Justice and Law Officers
Gypsy Travellers
To ask the Scottish Executive how many offences against Gypsy Travellers have been recorded in the last 12 months. (S4O-00669)
That information is not held centrally. Police recorded crime figures are based on an aggregate data return from each of the eight police forces, which does not include information on victims or their ethnic group.
I hope that we can look at ways of recording such information in the future, because we do not have information about offences that have been taking place for a considerable time.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that Gypsy Travellers remain at considerable risk of racially aggravated crime and that more needs to be done to protect them? He will be aware of the latest social attitudes survey, which indicates that 37 per cent of the population still hold prejudicial attitudes to Gypsy Travellers and that 92 per cent of young Gypsy Travellers experience some form of bullying because of their ethnic origin. We can infer from that that prejudicial attitudes to Gypsy Travellers are still prevalent. What action will the cabinet secretary take to offset that?
Siobhan McMahon raises an interesting and important question. The information is not recorded because it is not straightforward. The recording category of “other ethnic white” would include many in the Gypsy Traveller community, but it also includes many from an eastern European background. We are happy to look at such matters. The Gypsy Traveller community incorporates not just Scottish and Irish Travellers but Gypsies and the Roma community.
The fundamental point that Ms McMahon raises is not so much about the importance of recording crime, although we view that as important and the police and the prosecution take it on board, as about the discrimination that—sadly—exists against the travelling community, whether they are ethnic Scottish and Irish Travellers or are from the Roma community and have come in with east European immigration. The Government takes action to provide support through Article 12 in Scotland, the Minority Ethnic Carers of Older People Project and the Scottish Traveller education programme. I am happy to discuss matters and engage further with Ms McMahon and those who represent the Gypsy Traveller community.
I assure Ms McMahon that we take any prejudice against the Gypsy Traveller community seriously. Such matters are incorporated in the Race Relations Act 1976 and we recognise our obligations under other portfolios to look after the community and protect its interests. Whether people are from the travelling community or are different from others in our community, they are still citizens of this land and they are entitled to the dignity, respect and treatment that everybody else receives.
I call Jenny Marra.
To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners have completed an alcohol-related course in the last year.
I am sorry—I called you because you had pressed your request-to-speak button to ask a supplementary question.
I was confused—I thought that you called me to ask my later question, Presiding Officer. I do not have a supplementary.
Single Scottish Police Service (Superintendent Posts)
To ask the Scottish Government whether the proposed single Scottish police service will result in a reduction in the number of police superintendent posts. (S4O-00670)
The internal structure and staffing of the police service of Scotland will be determined by the chief constable and the Scottish police authority.
Given the wide variation across Scotland’s eight forces in the ratio of police superintendents to operational officers, will the cabinet secretary cause Her Majesty’s inspector of constabulary to ensure that all promotion processes for superintendent ranks cease with immediate effect, pending a review of the numbers that will be required for the single service to be efficient?
We take the matter seriously as a Government. Fundamentally, the question is for the current services. The Government has made clear its decision not to approve permanent appointments at assistant chief constable rank and above, which will ensure that we do not have a surplus of senior officers on day one. It would be appropriate for chief constables to consider the implications of promotions now for the new service’s operational effectiveness.
We understand that the eight fire and rescue boards have already put in place arrangements to avoid such issues in the fire and rescue service. Promotions might be appropriate in some areas because of the service that is given and the area’s needs and requirements but, as we move towards a new service, police boards and chief constables should take cognisance of the issue, as has happened in relation to the very senior ranks.
I thank the member for raising the issue and I will ensure that that is fed back to HMIC.
Single Scottish Police Service (Chief Constable)
To ask the Scottish Government when the chief constable will be appointed for the proposed single Scottish police service. (S4O-00671)
The Scottish Government has introduced to Parliament a bill to establish a single police service. It provides for the appointment of the chief constable by the Scottish police authority. Subject to the passage of the bill and the completion of the public appointments that it provides for, the chief constable could be appointed by the end of this year.
