SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Crichton Campus (Visits)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning has any plans to visit the Crichton campus. (S1O-2679)
I will meet members of the Crichton campus advisory board on Monday morning in my office in Glasgow.
I am pleased to hear that the minister is having that important meeting about the financing of an innovative complex. I hope that the minister will visit Crichton campus, because I believe—as do other members—that it is the most exciting thing that has happened in Dumfries and Galloway for many years. It is an innovative and cutting-edge project and so, inevitably, it comes up against many institutional blockers. The minister's personal support, and that of other ministers, might be required to deal with those blockages.
There might have been a question there somewhere.
I would be delighted to visit the Crichton campus early in the new year, following Monday's meeting and receipt of the steering group's interim report on the project for a south of Scotland university.
I, too, look forward to attending the minister's forthcoming meeting with the Crichton campus advisory board to hear more about the joint working between the higher and further education sectors on the Crichton site. I, too, hope that the minister will visit the Crichton campus. Will the Executive review the funding structures, in order to facilitate the co-operation that is necessary between the further and higher education sectors at that site, and other sites in Scotland?
Earlier this week, I visited Bell College of Technology which, as Dr Murray will know, is one of the three institutions—the others are the University of Glasgow and the University of Paisley—that contribute to the Crichton campus. The issue of how we make more accessible the circumstances in which people receive access to money was up for discussion last week and I am sure it will be next week.
European Fisheries Council
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done in preparation for December's meeting of the European fisheries council. (S1O-2671)
The Scottish Executive is preparing extensively for the December meeting of the European fisheries council, as outlined during this morning's debate on fisheries.
I know that the minister is fully aware of how important the fish catching and processing sector is to Aberdeen and the north-east and of the many thousands of jobs that it supports, as was discussed in this morning's debate. Can the minister reassure members that she has obtained the best possible deal from the recent European Union-Norway negotiations in the lead-up to the European fisheries council?
Yes. As I am sure Elaine Thomson is aware, the negotiations between the EU and Norway were tough. We managed to argue for a total allowable cod catch that is 40 per cent below this year's figure, but for haddock we argued to get the reduction down to 16 per cent. I know that those figures seem tough but, as was noted in this morning's debate, we must take hard measures.
Long-term Care
To ask the Scottish Executive what its current position is on the financing of long-term care for the elderly. (S1O-2669)
In her statement on 5 October, Susan Deacon announced additional provision, which builds up to £100 million extra for older people for the national health service and local authorities in 2003-04. Local authority allocations for community care will increase by more than £85 million in 2001-02, rising to more than £120 million in 2003-04, much of which will benefit older people.
Is the minister aware that there has been a general welcome for the proposal that the Scottish Executive package of long-term care for the elderly should be more generous than that south of the border? Is the minister aware that there would be an even warmer welcome if the Scottish Executive implemented fully the recommendations of the Sutherland report, so that the cost of personal care for elderly people was met from public funds, as recommended by the Health and Community Care Committee of this Parliament?
The Executive is already implementing the vast majority of the Sutherland commission's recommendations. I note what the Health and Community Care Committee said, but it was honest enough to acknowledge that free personal care for everyone would have a knock-on effect on other community care budgets. As I said, the issue is under review. To some extent, there must be a trade-off between building up services in the community—which will benefit everyone—and helping the minority of people who pay for personal care.
Sutherland recommended free personal care in all care settings, and the Health and Community Care Committee's report unanimously backed that position. Figures that Age Concern supplied to all MSPs today show that free personal care would therefore benefit 63,000 people who receive care at home, 14,000 people in residential care homes and 18,000 in nursing homes. That means that almost 100,000 Scots would benefit.
Ask a question.
Is the minister happy to accept those figures as a true reflection of the situation? Ministers have claimed that only 7,000 people would benefit from the measure.
Those figures were sent to Margaret Smith only today. Like all members, I shall want to examine them with great care. As Margaret Smith's committee acknowledged, to some extent a choice must be made between building up services and helping people with care costs. We are already helping people through free nursing care. A definition of nursing care is being worked on, which I hope will meet some of Margaret Smith's demands for a definition that relates to the level of dependency. That might well be a way forward. As I said in my first answer, the wider issue continues to be reviewed.
