, to ensure that there is a range of quality practice placements and to help students to meet travel costs. However, I have also made it clear that I expect people who work at the front line to support and supervise practice placements to receive some reward for doing that.

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Teachers (Suspension)

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been made by teachers unions urging the ending of automatic suspension of teachers following misconduct allegations. (S1O-6364)

None.

I will never believe Scotland on Sunday again.

Will the minister indicate what guidelines exist for determining how teachers who are accused by pupils of misconduct are dealt with? Is it current practice that automatic suspension follows such accusations? If so, how many teachers have been suspended over recent years and reinstated without criminal charges being brought?

I understood that Mr Gallie's intention was to ask what representations have been received from teachers unions, rather than what representations have been made. There is a slight difference between those two questions. Mr Gallie can probably believe Scotland on Sunday when he reads it in future—I am aware of the comments that Ronnie Smith has made on the issue.

The member should be aware that in November last year the Scottish negotiating committee for teachers agreed a revised disciplinary framework for teachers, which sets out a clear structure for investigations into complaints that are received about a teacher. That does not mean that suspension will be automatic. It is for local authorities to consider best practice. In certain circumstances, there is scope to move a teacher. There is no indication that a teacher will always be suspended if an accusation is made against them. Each case should be investigated on its merits.

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Gaelic-medium Education

To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils receive Gaelic-medium education at pre-school, primary and secondary levels. (S1O-6395)

In the academic year 2002-03, local authority Gaelic-medium education numbers showed 361 pre-school pupils and 1,925 primary school pupils. In addition to that, 997 secondary pupils study Gaelic as fluent speakers. Of that number, 375 study two or more subjects through the medium of Gaelic.

Does the minister agree that we need to make progress across a range of Gaelic policies, including the welcome but little-trumpteted initiative by Lewis Macdonald on road signs up the west coast of Scotland? Does he further agree that support for Gaelic-medium education is crucial if we are to reverse the almost terminal decline in Gaelic and that, to that end, we need to train more Gaelic-medium teachers and support those who are already in place?

I agree with Mr Macintosh. The survival of Gaelic language and culture is utterly dependent on the number of young people who learn the language, which is utterly dependent on the number of teachers who teach the language. That is why the bulk of the resources that we have at our disposal go into providing teacher training. This year, 25 primary school Gaelic-medium teachers and four secondary school Gaelic-medium teachers will emerge from the system. Because we recognise that more are required, I have asked the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to discuss with me ways of increasing the provision.

Does the minister recognise that there is frustration among the Gaelic-speaking community at the fact that some local authorities are failing to meet demand for Gaelic-medium education? Does he agree that the solution is to empower parents and give them the right, subject to sufficient demand, to set up state-funded schools to provide Gaelic-medium education?

I do not agree with Murdo Fraser. Local authorities have the power to apply for the specific grant that is available if they want to establish a Gaelic-medium education unit or extend those that exist. That is the way forward.

If there are gaps in the provision of Gaelic-medium teachers, I would want to consider the matter, as I would not want those gaps to remain. However, by and large, the demand from parents for their children to be educated in the medium of Gaelic is being met.

The minister's reply to Kenneth Macintosh was interesting. The minister will be aware of the difficulties that are being faced by Perth and Kinross Council in attracting a teacher for the Gaelic-medium unit in my constituency. In effect, the unit has been without a teacher since September. The children are being integrated into English-language classes, they are no longer taught together and, at most, they get one or two hours of Gaelic tuition a week. That is Gaelic-medium education in name only. Do other units in Scotland face that problem? What practical steps can the minister take to help to resolve the situation that is developing in my constituency, where, for the want of one teacher, Gaelic-medium teaching has disappeared?

I am aware of the specific problem that Roseanna Cunningham refers to and I regret that it has occurred. However, such occurrences are rare and I am not aware of any others. The answer to the general problem is the answer that I gave Murdo Fraser. We must increase the number of Gaelic-medium teachers and ensure that they are placed around the country where they are needed. Of course, at the end of the day, it is up to teachers to decide which jobs they want to apply for, but, given the increasing number of teachers who are being trained in Gaelic-medium education, the sort of incident that Roseanna Cunningham has described should be extremely rare and I would like it to be eliminated completely.

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Young Offenders

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to change the balance between spending on prosecuting young offenders and on providing services to tackle youth offending. (S1O-6405)

The Scottish Executive accepts the need to ensure that there is an appropriate balance between spending on process and spending on the provision of services to tackle youth offending.

