Plenary, 07 Jun 2007

Meeting date: Thursday, June 7, 2007

Official Report 752KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Health and Well-being

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Prescription Charges

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to abolish prescription charges. (S3O-168)

We remain committed to our manifesto pledge to phase out prescription charges and are currently considering options for delivering that goal.

I thank the minister for her response, and I hope that this will be the first of many pleasant exchanges.

Although I appreciate that the Scottish National Party is committed to phasing out these charges, what is its timescale for doing so? I also make a special plea that, when the matter is reviewed, particular attention be paid to the position of people with long-term ailments. Asthma sufferers, for example, have to pay over the long term for essential medication and medicinal equipment. Indeed, I could go through a full list of similar examples with which the minister is no doubt familiar.

I acknowledge the campaign that the member has carried out on this issue and the work that she has done with groups of people with long-term limiting illnesses. Part of our manifesto commitment was the immediate abolition of charges for people with chronic conditions, and we are currently considering options for how best to take that forward. However, she can be assured that we will be as inclusive as possible. As far as the timescale is concerned, we hope to be in a position to introduce changes around April 2008.

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Waiting Times (Hospitals)

To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to reduce hospital waiting times across Scotland. (S3O-100)

We will work closely with national health service boards to ensure that the NHS provides responsive, efficient services that put patients first and ensure that they are treated as quickly as possible. We will announce our plans for the NHS in Scotland, including new waiting times targets, later this year.

As far as cutting cancer waiting times is concerned, I understand that the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing has requested weekly progress reports from health boards. Will she confirm that she will publish those reports as she receives them?

The figures are published quarterly. Last week, I said that I was dissatisfied with progress on meeting cancer waiting times targets. Indeed, the target is 18 months overdue in being met and, across health boards, is 10 per cent short of being fulfilled. That is not good enough, either for cancer patients or for their families. Last week, I said that I would carefully monitor progress on a week-to-week basis. I expect the target to be met by the end of the year; indeed, I am confident that it can be met by then. I also announced additional support for two boards, because past experience shows that where such support has been provided, considerable progress has been made.

Will the cabinet secretary confirm that she will increase the use of independent hospitals and the private sector to reduce waiting times and improve the health of patients in Scotland?

I welcome Mary Scanlon back to the post of Tory health spokesperson. As I said many times when we were in opposition, the SNP's first priority in government will be to expand NHS capacity, because that is in the interests not only of patients but of taxpayers. Clearly, the private sector is being utilised at the moment, but my priority is to ensure that the NHS delivers for patients—and, indeed, delivers shorter waiting times for them.

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Waiting Times (Out-patients)

To ask the Scottish Executive what recognition is being given to the performance of national health service staff in meeting and exceeding the targets set for out-patient waiting times, as recorded in the acute activity waiting times and waiting list figures to 31 March 2007, published on 29 May 2007. (S3O-144)

I made it clear last week that the good progress that NHS Scotland is making in reducing waits for patients is due to the dedication and commitment of NHS staff throughout the country.

A prompt thank you from the minister would be particularly welcome when outstanding figures are achieved.

A significant contribution has been made by the Golden Jubilee hospital in my constituency to bringing down waiting lists and waiting times for people in need of elective surgery. Can the minister confirm that she remains committed to taking forward the use of the Golden Jubilee hospital for an increased number of patients and an increased number of operations, bearing in mind the fact that in recent years it has been so successful in meeting and exceeding its targets?

I assure the member that on the day the last waiting times figures were published, I went to the Beatson oncology centre in Glasgow to deliver a prompt thank you directly to NHS staff. I am sorry if he did not hear that, but it was intended not for him but for the staff who work so hard in the NHS. The fact that they heard it is probably the most important matter.

I recognise the contribution that the Golden Jubilee hospital has made to increasing the number of operations and bringing down waiting times for elective surgery. I am committed to ensuring that it continues to make that contribution, and I look forward to visiting it soon.

Does the minister agree that one good way of bringing down out-patient waiting times is the £100 million investment in the day hospital at Stobhill? I welcome her statement yesterday that she would not interfere with that. I seek reassurance that she will not interfere with the decision to build the new day centre at Stobhill.