Will the minister stop dodging the issue of personal care? Will he accept that there is a consensus in Scotland in favour of public payment for personal care of elderly people? Will the minister tell Parliament whether the Executive is part of that consensus? If it is, will the minister say when the Executive intends to implement the Sutherland recommendations in full and deliver fairness for pensioners in Scotland?
An announcement of the result of the review will come soon, in January—not least because we shall also respond to the Health and Community Care Committee then. I acknowledge the arguments that have been made, but I remind Nicola Sturgeon what the Health and Community Care Committee said about the knock-on effects on other community care budgets. In the real world, we must make choices. I think that everybody is keen, in principle, on Nicola Sturgeon's recommendation, but we must make choices. There are trade-offs. That is the difficult judgment that we are considering.
Referendum
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will recommend to Her Majesty's Government that there should be a referendum on independence for Scotland and suggest an appropriate date. (S1O-2656)
No. The SNP is not paying attention. The people of Scotland consistently reject independence.
I find that answer surprising. [Laughter.] The Scottish people have never been asked directly whether they acquiesced in the surrender of the nation's independence 293 years ago, following the bribery that was inherent in the old Scottish Parliament. Given the fact that the Scots were denied a multi-option referendum in 1997, and the fact that people who support independence vote from across the political spectrum, is it not about time that the choice was put to the people of Scotland, or is the minister simply afraid that his side would lose?
We should listen to the democratic voice of Scotland. Four out of five Scots rejected independence at the previous general election. The SNP was trounced in Anniesland, and it should be worried about Falkirk West. How long will it be before the penny drops?
Does the minister agree that the fact that Mr Gibson calls for a referendum at a time when support for the SNP is haemorrhaging is proof that he represents the masochistic wing of the nationalists?
I do not know about masochistic, but it is certainly an indication that the SNP is becoming a bit desperate.
As the minister may be aware, the First Minister was rather rudely described by a leading Italian academic on "Newsnight" this week as "an irrelevance".
The only irrelevance that we are discussing today is the claim for a referendum on independence. As I said, that claim has been rejected consistently by the people of Scotland. The next time that the people of Scotland think that the SNP is relevant will be the first time.
Does the minister agree that we have already gone through major constitutional change with the establishment of the Scottish Parliament? Does he also agree that the duty of every member and party in the Parliament is to make Parliament's work successful? Does he consider that the SNP's option is nothing other than a distraction?
There is a warm welcome for the Conservative party's conversion to making the Parliament work and I welcome Mr Gallie's comments. I only wish that the SNP would pay heed to the fact that every other party is committed to the Parliament, while the SNP is committed to ruining it on each and every day that Parliament meets.
Health Databases
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to link the information that is available on separate health databases across Scotland. (S1O-2664)
The information and statistics division of the common services agency already links together a wide range of health information. Further linkages can be made where it is appropriate to do so.
I thank the minister for her answer.
Kenneth Macintosh makes an important point when he says that the NHS in Scotland is particularly information rich. It is important that we make the most effective use of the data that are available to us.
Broadcasting (Schools Programmes)
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it will make to broadcasting companies, Her Majesty's Government and other relevant bodies to increase the number of schools' programmes which cover Scottish current affairs. R (S1O-2670)
I have no plans to make representations on that matter.
That is a pity.
I hope that I can give Mike Russell that gentle encouragement.
Relenza
To ask the Scottish Executive when the expert group set up to investigate the influenza drug Relenza will give advice to the Minister for Health and Community Care on its availability in the national health service in Scotland. (S1O-2674)
The expert group's guidance will be issued tomorrow. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the group for its prompt response to my request for advice on the issue.
I am delighted that the group has met once and that tomorrow we will get the report without a delay. Can the minister tell members why we need an additional expert group to give advice on new drugs, when we already have the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, the Health Technology Board for Scotland, the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland, the Scottish drugs and therapeutics consortium and local drugs and therapeutics committees?
I am pleased that, in listing those bodies, Mary Scanlon has drawn attention to the robust range of organisations that is in place in Scotland to ensure that the highest possible standards of clinical quality are maintained. We strive constantly to ensure that those efforts are co-ordinated as effectively as possible in Scotland and that effective links are established with equivalent UK bodies. For example, the Health Technology Board for Scotland has established and is developing protocols with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in England, to ensure that the people of Scotland can get the best possible advice and the highest possible standards.
