SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
The first item of business this afternoon is question time. As usual, I urge members to bear in mind the requirement for supplementary questions to be brief and to relate properly to the same matter as the original question.
Free School Transport
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any children have ceased to benefit from free school transport in Kilbarchan, Bridge of Weir and Erskine due to recent redefinition of routes to schools by Renfrewshire Council and, if so, how many. (S1O433)
The matters referred to are within the jurisdiction of the local council. Mr Campbell may wish to approach Renfrewshire Council.
That was a totally predictable answer. Does the minister realise that this is the second year running that this has happened and that it is alienating parents? Does he agree that the matter is driven more by a need to make economies—caused by lack of adequate financial resources—than by anything else?
Whatever the issue is about, it is certainly not money. Renfrewshire Council's expenditure on education has risen by more than 9 per cent in this year, moving from last year. I happen to know that Renfrewshire Council gives a high priority to children's safety, and there is no question but that if any child was travelling on an unsafe route, transport would be provided.
Immunisation
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of children due to enter primary school next year will not receive the diphtheria and anti-tetanus injections they would normally receive in the next two months. (S1O-419)
I assure Mr Quinan that the UK health department is making every effort to overcome the difficulties that are being experienced by the two manufacturers of UK- licensed vaccine. Supplies should resume in November, but it is not yet clear whether there will be enough vaccine to meet requirements. It is expected that vaccination will be available before children enter primary school next autumn.
I ask again: what number of children who will enter primary school next year does the Executive expect will not receive the injections they would normally receive? Please answer the question.
Mr Quinan has more experience of forecasting than I have, and he will know the dangers of trying to be precise on such matters. It is impossible for us to be precise. The important assurance I can give is that the Scottish health department—working in co-operation with the UK health department—is doing everything possible to resolve operational manufacturing problems, to ensure that our children are best protected through the vaccination programme.
Has the minister had any meetings with Pasteur Mérieux or Medeva plc, as Frank Dobson has had? Those companies have stated publicly that they cannot speed up the process, as it is biological, and that there will be a shortage in Britain.
I happily repeat that no precise answer can be given. I am pleased that Mr Quinan has done his research; he is absolutely right that Frank Dobson has met those manufacturers. We are in constant liaison with the UK health department, which is leading on the matter, and the fact that the meetings have taken place is evidence of the active involvement of ministers north and south of the border. I hope he will accept that assurance.
Secure Accommodation
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the number of secure accommodation places available in Scotland. (S1O-422) The Minister for Children and Education (Mr Sam Galbraith): We are continuing the review process that began with the work of the national planning group on care and education services for young people with behavioural problems. I expect to make a statement before the end of the year about the use of secure accommodation and its alternatives.
I thank the minister for that answer, and I will welcome the statement when it comes. Does the minister agree that we need to end the scandal of under-16-year-olds being held in an adult prison system, when better use might be made of the current secure accommodation?
I agree that we do not want anyone inappropriately held in the prison system.
Health Boards and Trusts
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that meetings of health boards and health trusts are open to the press and public. (S1O-435) The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon): All health boards and NHS trusts are already required to open their board meetings to the press and to the public.
I thank the minister for that answer.
I stress that I am always at pains to ensure that effective local engagement takes place throughout the country. I have said in answer to a previous question on Stracathro hospital that I have asked health department officials to meet local board and trust representatives to ensure that effective engagement takes place at local level during the on-going consultation that must take place as part of the local acute services review.
Police
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to address the rising level of police ill health retirals as a consequence of injury on duty and stress- related illness. (S1O-434) The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice (Mr Jim Wallace): The situation is kept under review and is covered in HM chief inspector of constabulary's annual report. The information available from forces suggests that the number of police officers retiring on the ground of ill health, as a consequence of injury on duty and stress- related illness, has remained virtually unchanged over the past five years. I will arrange for a table giving the relevant information to be made available in the Scottish Parliament information centre.
I thank the minister for his comments, but I must say to him—
Order. You must not say anything to him—you must ask a question.
I ask the minister: if that is the case, why did his answer to a previous question indicate an increase in ill health retirals from 14 per cent to 20 per cent between 1995 and 1999? Similarly, why did he present figures that show an increase from 10 per cent to 19 per cent since 1994 in ill health retirals as a result of injuries sustained while on duty?