I certainly will not interfere, as the member puts it, in the decision to build the ambulatory care and diagnostic unit at Stobhill—it is a good development. I look forward to engaging with people in the communities that Stobhill serves to ensure that they have confidence in the range of services that are provided locally. That is the approach that I want to take, as health secretary, in communities throughout Scotland.

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Monklands Hospital (Accident and Emergency Department)

This question seems a little late.

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reverse the decision to downgrade the accident and emergency department at Monklands hospital. (S3O-154)

There will be no surprise in this answer. Karen Whitefield will be aware that I made a statement to Parliament on the matter yesterday. I have instructed both NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Lanarkshire to re-examine their original service change plans as they relate to A and E services. The boards are to produce revised proposals that will enable A and E services to continue at Monklands, Wishaw and Hairmyres hospitals in Lanarkshire, and at Ayr and Crosshouse hospitals in Ayrshire.

The revised proposals will be subject to robust independent scrutiny to ensure that they are sound, safe, sustainable and evidence based. I also expect the boards to be able to demonstrate that their proposals are patient centred, have taken into account the views of local people and offer value for money.

I again welcome yesterday's announcement that the decision to downgrade Monklands A and E department has been reversed, but I hope that the minister will provide some assurances about the nature of A and E services that will be provided. I will pursue the matter with NHS Lanarkshire, but if it does not give me those assurances I hope that the minister will support me.

Following yesterday's announcement, I ask the minister whether, in the light of her recent comments about the need for improved cancer services in Lanarkshire, she can confirm that the commitment given by the previous Government to build a new cancer centre at Monklands hospital will be fulfilled by the current Administration.

I am sure that Karen Whitefield and I will discuss Monklands hospital and wider health issues in Lanarkshire on many occasions—I look forward to those discussions.

I made my position clear yesterday: I want A and E services to continue at Monklands hospital. It is now for the board to determine how best to achieve that. The proposals will, of course, be subject to independent expert scrutiny, to ensure that they meet the essential requirements of safety and sustainability.

On the other services that were part of NHS Lanarkshire's proposals, including the cancer centre at Monklands, I have made it clear that I want as many of those additional proposals to continue as possible, because they are commendable.

Does the cabinet secretary agree that St John's hospital in Livingston should be a fully functioning acute district general hospital? If so, does she agree to examine any decision or issue that threatens its viability as an acute hospital?

I assure Angela Constance that the Scottish Government is fully committed to the sustainability of St John's hospital as an acute hospital, and we would question closely any proposal to undermine that status.

To overcome, perhaps, some of the imbalance that arose during yesterday's questions on the minister's statement, I call Elaine Smith.

I campaigned against the downgrading of Monklands hospital, primarily on the basis that the decision was based on financial considerations rather than health needs, so I, too, welcome the announcement to retain the A and E unit. However, can the minister advise me whether Monklands will also retain its level 3 status, which will ensure that all of the other services that are required to support A and E, such as intensive care, are retained on site, so that my constituents will be able to access the high-quality health services that they need and deserve? Further, can she confirm that the well-informed and considered views of my constituents, which were ignored by NHS Lanarkshire, will now be listened to?

I thank Elaine Smith and recognise her contribution in relation to yesterday's decision. I assure her that the views of patients in her constituency, which were ignored not only by NHS Lanarkshire but by the former Labour Government, will be listened to by this SNP Government.

In my answer to Karen Whitefield, I made it clear that yesterday I said that A and E services will continue to be provided at Monklands hospital. It is important for the NHS board to determine how best to achieve that outcome. Because the issue is extremely important, I repeat that any revised proposals will be subject to independent expert scrutiny. That is where the assurance comes from that the services will meet the essential requirements of safety and sustainability that Elaine Smith's constituents are entitled to expect.

I begin by welcoming the minister to her role. I did not do that yesterday, and I apologise for the oversight.

The opportunity has arisen on a number of occasions to accept the definition of accident and emergency services that was supplied by David Kerr in his report and by the British Association for Emergency Medicine.

In the minister's letters to and in her discussions with NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Ayrshire and Arran, has she said, "We want A and E services, but they must meet the standards and criteria that were set out by the British Association for Emergency Medicine and David Kerr"? Has she asked the health boards to deliver those services to those standard criteria?

