SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Education and Young People, Tourism, Culture and Sport
Scottish Biennale
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the establishment of a Scottish biennale to celebrate Scottish culture and architecture. (S2O-3533)
The Executive's major events strategy aims to establish in Scotland new events that will provide economic benefit and overseas profile. We will announce further details of the recent spending review implications for the strategy in due course.
I thank the minister for her reply and wish her well in her new portfolio of tourism, culture and sport. Her predecessors have, for one reason or another, found it to be a springboard to the back benches, but I am sure that she will break that tradition.
I thank Elaine Murray for those kind comments. I reflected earlier that, as a minister, I have had only one question in the past three years, but I have five today. I do not know whether that is a good or a bad sign, but I will take it as a good sign.
On 18 December, I asked Frank McAveety, who was then the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, whether he would support Richard Demarco's exciting concept for an equivalent to the Venice biennale in the visual arts. That idea has received support from the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Scottish Arts Council. Is the minister aware that Liverpool plans to spend £50 million on promoting itself as a culture centre? Does she agree that that will be a threat to Scotland if Scotland is not prepared to make further investment in the arts?
I am aware of the proposals for Liverpool and I will watch them with great interest. It is important to recognise that the arts in Scotland play an important role in what we do, as can be seen in the major investment that the Scottish Executive has made through the Scottish Arts Council. It is largely for the Scottish Arts Council to decide on priorities, but as time goes on I will come back to the Parliament with further proposals, as Elaine Murray prompted me to.
Dyslexia (Early Recognition)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure early recognition of dyslexia among school pupils. (S2O-3559)
Early identification of dyslexia is a priority area. In 2004-05, the Executive is providing £8.4 million to local authorities for the training and development of staff who work with pupils with special educational needs, including dyslexia. In addition, for the period 2002 to 2005, voluntary organisations have been awarded £335,000 to produce dyslexia-specific training materials. Research into current local authority provision for dyslexia has recently been completed and a national conference to share the findings and good practice will be held early in 2005.
It seems that resources are going in, but does the minister agree that undiagnosed dyslexia has a tremendous cost both in personal terms and to the economy as a whole? Does he also agree that a statutory assessment should be carried out on all schoolchildren at an early stage?
I agree that undiagnosed dyslexia can have profound effects both for the individual and, as Mike Rumbles said, beyond that. I believe that the changes that will be brought about by the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 will help with assessment. On Mike Rumbles's specific proposal, if he cares to write to me with the details, I will be happy to consider whether, in the light of recent legislation, his suggestion would add anything to existing provision.
Has the minister any plans to consider extending assessment and recognition of dyslexia to children at a younger age, perhaps when they are in nursery rather than in school? Will he join me in congratulating North Lanarkshire Council's Coatbridge network support team, which runs excellent workshops for parents of dyslexic children?
I am happy to join Elaine Smith in congratulating North Lanarkshire Council on its interesting and innovative project. I agree that the earlier the diagnosis is achieved, the better can appropriate remedies be undertaken.
Is the minister aware that many local authorities do not recognise the condition of dyslexia? Does he agree that the Parliament and ministers must ensure that all local authorities recognise the condition and deal with it appropriately?
As I said, the research that has been undertaken into current local authority provision will be presented at a conference in early 2005. That will provide the opportunity to ensure that all local authorities have the advantage of hearing about best practice. If there are any shortcomings, I will expect local authorities to address those in the light of the research that has been undertaken for that conference.
As the minister may be aware, Dyslexia Ayrshire is concerned at the lack of effective support in South Ayrshire for children with dyslexia. What guidance should councils adhere to in providing recognition, support and remediation of the condition?
Guidance is provided in circular ED 4/96 "Children and Young Persons with Special Educational Needs—Assessment and Recording" and in "A Manual of Good Practice in Special Education Needs", which was published in 1999 and has been disseminated widely. Both those documents cover the general principles for dealing with children who have special educational needs. I would be happy to confirm that those general principles encompass work on dyslexia. If the member wishes, I would be happy to provide him with copies of those documents. In addition, local authorities issue their own guidance and policies on SEN, including dyslexia. As I said, the research and the conference will help to highlight best practice.
Does the minister agree that young people can sometimes be wrongly diagnosed as dyslexic? Does he agree that more must be done to ensure that conditions such as Meares-Irlen syndrome are recognised in the initial diagnosis, which is often for dyslexia?
