SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Europe, External Affairs and Culture
Good afternoon. The first item of business this afternoon is questions on Europe, external affairs and culture. Question 1 is from Michael McMahon, who is not in the chamber, I am afraid. Members are already aware of my views on that. We will move on to question 2.
Expo 2010 (Funding)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will honour the previous Administration's commitment to provide funding to ensure an enhanced Scottish presence at expo 2010 in Shanghai. (S3O-2233)
The planned Shanghai expo will be a huge event and it is important that there is a strong Scottish presence there. Obviously, we expect Scotland to be represented and promoted by the United Kingdom bodies as part of their UK-wide remit, just as they would be expected to represent Scottish interests at other events. On that basis, and on reviewing the commitments that we inherited, we do not see a rationale for an additional contribution from Scotland on the scale that was envisaged.
I can only agree with the minister about the importance of expo 2010 in Shanghai and the fact that Scotland should have a prominent place within it. Expo 2010 is an extremely important event in one of the most vibrant economies in the world, which is perhaps soon to become the most important economy in the world. The rationale behind an enhanced Scottish presence was to ensure that, proportionately, Scotland got more from that important event than other parts of the United Kingdom because of the belief that Scotland contributes more than the rest of the United Kingdom.
I am glad that Mr McCabe recognises that Scotland contributes more. That is all the more reason for the UK to play its proper part in the promotion of Scotland, given that it is a UK-wide event and Scotland will be represented by UK bodies.
Human Trafficking
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with new European Union member states regarding concerns over human trafficking. (S3O-2189)
The Solicitor General attended the European Union justice and home affairs council in Brussels on 8 and 9 November 2007, at which the council conclusions on the trafficking of human beings were discussed. Representatives of the new EU member states were also present.
Are there any plans to formalise the role of the trafficking awareness-raising alliance—or TARA—in the implementation of the national referral mechanism, given that the current process is police led, which goes against international best practice? Further, what action can the EU or indeed the Scottish Government take against countries that do not comply—or take action to comply—with the convention against trafficking?
There are quite a lot of issues in Ms White's questions. I am pleased to let all members in the chamber know—in case not everyone has realised—that the Home Secretary announced in January that the United Kingdom intends to ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings by the end of the year. The Scottish Government will work closely with the Home Office to ensure that every possible initiative is taken to protect people who come from the EU countries.
During the world cup, women were trafficked to Germany to be used by men. Given that experience, has the minister had any discussions with the relevant UK ministers and local authorities in Scotland to ensure that men are not able to use such trafficked women during, in particular, the Commonwealth games and the Olympics?
I know that Ms Godman has long been campaigning on these important issues. Discussions about them are going on all the time at official and ministerial level. There was a lot of publicity during that football tournament. I undertake to pass the concerns that have been expressed today to the cabinet secretaries who have responsibility for such issues; at the moment, I am not able to give details of the discussions that have taken place.
Arts Festivals (Rural and Island Areas)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline its policy on the support of arts festivals in rural and island areas of Scotland. (S3O-2196)
I have a sense of déjà vu, given last night's members' business debate on traditional music, festivals and arts. As Mr McArthur will know, funding for the arts in Scotland is currently disbursed by the Scottish Arts Council. Once I have set the overall budget, it determines which events and organisations it will award funding to. I am pleased to say that the Scottish Arts Council recognises the importance of local festivals in providing access to the arts, bringing communities together and, as has been apparent in Orkney and Shetland during recent years, providing opportunities for the development of artistic talent and the promotion of local tourism. In 2007, the Scottish Arts Council awarded more than £1 million in support of festivals across Scotland.
I thank the minister for her response, much of which I agree with. As she said, the Orkney folk festival is a growing success. She will also be aware of the rave reviews being garnered by the revamped Pier arts centre in Stromness since its relaunch. Orkney now has a truly world-class facility.
I am always happy to be hugely impressed, although I cannot make a commitment to attend this year's St Magnus festival at the moment, much as I would like to. As I said in last night's debate, I intend to visit Orkney and Shetland sooner rather than later.