I thank Andy Kerr for his welcoming comments.

I have made it clear to NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Ayrshire and Arran that I expect A and E services to be delivered, to meet certain criteria, to be safe and sustainable, and to meet the needs of patients in those health board areas. I now want the NHS boards to revise the proposals, subject them to independent scrutiny and bring them back to me for a final decision. That is the best, reasonable and responsible way in which to proceed.

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Health and Well-being (Coatbridge and Chryston)

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the health and well-being of the people of Coatbridge and Chryston. (S3O-152)

The keep well programme of health checks plans to provide checks for people aged 45 to 64 who are most at risk of preventable ill health. The programme will make every effort to communicate with people who have not yet had a health check and persuade them to get in touch with their general practitioner practice.

The Scottish Government will also improve the health of people in the Coatbridge area through a range of other programmes, including smoking cessation services and the promotion of positive mental health and well-being.

I am pleased that the minister intends to continue with the good initiatives of the previous Labour-led Executive. Given the advantages to health and well-being that are conferred on mothers and babies by breastfeeding, does the minister share my concern that breastfeeding rates remain relatively low in constituencies such as Coatbridge and Chryston, despite the evidence on its benefits? What additional support is available to NHS boards and education authorities in areas of multiple deprivation to continue to change attitudes and improve services? When the breastfeeding adviser post is filled—in the autumn, I believe—will that person receive sufficient resources to support the work that is required to improve breastfeeding rates throughout Scotland?

I recognise the member's important contribution to breastfeeding. I share her concern about the fact that breastfeeding rates in some of our most deprived communities are far too low.

The Scottish Government is considering how support for breastfeeding can be incorporated into its commitment to improve health. It is committed to the promotion of good eating habits from children's earliest years, which includes providing support for breastfeeding as part of a healthy food policy. I assure the member that the appointment of the adviser is expected to be made in the autumn and that that person will get the necessary resources to enable them to do the job properly.

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Availability Status Codes (Abuse)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any proven cases of abuse of the system of availability status codes in the last two years. (S3O-132)

The current system of availability status codes is not implemented consistently throughout Scotland and has the potential for unfairness and misuse. That is why I have made it clear that I expect health boards to accelerate abolition of the codes and implement a more transparent and fairer system as quickly as possible. I will continue to press for progress on the issue, as it is important to many patients.

I note that the cabinet secretary has not been able to give any specific examples. Does she agree that her failure to be specific about instances of abuse of availability status codes demonstrates an attempt to detract from the record of the previous Executive on reducing waiting times?

I know that the member is new to the chamber but, with the greatest respect to him, I think that he misunderstands availability status codes—or hidden waiting lists, as I prefer to call them. It is not just a question of whether the system is being abused, although it is being applied inconsistently; the system itself, even if properly applied, is fundamentally unfair. Someone who cannot attend an appointment—even for a very good reason, such as a family funeral—is stripped for ever of their waiting time guarantee and, in many cases, has to wait an exceptionally long time for treatment. They are then discounted completely in determining whether waiting times targets are met. I make absolutely no apology for doing what the previous Administration did not do—delivering a system that is more open and honest and that puts patients first.

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Town Centre Regeneration (Dumfries Constituency)

I congratulate the ministerial team.

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support the regeneration of town centres in the Dumfries constituency. (S3O-146)

The central priority of the Government is to support Scotland's economic growth. We have made it clear that one of the ways in which we will do that is by removing or reducing the burden of business rates for small businesses, many of which are located in traditional town centres throughout Scotland. We will announce further measures in due course.

I recognise that the small business rates relief scheme has helped many small businesses—that is one of the reasons why the Labour Party proposed its extension in its election manifesto. Nevertheless, does the minister acknowledge that the extension of the scheme will not tackle the problem of the derelict buildings that blight many town centres, including that of Dumfries? Will the Executive consider proposals to enable local communities and businesses to work together to improve the physical environment of town and village centres?

We will consider any proposals with an open mind. The issue is important not just in Dumfries but throughout the country, as many small towns are struggling to survive in the current economic climate. As the member knows, business improvement district projects have gone ahead in some areas. We will examine those in the future and consider whether they are the best way in which to make progress. Also, the small business scheme that we are introducing will have a positive impact on small towns. The member will be aware of the local regeneration projects that are going on in Dumfries, particularly in relation to the work of Dumfries and Galloway Council.