I heartily agree with Margaret Jamieson. As another member has pointed out, failure to diagnose early can have unfortunate consequences, but misdiagnosis can equally have unfortunate long-term effects for the individuals concerned.
School Playing Fields
To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns it has regarding the provision of school playing fields. (S2O-3601)
It is vital that schools have appropriate provision of playing fields. As Scotland's schools are modified, it is important that the quality of such facilities keeps pace with improvements overall.
I refer the minister to Mr Frank McAveety's letter to me on the provision of a playing field at Moat park, which was to be levelled off for pupils of Drumlanrig St Cuthbert's Primary School in Hawick. Helpfully, the letter of the then Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport refers to the community facilities strand of the building for sport programme. It states:
I do not have the specifics on that to advise the member, but I will write to her. Having visited Drumlanrig school recently, I understand all too well the importance of that project.
Gaelic (Secure Status)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to secure the status of Gaelic. (S2O-3646)
The Scottish Executive will seek to secure the status of Gaelic in Scotland through a wide range of measures. Last week, we fulfilled our partnership commitment to introduce a Gaelic language bill to promote the use of Gaelic and to confirm that Gaelic has official recognition in Scotland.
Labour members welcome the introduction of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill. I am particularly pleased that the bill will have a strong focus on education. Does the minister have any plans to encourage Gaelic-speaking teachers to convert to Gaelic-medium education?
Maureen Macmillan raises one of the key issues in securing the future of Gaelic. Regardless of what we put into law—and we can put many things into law—we must have teachers to teach through the medium of Gaelic to encourage more young people to get the language skills that we require. We have made it clear to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council that the funding of places for the training of new teachers is important.
I thank the minister for the full answer that he has just given. Can he confirm that three of the four sixth-year secondary schools in the Western Isles are not teaching any subjects through the medium of Gaelic? Gaelic is taught as a subject, but only in the same manner as French. How will the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill provide all parents and pupils in the Western Isles—the heart of Gaelic Scotland—with the option of Gaelic-medium secondary education?
Collectively in Scotland, we have made huge progress over recent years in increasing the amount of Gaelic-medium education that is available. It is one of the great success stories of Scottish education. However, what we have is still insufficient to meet the requirements to sustain the language into the future. That is why two or three weeks ago I issued guidance to local authorities, to which they must have regard, requiring them to make policy statements about Gaelic-medium education; to specify the circumstances in which they will give an entitlement to such education, on the basis of reasonable demand from parents; and to say what constitutes reasonable demand. Over the coming period, all those measures will come into the public domain and establish much more firmly the rights to Gaelic-medium education that we want. However, what we require more than anything is for more people to choose to teach through the medium of Gaelic as a career option. In that way, we can help to save the language for the future.
Scottish Art
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote Scottish art. (S2O-3553)
The Executive promotes Scottish arts principally through sponsorship of the Scottish Arts Council, which is the lead public body for the funding, development and advocacy of the arts in Scotland.
I welcome the minister to her new portfolio, although I am not too sure how much use she will be able to make of the free kilt jacket that I believe comes with the post.
As a fellow Partick Thistle supporter, I will ignore the beginning of Mr Matheson's comments in the interest of consensus across the chamber. He has identified a specific problem that has not been raised with me in the past 48 hours. I know that the Scottish Arts Council works hard to assist artists who wish to sell their produce. It is important that we ensure that artists have a market for the items that they wish to sell, if they wish to make that a full-time profession. I would be happy to investigate the matter on the member's behalf. Once I have had an opportunity to do that, I will write to him with further details. I suspect that I may have to consult my colleague the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform, who is responsible for local government, but I will get back to the member.
Area Tourist Boards
To ask the Scottish Executive what its current plans are for reorganising area tourist boards. (S2O-3579)
Our plans were announced in March, as I am sure Mr Swinney is aware, against the background of our ambition to grow tourism revenues by 50 per cent over the next decade. The project to integrate the area tourist boards is on track to deliver a tourism network to assist tourism businesses and other partners throughout Scotland in support of that ambition. We expect the network to be operational from April 2005.
Can the minister confirm whether two of the existing milestones in the reorganisation of the area tourist board network will be met? The first one is that the funding mechanism for and the roles and responsibilities of the hubs will be clarified by the end of the month and the second is that the staffing structures will be in place by the end of December to guarantee the delivery of the target date of early 2005.
