SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Care Commission
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the future funding of the care commission. (S2O-694)
The policy on future funding of the care commission remains that the commission will be funded through a combination of registration fees for all services and subsidy of fees for child minding and day care for children. The Executive will shortly consult on maximum fees for next year.
Does the minister agree that the future self-funding of the care commission, at the estimated cost of £95 per care home place, will, once again, have more financial implications for service users and will add to the continuing confusion about the true cost of nursing and residential provision, which the Scottish Executive has so far failed to resolve?
I do not agree at all with that assertion. The current annual fee for care homes is £95 per place, or £1.82 per week, which represents about 45 per cent of the current cost of regulating the service. That is a small proportion of the overall cost of the services that are regulated both in care homes and elsewhere. As is the case with many other services that such organisations provide, they will have to consider how they absorb the costs.
I hear what the minister says, but I refer him to a publication from the National Association of Inspection and Registration Officers in Scotland, whose members inspect care homes. The association's position is that the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care should not be self-funding and it urges that funding should be
A large proportion of the care commission's budget—something like £19.5 million out of the £25 million that it costs—comes from grant in aid from the Scottish Executive, which comes from direct taxation.
Barrier-free Housing (Grants)
To ask the Scottish Executive what grants are available to assist disabled people to achieve barrier-free housing. (S2O-714)
A range of grants is available, including support from local authorities and Communities Scotland, across the range of tenures. In 2002-03, more than 96 per cent of new-build houses that were funded through Communities Scotland's housing association grant scheme were built to barrier-free standards.
Does the minister agree that there is a tendency for support for barrier-free housing to gravitate towards the rental sector and that there is a lack of support to enable disabled people to buy barrier-free housing, especially since the special needs capital grant was removed? In the European year of disabled people, disabled people should have the same rights to house ownership as anyone else. What, if anything, will replace the special needs capital grant?
I am not in a position to say what will replace the special needs grant. We are petitioning the European Union to ensure that we are within the European aid rules; we are actively dealing with the issue. However, it is still possible for people from the owner-occupied sector to access housing improvement grants and I hope that they will take up that opportunity should they need to do so.
Lothian and Borders Police <br />(Capital City Status)
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the case for capital city status submitted by Lothian and Borders police to the Executive on 5 September 2003. (S2O-677)
The Executive has considered the chief constable's case, has accepted that it sets out some policing pressures that are distinct to or disproportionately affect Edinburgh and has agreed that those issues should be considered within the review of police grant-aided expenditure allocations, which is due to be completed in the spring.
Is the minister aware that during periods such as the present, when fireworks night leads into the MTV awards and a major NATO conference, police resources in the city are fully stretched? As a result, Lothian and Borders police are discussing hiring officers from neighbouring forces to cope. Is it not ridiculous that council tax payers in Edinburgh pay not only for their own force, but for hiring other forces? Is it not time to recognise that Edinburgh deserves capital city status, the same as the old bill of metropolitan London gets?
I will resist the temptation to make myself even more unpopular by saying that I will be at the MTV awards.
Sport (Drugs Testing)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking with Her Majesty's Government and sports bodies to ensure there is an effective drugs-testing regime in sport. (S2O-690)
The matter that the member asks about is for UK Sport and the governing bodies of individual sports. The United Kingdom's anti-doping policy has the full support of the Executive and sportscotland. We reiterate that taking performance-enhancing drugs is cheating and we condemn it.
As the educational aspect of persuading people not to use drugs is within the control of the Scottish Parliament, will the minister consider co-operating with his colleagues and with the relevant bodies to have a major educational programme in schools to explain to people the long-term effects of anabolic steroids, for example? I have been assured by an expert that not only are an increasing number of young males taking anabolic steroids to do better in sport, but they are taking them to be more attractive to the female sex.
I have never used anabolic steroids, have never seen the need to use them and have not been disappointed by not using them.
Drug-related Deaths
To ask the Scottish Executive how many drug-related deaths there were last year. (S2O-668)
There were 382 drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2002.
I understand that around 60 per cent of those drug-related deaths were deaths of people who had recently been released from prison. Many such people are referred to waiting lists for community drugs services. What is the minister doing to bring about clinical continuity of care for ex-prisoners?
Mary Scanlon will be aware that, at the end of August, I announced a review of drug treatment and rehabilitation services, which was a commitment in the partnership for government agreement.
I acknowledge that there has been a correlation between the number of people who have just left prison and the number who have died as a result of drugs, but I do not believe that the correlation is universal. For example, I am not aware that there is such a link in the north-east, where there were around 50 drug-related deaths last year. Have other factors been identified that are closely associated with the number of drug-related deaths? If not, will the minister try to find out whether there are regional variations in the pattern?