Over the past 10 years, the Executive has invested significantly in services to support the increased range of community disposals available to courts. Further investment in community programmes for young offenders is planned as part of our 10 action points for youth crime.

Does the minister agree that, currently, we have the balance the wrong way round? We are spending £90 million on services and programmes to tackle young offending but £150 million on prosecuting young offenders. Does he agree that additional resources need to be invested in community-based programmes rather than in custodial sentences and residential schools that are five times as expensive but have proved to be largely ineffective in breaking the cycle of reoffending?

In the past three years, spending on community justice services has risen by more than 50 per cent, and in the five years to 2005-06, the budget will increase by nearly 100 per cent.

We also need to recognise that the process to which Keith Raffan refers can cover important activities, such as crime prevention, crime detection and the prosecution of individuals through courts. He makes a valid point about the need to deal with young people appropriately. Secure places in residential schools should be made available where there is a need for them. Equally, we should consider effective alternatives for those who can benefit from other forms of disposal, not just for reasons of cost but for social reasons. We are doing that and we are providing the necessary investment.

I urge the minister not to reinforce a false division. The fact that we are prosecuting young offenders does not mean that we are failing to support services to tackle youth offending. Does the minister agree that taking such behaviour seriously and listening to our vulnerable communities sends out a strong message not just to young offenders, but to those young people who surround them and who are impressed by them? It sends out the message that there are consequences to intimidating and bullying local communities. Such a strong message will stop youngsters on the fringes of problematic behaviour going down that road.

I understand Johann Lamont's sentiments. Many communities across Scotland are plagued by unacceptable behaviour from a minority—I stress that word—of young people who cause a disproportionately large problem in local communities. She is right: we need to send out to those young people the message that they will be dealt with appropriately and severely if they persist in causing problems in communities. I hope that that will act as a deterrent to the youngsters around those who behave unacceptably.

We also need to recognise that there are other ways of assisting and supporting young people who are engaged in bad behaviour. It is a question of ensuring that the right disposals and the right measures are available at the most appropriate time. Although we will be firm—we will tackle youth crime and bad behaviour—we will also seek to address some of the underlying problems.

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Fishing Industry (Compensation)

To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it can give that any compensation to the fishing industry will be extended to include small businesses such as fish vans, fish shops and small-scale processors in areas such as Arbroath. (S1O-6366)

We hope that the recently announced financial package will bring benefits to all who depend on sustainable fisheries: the fishermen, the processors, ancillary businesses and the fishing communities.

Does the minister acknowledge that the problem associated with likely fluctuations in the supply of fresh haddock will have a specific impact on the economy of Arbroath, which is dependent on that supply? Will he take the opportunity to congratulate Bob Spink on the work that was reported on Radio Scotland this morning, which, it is hoped, will lead to the protection of the Arbroath smokie name and to a limit on the manufacture of smokies to within five miles of Arbroath town hall?

I am happy to acknowledge the work that Bob Spink has done to attempt to secure the future of the Arbroath smokie.

I have already answered the other point. In assessing the impact on all processors, we recognise that a number of small processors will find the new situation particularly difficult. On the production of smokies, the percentage of imported haddock has increased to 60 per cent in recent years to meet a fall in supply.

I repeat the first answer that I gave. The intention is that, through the range of measures that we have announced, we should be able to support even the smallest part of the affected sector.

Does the minister agree that sustainability is the goal of any central Government compensation package and that such packages must apply to the whole industry, offshore and onshore? Will he confirm that the figure of £50 million applies to the offshore industries and will he tell us what additional central Government money is available to the onshore ancillary industries? If no such money is available, I ask him to be honest, to admit that fact and to do something about it.

The Executive has announced a substantial package of support for the industry. In relation to the onshore industries, the enterprise networks are already engaged in examining the areas that might be most affected by the changes in the fishing regulations. I am quite satisfied that the Executive has taken seriously the wide range of industries that will be impacted by the cuts and that we are putting in place measures to deal with those cuts.

Does the minister realise that it is taking fishermen from Scotland's north coast up to 10 hours to steam through the areas that are closed to fishing due to the cod spawning box? Does he realise that the rush to beat the 15-days-at-sea scheme is therefore putting vessels and crews at risk?

I am sorry, but Jamie McGrigor's question is not in order, as it is not related to the question in the business bulletin.