Donald Gorrie, did you want to ask a supplementary question?
No, I wanted to ask the next question.
You pressed your button a little early.
It can be difficult to find le moment critique to press one's button.
You need to wait until the previous question is over.
Transport
To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for promoting the development of better ferry connections, with good rail and road links, to Ireland and to continental Europe. (S1O-2661)
Our integrated transport strategy recognises the need for good road and rail links to ports and harbours. The transport aspect of ferry services that have origins or destinations outside Scotland is a reserved matter, but the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Enterprise network have an interest in the potential economic development benefits.
It emerged in discussions between members of the Transport and the Environment Committee and Irish MPs that there is great concern from the Irish point of view about clarifying the route that they would take either to Britain or to the continent. Will the minister clarify whether we are continuing to develop Stranraer and the road to it—which badly needs development—or whether an alternative site on the Ayrshire coast is being considered? Will she also say what the prospects are of developing Rosyth for ferries to Europe?
There is a range of opportunities to develop all those routes. On the A75 in particular, the major problem is platooning, which happens when vehicles come off the ferries. That is why the Executive is promoting schemes to ensure that we can get good overtaking opportunities that will make that route more attractive. On Rosyth, Donald Gorrie might be aware that there are proposals for ferry opportunities there. I am keen that those proposals should be pursued. They would bring major benefits and offer opportunities for an east-west road connection across the country to create access between Ireland and Europe. There are also opportunities to improve the rail network to provide an east-west link. We are keen to consider those opportunities and see what can be progressed.
A lot of members want to ask supplementary questions, so let us have short exchanges, please.
Is the minister aware of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions document, "Modern Ports: A UK Policy", which states:
Alasdair Morgan will know that the Scottish Executive was supportive of that new document, which sets out new opportunities for ports developments in Scotland and the rest of the UK. We have ensured that there is investment in the A75 because we see it as an important route.
The minister mentioned the development of the Rosyth Europort, which is in my constituency. Will freight facilities grants for rail transport be progressed?
An application for freight facilities grant that would contribute to reopening the Stirling-Alloa-Dunfermline leg is currently being considered. I have increased freight facilities grant awards to £36 million over the next three years. If a good proposal were put forward that could be built into the existing proposal for the Stirling-Alloa-Dunfermline route, I would be very interested in looking at it.
The minister will be aware of the problems of the A77 south of Ayr, because I have just written to her about that. What plans does she have to resolve the accident black spots that are developing on that road between Ayr and Stranraer? There have been six accidents on the road during the past five weeks. That is very worrying.
We keep under close review all areas where there are accidents. We receive reports and consider route accident reduction plans, where remedial work on the trunk road network could reduce accidents in the future. Our major contribution to road safety on the west coast is the upgrading of the A77, which we intend to pursue as soon as we can. Work on the project is already under way and I am keen for the major improvement to the A77—which will cost £60 million—to be implemented as soon as possible.
The minister will be aware of the huge amount that is being done under the leadership of Brian Wilson of the Scotland Office, Argyll and Bute Council, Argyll and the Islands Enterprise, Moyle District Council and me, to open up the Campbeltown to Ballycastle ferry service, which would once again link Campbeltown to Northern Ireland. Can she assure me that the Scottish Executive will do everything in its power to ensure that, this time next year, that service will be running again?
I can give the member the commitment that the Scottish Executive will continue to work in partnership with Brian Wilson in the Scotland Office, with Argyll and Bute Council and with the authorities in the north of Ireland. We are keen to see a partnership approach to this issue. That requires the support of all the key agents, which is why the Scottish Executive takes a keen interest in the project.
Asylum Seekers
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to implement recommendations of the report by Save the Children and the Scottish Refugee Council, "I Didn't Come Here for Fun". (S1O-2645)
The findings of the report by Save the Children and the Scottish Refugee Council were presented only at a conference at the beginning of last week. The report contains a number of recommendations, some of which are for the Scottish Executive. We shall study carefully those recommendations that are directed specifically at the Executive.