We will undertake a comprehensive examination of the reasons for drug deaths in Scotland. Every drug death in 2003 will be closely examined in the review. Even before we get the details of that review, it is evident that many drug users do not use only one drug—at the time of death, a number of drugs have been taken—and that drug activity can also be associated with heavy alcohol consumption. We also know that some of the people who die of drug-related causes, although not all of them, have taken drugs for many years and their general health has deteriorated as a result. There are concerns that people whose health has been affected over a number of years and who continue to use a mixture of drugs and alcohol can leave themselves more exposed to death than others. Complex issues are involved. We need to find out more about those issues so that we can more appropriately target services and try to end this appalling waste of life.
Community Partnerships (Membership)
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is regarding the membership of community planning partnerships and the partnerships reflecting community interests. (S2O-701)
The community planning legislation places a duty on local authorities, assisted by their community planning partners, to consult and co-operate with community bodies. The specific membership of partnerships is a matter for partners to decide locally. However, the community planning process should be open to all relevant public, private, voluntary and community bodies.
How is it possible that the Lennoxtown initiative, for example, a supposedly community-led project that receives £3.2 million of public money, can be set up as a limited company? The board members are self-appointed, the board's meetings are not minuted, there are no public meetings and there is no transparency. Can the minister assure me that that is not a model that the Scottish Executive would support? Does she agree that, if we want to encourage community involvement, we should support direct election to such community boards?
The member will appreciate that it is difficult for me to comment on an extremely specific issue, but I am happy to consider any particular matters that she would like to raise with me in relation to the example that she gave.
I welcome the thrust of the thinking behind community planning. However, will the minister accept that there are problems concerning multichannel decision making and the silos that people get themselves into when undertaking decision-making processes? Does the minister agree that we must find better ways of merging budgets so that we can create a shift of priorities from one area to another?
I think that community planning is an attempt to do just that. We are trying to encourage people to think beyond their silos and to be co-operative, strategic and visionary in relation to their areas. Community planning is one of the most progressive proposals that we have come up with to try to deliver that. Having said that, I do not underestimate the challenge that many partners, including the Scottish Executive, face in delivering that. I am sure that I can count on Bruce Crawford's support when we encourage people to work in a co-operative way to deliver strategic partnerships in their areas.
Gypsy/Traveller Sites
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to assist local authorities in providing suitable sites for Gypsies and travelling people. (S2O-673)
More than 30 sites for Gypsy Travellers have been provided by local authorities with funding from the Scottish Executive. The Scottish Executive undertakes a range of duties to ensure that the needs of Gypsy Travellers are accommodated throughout Scotland.
I am sure that the minister is aware that there are continual problems throughout Scotland in relation to the availability of land and the lack of facilities at sites for Gypsy Travellers. There is no doubt that some local authorities are doing well in that regard, but others are not.
I am happy to reassure Sylvia Jackson that we have been doing that kind of work over the past few years. For example, local authorities are now expected to identify the accommodation needs of Gypsy Travellers in their housing strategies. Communities Scotland now regulates local authority sites for Gypsy Travellers with specific reference to the standard of the facilities. We want to prioritise the general issue of tackling prejudice against Gypsy Travellers. We will continue to take decisive action on that.
What powers do the police have to move on people who are using inappropriate sites in communities?
There have been recent developments in encouraging co-operative working between police and local authorities. That is to ensure that any action taken is sensitive and appropriate and takes into account the needs of Gypsy Travellers. There must be a sustained approach to accommodation. We must move away from a culture in Scotland that has been insensitive—and downright hostile—to the needs of Gypsy Travellers and move towards a much more co-operative approach and a sustained solution. There will be partnership working between the police and local authorities and there will be proper engagement with Gypsy Travellers.
Those members who read Holyrood magazine will know that I wrote of an especially harrowing case to do with precisely this sort of problem. My good friend John Farquhar Munro tells me that, despite 100 per cent funding from the Scottish Executive, three applications on Skye have been turned down on planning grounds, because of objectors and so on. What are the minister's thoughts on that obstacle?
I am sure that the member will appreciate that I cannot comment on any particular case because I do not have the details to hand. However, I am obviously happy to look into the case. Public policy should be consistent and meet the needs of all Scotland's communities. I am not sure what lies at the heart of Jamie Stone's question but I reassure the chamber that we are determined to tackle prejudice against Gypsy Travellers. We have had a number of debates in the chamber about that prejudice and we must tackle it.
