SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Freight Subsidy (Western Isles)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on progress being made on securing an agreement from the European Commission that would allow Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to introduce a subsidy for freight transported on the Sound of Harris and Sound of Barra. (S2O-8398)
The Executive's maritime transport division and its state-aid unit have been offering advice to Western Isles Council on its proposal to provide a freight transport subsidy. The council is currently considering its next steps. There has been no contact with the European Commission, but that is a matter for the council to pursue.
Given the important on-going discussions on the development and continuation of our Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services, does the minister consider it to be advisable for the council and HIE to examine the possibility of including the freight subsidy in the current tender document discussions? How can we be assured that, when a scheme is implemented, customers will see an appreciable reduction in the cost of transporting goods between islands and to and from the mainland?
First, I acknowledge Alasdair Morrison's role in the matter, work on which began, I believe, a couple of years ago. Reduction of tariffs on the routes across the Sounds of Harris and Barra could be included in the service specification for tendering on the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services. Of course, we are considering such matters in the consultation on the specification of the Clyde and Hebrides routes.
I thank the minister for his response and Alasdair Morrison for his proper focus on benefits to customers. To what extent has a case been made to the Commission on the grounds of underemployment? Surely the EC must take such factors into account. After all, there has been such a marked pattern of migration from the Western Isles that, as Harris Development Limited has reported, the local working-age population is calculated on the basis of the number of people between 16 and 75 who are self-employed or are in employment. Has that issue been raised to make this urgent case even more critical?
That aspect of what is a transport issue would be highlighted by the enterprise company and by other appropriate employment and investment organisations in the case that Western Isles Council is putting together. I am sure that the council is considering such issues. Moreover, I have no doubt that, in the council's discussions with the European Commission, the wider its argument the stronger its case will be. After all, for the Commission, it is a specific transport state-aid issue, but it can be widened out in the context of the points that have been raised.
Is the minister aware that Western Isles Council has bent over backwards and, indeed, has allocated £75,000 to reduce fares by a third on the CalMac routes on the Sound of Harris and the Sound of Barra? However, CalMac cannot lower those fares, apparently because of Scottish Executive policy. Even the minister's Westminster counterpart, Alistair Darling, has said that he sees no problem with lowering the fares. Will the minister reconsider his position and help the businesses in the Western Isles?
The problem with Mr McGrigor is that he reads out a question that he wrote some months ago, but does not listen to the earlier exchanges. He just does not understand the issue. The fact is that we have state-aid rules. He might choose blindly to ignore them, but that option is open neither to the council, as Alasdair Morrison asked about earlier, nor to any Scottish Executive minister. If and when we deal with state-aid issues, which are the council's responsibility in this respect, we will see what we can do in policy terms. However, it is absolutely not the case that, as Mr McGrigor said, the policy of Scottish Executive ministers is to hold things back or to stop them happening.
Commonwealth Games 2014
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made with regard to Glasgow's bid for the Commonwealth games in 2014 in respect of the involvement of the private sector. (S2O-8346)
Support for the bid from all sectors is important. We plan to involve the private sector in as many aspects of the bid as we can. Glasgow City Council has already held preliminary discussions with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce about how best to maximise the opportunities for business in Scotland. Scottish Enterprise is focused on co-ordinating the benefits to business of Scotland's bid and those of the London Olympics and Paralympics in 2012.
I know that the minister shares my enthusiasm for the project, which could have a tremendous impact on Glasgow's economy. However, given that the bidding process will inevitably be highly competitive, will she ensure that the best possible marketing advice is taken in connection with the bid to ensure that we get the result that we all want?
I am grateful for Mr Aitken's whole-hearted support for the bid. We will obviously take the best advice about every aspect of the work that we do on the bid, including marketing.
Forth Road Bridge Tolls
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Forth Estuary Transport Authority regarding its recent proposals to increase charging on the Forth road bridge to up to £4 in peak periods. (S2O-8388)
Officials from the Scottish Executive have had discussions with officials from FETA and its advisers on the process that is involved in submitting the proposals.