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Dental School (Aberdeen)

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to open Scotland's third dental school in Aberdeen. (S3O-102)

Our manifesto commitment is to open a third dental school by expanding Aberdeen dental institute. We are currently exploring the options to deliver that commitment.

I thank the minister for her response, but she will forgive me for saying that we had a commitment four years ago from the previous Administration that it would conduct a consultation on the opening of a dental school in Aberdeen. I was rather hoping that the minister could give me a date for the implementation of that policy. I hope that we will not have to wait another four years.

Unlike the previous Administration, this Administration will deliver on its manifesto commitments. Officials are working hard on the options at the moment, and I am hopeful that, if all goes well, we will be in a position to move forward to an implementation date of around October 2008.

We move to questions on rural affairs and the environment.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek the guidance of the chair. I have expressed concern in the past about the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing's huge portfolio, which of course encompasses all the communities issues—with the exclusion of the voluntary sector and planning—that were, in the past, covered by a minister and deputy minister. That has been reflected in today's question time, in which only one question was anywhere near that critical area. I attempted to come in on two separate questions but was unable to come in on either.

I ask that some consideration be given to separating communities questions, so that we can address the critical issues of equalities, anti-poverty measures, deprivation, community planning and community regeneration. Those matters sit with Nicola Sturgeon, but they have not been addressed and they have not been referred to at any stage by the First Minister in statements in the Parliament.

With respect to the member, the breadth of a ministerial remit is not my affair, although the selection of questions is. I am afraid that I often have difficult decisions to make, and I have made them.

On a further point of order, Presiding Officer. Currently we have questions on health and well-being, and afterwards we have questions on rural affairs. I ask you to consider, in deciding the categories for questions, whether it is possible to separate the health and well-being portfolio into two separate question times to ensure that the critical communities issues are addressed.

The allocation of questions is due to be reviewed in about six months' time, but I am willing to take that suggestion away and consider what you have said.

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Rural Affairs and the Environment

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Fishing Vessels

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current number is of Scottish fishing vessels of over 10m overall length and what the comparable figure was in 1993. (S3O-126)

On 31 December 2006, there were 706 Scottish fishing vessels of more than 10m in length. The comparable figure for 1993 was 1,333.

If what I hear is true, the minister is considering taking Scottish Fishermen's Federation representatives to the next agriculture and fisheries council in Europe. I wonder why—I am sure that it is not because the minister lacks confidence. I am sure that they will be brilliant negotiators—albeit with a vested interest—but you are the minister, so what are you going to do to arrest or slow down the serious decline in the number of Scottish fishing vessels and fishermen and in our fishing communities?

Before the minister replies, I remind all members to speak through the chair.

The first thing that I have done to arrest the rapid decline in the number of fishing vessels in Scotland is to campaign for a Scottish National Party Government which, thankfully, was elected on 3 May.

The SNP Government intends to work closely with Scotland's fishing communities and fishing organisations on the agriculture and fisheries council next week and in the run-up to the big council in December. We are looking for new ways in which we can have a good relationship in the run-up to those talks to ensure that we have the best advice available in order to secure the best possible deal for Scotland at those important negotiations.

I welcome the minister to his position. As a representative of a fishing constituency, like him, I will support him where he can achieve substantial progress on behalf of the fishing interests that I want to represent properly in the Parliament.

I think that the minister described his meeting with Mr Bradshaw as cordial. Does he accept that that relationship is fundamental? Has he been able to build on the relationship that Ross Finnie, his predecessor, had with Mr Bradshaw, under which Mr Finnie was able to lead on behalf of the Scottish Executive in bilateral meetings at the agriculture and fisheries council? Will he tell us whether that will continue or whether the relationship will be enhanced?

The SNP Government intends to have a cordial and constructive relationship with the United Kingdom Government to help us to secure the best deal for Scotland's fishing communities in UK and European negotiations. We certainly hope to build on that relationship. I was delighted to receive the invitation from the UK minister to visit him in London yesterday as a precursor to next week's agriculture and fisheries council. That invitation was rarely extended to my predecessor, so we are clearly building on that successful relationship.