Following on from John Finnie’s questions, does the cabinet secretary feel that, given that there is a bit of a changeover period, the potential exists for good decisions to be held back and for a few bad decisions to be made?
It is a matter of balance. We are aware that many authorities wish the chief constable to be appointed as soon as possible, and we have great sympathy with that view.
There are two matters to consider. First, we have given an indication to Parliament, which I think has been accepted, that the chief constable should not be appointed by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, whether that is me or anyone else. On that basis, we require to go through the formal protocols that will allow us to establish the Scottish police authority and to ensure that, thereafter, it takes action to select the appropriate person, whoever he or she may be.
There are also practical matters to consider. Until the police service of Scotland is established and in situ, whether on 1 April 2013 or at some other time, we must ensure the running of the police, with which the eight chief constables are currently charged. As I mentioned in response to John Finnie, we must ensure that we encourage them to work effectively and that, collectively, we take action to that end. We are seeking to work towards a position in which we can have the chief constable in place by the end of this year.
We think that it is important that that decision should be made openly and transparently, and that it should not be made by a political person such as me. That means that we must wait for the establishment of the Scottish police authority.
What arrangements is the cabinet secretary putting in place for the policing of territorial waters and offshore installations under his reform plans? How many local authorities will be involved in approving such plans?
As far as the North Sea is concerned, such matters have fallen within the jurisdiction of the chief constable of Grampian Police and Grampian authority. When it comes to broader matters of resilience, not simply the police but other agencies are involved. Particular local authorities have been involved in such discussions, as Ms McInnes will probably be aware, given the implications for Scottish island communities of an oil spillage or similar event.
Such matters are clearly operational matters that must be dealt with by the appropriate level of authority, locally and nationally. Even as we move towards a single service, the likelihood is that an oil spillage or some other catastrophe would have to be dealt with by the divisional commander.
Good work is being done in this area by Chief Constable Smith, who is working with others, including Deputy Chief Constable Neil Richardson from Strathclyde Police, so I can assure the member that such matters are being considered. Presently, they are dealt with on an operational basis by the police and other agencies, including local authorities and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. They will ensure that the particular challenges that we face as a country with a coastline such as ours will be dealt with and that there will be no diminution of service as we move towards a single service.
Given the importance of independent oversight of the new police service from the outset, and given what the cabinet secretary said about his aspirations for the appointment of a new chief constable, what does he have in mind as regards the appointment of the police investigations and review commissioner? What timetable does he think is practicable for that?
I pay great tribute to the service that the Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland has given. I noticed that he was in the Parliament to meet Mr Macdonald—I am sure that they had an interesting and informative chat. There will be a slight role change because of the requirement to deal with matters that would previously have been dealt with by other services. I welcome the service of John McNeill. The good work that he and his staff in Hamilton have carried out will have to be added to, but I look forward to him—or his successor, if that is the situation—continuing to provide outstanding service and meeting the new challenges that will have to be faced to ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done. Those who have some doubts can be assured that matters will be resolved not simply internally, but by an external body.
Single Scottish Police Service
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made with its plans for a single Scottish police service. (S4O-00672)
The Government introduced a bill to Parliament on 16 January to establish a single police service for Scotland.
I am keen that the new Scottish police service decentralises some of its support functions and backroom jobs, such as those in finance, information technology and human resources, to the Highlands and Islands. Can the cabinet secretary tell me whether there will be a process for considering that, and what sort of timetable we should be working to if we are to bid for such functions?
Ultimately, it will be for the Scottish police authority and the chief constable, once they are appointed, to determine how the service is organised. However, we believe that there is considerable scope for support functions to be located throughout Scotland, and I am keen that jobs are not concentrated in the central belt.
The proposals that we have in the legislation provide a framework that will encourage resources to be located across Scotland to meet best the needs of all our communities. There are opportunities for them to be located in the north, and I know that Mr Thompson has campaigned for that. Equally, following my visit to speak to the chief constable of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and many of his officers, I know that requests will be made from that area.
I give the member an assurance that it seems appropriate to this Administration that many of the matters that he raises should be dealt with outwith one centralised pot in the central belt, as they are capable of being dealt with elsewhere.
