SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
I remind members who were not in the chamber for questions last week of the instructions that they should have received from their business managers. Questions should be sharply focused and should take the form of a question, rather than a statement or speech. I expect ministers to respond accordingly.
A76
To ask the Scottish Executive what further improvements are planned for the A76. (S3O-4704)
Transport Scotland's strategic transport projects review is examining the longer-term needs of Scotland's nationally strategic transport network. That includes consideration of the A76 as part of the transport corridor between Glasgow and north-west England.
The minister will be aware that many of my constituents are concerned about the lack of an adequate footpath between Cumnock and New Cumnock alongside the A76. Will he assure us that the matter will be re-examined as part of the strategic transport projects review, especially in light of the fact that an e-petition on the issue was submitted to Parliament this morning?
I have made 278 ministerial journeys on foot, accounting for some 65 hours of my ministerial time, since coming into office, so the member should be assured that I want to do everything possible to ensure that there is safe and adequate footpath provision not only in the south-west of Scotland but across the country. I will give further careful consideration to the issue.
In his initial answer, the minister referred—as does Transport Scotland—to the M74 and the A76 as a corridor, which strikes some of us as a curious concept. In light of those comments, to what extent is he considering improving the A70 to divert heavy vehicles from the northern part of the A76 to the M74, which would take pressure off the southern part of the A76?
The strategic transport projects review is considering surface transport across Scotland. It is looking at hubs—our main centres of population—corridors linking those centres and corridors extending out from those centres to more remote parts of Scotland. Examination of the various roads in the south-west will, of course, include consideration of the kind of alternative routing to which the member refers.
Animal Welfare (Transportation)
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place, or are planned, between Scottish ministers and the European Commission about the forthcoming review of Council regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the welfare of animals during transportation. (S3O-4675)
Formal discussions between the Scottish ministers and the European Commission about the forthcoming review of the Council regulation on the protection of animals during transport and related operations have yet to take place. The Commission has consulted on options, rather than proposals. We have expressed concern to the Commission about the potential impact of the review on Scotland's livestock sector. We anticipate that the Commission will issue proposals next year. In the meantime, Scottish Government officials are working closely with officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure that we are in a position to resist any proposals that are against Scotland's interests.
I am sure that the minister is aware that there are serious concerns about the consistent lack of enforcement of existing welfare regulations, which causes an estimated 100,000 horses to suffer unnecessarily each year as they are packed into trucks and driven thousands of miles across Europe to slaughter. Will the minister condemn that cruel practice and undertake to write formally to the European Commission on behalf of the Scottish Government in support of a strengthening of welfare regulations, as advocated by World Horse Welfare, to end the inhumane transport of horses into and across the European Union?
I am aware of the member's concerns, which I know he has raised elsewhere in Parliament. I will be happy to express to the European Commission Parliament's desire to ensure that existing regulations are enforced adequately, as happens here in Scotland. Such enforcement should be replicated throughout Europe. I will seek opportunities to raise the issue with the European Commission.
Economic Growth
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact of recent events in the financial sector on economic growth in Scotland. (S3O-4677)
The Scottish Government monitors developments in the global economy and assesses their potential impact on the Scottish economy on a regular basis. The assessments of recent events in the financial sector and of the wider impact on the economy have informed the Scottish Government's economic recovery plan.
One part of the Government's economic recovery plan refers to planning. Why, in the draft budget, is the planning budget reduced from £8.9 million this year to £2.2 million in the next financial year?
The answer is simple: capital expenditure has been undertaken in this financial year to introduce the e-planning system, which was a one-off item of expenditure, to allow us to benefit from greater efficiency in the planning system. I should have said "electronic planning", as opposed to "e-planning" for short. Once the money has been spent on installing the infrastructure, we will benefit from efficiencies without having to count the cost every year. I am sure that Mr Brown will approve of that prudential investment.