Does the minister agree that the temporary sites that are envisaged in the new regulations may well cause difficulties for local authorities and communities? Will she give a commitment to do all that she can to assist local authorities and communities in ensuring that temporary sites are in suitable places with sufficient support?
We must take sensible approaches that are based on proper planning, accommodation and facilities. We must ensure that people are well informed about the options available to them. Part of the answer is in the work that we have done with Communities Scotland. We are sharing information and we listen to the different interests when determining whether a site is established or not.
School Meals (Nutritional Standards)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that nutritional standards are maintained and met in the provision of school meals, particularly in primary schools. (S2O-676)
As described in the report from the expert panel on school meals, "Hungry for success", four levels of monitoring will be undertaken. That will involve: annual reporting by local authorities through the national priorities in education; Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education's programme of school inspections; a published report from HMIe, working with specialist associate assessors in evaluating school meals provision; and independent research assessing the implementation and impact of the recommendations from the panel.
I am sure that, like me, the minister will be gratified to learn that the Soil Association praised the Executive's nutritional targets, comparing them with the "muck off a truck" that is served in England and Wales—those were the association's words, not mine. Has the Executive given any consideration to the suggestions of the association's director, Patrick Holden, and set additional targets for the use of local and organic foods? In particular, Mr Holden has suggested that more farms could be directly connected to their local schools. That would be of particular relevance in constituencies such as mine in Dumfries.
And in my constituency as well. I understand the point that the member makes. The Executive is aware of the Soil Association's comments and its suggestion of additional targets. There has been correspondence—not, I think, with the Scottish Executive Education Department but with the First Minister's office.
Question 9 is withdrawn.
Acute Services (Reorganisation)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for reorganisation of national health service acute services. (S2O-685)
Planning for acute NHS services is primarily a matter for NHS boards, working with all their partners, subject to departmental guidance on consultation. I am pleased to see continuing progress in planning, consulting on and implementing acute and related health care strategies across Scotland. That is essential if Scottish patients are to get the modern health care services that they need and deserve.
In Forth valley, the reorganisation of acute services is very much dependent on the minister's approval of the plans for a new hospital on the site of the Royal Scottish national hospital at Larbert. Is he aware that the letter that he has received from the chief executive of Stirling Council, which proposes an alternative location, is bristling with inaccuracies and that the alternative proposal in that letter would lead to an unacceptable delay in the construction of the new hospital? Can we therefore have ministerial approval for the Larbert site before the end of the year?
I am sure that Dennis Canavan would agree that I should examine the matter thoroughly. I received a letter from Stirling Council in the middle of October and I am sure that he would also agree that it was right for me to examine thoroughly the issues that were raised in that letter. I have looked into those issues and will soon come to a conclusion. I assure him that I will respond to Forth Valley NHS Board very soon—well before the end of the year.
Does the minister agree that Stirling Council's on-going work to find land for the location of the acute hospital site that would be more accessible for the people of Forth valley than the site at Larbert should not continue to be sidelined in a negative and, at times, aggressive manner by Dennis Canavan?
The reality is that there is a large degree of consensus in Forth valley on the need for a single site. That is welcome, but it is understandable that there are differences of opinion on precisely where the site should be. I must examine both the details of that and the nature of the consultation, which, in this case, was detailed and robust. The key issue is the site. I shall come to a conclusion on that very soon.
The minister said that he would come to a conclusion "very soon". It would be good if he made an announcement quite quickly. Does he agree that the consultation process that took place was robust and that many communities throughout Forth valley contributed to it?
I assure Cathy Peattie that "very soon" means quite quickly. I repeat that I am confident that the consultation was robust. All sides will think it right that all the relevant issues should have been examined in detail.
Dental Training (Aberdeen)
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on plans for a dental outreach training centre in Aberdeen as referred to in "A Partnership for a Better Scotland". (S2O-687)
The Scottish Executive has identified £100,000 of funding to develop plans for a potential outreach centre in Aberdeen. The first planning support resource has been allocated to NHS Education for Scotland, which will work with NHS Grampian to introduce outline plans for such a development within the next six months.
I thank the minister for his answer, because the initial funding is very good news indeed. Will he tell the Parliament when, approximately, we might expect the Executive to make a public announcement on the release of the capital funding that will be required to establish the dental training centre in Aberdeen, which was a firm commitment in the partnership agreement?
There is not much point in my saying "in the near future", because someone will ask for clarification of what that means. I assure Mr Rumbles that there will be no unnecessary delay in reaching a conclusion on how that project will be funded.
Will the minister define what "unnecessary delay" in making that capital funding available means? In Grampian, there are some question marks over the £2 million that may be made available over three years. As I understand it, there is no written commitment, as yet. Will there be a commitment to releasing that £2 million? I also invite him to address the need for more dental school places. Will more places be made available in the dental schools and, if so, when will that happen?