Yes, we are determined that we will achieve the 2005 date; we are working closely with the organisations involved to ensure that we do so. The project team that has responsibility for defining the functions of the hub office is working to define the roles and structure of the integrated tourism network. That information will be available from the end of the month.
Tourism operators in my constituency have two major concerns about the changes that are being proposed. First, how will small bed-and-breakfast operators and hotel owners be able to influence the new tourism hubs, given that we are abolishing membership? Secondly, local marketing groups, which are important in promoting destinations throughout my constituency, are concerned about how the future funding arrangements will be implemented under the new tourism hubs. How much progress has been made by the working groups in addressing those issues, which are crucial to the small bed-and-breakfast operators in my constituency?
Obviously, the bed-and-breakfast market is particularly important to the tourism sector and is increasingly being accessed by visitors from abroad and from the rest of the United Kingdom. We are working to ensure that the operators are supported by the changes that we are making. One example of that is the importance that we are placing, in the new tourism proposals, on the role of local authorities. Because local authorities know their local areas and know what is happening there, they can help to make decisions about what is provided locally to ensure that those small businesses can be supported.
I realise that the minister has just taken over the portfolio, so it might be difficult for her to comment on this. Killin and district tourist association, which operates in my area, wrote to the former Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport to outline the difficulties of advertising for 2005 without knowing what the structure will be then. Will the minister look into the issue and perhaps reply to me and to the association to indicate how it can be supported?
I have not yet seen that item of correspondence—it has not yet passed across my desk—but I am happy to look into the matter for Sylvia Jackson and to respond both to her and to the association.
The minister will know that the current structure is dependent on local authority funding. Can she say at this stage what indication she has of how much of that local authority funding will continue after April?
We certainly hope that local authority funding will be maintained under the partnership agreements that we are putting in place, because there will be a greater role for local authorities to be involved with the new set-up. Over the summer, officials have had a series of encouraging meetings with local authorities throughout Scotland. We have been able, through that mechanism, to dispel some of the anxieties that local authorities have expressed. We are certainly hopeful that such funding will continue. A number of local authorities have indicated their willingness to be part of the process and to be creative about the kind of financing that they can provide. I am certainly hopeful that that will be the case.
Private Schools
To ask the Scottish Executive what its assessment is of the benefits of private schools to the wider community. (S2O-3534)
The Scottish Executive makes no such assessment. Our principal interest is in the quality of the education provision that is offered to pupils within such schools. The monitoring and assessment of that quality is properly a matter for Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education.
Does the minister agree that any objective test of public benefit for the purposes of assessing charitable status would have to take account of the principles of public accessibility and social inclusion? He might be aware that I have relevant experience in the field. Will he take it from me that public schools are far from public and private education is by definition exclusive?
The short answer is yes. However, those matters will be extensively debated when the draft Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Bill is introduced. Indeed, the bill will contain a new definition of charitable status and provide for a public benefit test. Organisations that are currently charities will need to satisfy the Scottish charity regulator of their fitness to continue and will need to pass the public benefit test.
Finance and Public Services and Communities
Civil Service Jobs (Rationalisation)
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Department for Work and Pensions on the rationalisation of civil service jobs. (S2O-3615)
With the Presiding Officer's indulgence, I will preface my reply by making it clear that I answer questions this afternoon as an existing minister of the Scottish Executive and as finance minister designate. The Parliament was good enough to endorse my appointment this morning, but important steps in the appointment process have yet to be carried out and it is important that we show no discourtesy.
Although the minister has yet to make his visit to the Court of Session, he will be aware of the Finance Committee's recent report on the relocation of public sector jobs, which commended the relocation of the Scottish Public Pensions Agency to Tweedbank in my constituency. There is evidence that those jobs are sustainable, of high quality and highly productive. Does the minister share the anger of many people in Galashiels over the proposed relocation of DWP Jobcentre Plus jobs from Galashiels, possibly to Bathgate? Will he make urgent representations to the DWP, stressing the benefits of those civil service jobs to the Borders and the benefits that they accrue to Government?
I think that all members were delighted that the Executive's relocation policy was able to bring benefit to Mr Purvis's constituents. Clearly, any threat to people's jobs in Scotland is a matter of extreme regret. I am aware of the sentiments that were expressed in the Finance Committee's report and I am happy to ensure that the Department for Work and Pensions is made aware of the report's contents.