The number of injuries on duty was 19 in 1994-95 and 33 in 1998-99—that was a fall from 38 the previous year.
It is not surprising that the proportion has fallen, given that the number of police officers has fallen. Last week the junior justice minister boasted of civilianisation.
We must have another question.
What is the effect of civilianisation on the retiral of police officers as a result of ill health, given that in the past many police officers in such circumstances were offered desk jobs?
No research has been done on the precise effect of civilianisation on retirements through ill health.
Roads (Dumfries and Galloway)
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussion it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council concerning trunk roads in that area and whether it will make a statement on the upgrading of trunk roads in the area. (S1O-426) The Minister for Transport and the Environment (Sarah Boyack): I discussed the issue of trunk roads with the council in August, and I have suggested that there should be a fuller discussion later this year. The route action plans that have been agreed, or which are in preparation for most of the trunk roads in the area, will provide the framework for that discussion and for any future investment.
Is it not the case that the route action plans are simply tinkering at the edges? Considering the vast private investment by ferry companies at Loch Ryan, the fact that the A75 is a strategic route of European importance, and the high casualty rate on the A76, should not those roads be a priority for investment?
Priorities have been attached to the roads that Alasdair Morgan mentioned. The A75, for example, was the subject of a £7 million investment to the west of Dumfries, at the glen. It is one of the two routes that has been exempted from the moratorium on road building since the Government came to office in 1997. I would argue that there has been substantial investment in the area, and that the route action plans represent a tangible way of progressing.
European Funding
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to address the potential loss of European regional funding to Glasgow City Council of up to £500,000. (S1O424) The Minister for Finance (Mr Jack McConnell): Glasgow City Council's and other bodies' approvals for current programmes have been finalised, and decisions for the future will follow agreement with the European Commission on eligibility in Scotland.
I thank Mr McConnell. We know that the west of Scotland programme is not likely to be approved by 2000. That means that the current interpretation of the guidelines on Sound and Efficient Financial Management 2000 seems to be the problem. At what level was the decision taken to reinterpret the SEM 2000 guidelines—at the Scottish level, the UK level, or the European level—and what action will the Scottish Executive take to prevent the loss of those vital funds to
The purpose of those guidelines is to avoid any loss to Glasgow City Council or any other body. If those bodies were to use up money that had to be repaid, they would lose that money in due course. Ms White may be mixing up two separate issues—the new programme and the old one—and I would be happy to send her a copy of my letter to the leader of Glasgow City Council, which was signed this morning, and which will explain the matter in some detail.
Social Inclusion
To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has for improving the stability of funding for voluntary organisations working in the field of social inclusion. (S1O-416) The Deputy Minister for Communities (Jackie Baillie): The Scottish Executive values the significant role that is played by the voluntary sector in tackling social exclusion. That is one reason why we provide £283 million of support to the voluntary sector each year. As part of the Scottish compact, we are proposing good practice guidance on three-year grants and funding core costs to improve stability.
Does the minister accept that the problem with urban programme-type funding is that it is time-limited and usually runs out after three years, leaving many community-based organisations faced with a choice between going out of business and putting together a package of different types of funding that will keep them going for at most six months or another year?
It is for social inclusion partnerships, which include representatives of local government, the voluntary sector and the community, to determine on-going needs. In an ideal situation, we would support continuity of funding. However, we also need to reflect local needs and circumstances, and social inclusion partnerships are the best way to do so.
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers the Prime Minister's statement in his speech on 29 September regarding class to be relevant to its social inclusion strategy and, if so, in what way. (S1O-443) The Minister for Communities (Ms Wendy
I presume that Mr Sheridan is not referring to class sizes. Let me quote the Prime Minister. He said:
Given that the message about the termination of the class war has obviously not reached the front-line troops yet, will the Executive join me in applauding the actions of the Communication Workers Union members in the east of Scotland, who have had to walk out today in support of a sacked colleague against the macho management in the mail service?
As representatives of the Scottish Labour party—a party that grew out of the roots of working-class struggle—members of the Executive understand the need for industrial action in some circumstances, but let us be clear that it is the Labour party that has been the greatest civilising force in the lives of working people during this century.