The issue should, perhaps, have been dealt with before now. I understand that, in the current situation, in which there are eight services, the payroll for Lothian and Borders Police is dealt with in Birmingham. It seems to me that it might be better for there to be one payroll service for the police in Scotland and for it to be located somewhere more appropriate than Birmingham.
Can the cabinet secretary tell us whether the functions of the British Transport Police might become the prerogative of the single Scottish police service?
We see merit in that. Presently, the British Transport Police has to work closely with our constabularies—with Lothian and Borders Police in Waverley station in Edinburgh; with Strathclyde Police at Central and Queen Street stations in Glasgow; and with Northern Constabulary in the north of Scotland. I have written to the secretary of state to open a dialogue about the matter. To her credit, she has indicated a willingness to look at it. It is not something that we anticipate would be done immediately on the establishment of a single Scottish police service.
However, as we move towards the establishment of that service, and at a time when issues around aviation and ports such as Cairnryan are dealt with by the Scottish police, it appears to us that there is logic to the suggestion that the current functions that are carried out in Scotland by the British Transport Police—to whose members, from Assistant Chief Constable David McCall down, I pay tribute—would have a better linkage with the single Scottish police service rather than with a body whose functions are, to all intents and purposes, headquartered in Birmingham, when not in London.
I remind all members that they should be here in good time for their questions.
Sentencing (Offenders Released on Licence)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider changing the law so that sentences for crimes committed by an offender released on licence are served consecutively rather than concurrently. (S4O-00673)
We are considering whether legislative changes are required to provide the courts with wider sentencing discretion to deal with people who commit offences after having been released from prison under early release provisions.
I am encouraged by the significant reductions that we have seen in knife crime this week, and fully support the Scottish Government’s approach to tackling it. I am delighted that the cabinet secretary joined me and others last night at the launch of the no knives, better lives campaign at the street project in Hamilton.
It is crucial that the public has confidence in our courts and justice system. People in my constituency have made it absolutely clear to me that, when sentences for separate offences are served concurrently, their confidence in justice is undermined. Can the cabinet secretary assure me that he will give serious consideration to taking action to ensure that individual sentences for separate offences are served consecutively?
I thank Ms McKelvie for raising that matter, which has also been raised with me by the families of some victims, and which the Crown and I have clearly indicated that we are happy to consider. It is not a straightforward matter. It relates to legislation that predates not only my accession to office but the establishment of this Parliament. It is important to note that any offender who commits an imprisonable offence having been released under early release statute from a custodial sentence for a previous offence will spend longer in prison as a result. Courts currently have the power to impose a further sentence on an offender where an offence has been committed while the offender is still serving a previous sentence, but there are restrictions on the way in which that further sentence can be imposed. A further sentence cannot be imposed to run consecutively where a person has already been released in respect of the previous sentence.
We want the courts to have the necessary powers to be able to deal with the offender and to provide the appropriate sentence for that offender in the circumstances, and not to be unnecessarily constrained. I am happy to assure Ms McKelvie, as the Lord Advocate and I have assured the—tragically—recently bereaved families of victims that we will look at this matter. It is a complex area of law, but we recognise that it needs to be looked at, and we will do so.
Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill (Independent Custody Visiting)
To ask the Scottish Executive what its reasons are for placing independent custody visiting on a statutory footing as part of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill. (S4O-00674)
Independent custody visiting, which is carried out by volunteers on a non-statutory basis, plays an important role in checking the treatment of persons held in custody in police stations and the conditions in which they are held. Placing independent custody visiting on a statutory basis will fulfil the obligations of Scottish ministers to the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, or OPCAT. The position is different from that of prisons, where Her Majesty’s inspectorate of prisons for Scotland already has a statutory duty of inspection. HMIP meets the requirements of OPCAT and is a designated national preventative mechanism. Under one system, we must still meet the OPCAT requirements; under the other, those requirements are already met.