The question has encouraged last-minute arrivals. I call Mr Gibson.
I apologise for arriving late.
Apology accepted.
It is absolutely true that we must recognise the cultural and economic benefits of the things that we do, and that it is not always necessary to grant them equal importance.
The minister will be aware of the very successful Pittenweem arts festival, which last year attracted more than 100 artists to 80 different venues as well as thousands of visitors to the town. Is she aware that during the past four years, the festival has attracted less than £18,000 of public funding? Does she feel that the Scottish Arts Council should have a greater role—or perhaps she could play a role in influencing it—in supporting rural arts festivals of that kind, which do so much to showcase the best of Scottish arts and culture?
If I were able to accept every invitation that I got, my life would be one long holiday—it would be great.
Given the role of the Scottish Arts Council in funding such festivals, should the minister not be more concerned about that organisation's budget than she is about the Lewis chessmen? It was revealed for the first time in the Finance Committee's report on the budget, through a letter from the minister, that the SAC's budget will decline by £3 million over the next three years, which represents a real-terms cut of almost 10 per cent. Will she explain why that has never been brought to the Parliament's attention and—more important—what effect it will have on the funding of the festivals under discussion?
The culture budget will increase by 16 per cent over the spending review period.
Voytek the Soldier Bear
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to commemorate and celebrate Voytek, the soldier bear, who served in the Polish army during the second world war and served out his retirement at Edinburgh zoo. (S3O-2191)
The Scottish Government has no plans to commemorate or celebrate the life of Voytek, the soldier bear.
Aw.
However, I am aware that there is a campaign to ask the Parliament to commemorate and celebrate the life of Voytek. That is not something over which the Government has any say.
I gently ask the minister to reconsider her position. Given that an article on Voytek that appeared on the BBC Scotland website received some 400,000 hits, coupled with the fact that there has been talk of a Hollywood blockbuster about the life of Voytek, I ask her to consider the possibility of looking at the issue again from a tourism angle.
Any application that is made to the Scottish Government will be looked at as one of the many applications that we consider.
Scottish Borders<br />(Public Information Broadcasts)
To ask the Scottish Government whether the digital switchover in the Scottish Borders will signal a review of the Scottish Government's policy on providing public information broadcasts to people in the south of Scotland currently served by Border television. (S3O-2177)
I thank Christine Grahame for her question, because it raises an issue that is of concern to many people.
I thank the minister for a full and interesting answer, but does she agree that, following the recent announcement of plans to carve up Border TV news and current affairs and to generate output for the region from Newcastle, the time has come to ensure that the people of the Borders and, indeed, the whole of the south of Scotland are provided with programmes that are produced and made in Scotland? Although the changes that have been announced for Border TV might be regrettable for staff in Carlisle, the proposals represent an opportunity to enhance programming for the south of Scotland, by making it more relevant to the people there.
As I have said, I know that people in the Border TV area have strong feelings about the changes that ITV plc plans to make to news provision. I worry that Border TV will be merged with Tyne Tees Television. As yet, ITV has not made an application to the Office of Communications to merge those services. If it does, I will encourage Ofcom to consider the views of local people extremely carefully. The Scottish Broadcasting Commission has already raised the matter with ITV, and ITV has made it clear that it views it as a commercial issue.
Does the minister share my hope that digital switchover will lead to more rather than less local television, given the increased amount of space available on the digital spectrum?
I absolutely hope that, generally, the views of the consumer are taken into account. I am encouraging as many people as possible to make their views known because notice has to be taken of those views. Although I hope that digitalisation will have the capacity to work better for consumers, consumers must make their voices strongly heard, as must those who represent them.
International Development Policy (Review)
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the conclusion of its review of its international development policy. (S3O-2248)
The call for comments on the international development policy review closed on 31 October 2007. It has taken a bit of time to analyse the responses because a broad range of views was expressed. I am now considering the outcomes in relation to our international development policy. An announcement will be made soon, along with the publication of the refreshed policy.