As the minister will be aware, the report highlights the experiences of refugee children coming to Scotland and shows that each of them has been subject to some form of racial harassment, abuse or attack. Does the minister see the Scottish Executive having a leadership role in ensuring the rights and needs of children seeking asylum in Scotland? How does he intend to respond to the proposal for a cross-departmental working group on refugee and asylum issues, which is one of the report's key recommendations? As the minister responsible in this area, will he agree to meet the refugee children when they visit the Parliament in the new year and to listen to their concerns directly?
I would be very keen to meet the children. Over the summer I visited refugees in Glasgow. Shona Robison knows that, because we visited them together. I have a strong personal interest in the issue of refugee children.
Does the minister agree that the present plight of asylum seekers in Scotland and elsewhere throws into stark relief the rank hypocrisy of those who argue for the absolute freedom of movement of capital and goods across national boundaries, while maintaining that every possible obstacle should be put in the way of the free movement of peoples? Can the minister explain why people moving into Scotland should be seen as a threat, while capital and manufacturing jobs moving out of Scotland are not seen as an equivalent threat?
We do not see people moving into Scotland as a threat. We should remember that a large number of asylum seekers will remain here and will, in the near future, be Scottish citizens and highly valued members of Scottish society. Whenever people talk about asylum seekers, they should bear that in mind.
Architecture
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing a policy on architecture. (S1O-2678)
We published a policy framework document, "The Development of a Policy on Architecture", at the end of last year. The document set out the Executive's aspirations for architecture and a framework for policy development. We have since consulted widely on the document and have, this month, published a report on the public consultation. It is my intention to make a statement on the detail of policy as early as possible in 2001.
I thank the minister for his response. I welcome the Executive's consultation.
On the carbuncle awards, the Executive believes that debate and criticism is healthy. However, an award for Scotland's most dismal town is ill judged as it encroaches on the sensitivities of the residents, who have an understandable pride in their own community.
I am sure that Airdrie is innocent. It was not the fault of Airdrie that such pockets sprang up; it was the fault of architects in the 1960s and 1970s. Will the Executive keep an eye on those architects? Their ghastly plans left many areas of Scotland in much the same state as Attila the Hun left Gaul. Will the Executive please have a policy against ugliness in architecture?
The member will be pleased to learn that I am against ugliness in all its shapes and forms. That is precisely the point of developing a policy on architecture. Government has a responsibility to conserve the built heritage for future generations. We will demonstrate that by introducing policy proposals in the new year.
The minister will be aware of the role that good architectural practice can play in the creation of high-quality school environments, better hospitals and the transformation of our housing stock. Given the amount of resources that the Executive is putting into those matters, will the minister ask his colleagues to take account of architectural policy to ensure that we get the best value for money and, as a result of the investment, create the best environments?
I can easily agree with that. Building is a key delivery mechanism for Government policy, which aims to improve social policy and modernise and develop our infrastructure. It is an important part of the work of all my colleagues.
Mr Harper, you are not coming in on this question, are you?
I would like to ask a quick supplementary.
No. Ask question 11 please.
Farmers (Financial Support)
To ask the Scottish Executive what its current policy is regarding financial capping of support measures for farmers. (S1O-2668)
In accordance with the requirements of the European rural development regulation, there is no financial capping of the support that will be available under the new rural stewardship scheme. The financial limits in place, and approved by the European Commission and Parliament for existing schemes, remain. The organic aid scheme remains a free-standing scheme and its hectarage limits remain.
Matthew 13:12 states that to those that have shall be given in abundance, but from those that have not shall be taken away even that which they have. Does the minister sympathise with that view? In respect of individual farm payments under the less favoured areas scheme, will the minister acknowledge that the shift from headage payments to area-based payments will penalise crofters and other small farmers? Does he agree that annual reviews of the scheme should aim to address the imbalance in effect between small and large farms?
I am happy to confirm that Matthew 13:12 was probably also directed to the crofting communities. I acknowledge that the move from a headage-based system to an area-based system has the inherent flaw that intensive livestock operations that are prevalent in many of Scotland's remote and rural areas will be disadvantaged.
The minister will be aware that capping individuals who receive huge amounts of public funding will free up finance. Does he agree that that money could be used to provide additional payments to those who deploy sustainable and environmentally friendly farming methods? Furthermore, does he recognise that the crofting system provides those benefits as well as allowing people to remain in rural areas?