Does the minister agree that implementation of such a policy would have a catastrophic effect on the social and economic well-being of Fife, Dundee and the north of Scotland? Is he concerned that such an important policy proposal was introduced on the casting vote of the chair of FETA's board? In the light of that, will he oppose the proposal, which is totally unacceptable to my community, and review FETA's policy-making process?
The issue is a serious one for Marilyn Livingstone and other Fife members of whatever party, and for many Edinburgh members who have concerns about congestion in the city. The FETA board's toll proposals must be considered in the context of the emerging findings on the integrity of the Forth road bridge and the tolled bridges review that is under way. Congestion is a significant issue, so it is important to consider the proposals that have emerged from the FETA board in recent weeks. Should ministers approve the application, further opportunities for comment will be available as work progresses, including a three-month statutory consultation period, a one-month objection period and a likely inquiry. Considerable opportunities will be available but, at this stage, ministers have not reached a decision on the proposals.
I associate myself with Marilyn Livingstone's comments. The minister recognises that the proposals are for a back-door congestion charge and that they have been bludgeoned through on the casting vote of an Edinburgh councillor. Does the minister agree that, before he decides whether to approve the increased toll tax, he should consult, perhaps by referendum, the businesses and commuters that use the bridge? Will he accept that it would be unacceptable to the east of Scotland if the conclusion of the tolled bridges review was to remove tolls from every bridge apart from the Forth and Tay bridges, and he then allowed increased tolls on the Forth bridge?
I hope that Tricia Marwick realises that the chair of the FETA board rotates and that, not so long ago, the chair was a member of Fife Council, at which time the board had a different policy on the issue. I make the observation that the situation changes depending on which side of the Firth of Forth the chair comes from. She also fell into the Jamie McGrigor trap of preparing her question before she listened to the answer. I will say it again for her benefit: should ministers approve the application, there will be further opportunities to comment as work progresses, including a three-month statutory consultation period, a one-month objection period and a likely inquiry. I hope that the member accepts that there will be considerable opportunities to comment on the proposals.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. The minister has misled Parliament—I prepared my question this morning.
That is clearly not a point for me.
When the minister is discussing—[Interruption.] Hello? Minister?
Sorry—I was hoping that we would get another Mr McGrigor question rather than a Mr Ruskell question.
Although I accept the difficulties of congestion in Edinburgh and I hear what the minister is saying about consultation opportunities, I urge him to take into consideration the impact of the proposals for the Forth road bridge on Dundee and the surrounding areas in the north-east.
I accept Marlyn Glen's observations about the potential impact of the proposals and I am sure that she and many others will make representations on those matters, both in relation to ministers' decision-making responsibilities and in the on-going consultation that I mentioned earlier.
Will the minister assure us that any increases in congestion charges on the Forth road bridge will not be used to fund a new crossing?
That is why I gave the earlier answer to Marilyn Livingstone. We must bring together the emerging findings on the existing Forth bridge, the tolled bridges review and FETA's proposals to Scottish ministers in relation to a tolling regime. I hope that Mr Davidson will accept that it is logical to bring those matters together and to consider them in their entirety.
Scottish Criminal Record Office (Staff)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to protect and support staff of the Scottish Criminal Record Office fingerprint bureau. (S2O-8393)
Fingerprint bureau staff are employees of joint police boards. Their employers have a duty of care to them and they are protected by the terms and conditions of their employment. Senior managers at the Scottish Criminal Record Office provide support, advice and guidance to all staff.
Is the minister aware of the damage that has been done to the lives and careers of three of my constituents who work for the fingerprint bureau and who were involved in the original identification in the Marion Ross murder trial and subsequent trial for perjury of Shirley McKie? Is she aware that my constituents have remained silent, as ordered by their employers, and have observed the rules of sub judice throughout that long-running case—seemingly the only groups or individuals to do so—and have suffered as a consequence? Does the minister recognise that if public servants are not allowed to defend their honesty and integrity in the face of aggressive misinformation and inaccuracy, it is her duty to stand up for their interests and to defend the interests of all public servants who work diligently in the service of this country?