I can only repeat what I have said. We will do our best to ease any concerns that exist in Grampian as soon as possible, but I am not in a position to do that this afternoon. Obviously, we are making every attempt to increase the number of dental school places. We are aware that the situation is unsatisfactory. As I have said, we are urgently examining the situation.
I, too, welcome the announcement of funding. Before additional dentist training is available in Aberdeen, what is the potential for using golden hellos and for extending the dental practice retainer scheme to attract and retain dentists in the short term to address the gap in provision?
A series of measures, including golden hellos, has been initiated in an attempt to improve access to NHS dentistry. Undoubtedly those measures have made a positive contribution, but they have not been totally satisfactory and have by no means dealt with the overall problem. That is why we are reviewing all aspects of NHS dentistry, as I have said. We hope to have something to say in the near future.
A96 Dualling
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund the complete dualling of the A96 from Aberdeen to Inverness. (S2O-678)
The Executive has no current plans to dual the entire A96.
Why not?
That is a good question. Currently, 23km of the route is dualled and 137km is not. However, more than £25 million of improvement schemes for the A96 is programmed. That will involve five separate projects. We are also investing significantly in the road system in north-east Scotland through our funding and support for the Aberdeen western peripheral route.
What is the status of Scottish Executive funding for the Aberdeen western peripheral route? Will the minister give me a figure?
Nothing has changed. The Scottish Executive is committed to the road's funding. We will pay just over 80 per cent of the project's costs. Progress is being made. Like the ministers who gave the two previous answers, I hope to be in a position to reveal more soon.
Environmental Levy
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will actively support proposals for an environmental levy on plastic bags. (S2O-710)
We will study carefully the proposals when they are finally published. We support all measures to enhance the environment but, like everybody else, we must study them and make certain that any measures are enforceable.
I thank the minister for his answer. Was that a yes or a no?
To try to reduce every issue to a simple yes or no answer would lead to an environmentally unsatisfactory position. That may be the way in which the member wishes to conduct Green party business, but it is not the way in which the Executive conducts its business. The sensible and rational approach to this sensible proposal is for us, like everybody else, to study it carefully and to ensure that it has the environmental impact that it is meant to have, that it does not add a burden and that it can be implemented.
I am sorry that my mobile phone rang earlier.
My officials and I discuss environmental concerns with our opposite numbers in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regularly and the proposed levy has been discussed.
Equine Activities and Industries
To ask the Scottish Executive what specific proposals it has for promoting and expanding equine activities and industries. (S2O-709)
We have no proposals that are specifically tailored to equine industries. However, in the Scottish Enterprise area, the business gateway provides a single brand for businesses, which allows easier access to a consistent range of services that are geared towards potential business start-ups and growing businesses. Standard core programmes are available from all outlets and provide focused, high-quality support to customers. In the Highlands and Islands Enterprise area, the local enterprise companies act as access points for information and advice on the range of services that are available to new and growing businesses.
Is the minister aware of the massive £760 million economic contribution of equine industries and of the even greater potential for employment in the sector, both in rural areas and, through ancillary industries, in urban areas, which would be good for small businesses, good for rural areas and good for Scotland? Government ministers in England and Wales are actively participating in the industry and have engaged in planning over a 10-year period. Why is the Scottish Executive not offering a similar deal for our equine industries?
I acknowledge Mr Welsh's long-held interest in the equine industry. There is no question of Scottish Executive departments not recognising the importance of that industry, whether in relation to tourism or other areas. We have no particular evidence of a need to replicate everything that is done in England and Wales. We have ministers who take responsibility for various aspects of equine policy, but we are a much smaller country and do not have the problems that were identified when the unit involved was set up under the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. I do not believe that the case has been made for a replication of that in Scotland.
Fish Stocks (Scientific Research)
To ask the Scottish Executive what alternative scientific research it plans to commission into the reasons for North sea and north Atlantic fish stock fluctuations. (S2O-680)
Fisheries Research Services has a wide-ranging programme of research on the marine environment. The programme is reviewed annually and is modified as appropriate.
I thank the minister for his response, although it does not quite answer my question. Will he commission specific research into the causes of the decline in cod stocks in the North sea? Has he been in contact with any of the many marine scientists from throughout Europe who say that climate change is largely responsible for fluctuations in the location of cod stocks in the North sea? Surely that is the key to strengthening the case that we will be taking to Brussels in December.