I am happy to confirm that I am very seized of the problems emerging from the implementation of the new less favoured areas scheme. I can only repeat my response to Robin Harper. I intend to ensure that the funding made available from the tapering mechanism will be directed quite specifically to the most affected areas, which include the crofting communities.
I declare an interest in this issue. Does the minister accept that, because of Scotland's natural economic and climatic disadvantages and its distance from its main market, it was inevitable that Scotland's farming businesses were always likely to be bigger than those in other parts of Europe? Does he further acknowledge that any attempt to cap across-the-board support measures paid to farmers would instantly disadvantage the Scottish industry in comparison with those regions where farm sizes are likely to be smaller?
The member makes two important points. First, we must recognise that the less favoured areas support mechanism covers 85 per cent of Scotland's agricultural land because that amount of land has less favoured area status. There was no attempt even with the predecessor scheme, the hill livestock compensatory allowance, to distinguish between smaller and larger units because of the make-up of Scottish agricultural tenure. Although I accept that point, it does not get away from the fact that particular pockets in Scotland are being disadvantaged in the change to this new scheme. As I said in my earlier responses, I intend to address that problem.
Supply Teachers
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to deal with any on-going lack of supply teachers in particular areas of Scotland and in particular areas of the curriculum. (S1O-2659)
In addressing the issue of teachers in the supply pool, the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council applied increases of 22 per cent to primary intakes and 7 per cent to secondary intakes to teacher education institutions for the 2000-01 session. From current examples of good practice, my officials are seeking to identify ways in which the management of supply teachers can be more effectively administered with local authorities.
The minister's response will be of little comfort to the pupils, parents and teachers of Kirkland High School in Methil in Fife. Like many other schools, this school has real problems in securing supply or permanent teachers to full specialist teacher vacancies, particularly in English. What helpful advice should I give to the rector of Kirkland High School, who recently said:
I would be very careful to say that Kirkland High is a very good school and to praise the head teacher and teachers for their work. Some of that work takes place in difficult circumstances because of the difficulties in filling posts. Although that situation exists in other schools across Scotland, it is one that we are determined to address.
Did I hear a mobile phone ringing? I hope not.
Maybe it was Jack McConnell phoning a friend. [Laughter.]
The issues are different in different subject areas and between primary and secondary education. Some of those relate to the increase in school numbers over the past two or three years; some relate to the fact that, in specific subjects, more people are working part-time or job sharing. The traditional method of calculating the number of full-time teachers is therefore not necessarily relevant in modern schools in which a head count might be more appropriate.
Regional News Bulletins
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to the Independent Television Commission in connection with the planned schedule for Scottish regional news bulletins. (S1O-2648)
We have not made any such representations.
That is absolutely shameful. Is the minister aware that what was formerly the "News at Ten"—which was shifted to 11 pm—will once more be scheduled at 10 pm after January, but that the regional news, which was also shifted, will stay at 11.20 pm? Does the minister accept that that represents a downgrading of Scotland's national news?
Order. That is enough. We have got the point.
Does he agree—
Order. We have heard the question.
Coincidentally, I met representatives of the Scottish Media Group earlier this week. They pointed out that, even when the "News at Ten" was at 10 pm, the regional news was at 11.20 pm or 11.30 pm, so there is no change there. The main channel 3 news at 6 pm is "Scotland Today" and "North Tonight", each of which has a substantial share of the market. I expect that that will continue.
Care Homes
To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable now is in relation to its proposals to end the distinction between residential and nursing care homes. (S1O-2665)
The necessary provision will be contained in the regulation of care bill that we hope will be introduced before Christmas. The plan would be to commence the provision on 1 April 2002, the expected start date for the new system for regulating care services.
I thank the minister for that answer. Does he share the view of the Abbeyfield Society of Dumfries and Galloway, which believes that the proposal to standardise care homes will reduce choice, increase charges and result in a short to medium-term reduction in the number of care providers and bed spaces in that sector? Does he also agree that, in standardising all the homes to nursing care standard, this proposal is effectively placing a tax on tender, loving care that is currently available in abundance and free of charge at residential homes that are run by organisations such as the Abbeyfield Society?
The proposal certainly will not increase charges, but will support the interests of older people. As their condition changes, they will be able to stay in the same place but receive a different level of care.
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