As Mr Macintosh observes, there are rules in relation to matters that may come before the courts, which I and others in Parliament must recognise. What I am able to say about any particular situation is therefore limited. I know that Ken Macintosh and, indeed, Des McNulty have been diligent in taking up issues in that regard, as indeed has the trade union Unison. All I am able to say at this point is that it would not be appropriate for me to disclose details of cases that are currently the subject of discussion between trade unions and employers. However, I am happy to ensure that Mr Macintosh receives appropriate information.
Aberdeen Airport
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support Aberdeen airport in achieving the goals set out in its new 25-year master plan. (S2O-8374)
The Scottish Executive will work on issues for which it is responsible, with BAA plc Scotland, on the sustainable development of Aberdeen airport.
Does the minister agree that the Executive should actively support progressing the master plan for Aberdeen airport, as it is crucial to building on its success as Scotland's fastest-growing airport? In particular, what can the Executive do to assist development of improved surface-transport links to the airport, as it is rightly doing in other parts of Scotland?
I recognise the growth of Aberdeen airport, which Mr Baker has mentioned. I use the airport frequently and I look forward to the terminal improvements, which will greatly improve the service for passengers.
We welcome the announcement this week of new scheduled low-cost flights from Edinburgh to Poland—there are many Polish workers in the north and north-east. What steps will the minister take to encourage more direct scheduled flights from Aberdeen airport to Europe and beyond, similar to those that have been announced from Edinburgh to Poland?
Mr Adam makes a fair point about the success of the Executive's route development fund, and I am grateful for his support in that matter. He is correct in saying that additional services from Edinburgh airport have been announced this week. He will also know that six routes from Aberdeen airport currently benefit from route development fund assistance. I strongly hope that that will continue. As Mr Adam knows, we work closely with BAA, through Scottish Enterprise, to encourage that. I take his point about the number of Poles who are working in a variety of businesses in the north-east, including fish processing businesses, and I hope that they will add to the commercial logic of improving international links.
Tartan Day
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to promote tartan day in Europe and in Scotland. (S2O-8333)
Tartan day is a celebration of Scottish influence and heritage that was originally conceived in Canada and is focused mainly in north America. The Scottish Executive works in partnership with VisitScotland, Scottish Development International and local authorities to make the celebrations a showcase for Scotland.
I declare an interest as the convener of the cross-party group on tartan day. I thank and give due credit to the Executive and Parliament for their work in promoting tartan day internationally. Will the minister encourage and assist every Scottish local authority and local partnership to showcase Scottish innovation, quality and creativity at European level and in Scotland? Where the tartan goes, trade and other benefits follow.
I am aware of Mr Welsh's personal interest in tartan day in Angus and the appropriateness of that, given the situation of Arbroath. The work that is being done by Angus Council is entirely appropriate to its area. If that proves to be a success, we may well find that the interest that has been sparked in other local authority areas by that work and by the work that Parliament and the Executive have done will spread throughout the rest of the country and, perhaps, further afield. However, we must be careful to focus our attention where it is most needed. At the moment, that remains—for the time being, at least—mainly in north America.
National Qualification Courses
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the operation of national qualification courses. (S2O-8400)
"Ambitious, Excellent Schools" explained the need to review the link between standard grade and the national qualifications in order to simplify the structure, widen opportunities and improve progression. Individual national qualifications are kept under regular review.
The issue was brought to my attention by people who work in further education, in relation to employers' lack of understanding of NQs and, hence, students' lack of confidence in those qualifications' worth. That is especially worrying because the courses include subjects such as engineering and construction skills. I am aware that £500,000 has been set aside to enable the issue to be examined. Does the minister think that is sufficient to enable a serious view to be taken on whether the changes need to be made?
One of the interesting things to arise from the current review of the curriculum in schools is a debate about how well national qualifications are understood by employers and students. That also has implications for how schools relate to further education and qualifications, especially in the areas that Mary Mulligan is talking about. A debate on, and consideration of, how we might improve that situation will take place over the coming months. I have no reason to believe that the sums of money that are involved are inadequate, but I am happy to speak further to Mary Mulligan about that.
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