I am sure that there is support across the chamber for ensuring convention compliance, but over and above that, is there not a principled argument for community representation, whereby communities are able, on a voluntary and unannounced basis, to conduct visits in relation to all forms of detention? That is hugely important for our confidence in the standards in detention. We certainly make that case in relation to custody and prisons, and some of us would like to do so in relation to asylum removal centres as well. Should not the Government support that general principle instead of relying on merely technical convention compliance?
I agreed with most of what Mr Harvie was saying until he got to the final part of his question. We accept that there is an issue. I am aware of Mr Harvie’s motion, which was debated as a Conservative motion. I welcome the Conservatives’ commitment to prison reform and look forward to David McLetchie’s sympathetic ear for the Angiolini commission.
As a Government, we take the view that prison visiting committees are no longer fit for purpose in the 21st century, given that they were established in the Victorian age. We believe that the needs of prisoners as regards advocacy are best dealt with by a more professional body, and that is why we are looking to go out to tender on that.
We are happy to take on board Mr Harvie’s point about the requirements for monitoring and to look at how we deal with that area, whether we expand HMIP’s role to incorporate other aspects or work in conjunction with local authorities or community justice authorities. I say to Mr Harvie and Ms McInnes that we are happy to discuss with stakeholders and political parties how we build on the requirements that we already meet in relation to OPCAT and HMIP. For example, how do we provide a local aspect? Should that tie in with custody cells in police stations? As per the Conservative debate on Mr Harvie’s motion, I am happy to give him an undertaking that we will look at how we build on what we already have and provide understandable and legitimate assurances about how we meet the monitoring requirements in Scotland in the 21st century.
Question 7 has been withdrawn, for entirely understandable reasons.
Scottish Court Service (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the Scottish Court Service. (S4O-00676)
Officials of the Scottish Government meet the Scottish Court Service regularly. I met officials from the Scottish Court Service most recently on 11 January.
The cabinet secretary has made it clear that proposals to close courts in Scotland would be subject to approval by the Parliament. Will he tell members what assessment he will make of the impact of a proposed closure before he makes a decision on whether to bring such a proposal to the Parliament? In particular, can he say whether he will publish an assessment of the additional costs of transporting frail and vulnerable witnesses or the additional costs of delays to court proceedings elsewhere?
Those are hypothetical questions. I am happy to say that proposals require to go before the Parliament. I will be required to appear before the Parliament, and the Justice Committee and Opposition spokesmen will no doubt expect full information.
The principal case must be put by the Lord President and will come to me. A proposal must be robust and sustainable; it must also be open to investigation, critique and, indeed, ultimate refusal by the Parliament.
I assure the member that we are happy to discuss how information should come forward; I happily concede the principle of ensuring that the information is there.
Prisoners (Alcohol-related Courses)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners have completed an alcohol-related course in the last year. (S4O-00677)
The Scottish Prison Service offers a range of alcohol-related interventions to prisoners with alcohol problems, to support their recovery and address offending behaviour. In the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011, 8,827 prisoners completed an alcohol-related course: 8,155 prisoners completed alcohol interventions on a one-to-one basis or in a group-work setting—such interventions were delivered by enhanced addiction casework services; and 672 prisoners completed an alcohol-related prisoner programme.
The cabinet secretary is aware that a prisoner is three times more likely to be dependent on alcohol than the average Scottish person. Yesterday, NHS Health Scotland released a report, calling for
“a more comprehensive system of screening and assessment”,
to help prisoners who are suffering from alcohol-related problems.
With reducing offending in mind, what action is the Scottish Government taking to implement the recommendations in the report and help prisoners to recover from alcohol addiction?
The national health service has taken over the health service in the Scottish Prison Service and we look forward to it implementing matters. The Scottish Prison Service will co-operate fully with the NHS.
More than 50 per cent of people who perpetrate a murder are under the influence of alcohol, and more than 75 per cent of offenders in Polmont young offenders institution indicated that the root cause of their offending was alcohol. I ask Jenny Marra to reflect on those statistics and I hope that she will fully support the Government as the Deputy First Minister proceeds with the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill.