Can the minister provide guarantees that, should another bid for HBOS be forthcoming, the Scottish Government will fully engage with it and do all that it can to protect Scottish jobs, maintain decision-making functions in Scotland and ensure that Scottish consumers benefit from a competitive banking sector?
Mr Adam charts a number of the aspirations and motivations of the Government in dealing with the HBOS situation. We have been anxious to retain in Scotland significant corporate decision-making jobs, with effective decision-making power remaining here in Scotland. We have been anxious to secure a competitive banking market, which is essential for a vibrant and healthy contribution to the Scottish economy from small and medium-sized enterprises. Those are all key aspirations of the Government.
Scottish Qualifications Authority Exam Reforms
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can provide details of the likely timescale for publication of the results of the recent consultation process on SQA exam reform. (S3O-4682)
The consultation on the next generation of national qualifications in Scotland closed on 31 October. Individual responses will be published on the Scottish Government website by 28 November 2008. The independent research company Ipsos MORI is analysing the responses and a range of other evidence, and is due to report in late January 2009. Following consideration by the Scottish Government, an announcement on the way forward will be made in spring 2009.
In light of that answer and of the cabinet secretary's announcement of a one-year delay to the implementation of the new structure of the Scottish Qualifications Authority, is it still the Government's intention to introduce a Scottish baccalaureate in science and languages and, if so, what will the timescale be?
The curriculum for excellence is already being implemented across Scotland. Many schools are implementing the curriculum for excellence structure from secondary 1 this year, and all schools are expected to do so by 2010. The extra time for implementation automatically means that the timing of the examinations has been moved to 2014.
Television
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the nation's cultural identity is enhanced by the permanent presence in Scotland of a vibrant, robust and competitive television programme-making industry. (S3O-4745)
Yes. As highlighted in the Scottish Broadcasting Commission report "Platform for Success", broadcasting is important to the economic, cultural and democratic health of the nation. The report recognises that more high-quality creative content can be produced in Scotland given the right environment. That will provide the basis from which Scotland can develop a dynamic and successful production industry, creating world-class content for worldwide audiences.
Bearing in mind the close links between television production and the health of the wider creative community, as well as the importance of local and national news programmes in informing citizens about issues of common interest, does the minister agree that an appropriate model must be found to maintain and expand high-quality television content from both BBC Scotland and STV, as the commercial broadcaster in Scotland?
Yes. As was highlighted in the commission's report, plurality of services is extremely important to viewers, both for news services and more generally. The commission's research highlighted a desire on the part of the public for a Scottish network to service the whole of Scotland, and for all the public service broadcasters, including the BBC and ITV/STV, to ensure that their news services provide suitable coverage for all parts of the United Kingdom. The Scottish Government has indicated that it supports those recommendations. We will respond fully to the Broadcasting Commission by the end of the year.
The minister will have noted yesterday's comments by Ed Richards, the head of the Office of Communications—Ofcom—that STV programmes such as "Scotland Today" might be axed because of the financial crisis facing ITV. Does the minister believe that there should be current affairs competition for the BBC in Scotland? I accept that broadcasting is a reserved function, but does the minister see merit in top-slicing the licence fee to allow ITV to provide that competition?
The matter is obviously being discussed by the Conservative party at the moment. As is outlined in Ofcom's public service broadcasting review consultation, a number of issues will need to be considered, particularly the provision of local and national news on ITV/STV. The Scottish Government is considering its response to the Ofcom consultation, and we will respond by 4 December. I urge members throughout the Parliament also to respond to Ofcom to ensure that all concerns are taken into account.
A90 (Laurencekirk Junction)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve further the junction of the A90 with the A937 at Laurencekirk. (S3O-4681)
Transport Scotland's strategic transport projects review is examining the longer-term needs of Scotland's nationally strategic transport network, which includes consideration of the A90 as part of the transport corridor between Dundee and Aberdeen.