The minister will be well aware of the growing role of the third sector in Malawi. Will she outline how organisations such as the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations can support their equivalent partner organisations in Malawi to ensure the continued development and strengthening of that sector?
I am delighted to say that I am going to Malawi this Saturday. Among the many things that I will be looking at is one of the strands that were previously put in place, which is exactly the issue to which the member referred. I think that the member will be quite pleased by the announcement that will be made later today about how we are spending the rest of the money in this year's international development budget. The SCVO does a very good job. One of the ways forward for Malawi is for the country to have an organisation that is able to carry out a similar function.
International Development Policy
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with its international development policy to ensure measurable and sustainable development in some of the world's poorest countries. (S3O-2169)
As I outlined to Mr Stewart, the results of the policy review will shortly be made public. I want to build on progress to date and to focus future resources on those in the greatest need, so that we can achieve positive, measurable and sustainable outcomes. One of the reasons why I am going to Malawi on Saturday is to ensure that we take on board what the people of Malawi see as the best options for their country, so that we have a true partnership between Malawi and Scotland.
As the minister will be aware, HIV is endemic in many African countries. What plans does the Government have to work positively in Malawi, where 17 per cent of the population has HIV and where, according to Oxfam, life expectancy is 38?
It is an awful situation. Everyone in the world who is more fortunate should be trying to assist. There are huge issues related to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. For example, it is estimated that in Malawi, 1 million of the 11 million population are orphans. The United Kingdom Department for International Development does good work in that regard. We should all work together to try to tackle those issues. As I said, some of the issues are huge, and no one should tackle them alone. Therefore, we have continuing dialogue with DFID about how Scotland's contribution can best enhance that work and make a difference where it is necessary.
Education and Lifelong Learning
I am told that Marilyn Livingstone is unwell, so question 1 has been withdrawn.
Perth College
Before I ask my question, I apologise to you, Presiding Officer, for my mobile phone inadvertently going off. I genuinely thought that I had switched it off before I came into the chamber.
I believe that Perth College, like all Scotland's colleges, has a bright future in delivering the skills that a smarter and more prosperous Scotland will require. I understand that it has ambitious development plans, but it is for the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council rather than ministers to discuss with the college the funding and other implications of those plans.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the Ministry of Defence's decision to sell off the Defence Aviation Repair Agency facility at Almondbank. She may not be aware of the MOD's consistent commitment to providing apprenticeship places, which are important for Perth College. Will she undertake discussions with Vector Aerospace, which will be the new owner, to ensure the continuation of that apprenticeship programme? It has been an astounding success and is integral to a healthy future for Perth College, which is, of course, also part of the UHI Millennium Institute's bid for university status.
I am aware of the situation and will encourage all relevant agencies to build on the successful apprenticeship training programme—which, I understand, has provided 20 apprenticeships with Perth College in recent years—so that such effort continues in future.
The minister will be aware of the excellent work that is currently done at Perth College and of its ambitions to get university title as part of UHI, which would bring huge economic benefits to the area, developing Perth as a university town and helping with its bid for legal city status. Will she assure us that the Scottish Government will do all that it can to assist UHI attain university title? We have been waiting an awful long time for that to happen.
We are keen to support the UHI Millennium Institute in its aspirations for university title and officials continue to work closely with it, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education and the Scottish funding council. Indeed, officials from the lifelong learning directorate recently met senior management from the UHI Millennium Institute and HIE in Inverness.
Education Services (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Glasgow City Council about education services. (S3O-2229)
Recent discussions with Glasgow City Council education services have covered a number of important issues, including the welfare rights of asylum seeker children in Scotland and the rising number of pupils with English as an additional language.
The minister will recall the importance of the United Kingdom Government's report "Aiming high for disabled children: better support for families", which generated £34 million in consequentials for this Administration and made a series of important recommendations about the central role of parents in the development of appropriate services for the families of disabled children. What discussions has she had with Glasgow City Council on the shaping of services alongside parents and how does she expect the matter to be taken forward? What level of support should be provided for out-of-school care for children with special needs, which is a critical service for working parents of disabled children?