Is the minister aware that the rationalisation proposals would lead to the loss of more than 100 benefits-processing jobs in Dundee? That would undermine attempts to relocate civil service jobs to the city, which, as the minister will be aware, is under-represented in relation to civil service jobs. I have made representations to Alan Johnson, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. Will Mr McCabe do likewise, with specific reference to the proposed job losses in Dundee?
As I said, any loss of jobs in Scotland is a matter of extreme regret. As I also said, I am happy to make available the contents of the Finance Committee's report to the Department for Work and Pensions so that it can be made aware of the opinions that have been expressed by the Parliament. However, it is important to put the issue in perspective. Just a few days ago, my predecessor announced a substantial expansion of public expenditure in Scotland, which will be a driver of economic expansion. Through investments in physical and electronic infrastructure, we will allow enterprise to flourish in Scotland and produce a more robust and competitive economy, which will create employment opportunities for a great many people in Scotland.
Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of support will be made available from the domestic abuse service development fund in future. (S2O-3606)
The domestic abuse service development fund has been running since 2000 and will end on 31 March 2006. The Scottish Executive has allocated £9 million through the fund over that period. We are currently considering funding arrangements for that area of work post-2006.
Will the minister join me in praising the vital work that is carried out in my constituency and Fife-wide by projects that are supported by the development fund? Will he reassure those projects and inform them what funding they can expect post-2006?
It was made clear when the latest guidance went out that the current period is to be the final one for the funding, in the present form. However, the Scottish Executive is massively committed to such work and has expanded the areas that are covered. In the past year, the domestic abuse service development fund has been supplemented by a wider violence against women fund and a fund for rape crisis groups. I am pleased that the first official engagement in my new ministerial post will be the annual general meeting of the Central Scotland Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Centre in Stirling tonight. The Executive is massively committed to the issue—it has put £32 million into such work since 1999. Because I was involved in the issue as a minister in 1997, I know what massive progress has been made since the establishment of the Scottish Parliament.
The minister will be aware that many victims of domestic abuse are elderly women, but is he aware that only one refuge exists in Scotland for elderly women who have suffered domestic abuse? Does he have any plans to create more refuges for those vulnerable women?
One significant development in the past few years has been the expansion in the number of refuges. Part of the £32 million to which I referred was the £10 million refuge development fund. An expansion in the availability of places was badly needed. I am sure that people will take into account Sandra White's comments about the needs of older women who are in that terrible situation.
Question 3 has been withdrawn.
Procurement Policy
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making with the implementation of its environmentally sensitive procurement policy. (S2O-3644)
The Scottish Executive's procurement policy has already contributed positively to an environmentally sensitive and sustainable Scotland. The Executive has published a considerable amount of guidance and information for public purchasers and suppliers. The guidance, which is available on the Executive's website, requires purchasers to take full account of relevant sustainable development objectives and policies. Guidance to suppliers who wish to sell to the Executive underlines the point that, if they fail to comply with environmental legislation, they may be excluded from competition and that those who offer environmentally preferable goods and services are likely to have a competitive advantage.
I welcome the minister's positive reply and the importance that is attached to the policy in "Building a Better Scotland: Spending Proposals 2005-2008: Enterprise, Opportunity, Fairness". What monitoring does he intend to carry out to ensure that the policy is driven forward? Will he set targets so that real efficiencies are encouraged throughout the public sector? Does he believe that the efficient use of resources and the procurement policy will raise standards in the private sector through companies that provide the Executive and other public bodies with services and goods?
I recognise Sarah Boyack's consistent interest in the issue. She will be interested to know that the greening government policy continues to process environmental improvement. We have adopted a number of specific targets that are to be achieved annually. For the years 2003 to 2006, our key targets included reducing the amount of office waste that goes to landfill by recycling 70 per cent of the total waste that is produced by March 2005; reducing the amount of paper that is purchased annually for general in-house daily use by 10 per cent by March 2004; and further reducing our energy consumption by 1 per cent by March 2004. The Executive's environmental performance annual report, which includes the latest performance figures and many others, will be published shortly.
I welcome the minister's response and accept that Government policies can be achieved through the guidance to and conditions on contractors who engage in business with the Government. Will the minister share his thoughts on the guidance that is given to companies that are on the approved list of contractors to achieve our aim of ensuring employment rights, positive training and appropriate attitudes in the work force and to ensure that companies that are in receipt of public money for services have a high employment ethic?