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Land Management

The minister will appreciate that my question was lodged before his announcement last week.

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be provided for the individual elements of the Scottish rural development programme; what level of voluntary modulation will be required, and how it will support land managers so that they achieve the objectives of the European Union water framework directive, identified as a key outcome of the programme. (S3O-103)

The funding that is available to implement the new programme is set out in a summary document, "Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13", which was provided to the Scottish Parliament information centre to coincide with the parliamentary debate on the new Scotland rural development programme on 31 May 2007. The summary document includes details of the voluntary modulation rates to be applied and is available in the reference centre. The programme will include several land management measures related to the water environment. The uptake of those measures will help to achieve the objectives of the water framework directive.

I welcome the minister's endorsement of the programme that was proposed by his predecessor, Ross Finnie. What specific provision has the minister made to ensure that the Scottish Executive's commitments on water quality under the water framework directive and on climate change can be met?

NFU Scotland has estimated that the virtual doubling of voluntary modulation from the rate that was proposed by Ross Finnie will cut farm incomes by 20 per cent. What impact will that have on farmers' ability to deliver on environmental issues? Given the importance of the rural development programme, why has he failed to persuade the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth to provide the additional funding that is required?

I persuaded the Scottish Cabinet to make funding available for the programme, which members should welcome. On the modulation rates proposed by Ross Finnie, the situation that the Scottish Government has inherited is clear: we had a central Government funding figure and the European funding figure and, in order to fund the £1.6 billion programme that was proposed by the previous Administration and adopted by the new Administration, filling the gap would have required a trebling of the modulation rates that were announced by the SNP Government. Therefore, I do not accept the point that the member is making. Our modulation rates are far less detrimental to Scotland's farming communities.

There are many measures in the £1.6 billion programme that will enhance Scotland's water environment. I hope that Iain Smith's constituents and all our constituents in rural Scotland will apply for them.

The minister will be aware that in recent years many farmers and land managers were unable to access agri-environment schemes, which is precisely why Labour, in its manifesto, committed to setting a voluntary modulation rate of 15 per cent. Will the minister give us an assurance that there will be enough funding to meet the demand for agri-environment schemes over the next seven years? Does he know exactly where the extra £70 million is coming from? If it is from the Scottish Executive environment and rural affairs department budget, what funding will be cut in order to keep voluntary modulation down? Can we have an answer this time please?

The funding for the programme that was adopted last week amounts to £1.6 billion, which is exactly the same as the figure that was proposed by the previous Administration. What is different is where the funding is sourced. Therefore, the amount of resources being made available for the agri-environment element of that programme is exactly the same as what has been made available from our programme. The member seems to be criticising her own proposals once again. The £1.6 billion is a record investment for rural Scotland. The funding for agri-environment schemes will be much greater than in the previous rural development programme. I hope that members throughout the chamber welcome that.

The minister will know that he is implementing the programme that Ross Finnie put forward. Ross Finnie held voluntary modulation at 5 per cent. The minister is nearly doubling voluntary modulation to 9 per cent, which will hit our farmers' incomes by 20 per cent. Does the minister accept that situation? Will he introduce any other measures to help our rural community in that regard?

If the member considers the comments from the agriculture sector since the programme was announced, he will note that it has been warmly welcomed by all sectors in rural Scotland, including our farmers. Our farmers have warmly welcomed this package, which they recognise is a record package that will provide a huge boost to our rural communities and agriculture sector.

Given the rates of voluntary modulation that were established last week, will voluntary modulation decrease proportionally if the European Union establishes increased rates of compulsory modulation?

That is a good question. At the moment, there is no flexibility over the voluntary modulation rates that are set for the next seven years, other than an article in the rural development regulation that allows member states to reduce the voluntary element by any subsequent increase in the compulsory modulation element imposed by the EU. The answer to the question is that Parliament will indeed have that power.

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New Parks (Support for Volunteering)

To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available to volunteer groups working for the development of new parks in existing green spaces. (S3O-120)

The provision and maintenance of parks are primarily the responsibility of local authorities, and rightly so. It is for local authorities, their community planning partners and any other owners or providers of green spaces to decide whether new parks should be created in their areas, whether volunteers should be invited to participate in the process and, if so, what financial or other support they should receive.