Unless I am mistaken, the inference to be drawn from Mr Lochhead's question is that climate change is not studied by FRS. He should be talking to FRS about that. He should understand that, as part of its regular work, FRS studies all aspects of the North sea, including ecosystems, temperature change, climate change and the salinity and nutrient content of the water. There is no way in which the current movement of cod stocks is not studied by FRS. All that work is additional to the standard fish assessment surveys that are undertaken.
Glasgow Crossrail
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support the development of the Glasgow crossrail project. (S2O-691)
We will fully meet our partnership agreement commitment to support the Glasgow crossrail project.
I thank the minister for his reply, although it was less illuminating than I thought it might be. Does he agree that the two biggest obstacles to a 21st century rail system in greater Glasgow are the restricted station capacity and the gaps between the north and south of the city and between the Central and Queen Street systems? When does the minister anticipate a final decision being made on the final approval of the crossrail project?
I very much support the crossrail project and realise the benefits that it can bring to Glasgow. We discussed the issue yesterday during the debate on transport, and I answered an intervention on the matter from Bill Butler, who has been one of the strongest proponents of the scheme. I discussed the matter recently with Alistair Watson, chair of Strathclyde Passenger Transport. The scheme brings many benefits, not least of which are improvements in the flow of rail services between the north and south of Glasgow and use being made of the extra low-level capacity at Queen Street and Central stations.
During yesterday's debate on transport, the minister mentioned the new transport agency. He has not committed himself to a date, a time scale and funding for the crossrail scheme, but can he indicate whether the establishment of the new agency will interfere with its progress?
It will not.
Bullying in Schools
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to address the issue of bullying in schools. (S2O-675)
The Executive has introduced a range of comprehensive and positive initiatives to combat bullying, such as supporting the work of the anti-bullying network and ChildLine's bullying helpline. Bullying blights young lives and is unacceptable in or around any of Scotland's schools.
Will the minister expand on how he intends to tackle the problem, with reference to a pupil in my area who has been forced to leave a secondary school because bullying at that school has not been addressed adequately? Will he also say more about how Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education monitors, evaluates and, finally, assesses the reports of school inspectors on bullying issues?
As I have indicated, bullying is unacceptable in any of Scotland's schools. I regret greatly the circumstances in Helen Eadie's constituency to which she pointed. Schools throughout Scotland have and are required to have anti-bullying policies in place. A range of new, good practices are being implemented across Scotland's schools to bear down on the problem and to eliminate it wherever it arises. When inspecting any school or local authority, HMIe will examine policies relating to social inclusion, bullying, violence and bad behaviour generally in schools, among many other things. It will seek to bear down on the problem wherever laxity in policy is identified. Through such measures, we hope to continue to push bullying to the margins of our society, because it is unacceptable.
Is the minister aware that we have been given to understand that revised guidance on exclusions is due to be issued shortly? Is he also aware that that guidance is awaited eagerly by parents, pupils and teachers alike?
They will not need to wait much longer.
I am looking to call Mr Matheson, but he is not here. In that case, question 18 is withdrawn.
Maternity Services (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances will be given to the public and clinicians that their views will be fully considered in the consultation on the future of maternity services conducted by Greater Glasgow NHS Board. (S2O-686)
As I have stated previously, I will consider very carefully the adequacy of the public consultation and the substantive proposal that is submitted to me. I will pay close attention to the views expressed by the public and by clinicians.
Clinicians have already made representations to me suggesting that the evidence that they gave during the consultation process has not been taken on board by the review group. I urge the minister to ask Greater Glasgow NHS Board to insist that a transcript of the process is made available, so that there is transparency and so that members of the Parliament and he can be assured that all the evidence that was given to Margaret Reid is being assessed properly as part of the consultation.
I support the principle of full transparency in this as in other matters. I assure Pauline McNeill that I will listen to what clinicians and the wider public have to say on this issue. I have already received different kinds of representations from different clinicians. As I said last week, one of the distinctive features of this issue is that very senior clinicians are genuinely on different sides of the argument. That makes it even more complex than some of the other service reorganisation proposals that are being considered.
I understand that the minister will meet representatives of NHS Argyll and Clyde tomorrow. In that context, will he discuss with them regional maternity planning and impress on them, first, the absolute need to co-operate with Greater Glasgow NHS Board in finding a solution for all mums who live north of the river and, secondly, the importance of access, as it is not acceptable for people in Dumbarton, the Vale of Leven or Helensburgh to be required to spend five hours on a return journey to Paisley for basic health treatment?
When I responded to Argyll and Clyde NHS Board's proposals, I certainly made it clear that it should do further work with Glasgow in looking at patient flows across health board boundaries. That is a key issue in maternity services planning that should be considered on a regional basis. Clearly, that further work will be important before final conclusions are arrived at.
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