SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Homeless People (Christmas)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it is drawing up to address the needs of homeless people over the Christmas period. (S1O-2498)
It is unacceptable that people should be homeless at any point in the year. Our target is that by 2003 no one should have to sleep rough. We have increased funding for the rough sleepers initiative to £40 million to extend the provision of services for rough sleepers and to increase the attention that is paid throughout the year to preventing rough sleeping.
I thank the minister for her answer and for her announcement this morning of measures to tackle street homelessness in Glasgow. Does she share my concern about attempts to reintroduce Victorian concepts such as the deserving and undeserving poor? Will she assure members that misplaced and misguided efforts to stop individuals giving money to beggars will not be introduced in Scotland and will not be allowed to undermine the excellent work that Parliament has done to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping?
We are aware of the campaign by the rough sleepers unit. Our priority is to ensure that by 2003 no one has to sleep rough. Our approach in Scotland is to find solutions by involving those who have experience and knowledge of the problems. We are not targeting particular groups, such as beggars—we should address the underlying reasons for their situation. I reassure Kenneth Macintosh that our approach in Scotland is different.
I welcome the minister's announcement and her reminder that homeless people are not just for Christmas, but are there in January, February and beyond. I thank the minister for condemning the remarks that were made by Louise Casey. Will she go further and assure Scottish charities that criticism of the Scottish Executive will not lead to the withdrawal of funding, as Louise Casey threatened that criticism of the Government would result in in England?
On no occasion have we threatened to withdraw funding from voluntary organisations in Scotland. We respect and value the contribution that the voluntary sector makes to Scotland and, indeed, we respect the fact that voluntary organisations will criticise us occasionally.
Question 2 has been withdrawn.
Young Carers
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to address the needs of young carers. (S1O-2499)
The Executive recognises that young carers can be a particularly disadvantaged group and that they have specific needs. We are taking a number of steps to address these needs under our strategy for carers in Scotland.
Does the minister recognise that there must be a balance between support for young carers and support for the person who is being cared for, so that duties of care are alleviated for those young carers? Does he also accept that it is not appropriate for young carers to undertake certain care duties, such as heavy lifting and toilet duties? If so, what measures will he take to ensure that that issue is addressed?
The main themes of the Scottish carers strategy relate to information, standards, legislation, services and monitoring. Action is being taken in each of those areas to help young carers. For example, a young carers information pack was produced recently and money has been given to the Princess Royal Trust for Carers to ensure that there are high standards in young carers projects. A working party has been established to find out what can be done in legislation to help young carers. There are have been several announcements recently of pots of money to help young carers. Last week, it was announced that £500,000 would be provided for carers projects, including young carers projects.
Question 4 has been withdrawn.
Local Access Panels
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for working relationships with local access panels, which promote access to the built environment and the countryside for disabled people. (S1O-2500)
The Executive has close links with a range of statutory, voluntary and private sector bodies, which are active in encouraging increased access for disabled people to the built environment and the countryside. Local access panels play a vital part in ensuring access for disabled people and are consulted on a wide range of issues, including changes to building regulations. The proposed land reform bill will contain proposals to establish the right of responsible access for all.
I thank the minister for his positive recognition of the role of access panels. Is the minister aware of the invaluable support that has been provided in the past by Disability Scotland, in particular to local groups such as Aberdeen Action on Disability and Aberdeen disability advisory group? Does he recognise the importance of access to a national body to local groups, service providers and individual disabled people? Will he ensure that any body that takes the place of Disability Scotland continues to base its work on the principles of inclusiveness and accessibility?
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the work of local access panels and the support and training that is provided by Disability Scotland to those panels. The Executive is determined to secure the work of Disability Scotland. An administrator has been appointed by Disability Scotland to draw up a report. We are considering the best way forward to ensure that the interests of people who have a disability continue to be represented.
As the minister will be aware from what Lewis Macdonald has just said, many access panels are concerned about the loss of Disability Scotland. They have come together under the Scottish disability forum and would be keen for the forum to offer a national umbrella for disability organisations throughout Scotland. Is the minister prepared to enter into discussions with the forum to explore whether it could fulfil such a role?
In the Executive, disability is a matter that is shared between the health department and the equality unit. Discussions with the Scottish disability forum have already taken place. It is true that many bodies represent the interests of disabled people in Scotland. The Executive is determined to find a way forward on the matter and, following the publication of the report by the Disability Scotland administrator, we will consider what the best way forward is.
Mobile Phone Masts
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is with regard to recent applications for the erection of mobile phone masts. (S1O-2486)
Planning applications for mobile phone masts should be determined by planning authorities on the basis of existing planning guidance and legislative provisions.