The Scottish Government provides a range of grants for the voluntary sector in general and they are listed on the Executive's website. BTCV Scotland's community local action network system, which is supported by the Government, provides advice on the grants, awards and support services that are available more widely to help voluntary groups to carry out conservation projects. Those would probably apply.

I welcome the minister back to the Parliament and congratulate him on his new post.

I advise the minister that the previous Scottish Executive granted some £200,000 to Cumbernauld community park in an effort to redevelop the area. The minister might become aware of the excellent work that is done by volunteers in support of Cumbernauld glen and Cumbernauld house park. Those groups are backed by North Lanarkshire Council and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. As well as maintaining and improving the environment of the parks, the groups are keen to see the development of Cumbernauld house, which was formerly owned by the Cumbernauld Development Corporation.

Ask a question, please.

How might the Scottish Executive be able to support the community in taking Cumbernauld house, which is an Adam building, back into public ownership?

I thank Cathie Craigie for her good wishes.

I must not stray into the built environment but must instead comment only on the natural environment. Environmental volunteering and the good work that is taking place both in Cumbernauld and by groups such as the Friends of Kelvin Valley Park will be supported—and are being supported—by the schemes that I mentioned. In addition, an implementation group has been considering ways in which the Government can further assist the environmental volunteering sector. We expect to receive a report from the group shortly and I am sure that we will have good news on that.

On a slightly more detailed point, how will the new Government support volunteer groups and communities in their efforts to stop asset stripping by local authorities and other organisations at sites that were previously set aside for the development of new parks? The example that Cathie Craigie cited—Cumbernauld community park—is a good one in that regard. In 1993, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth District Council set aside land for the park, but since North Lanarkshire Council took over, no progress has been made. Indeed, much of the land has been sold off.

Please be brief, Mr Hepburn.

What assistance can the minister give the Friends of Cumbernauld Community Park and other organisations throughout Scotland to protect their parks and prevent them from being sold off bit by bit?

Green spaces of all types are extremely important, both for the well-being of every member of society and indeed for the well-being of the Government, because green spaces contribute both to the greening of Scotland and to a healthier Scotland. We will do everything we can to encourage such work throughout the country.

On the specific example of Cumbernauld, all responsible local authorities want to make sure that the green spaces that they have—and their potential—are taken forward in a way that achieves the aim of a healthier and greener society. We will do all that we can to encourage local authorities in general and, I am sure, North Lanarkshire Council in particular.

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Domestic Carbon Emissions

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce measures to reduce the carbon footprint of domestic households. (S3O-156)

People in Scotland rate climate change, energy and recycling as their top three environmental priorities. A growing number of households recycle paper, glass, plastic or cans and many take action to reduce their energy use. The Scottish Government offers information to households in Scotland at a national level and provides funding for practical support and advice through organisations such as the Energy Saving Trust. Our aim is for households to adopt ever more sustainable ways of living and to reduce their carbon footprint.

We will build on and develop existing work with both national and local delivery programmes in partnership with local authorities, the wider public sector and non-governmental organisations. Our aim will be to reduce waste, improve energy and resource efficiency, and reduce emissions from transport and housing. Those actions will support every domestic household and every individual in reducing their carbon footprint.

May I draw the minister's attention to the experience of an acquaintance of mine, who has attempted to purchase a domestic wind turbine and eventually gain planning permission? He has had 22 telephone calls and numerous letters, but one and a half years later he is no nearer success.

What can the minister do to speed up the implementation of Government policy so that it becomes much easier for even those less determined than my friend to install wind turbines, solar panels and other carbon-neutral ways of generating power?

Dr McKee makes an important point. Indeed, the Government made a manifesto commitment to develop much simpler and more accessible planning regulations on the matter. I am pleased to say that we are now actively considering changes to planning controls so that more microgeneration equipment can be installed in existing buildings without the need to obtain planning permission. Research has been undertaken on the scope for doing so, and public consultation will be undertaken this year on the need to change existing legislative provisions.

In the meantime, we are certain that development plan policies should encourage and support, rather than obstruct, microgeneration proposals in existing buildings that satisfactorily address the broad criteria that apply, including appropriate environmental and amenity safeguards and the requirements of building regulations.