Rural Affairs and the Environment
Environmental Issues (Attitudinal Data)
To ask the Scottish Government what data is available on the attitudes of people in Scotland to environmental issues. (S4O-00679)
The key source is “The Scottish Environmental Attitudes and Behaviours Survey”, which was published in 2009 and included questions about the environment and climate change. There are no current plans to repeat the survey, but good-quality attitudinal data is available from other sources, such as the Scottish recreation survey and the understanding society survey.
How will the greener together campaign, which was launched recently, encourage people in Scotland to become even more environmentally friendly?
The purpose of the new campaign is to urge the people of Scotland to appraise their lifestyles and contributions to making Scotland greener. Many campaigns are behaviour specific, whether they focus on recycling or on other action that people can take; the point of the greener together campaign is to ask people to take a general approach, to see what they can do in their daily lives to contribute to making Scotland greener.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the recent poll by Ipsos MORI, which found not only that politicians are the people whom the public least trust to give information about climate change but that a staggering 50 per cent of people do not believe that climate change will make a difference to their lives. Does he agree that we have a long way to go in persuading the public of the importance of taking environmental issues seriously? What programmes is the Scottish Government developing, and with what funding, to raise awareness of the issue?
I assure the member that no Government ministers will be appearing in adverts on the issue in newspapers or on television.
There is still a long way to go for Scotland’s population to reduce its emissions, but recent statistics show that we are making good progress. We are already around two thirds of the way to the 2020 target of reducing emissions by 42 per cent. Some good actions are being taken by the people of Scotland, but we have a long way to go; that is why the Government has a number of budget lines to help to ensure that we are greening right across Government expenditure. As Gordon MacDonald’s question illustrated, we are also funding greener Scotland campaigns to ask the people of Scotland to look at how they live their lives and see what actions they can take to reduce their carbon footprints, promote recycling and help to green Scotland.
Forestry Development (Upland Grazing Interests)
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made to accommodate upland grazing interests and forestry development targets. (S4O-00680)
Cabinet secretary.
Minister.
I beg your pardon, minister.
Late advice from us, I think. I apologise, Presiding Officer.
We have established a woodland expansion advisory group to provide advice on which types of land are best for tree planting in Scotland, in the context of other land-based objectives. The group, which includes members from the farming sector, is giving careful consideration to the potential impact of woodland expansion on upland grazing. The group has recently concluded a public consultation exercise, and will be running regional stakeholder meetings later this month. It will report in June.
Given the considerable fall in sheep stock throughout Scotland over several years, has there been a measurable pressure on existing upland grazings from forestry development? Has the Forestry Commission bought former sheep farms that have been on the market for some time? Can today’s limited number of sheep, which are of higher value, continue to be reared successfully on the upland grazings that are available at present?
The decline in sheep numbers has not been uniform throughout the country—having been at its highest in the north and west—and there is still demand for upland grazing for sheep in some areas of the country.
Through Forest Enterprise Scotland, the Forestry Commission has planted nearly 2,500 hectares over the past three years. However, the woodland expansion advisory group will look at the issue in more detail and, as I indicated in my first answer, will report in June.
Does the minister agree that upland grazing pastures are often critical to the local biosphere and, from the point of view of biodiversity, are preferable to big plantations of sitka spruce?
Yes. Biodiversity is an important issue for us. In upland areas and grazing pastures, there is often greater biodiversity than in the relative monoculture of the plantations that the member describes. It is important that we continue to ensure that upland grazing is in place.
I should have drawn members’ attention to the fact that I have a 3-acre field, which one of my neighbours uses for upland grazing.
Environmental Policy (2011 Interim Performance Targets)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet the 2011 interim environmental performance targets set out in its environmental policy. (S4O-00681)
The 2010-11 data regarding the Scottish Government’s environmental performance is presently being compiled and will be published when available. However, previous reports have shown that good progress is being made in reducing business travel, and we are on track to meet our 2020 target to reduce the volume of waste material produced. We remain committed to improving the Scottish Government’s overall environmental impact.