My colleague Adam Ingram and the First Minister met parents of disabled children recently to discuss those matters. Discussions on those issues, including after-school care, continue.
Has the minister discussed with Glasgow City Council its spending on music education, such as the delivery of the youth music initiative and using traditional music providers, such as Fèis Rois from my region, to ensure even greater stimulus for children in schools in areas of high deprivation?
Organisations such as Fèis Rois are good at engaging with schools throughout Scotland. We welcome the input of outside organisations that enhance the curriculum for children.
Early Intervention
To ask the Scottish Executive what early intervention measures it intends to implement for vulnerable two-year-olds. (S3O-2212)
The early years strategy, which is being developed in partnership with local government and other early years interests, will address the range of services needed to support young children and their families.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning said:
I will not comment at this stage on Rhona Brankin's first supplementary question. I let that pass. However, her second question was a classic example of Labour's misrepresentation of the Scottish Government's position on vulnerable children. Her scaremongering is distasteful, to say the least.
What about Edinburgh?
Order.
The local authorities who introduced the pilots might decide to mainstream the services. Of course, they are in a much better position to do so than they used to be, given the flexibility afforded to them by the removal of ring fencing and the record resources that the Government is making available to local authorities.
Free School Meals (Pilot Schemes)
To ask the Scottish Executive what resources have been allocated for further evaluation of free school meals provision, following the end of the local authority pilot schemes in March 2008. (S3O-2238)
The evaluation of the free school meals trial in five local authorities will cover the period from October 2007 to the end of March 2008. We expect to receive the report on the evaluation at the end of July. We have not allocated resources for further evaluation beyond then.
Can the minister confirm that Government policy is to raise the threshold so that children in families in receipt of working tax credit will be entitled to free school meals? That key measure—[Interruption.] I apologise; that was my mobile phone. Will the minister implement the policy this year or next year? I implore him not to wait longer to implement a key measure that will tackle poverty and help low-income families with children of all ages.
Pauline McNeill will be aware that the issue is included in the concordat that we have agreed with local government. Subject to legislation being passed, free school meal entitlement will be extended to children in families who are in receipt of maximum child tax credit and maximum working tax credit from August 2009. We hope that that will bridge the gap between the number of children who live in poverty, which is estimated to be a shocking 25 per cent of children, and the 19 per cent who are entitled to free school meals.
Does the minister agree that we have witnessed one of the most brass-necked displays that the Parliament has ever seen, given that it was the Labour Government that refused point blank to introduce the measures that Pauline McNeill is now imploring an SNP Government to introduce? Can I assure the minister—
No, but you can ask a question.
Does the minister agree that the initial results from the pilot areas in Fife show that the provision of free school meals introduced by the Scottish National Party Government is going very well? Can I implore the minister to ensure that, once the pilots are finished, we continue to take the measures that I know the Government is committed to on child poverty?
It is not unusual for Tricia Marwick and me to agree. As I indicated in a previous answer, the evaluation of the free school meal pilots will be based on results and it will come through after the end of March. Anecdotal evidence, gathered on a number of visits that I have undertaken throughout the country, shows that there is tremendous enthusiasm for the Scottish Government's policy, with a tremendous uptake of school meals in primary schools. It is a policy of which SNP members can be really proud.
School Building Programmes (Funding)
To ask the Scottish Executive when the alternative funding arrangements to public-private partnership for school building programmes will be made available. (S3O-2219)
The Scottish futures trust is our alternative funding mechanism to the standard private finance initiative; it will deliver better, more efficient infrastructure for taxpayers. A consultation paper was launched in December, with responses due by 14 March. Decisions will be taken thereafter.
This Government has been in office for more than nine months. The only new schools that have been approved are those that were already in the pipeline from the previous Labour Administration. Will the minister admit that the Scottish futures trust is a non-runner—a dead parrot? If not, when will it be set up? This year, next year—to echo Pauline McNeill—sometime or, as I predict, never?