Hear, hear.
I thank the minister for the Executive's support for the unofficial action taken by the CWU members today. [Laughter.] I am sure that they will be glad to hear about it. However, given that Britain is now the most unequal society in the whole of Europe, and given that we have the most shameful levels of poverty among our pensioners and children, will the minister— [Interruption.] I am sorry if my comments embarrass some members. Can the minister inform the chamber, if the class war is over, who won?
You.
Tommy always has difficulty in distinguishing between political struggle and industrial struggle. On his wider point about poverty, however, I remind him that this is the week in which 140,000 Scottish families will begin to benefit from the working families tax credit, which means that any family with an adult in full- time work will be guaranteed an income of £200 a week.
Then they will lose their housing benefit.
That effectively represents a minimum wage for such a family in excess of £5 an hour, which is more than he campaigned for for many years.
Telecommunications Masts
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce a ban on the erection of telecommunication masts in conservation areas. (S1O-440) The Minister for Transport and the Environment (Sarah Boyack): No. We are, however, proposing to introduce soon measures to give planning authorities greater influence over the siting and design of telecommunications masts and related developments.
What specific measures does the minister intend to pursue to ensure that, where possible, environmental impacts are minimised? Will the Executive introduce measures to insist that the four network companies, and Government bodies, co-operate to stop the proliferation of unnecessary masts?
There will be a 28-day prior notification period, which will give local authorities greater control over the process. We also intend to issue a practice advice note to encourage telecommunications companies to work together on the siting of masts. I believe that, by giving local authorities more influence, we will be able to tackle the issue that Mr Johnston raised.
Street Lighting
To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements will be made for the provision of street lighting in the village of Longriggend following the proposed closure of Longriggend remand centre. (S1O-429)
I understand that the street lighting that serves the former Prison Service quarters is a private system owned by the residents, who are responsible for maintenance. However, on a good-will basis, the remand centre has maintained the system and paid the electricity costs. The residents will collectively resume responsibility for those matters on the closure of the establishment.
Is the minister telling members that the community at Longriggend, which relies on the supply and maintenance of the street lighting, will have those facilities taken away? Will Longriggend be the only village in Scotland where the lights are turned out?
As Mr Paterson knows, the former Prison Service staff quarters adjacent to the establishment at Longriggend were sold and are now privately owned. Together with the quarters,
Does the minister agree that when he was MP for the area, the late John Smith was very concerned that the roads in Longriggend were not adopted, and no help was given on that? Now the people of Longriggend will get a double whammy because street lighting will not be provided—it is ridiculous.
As I said, the obligation was taken on at the time of purchase and people would find it odd for the Prison Service, when it no longer has any connection with Longriggend, to be responsible for its street lighting.
Foresterhill Laboratories
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the meeting between the reference laboratories working group and director of reference laboratories at Foresterhill, referred to by the Minister for Health and Community Care in the food standards debate on 15 September 1999, has taken place and what the outcome was. (S1O-447)
The meeting will take place at the beginning of next month. That was the earliest date that could be arranged which suited the key people in Aberdeen.
If you can find a supplementary to that—
Is the minister aware of the correspondence on campylobacter—which is the subject here—between a number of national and international experts, particularly those who attended the recent conference in Baltimore, and the laboratory, and will she comment on the concerns that they raised about the closure of the laboratory? Will she reconsider her earlier decision to close it?
I applaud Mr Adam's creativity in questioning. I am aware of the matter that he raised, and I assure him that my primary concern is the quality of work done through all contracts with the Scottish Executive. I hope that the meeting to which his original question referred will provide an opportunity for discussions on how improvements in the labs concerned can take place.
Urban Foxes
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to deal with the growing problem of foxes in the urban environment in Scotland. (S1O-445) The Deputy Minister for Community Care (Iain Gray): I think I get to answer because I live in and represent Currie and Balerno, where rural and urban Lothian meet in a particularly pleasing synthesis.
Does the minister agree that, with the fox population in Scotland at a record level, and when some 3,000 foxes have made the shift from a rural to an urban environment, it would be a strange time for the Parliament to take the opportunity that may be presented to it to ban certain traditional methods of fox control in Scotland?