Does the minister acknowledge the fact that when the temporary measures were put in place at the junction, it was understood locally that they would be temporary, and that there would be a quick move towards the development of a grade-separated junction at the site? What progress was made by the previous Government towards that aim? Will that aim feature among the present Government's priorities?
The member will be aware that the previous Liberal Minister for Transport made improvements in 2005, which have resulted in a reduction in the number of accidents at the junction. We inherited no planning for further work. In light of the remark that the Liberals' finance spokesman, Jeremy Purvis, made last week, that
What has that got to do with the question, Presiding Officer?
I am indeed left wondering what that had to do with the question.
This is a very serious issue. The minister wrote to me saying that only "2 slight injury accidents" have taken place on the A90 at Laurencekirk in the past three years, whereas figures released by Grampian Police under the law on freedom of information—which is more than I got from the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change—show that there have been 35 collisions and 21 injuries at Laurencekirk. Does the minister agree that those are alarming figures? Will he reconsider his decision not to meet me, Jill Campbell and other local campaigners to see for himself just how dangerous the road around Laurencekirk is?
As the member is aware, I am a regular user of the A90 and I am familiar with the area—indeed, it seems quite clear that I am somewhat more familiar with it than he is. My answer related to the junction that he asked me about; the freedom of information request that he mentioned referred to a substantially greater area of the A90. As this is a matter of concern to us all, it is being treated very seriously.
That remark is off the subject, minister.
Numbers from Liberals on the subject of roads or on anything else are not to be trusted.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Given that people have died at this junction and that there have been serious injuries of which the minister is not aware, is it appropriate for him to make petty political points on this serious issue, which has received broad cross-party support?
I remind the minister of what I said at the beginning of question time: I expect answers to stick strictly to the subject matter of the question.
Charities Legislation
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to revisit legislation on charities. (S3O-4699)
We are making good progress on implementing the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, which includes mechanisms for regular review.
Is the minister aware of the comments of Lucy McTernan, the acting director of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, who said that the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator's recent decisions on private schools
The charities legislation, which was introduced by the previous Labour-Liberal Administration, received broad cross-party support. For an organisation to qualify as a charity, it must demonstrate that it provides a public benefit, and that criterion was employed by the independent charities regulator in reaching the decision that was announced on 28 October. Some private schools passed the test on the grounds that they satisfied the public benefit test, in particular by providing assistance to those who are unable to pay fees to attend those schools; other schools did not.
I am not sure how that relates to the question. [Laughter.] I would prefer your answer to relate to the question, minister.
I was simply going to suggest that those who have benefited from a system should perhaps not decry others who take up opportunities to do so.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
I hope that it is a point of order, Lord Foulkes.
Surely, if the minister's suggestion were followed, you and he would also have to declare an interest.
That is not a point of order.
Homecoming Scotland 2009<br />(Highlands and Islands)
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise regarding possible events in the Highlands and Islands during the homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations. (S3O-4726)
The homecoming team is in constant contact with the Highland Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, both of which, along with other organisations in the north, are important partners in the event. To strengthen those partnerships, a member of the homecoming team works out of the HIE office in Inverness two days each week. The very close working relationships that have been built up have resulted in the planning of a number of homecoming events across the Highlands and Islands to celebrate homecoming Scotland next year.
Does the minister share my view that the year of homecoming provides opportunities for the diaspora to visit Scotland and provide a major boost to tourism in the Highlands and Islands and beyond? Will he support my campaign for the Tate gallery to lend Gainsborough's portrait of the famous Highland family, the Baillies, to the Inverness art gallery to provide a focal point for Highland events in 2009?
Of course I support that campaign. We should also encourage everyone in the Highlands to show Highland hospitality in their letters, e-mails and phone calls. In their Christmas cards to people furth of the Highlands and Scotland, they should invite them to next year's year of homecoming. The gathering in Edinburgh next year should involve work with the clan societies; people should be told to come to Edinburgh and, having done so, to go north and west.
And south.
Thank you for that sedentary intervention, in which I declare an interest.
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