Our manifesto commitment was to match the then Executive's planned building programme brick for brick. We have agreed to do that, have taken the programme forward and provided the finance for it, which was not in place prior to the election.
Does the minister share my concern that there has been no progress since May on three high schools in Fife that have been identified as needing replaced? Nine new schools have been officially opened since May—one by the minister—but they were all built under the previous Labour Administration.
I remind the member that the school building programme is a matter for the local authorities. This Government has provided £3 billion extra in capital for investment in schools and other infrastructure.
Schools (Free Milk)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to reintroduce free milk to schools. (S3O-2200)
The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 gives local authorities the power to provide free milk in schools. Under the terms of the concordat with local government, it will be for local authorities to decide whether they wish to adopt that policy.
With only passing reference to the fact that the provision of free milk was ended as a result of Mrs Thatcher, I point out that, according to information that I have from a local authority in my region, six benefit criteria can potentially apply in deciding whether children receive free milk. Has the minister been in touch with the United Kingdom Government about those criteria and the implications of the situation for his answer to my initial question? If so, have we made any progress on those benefit restrictions?
The straight answer to that question is no. According to last year's local government finance returns, 28 local authorities provide a free milk scheme in primary schools and, for pre-school, the figure goes up to 31 authorities. I expect local authorities to consider carefully whether they should have a free school milk scheme as part of meeting their duty to endeavour to ensure that schools are health promoting.
Teachers (Assaults)
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to tackle the increase in verbal and physical assaults on teachers in primary and secondary schools. (S3O-2168)
The Scottish Government is committed to promoting positive relationships and developing harmonious learning environments in which pupils can learn and teachers can teach without disruption. We are funding a positive behaviour team that helps schools to introduce and embed a wide range of approaches that are aimed at improving discipline in our schools, such as restorative practices and the cool in school programme. In partnership with local government, we will also develop new guidance on promoting positive behaviour and dealing with indiscipline. Our priorities include early intervention, pre-school entitlement, identification of children at risk and the curriculum for excellence, all of which will contribute to ensuring that our children get the best start in life and are included, engaged and involved throughout their school careers.
As was reported a couple of weeks ago, new figures that have been released show that 11,601 cases of verbal abuse against teachers were reported last year. Unfortunately, we are faced with a difficult situation. No school, parent or politician wants the number of exclusions to rise but, understandably, teachers who have suffered verbal or physical abuse will be hesitant to work with people who have been aggressive towards them. What does the minister think that we can do to ensure that our teachers feel safe in our schools, while using exclusion only as a last resort?
The Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that we reduce the number of those dreadful incidents—we want a zero tolerance approach. We will continue to work with local government to develop the best strategies that provide teachers with the support, training and confidence that they need to deal with all levels of indiscipline in schools. Our national surveys tell us that that is what teachers want. We will do that through the development of the new guidance with our partners in local government and through the positive behaviour team. That team works with local authorities in schools to introduce and embed approaches that create calm learning environments and promote positive behaviour. That works—we have seen the impressive results of improved behaviour and a reduction in exclusions in schools such as Tulliallan primary school, which I visited last week.
Free School Meals <br />(West Dunbartonshire Pilot Scheme)
To ask the Scottish Government what early indications there are of the level of success of the free school meals pilot in West Dunbartonshire. (S3O-2185)
Early anecdotal evidence suggests that the free school meals trial has been well received by parents, pupils and schools in West Dunbartonshire. We await with interest the findings of the full evaluation of the trial, which we expect to receive at the end of July.
I was interested in the minister's replies to Pauline McNeill and Tricia Marwick. Can the minister confirm that the scheme has been very well received in West Dunbartonshire? I encourage the minister to do two things: increase the scope of the scheme, lifting the age limit so that more children can benefit from it; and quickly expand it throughout Scotland because it is so good.
As I have indicated, we will extend entitlement to free school meals, subject to legislation being passed in the Parliament, as of August 2009. We hope, subject to the evaluation, to roll out the pilot scheme to the whole of Scotland by August 2010.