In the spirit of the new politics, which seems to be the catchphrase of the week, will the minister consider establishing an eco-bonus scheme to help Scottish households, communities and small businesses to install modern energy-saving and energy-creating technology, such as hydroelectric, wind turbines, solar water and space heating, heat pumps and wood-fuel heating, as the Scottish Conservatives proposed in our recent manifesto?

I am always happy to endorse the consensus approach and new politics—I have lived with them for a long time. In that spirit, I will be delighted to look constructively at a Tory proposal. We are setting up mechanisms so to do, and we will certainly consider from throughout the chamber all positive ideas that can make a difference and ensure that every individual in every household reduces their carbon footprint.

I welcome the minister's answer to the previous questions. I look forward to seeing the detail of any proposals that he introduces.

To go back to the original question, will the Scottish Executive commit to continuing support for work on footprinting so that individuals might themselves be able to reduce their household emissions in their daily lives? I particularly commend the work that has been done by WWF and the Energy Saving Trust, which have developed practical ways to calculate people's carbon footprints. Does the minister agree that one of the best ways of raising awareness of our carbon footprints would be through a Scottish Executive-approved process so that there is one way to examine the issue? Will he consider the potential of incorporating that into all our schools' curriculums? That would be one of the best ways of disseminating information and changing household behaviour.

I am more than delighted that the spirit of the new politics is sweeping like a wave across the chamber and has reached Ms Boyack. I am delighted to welcome that contribution. We will look favourably on those ideas.

Sarah Boyack raises two extremely important points, the first of which is the work that WWF has done and the simple and comprehensive calculations that it can help individuals to do. We want to encourage that. Even more, however, we want to encourage the role of individuals, starting at the earliest age, so that in the circumstances in which we find ourselves, when there is urgency in changing and encouraging change, we can engage every individual in the process. Just as I am warm and supportive to Nanette Milne, I am warm and supportive to Sarah Boyack.

We now warmly move to Murdo Fraser.

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Private Water Supplies

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the regulations that introduced new tests for private water supplies in Scotland. (S3O-90)

The Private Water Supplies (Scotland) Regulations 2006 implement the additional measures necessary to comply with the revised drinking water directive. As Mr Fraser knows, the regulations came into force on 3 July 2006.

The Government has no immediate plans to review the duties and powers of local authorities in relation to the regulations, but measures relating to drinking water safety are monitored carefully to take account of medical, scientific and technological advances.

Safe drinking water is essential to a healthier Scotland. The 2006 regulations will help all of us to achieve that objective through the provision of clean and wholesome drinking water for those who are dependent on private supplies, as I am.

I thank the minister for his response which, if warm, was not terribly supportive.

The minister will be aware that there is widespread concern in rural Scotland that, under the new regulations, many small businesses are being clobbered with large bills from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Does he agree that, in order to avoid unnecessary damage to the fragile economies of our most rural and remote areas, it is time to review both the implementation of the regulations and the grant scheme that was introduced to help to defray costs?

I should have declared an interest, as I have a private water supply. Therefore, I am as sensitive as anybody in the chamber to the issue of ensuring that there is no overregulation or overburdensome regulation.

I am grateful for the advance notice of Mr Fraser's supplementary question, which I received via the pages of the Aberdeen Press and Journal yesterday, in which he demanded that the regulations be immediately withdrawn.

The reality of the situation is slightly different from what Mr Fraser has presented. It is, for example, important that the new regulations had the full backing of the Scottish E coli 0157 task force, because there can be a danger to public health from private water supplies in certain circumstances. Mr Fraser may not be aware that research that was commissioned by the Executive confirmed that all of the 33 supplies that were monitored in north-east Scotland throughout 2002 and 2003 suffered from some form of contamination at least once in those years. Health Protection Scotland has estimated that people who are served by private supplies are 10 times more likely to become ill as a result of drinking contaminated water than those who are served by the public supply. I am drinking the bottled stuff at the moment. In those circumstances, a one-off scheme that allows people to improve their water supplies is desirable.

I am always aware of overregulation and regulatory burdens and costs. However, I ask Mr Fraser to consider whether, as the holiday season arrives, it is sensible to pursue a policy that puts holidaymakers at risk. Surely we should pursue a policy that makes them feel safe.