The Executive believes the ethical considerations that Cathie Craigie has raised to be extremely important. In publishing the guidance on our website and in other ways, we seek to ensure that our processes and our requirements are as transparent as possible, so that organisations and businesses that wish to transact with the Executive are clear about what is required. However, that is something that we always have to do, in the context of legal requirements at the European level and the domestic level.
Supporting People Initiative
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to change the basis on which funds from the supporting people initiative are allocated to local authorities. (S2O-3597)
On Friday 1 October, we announced that future funding for supporting people would be allocated on a new formula basis that more fairly reflects relative need across Scotland. A £1.2 billion investment over three years in housing support services was announced.
Dumfries and Galloway Council tells me that its funding is dropping from £15 million this year to £10.6 million in three years' time—a drop of 30 per cent. Why does the minister think that the people of Dumfries and Galloway will be 30 per cent less worthy of support in three years' time?
There are variations in how different local authorities are affected. That is because of the new distribution formula that I mentioned in my substantive answer. Nobody can quarrel with the general principles of the new distribution formula, which is based on the number of older people and people receiving disability living allowance, and on homelessness and deprivation. In principle, it is a good formula. However, we should also remember some of the headline facts about the overall amounts. The amount is double the figure for supporting people in 2002 and it is double what it would be if it was being allocated according to the Barnett formula. I am meeting the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities later in the week, and there are serious issues and concerns about which I want to have a dialogue with COSLA. However, we should remember the general facts as well.
Does the minister have any plans to introduce transitional arrangements—or could that be discussed further at his meeting with COSLA—to ensure that those local authorities that experience a reduction in their share as a result of the changes that he outlined are given support and assistance to soften the blow of having to make those adjustments?
Transitional funding has been built in so that there is not too major a drop in any one year. COSLA will want to raise the details of the transitional funding with me on Friday. There was a review of all the funding, which, as I have said, has doubled in the past two years. No one can deny that there is scope for efficiency savings. However, that will not satisfy everyone or meet all of people's problems and concerns. Again, we should consider the wider context. I am keen to discuss some of the details with COSLA.
Will the minister pay tribute to East Lothian Council and other local authorities that have implemented the Executive's policy of supporting old people, disabled people and people at risk in the community under the excellent supporting people scheme? Does he accept that a cut of £3 million—or 33 per cent—is not details or efficiency savings? Such a cut to supporting people in East Lothian could not possibly be made without having a drastic effect on that vital programme. I am sure that the minister would not want to leave vulnerable people in the lurch or to force them to go into hospital instead, so I urge him to reflect carefully on the implications of last week's announcement.
I am reflecting very carefully on that and I shall reflect further before and, no doubt, after my meeting with COSLA on Friday. Some councils are having bigger changes than others because of the new distribution formula. I accept that there is an inherent problem in that, which is why transitional funding is very important. I will discuss that with COSLA on Friday.
I am sure that the minister will commend those local authorities that have worked hard to maximise the size of the funding pot for supporting people, but does he agree that, in any change in funding allocation, we should always, as a priority, seek to protect the services that are delivered to our most vulnerable people? Given the scale of some of the funding reductions, will he ensure that local authorities, specifically West Dunbartonshire Council and Argyll and Bute Council, receive assistance from transitional funds to mitigate any reduction in their overall funding package?
I am aware of the situation in West Dunbartonshire in general terms and I am sure that I shall have discussions with the relevant local people about that. As I have said, the Executive considers transitional funding to be essential as part of the changes—that will be further discussed on Friday.
Contracts (Confidentiality)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will require that all future contracts into which it and its agencies and partners enter, and which involve the expenditure of public money, do not contain any clauses requiring confidentiality. (S2O-3620)
The Scottish ministers' code of practice on the discharge of functions by public authorities offers best-practice guidance to Scottish public authorities on complying with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. It discourages the use of confidentiality clauses wherever possible but does not rule them out completely. That is because, in certain circumstances, agreement to such a clause might be necessary to protect legitimate interests—for example, trade secrets or information that, if published, might have security implications. However, confidentiality clauses should be used only in exceptional circumstances, as the indiscriminate use of such clauses is clearly contrary to the requirements of the 2002 act.
I thank the minister for what I think is quite an encouraging reply. Does he agree that the future contracts that he enters into on behalf of the Executive should therefore contain all the necessary financial information to enable members of the Parliament to assess whether interest rates on private finance initiative contracts are appropriate or whether penalties are appropriate, as well as any other information that enables us to get to the bottom of what is going on? There are many dark secrets in public life at the moment.