It is for the local authorities to deal with foxes moving to the urban environment. As far as I am aware, no local authority has made representations to the Scottish Executive for help, although I believe that one authority has asked its officials to make a report on the problem.
Secretary of State for Scotland (Meeting)
To ask the Scottish Executive what is on the agenda for the next meeting between the First Minister and the Secretary of State for Scotland. (S1O-414) The First Minister (Donald Dewar): Mr Canavan asked me the same question last week. I am always anxious to be helpful. Last week we discussed matters of mutual interest. Next week it will be matters of common concern.
Will the First Minister support the representations that I have made for Bonnybridge to be included in the assisted areas map? Is he aware that I wrote to the Secretary of State for Scotland about the matter on 12 August, 20 September and 29 September, but I have not had even the courtesy of an acknowledgement, never mind a reply? Possibly that is because he seems to be preoccupied these days with making life difficult for my good friend Donald.
Politicians should never make confident assumptions.
Fishing Industry
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has conveyed to the Secretary of State for Scotland the fishing industry's concerns relating to the Scottish Adjacent Waters Boundaries Order (SI 1999/1126) as resolved by the Parliament on 3 June 1999 under motion S1M-19 as amended and, if so, whether it intends to inform the fishing industry and the Parliament of the Secretary of State's response. (S1O-427) The Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs (Mr John Home Robertson): The Minister for Rural Affairs wrote to the Secretary of State for Scotland on 20 June, and the secretary of state met representatives of the fisheries industry on 24 June to discuss the issue. The secretary of state wrote to the Scottish Fishermen's Federation on 13 July. My department has reported on that correspondence to the Rural Affairs Committee, and copies of the correspondence are available in the Scottish Parliament information centre.
Given that it has been four months since the issue was raised in Parliament and Ross Finnie was requested to make representations to the Secretary of State for Scotland on behalf of the fishing industry, and it is six weeks since I lodged a parliamentary question—which remains unanswered—asking for some feedback on how the minister got on with the secretary of state, does not John Home Robertson feel that he should take the matter a little more seriously and help the fishermen whom he is supposed to represent?
Ross Finnie has done exactly what he undertook to do in his response to the chamber on 3 June. If there were any significant concern in the fishing industry on the issue, as a constituency member of Parliament representing the south-east of Scotland and people living on the south-east coast, I would know about it. The fundamental point is that there must be a boundary line, because this Parliament has assumed responsibility for the waters adjacent to the Scottish coast—127,000 square miles.
Is the minister aware that fishermen in East Lothian are united behind the rest of the industry's campaign to get Scotland's stolen waters returned to Scottish jurisdiction and that their campaign is on-going? They are ploughing resources into their campaign to get the waters back and they are looking for action from their fisheries minister to support their case.
If that is the case, it is strange that they have not spoken to their local member of Parliament about it: I am sure that they would have. The new boundary is a properly calculated median line, and if Mr Lochhead has difficulty in grasping that fact, I am grateful to be able to tell him that an East Lothian branch of the SNP wrote to me to confirm that the new line corresponds to what an equidistant boundary line should be. That branch is right, and he is wrong.
On a point of order.
We will take it at the end of questions.
Popular Music
To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is planning to promote the Scottish popular music industry, and whether it will include popular music in the national cultural strategy. (S1O-418)
The national cultural strategy will cover popular music. In planning how best to develop the industry, we will also be able to build on the study of rock and other popular music that the Scottish Arts Council has in progress.
Does the minister agree that widening the definition of music in the national cultural strategy to include popular music will be good for the industry and the involvement of young people? Will she agree to meet me and other interested MSPs?
I would be happy to have a meeting. We recognise the importance of the rock and pop industry to Scotland and we will examine Scottish Enterprise's work in that sector.
Oban Hospital
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to resolve the current situation at Oban hospital, where Argyll and Clyde Acute Hospital Trust is unable to accept the North British Hotel Group's offer of a computed axial tomography scanner because the trust does not have the funding to meet staffing and running costs. (S1O-423) The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon): It is for local health boards and NHS trusts to decide on the services and facilities to be provided to meet the needs of local populations. The Scottish Executive has no plans
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