I welcome the progress that has been made, but I ask the minister specifically about energy consumption. The most recent environmental performance report published by the Government, in November last year, said that the Scottish Government is less than a third of the way to its 12.6 per cent target for March 2012, even taking into account the fact that some buildings were empty for part of the period. What is the minister doing to ensure that the Scottish Government catches up and meets its target by next month?
We are making significant progress. We are committed to reducing the size of our estate, and expect to have done so by 25 per cent by 2016. Already, 83 per cent of the electricity that is used in the core Scottish Government estate is from renewable sources, so we are making the kind of progress that members can reasonably expect.
Air Quality (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made on reducing nitrogen dioxide levels and improving air quality in Glasgow. (S4O-00682)
Glasgow City Council has produced an air quality action plan that contains a comprehensive list of measures for improving air quality in the city. The council is working closely with the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland and other partners to implement the plan.
When does the minister expect low emission zones to be introduced in Glasgow? What impact does he anticipate they will have on air quality during the 2014 Commonwealth games?
Low emission zones will be introduced around venues before the games and will be in place for the duration of the games. They should ensure that there is a reduction in pollution due to vehicle emissions in those areas. Monitoring of air quality is taking place at venues in the run-up to the games to ensure that we have comparable data. Both the Government and the council are confident that there will be no impact on the games.
Serious concerns are being raised about the lack of progress on air quality in some Scottish cities, including Perth in my region. Scotland has breached European air pollution targets for the second year in a row. The Scottish Government, as part of the United Kingdom Government’s request to the European Commission, is asking for an extension of air quality targets, including an extension of 10 years for Glasgow. Is the expectation that the request will be accepted on the ground that all reasonable efforts have been made? If so, what will be the consequences for residents’ health? Finally, what are the consequences of breaching the targets? Does the Scottish Government foresee possible infraction proceedings?
The whole of Scotland is expected to comply with the limit values by 2015, with the exception of the missing link on the M8 between Newhouse and Baillieston, east of Glasgow. Within the city of Glasgow area, there are expected to be no exceedances of the limit values by 2015. On the remaining area on the M8, Transport Scotland is estimating completion by 2017-18.
Question 5 has been withdrawn, much to our annoyance.
Dairy Farmers (Support)
To ask the Scottish Government what measures are in place to support dairy farmers. (S4O-00684)
The Scottish Government provides £43 million of support to Scottish dairy farmers each year under the single farm payment scheme. Additionally, the cumulative total amount of support that the Scottish Government has provided under all elements of the Scotland rural development programme since 2007 now stands at £40 million.
Recently, two farmers in my west Fife constituency of Dunfermline stopped milk production for economic reasons. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, for Scottish farmers to get a fair go at European import markets, a Scottish voice must be heard at all European Union negotiations and discussions, in light of the EU regulations that restrict internal, export and import markets?
That is certainly one area in which it would be helpful for Scotland to have its own voice at the top table in Europe. There are many others, of course, that would also help our dairy farmers. For example, they have taken a close interest for a long time in labelling issues, which are reserved to the UK Government in some contexts and to Europe in others. If we had a voice, we would be able to influence those issues more than we do at present.
There are many other issues, not least the fact that we want to safeguard the single farm payment for the dairy businesses in Scotland that benefit from it. The UK Government would rather that the common agricultural policy budget was slashed, and I note that the Labour Party supported that position in the House of Commons in the past few weeks, which is disappointing. If the single farm payment was not making its way to many dairy businesses in Scotland, they would face severe financial difficulties. We need a voice for Scottish farming in order to protect our exports.
There are organic dairy farms in South Scotland that are part of a countrywide organic dairy co-operative. In the international year of co-operatives, what support is available from the Scottish Government specifically for that part of the sector?
The Scottish Government is always keen and willing to support co-operatives in the agriculture and food sectors. Indeed, we have been doing so; a number of funding streams have made their way to the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, which deals with that matter on behalf of the agricultural sector. There is no doubt whatever that many farmers and primary producers have a lot to gain by working more closely together instead of always competing against one another. We will continue to support such efforts, including the promotion of organic produce, in times ahead.
Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Enforcement Powers)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to ensure that the Scottish Environment Protection Agency uses the enforcement powers that it has. (S4O-00685)
As part of its strategic oversight of SEPA, the Scottish Government works closely with the agency to ensure that agreed objectives are met and that it implements sound policies and procedures, including effective enforcement arrangements, that protect Scotland’s environment. SEPA’s strong framework for ensuring appropriate use of its enforcement powers includes an enforcement policy that defines how and when enforcement mechanisms will be applied, and detailed guidance for front-line regulatory teams to enable them to carry out their duties proportionately and consistently.
The minister will be aware that, two weeks ago, the cabinet secretary visited the Avondale landfill site in my constituency. The site has enjoyed significant investment in its new waste transfer facility, but the minister might not be aware of significant disquiet in the nearby Polmont community about the smell that regularly emanates from the site. At the other end of my constituency, the west Carron landfill site, which is run by another operator, has also caused anger in the local community. How will the minister ensure that SEPA uses the powers that it has been given to ensure that local residents are not further inconvenienced by these landfill sites?
It is up to SEPA to decide when and how it uses its enforcement powers in line with statutory functions. I am aware that it is working on the significant concerns in Avondale and west Carron and engaging with interested parties to ensure that everyone is kept aware of progress.
SEPA is working with the operators of both sites and improvements are being made to Avondale’s gas management systems to address odour concerns. However, the agency has indicated that if satisfactory progress is not made in that respect, more formal action will be taken.
Zero Waste Plan
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to ensure the continued progress of the zero waste plan following the Scottish budget. (S4O-00686)
Through the Scottish budget that was passed yesterday, we will invest almost £80 million over the next three years in efforts to reduce waste and recycle more. Of course, that funding is in addition to the money that each council already allocates from its local government finance settlement for waste management services and infrastructure.
I am sure that, like me, the cabinet secretary welcomes WWF Scotland’s announcement that local household recycling has contributed to £20 million savings a year by councils. However, does he agree that the local government settlement, which contains £658 million of cuts and makes it clear that councils will have to shoulder 89 per cent of the cuts from the Scottish Government, will hamper councils’ efforts in progressing the zero waste plan?
I certainly agree with the member’s first point. It is good that councils are saving £20 million a year by promoting recycling. Of course, such promotion is an investment; it helps councils to avoid having to pay landfill tax and, at the same time, it is good for the environment.
As for the member’s second point, I really regret that because of the cuts that have been imposed by Westminster we cannot invest even more in recycling facilities. Those cuts also impact on local government and I suggest that the member’s energies would be best directed at urging the Tory-Liberal Democrat coalition in London to stop the cuts and reinstate funding to help Scotland’s environments.
Emissions Reductions (2020 Target)
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in meeting its targets for reducing emissions by 2020. (S4O-00687)
The latest available data shows that in 2009 Scotland’s emissions had fallen by two thirds of the target from 1990, ahead of the targets for 2010, 2011 and 2012.
In March 2011, the Government published its first statutory report on proposals and policies. We plan to publish a second report on proposals and policies in 2012, which will set out the path for delivery of the emissions reduction targets from 2023 to 2027. We will refine the policies that were detailed in the first RPP and continue to develop proposals.
The minister will be aware of the report by the independent Committee on Climate Change, which questions whether those targets will be met and points out that it is likely that emissions rose in 2010. What effect will the recent progress report from the Committee on Climate Change have on the Scottish Government’s future policies and proposals?
We had a very encouraging report from the committee, which highlighted what we already knew about the nature of the challenges. One thing that has happened in the recent past is particularly relevant to Scotland. At Durban we got an agreement that the Kyoto protocol would change in respect of peatlands, so we will now be able to incorporate in our numbers our work on rewetting peatlands, including any work that has taken place since 1990. Given that we have a huge proportion of Europe’s peatlands and are already investing money in rewetting peatlands in the north of Scotland, that is a very helpful addition to the range of interventions that we have and which we can take credit for.
Previous
First Minister’s Question Time