The Scottish Executive is committed to openness with regard to our contract dealings. In my initial answer, I made clear the direction of travel that we intend to take. In future, we will do all that we can to ensure that there is confidence in Scotland that we go about our procurement business in as open and accessible a way as possible. We will do our level best to avoid the flowery language that Mr Stevenson has just indulged in.
The minister no doubt welcomes openness and transparency wherever possible, but does he not agree that in cases involving children's issues, such as situations in which there has been abuse of, or problems relating to, children, there is justification for confidentiality?
I agree completely. There will always be instances in which the disclosure of information would be far from appropriate. It is important that there is proper guidance that allows people to make those judgments and we will do our best to ensure that such guidance is available.
European Constitution
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes that affect Scotland were incorporated in the final version of the European constitution, as agreed at the intergovernmental conference on 18 June 2004. (S2O-3655)
If ratified, the European Union constitutional treaty will introduce a number of changes that affect Scotland, which are set out in the United Kingdom Government's "White paper on the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe", which was published on 9 September.
That was a very wide-ranging answer. I have some specific questions. Have there been changes in article 17, which gives a remarkable amount of flexibility to the European Union to judge on issues that are supposedly the preserve of the Scottish Parliament? Has there been any improvement in article 9, which refers to competences and which has the same effect as article 17?
I never cease to fail to understand Mr Gallie's logic. Although the Conservative party is implacably opposed to the treaty, he seeks to argue about how the treaty could be made better for the Scottish Parliament and for Scotland.
Answer the question.
Order.
Mr Gallie would also be opposed to the fact that the treaty, if it is ratified, will allow national and sub-national Parliaments to object through the subsidiarity mechanisms. Those are all improvements for Scotland, but Mr Gallie and his party are implacably opposed to them all.
Does the minister acknowledge that the proposal to make fisheries an exclusive competence is one change that will be foisted on Scotland if the constitution goes ahead against the will of the people of Scotland, particularly the minister's constituents in Shetland? Will the minister explain how he can reconcile support for that exclusive competence with the Executive's stated objective of giving more powers to the regional advisory councils that are going to be set up? Does he accept that that objective will be impossible to fulfil if the constitution goes through as it stands?
As one who represents a fishing constituency, I find Mr Lochhead's attitude to such matters quite distressing, because the regional advisory council, which will be chaired by my colleague Ross Finnie later this month, will provide active involvement by fishermen in the management of the common fisheries policy for the first time. That must be a step forward, but it is not as far as matters will go; they will go much further, because they are of direct importance to the fishing communities that I and the Executive represent. It would be useful if Mr Lochhead woke up to that fact.
General Questions
Renewable Energy
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that more energy is provided from renewable sources. (S2O-3621)
We are committed to our target that 40 per cent of electricity generated in Scotland should come from renewable sources by 2020. We are currently consulting on changes to the renewables obligation (Scotland). Among the changes will be a requirement on suppliers to provide increased amounts of electricity from renewables in the period to 2016. We are also continuing to work in partnership with the industry through the forum for renewable energy development in Scotland to encourage the development of a wide range of renewable technologies.
Will the minister outline what action is being taken to ensure not only that developing renewable energy industries are incentivised but that, through initiatives such as the intermediary technology institute in Aberdeen, they capitalise on the skills, expertise and infrastructure that are already established in the energy sector in Aberdeen, so that the city will remain the energy capital of Europe in the long term?
I know that Mr Baker is aware of the green jobs strategy on which we are consulting and which identifies renewable energy as one of the areas in which Scotland can capitalise on a rich natural resource, not only in wind power but in wave power, tidal power and biomass. The intermediary technology institute in Aberdeen, with its focus on energy, is well placed to take many of the skills that have been developed over the years in the oil and gas industries and find out how they can be translated into work, skills and opportunities for the increasingly important renewable energy industry in Scotland.
Wave Power
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage the development of wave power. (S2O-3622)
Our contribution of over £2 million enabled the construction of the world-class European Marine Energy Centre on Orkney, where the Pelamis device is currently being tested. Our forum for renewable energy development in Scotland recently published an action plan for accelerating development within the sector and we and the industry are now moving to implement that report's recommendations.
I am sure that the minister is aware that engineering construction firms in the Moray firth area are impatient for the move from prototypes to production to take place. What support can the Executive give to encourage generating companies to move into wave power once the prototypes have been proved, whether that is direct support or representations to the Department of Trade and Industry?
Maureen Macmillan hits on an important aspect of the green jobs approach, which is that there will be opportunities not only in research and development but in construction. I am sure that the construction yards to which she refers have the skills and are well placed to take advantage of marine turbines when they come into production.
I am glad to see those developments in wave power, but will the minister say what efforts the Government is making to encourage energy efficiency and energy saving in businesses and homes, so as to make the renewable energy targets that it has set easier to achieve?
The Executive has a strong commitment to energy efficiency. We provide £10 million annually to support the work of the Scottish energy efficiency office, which increases the take-up of energy efficiency measures in businesses and in the public sector. The office carried out more than 600 energy audits in 2003-04, identifying potential savings of around £15 million to Scottish business.
The minister will be only too well aware that the lack of adequate distribution networks to harvest renewable energy is one of the limiting factors in his achieving his targets. Will he tell Parliament how discussions with the DTI and the power companies are progressing with regard to the delivery of adequate networks to harvest wind and wave power?
I assure John Scott and the Parliament that there are regular, continuing discussions with the DTI and with the companies involved to ensure that we have the infrastructure in place to maximise the advantages of renewable energy in Scotland. A series of initiatives is being pursued. I have to be careful what I say when it comes to individual applications for upgrades, because of ministerial involvement in giving consents.
Witnesses with Special Needs
To ask the Scottish Executive what provisions are made for witnesses with special needs who are called to give evidence in court. (S2O-3608)
Any victim or witness who is considered vulnerable is offered the service of VIA, the dedicated victim information and advice service, which is part of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. VIA provides information on the progress of the case and liaises with other agencies and voluntary organisations to ensure that each individual victim or witness receives the necessary information and support. The special needs of victims and witnesses are addressed before they attend court to give evidence and, where necessary, pre-trial visits are arranged. Appropriate measures are also taken to ensure that witnesses can give evidence.
Is the Solicitor General aware that there is presently such a shortage of lip-readers that there is a danger that some cases could fall, because of the one-year time bar for some offences? What assurances can she give to deaf people who require those services to give evidence? Some of them, in my constituency, currently feel that they are being discriminated against.
I am not entirely clear what the role of lip-readers would be in relation to witnesses and victims. Generally, there are signers, who liaise closely with the Crown Office about the services that they provide. I assure Irene Oldfather that there would be no question of cases being time barred on the basis of the absence of an interpreter for any victim. That service would be provided even if we had to look elsewhere for it. The Crown Office is constantly examining the services that are provided for victims who have special needs and ensuring that they are provided.
Fines (Collection)
To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent sheriff officers are deployed for collecting outstanding fines. (S2O-3535)
If a court thinks it expedient, it may order that a fine be recovered by civil diligence. Sheriff officers can then be employed in the collection of the fine. Civil diligence tends to be used only when a fine has been imposed on a company, as a range of other enforcement measures is available to the court to be used against individuals.
I thank the minister, but for what I think is a singularly unsatisfactory response. The minister will be aware that outstanding fines are running at unparalleled levels. One of the sanctions that is applied is imprisonment. Her Majesty's prisons inspectorate for Scotland has this morning produced a report that highlights overcrowding. Would it not make an awful lot of sense for the Executive to instruct that outstanding fines are collected at an early stage by sheriff officers, who are competent to do that under the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995?
I am aware that the Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers has been in touch with Executive officials, offering its services in relation to fine enforcement. I have noted that approach and proposals that it has made are being dealt with as part of the consideration of the McInnes report's proposals to speed up the court system and make it more efficient.
Does the minister agree that, with modern technology, it should not be difficult for the courts to get in touch with the people who administer the pay-as-you-earn system in order to get them to deduct the unpaid fines at source? A simple press of a button would save a lot of running about.
I wish that a simple press of a button could solve a number of issues. To an extent, John Swinburne is correct. In some cases, for example, it is possible to have money deducted from benefits.
Human Rights (Consultation Responses)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to complete its consideration of the report "The Scottish Human Rights Commission: Analysis of Consultation Responses". (S2O-3638)
Consideration of the report is under way and will be completed as soon as possible.
Soon, I hope.
I can give the Executive's commitment to continue with the process of creating a Scottish human rights commission. However, it would not be right for the chamber to believe that we are not tackling the issues that the member raised. Again, I mention that the report by the chief inspector of prisons that was published today recognised the work that has been done in relation to slopping out. Some 86 per cent of people in our jails now have access to night sanitation. I want that to be 100 per cent and the spending review, which was announced last week, will give us the finance that will enable us to move towards that, just as it enabled significant improvements to be made in the health service and across the Executive's programme.
Can the minister assure me that the powers and remit of the Scottish human rights commission will be appropriate in the context of the devolution settlement, given that elected members of this Parliament are already scrutinising and raising the important issues that Chris Ballance mentioned? We have been effective in holding the Executive to account on human rights issues. Can she further assure me that we will take our time in considering what the commission's remit should be and give careful consideration to the position of the other commissions that deal with human rights issues, including the Equal Opportunities Commission Scotland and the Commission for Racial Equality Scotland, and to the role of the recently established post of commissioner for children and young people? Will she confirm that a key function of a human rights commission will be to ensure that ordinary Scots get the advice that they want?
Pauline McNeill has made a number of serious and important points to which I hope that members have listened. I will attempt to give a relatively brief answer in view of the time.
Container Ports (Scapa Flow and Hunterston)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will pursue the economic potential of developing international container ports at Scapa flow and Hunterston. (S2O-3542)
Our partnership agreement commitment recognises the significant potential economic benefits of such major developments to Scotland. I have visited both locations and the Executive is working closely with Scottish Enterprise and with Highlands and Islands Enterprise to promote the developments at Scapa flow and Hunterston.
Does the minister agree that both container ports offer Scotland a fantastic economic opportunity? Will he ensure that the Scapa flow development is promoted as a transshipment port over any potential competitors around the North sea? Will he further engage with the United Kingdom Government to ensure that the Hunterston development offers a solution to overcrowding in English channel ports such as Southampton? Will he ensure that rail freight links are included in any assessment of those terminals? Will he also consider the potential for rail freight links to the Rosyth ferry port?
The rail link opportunities at Scapa flow are somewhat restricted.
Quickly.
A huge opportunity is available to improve our rail connections and to improve rail freight connections throughout Scotland and to the rest of the UK. That will be a central part of what we examine at Hunterston. As a result of the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway proposal, I hope that we can have a rail connection to Rosyth, too.
We could have nearly completed the development by the time that the minister had finished his answer.
Yes.
Given that the real asset value of Hunterston and Scapa flow lies in their deepwater facilities, will the Executive ensure that any development maximises the return on those valuable assets?
I agree about that. The facilities are excellent. Studies require to be undertaken on the environmental impact, but the depth of the water and the availability of access all year round are two of Hunterston's key advantages, which we need to exploit as best we can.
Skye Bridge Tolls
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will review the criminal convictions of Skye bridge protesters convicted of refusing to pay the bridge toll, in light of the European Union ruling that the toll is a service charge, not a tax. (S2O-3583)
It is not for the Scottish Executive to review criminal convictions. If a person considers that he or she has been wrongly convicted of a criminal offence, they may appeal against that conviction to the High Court of Justiciary acting in its capacity as the court of criminal appeal. If all appeal avenues have been exhausted, they may take their case to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, which will consider whether a case should be referred back to the appeal court.
The minister will be aware that the protesters were wrongly charged and were given a criminal conviction for refusing to pay a tax, but it has been decreed that the toll is, in fact, a service charge and subject to VAT. Accordingly, the matter is a civil matter in any court of law. What steps does the Executive propose to take to quash the convictions? Would it not be more appropriate to prevent further legal confusion by abolishing the tolls immediately?
I can do no better than refer back to previous answers that have been given by the Minister for Transport, who has answered a number of questions on the matter and has stated how the Executive intends to deal with the Skye bridge tolls.
That concludes question time.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I draw your attention to the fact that the Scottish Parliament information centre does not have a copy of the revised European constitution, which I am sure is a document that is of interest to all members. Will you tell me what steps you can take to ensure that copies are provided by SPICe? If you can take steps, will you ensure that Tavish Scott receives a copy?
That is not a point of order under the standing orders—indeed, nothing to do with documents in SPICe falls within that category. If Mr Gallie would care to write to me or to e-mail me, I will give him an answer. However, I would prefer to do so in my time rather than in the Parliament's time.
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