I agree. However, following Sarah Boyack's announcement of new planning controls on telecommunications masts on 11 September, is not it downright provocative for companies such as One 2 One to indulge in a last-minute rush to erect masts under the old system in places such as Cockenzie, Port Seton, Tranent and North Berwick? That old system was designed for the benefit of public utilities. Will the minister instruct such companies to co-operate with local authorities and local communities or face the prospect of increasing demands in Parliament for the new regulations to be made to apply retrospectively to 11 September?
I am aware of the strong feelings about mobile phone masts. We asked all the planning authorities to provide us with returns on the number of applications that they had received. However, the response was very poor indeed. There was no general significant increase in the number of applications, other than what one would expect in the course of the development of the industry in the areas that are concerned.
Will those legislative proposals require in future full planning control for masts that are erected on buildings? Is the minister aware that there have been no fewer than 104 applications for such masts during the past three months and that the issue is of great public concern, particularly with regard to the possible health risks that masts might cause?
As Fergus Ewing knows, the Stewart inquiry showed that there is no evidence of any health risks, but suggested that it was best to proceed on a precautionary basis. He should wait until I publish the proposals to see what is in them.
Given the evidence of the Stewart report and the advice to adopt a precautionary principle, I again suggest a moratorium on masts in the period until the legislation is in place.
We do not have statutory powers to impose a moratorium—
SQA!
I understand the concerns and I say to the companies that are involved that they should be aware of and take into consideration the pressures from the public and Parliament—pressures from reasonable and sensible people who do not shout from a sedentary position.
Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Finance and Local Government will next meet representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and what issues are likely to be discussed. (S1O-2501)
I will meet COSLA representatives later this month to discuss the local government finance review and settlement.
I thank the minister. Does he agree that by introducing his tax on pensions in July 1997, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown has deprived Scottish councils of more than £52 million from their budgets over the past two years? That is money that could have gone a long way towards resolving the current council workers strike.
The issue to which the member should address himself is the local government settlement that was announced earlier this year. The COSLA spokesperson on finance said that COSLA's fair share of the spending review should be £1.2 billion over the next three years. He said later that he was delighted to hear that that is exactly how much COSLA will be getting.
When the minister meets COSLA next, will he bear it in mind that COSLA does not speak with one voice on the formula that is used to determine the financial allocations to local government and that many rural councils, such as Aberdeenshire Council, feel strongly that they are disadvantaged by the current distribution formula?
I know that a number of different views have been expressed on the range of issues that are currently being discussed by the Executive and COSLA on the wide-ranging programme of reforms to local government finance. I am aware that Aberdeenshire Council and other authorities have different views on the distribution formula. I hope that we can address all their concerns when we announce our conclusions, which we will do soon.
Scottish Qualifications Authority
To ask the Scottish Executive what its current position is regarding the Scottish Qualifications Authority's handling of this year's examinations. (S1O-2496)
Publication last Friday of the Deloitte & Touche report of the independent inquiry provided us all with a frank account of what happened this year. We must now move forward in the same spirit of openness. I am determined that the SQA must deal quickly and effectively with all remaining appeals and queries about this year's results so that candidates are not left in doubt any longer than necessary.
Is the minister aware that I wrote to the chief executive of the SQA on 7 September, requesting that candidates who are dissatisfied with the results should have the right to see their marked examination papers? Here we are, nine weeks later, and I still have not had a reply. If the SQA cannot even reply to MSPs' letters, is it any wonder that candidates, teachers, parents and some employers—for example, Scottish Widows—have little confidence in the SQA? Will the minister take steps to ensure that justice is done and is seen to be done, particularly for the young people whose future is jeopardised by the SQA fiasco?
I am happy to look into the matter of Mr Canavan's letter and I will raise it with the chief executive of the SQA. It is important that we and the SQA look at provisions for access to marked exam papers. That issue has been raised by this year's incident and must be addressed for future years.
I welcome the minister's assurances on provisions that I hope will allow young people access to their examination scripts. Can he reassure members that there will be no repetition of the problem of inadequate numbers of markers in place? Will markers be adequately remunerated for the important and valuable work that they do?
The provision of markers, the timetable for the preparations for marking and the remuneration of markers are all vital issues that were raised in the Deloitte & Touche report. I intend to raise those matters with the new chair of the SQA and I intend that the SQA should consider those issues as part of the action plan that I have asked it to publish. I intend to make a statement on those issues and to take a decision on them before Christmas.
I welcome the fact that the new minister has taken more decisive action in seven days than his predecessor was capable of taking in months. I also welcome the fact that he has done so on a consensual basis.
Last Friday, when we published the Deloitte & Touche report, I gave a commitment and I announced my action in relation to the board. I said that I would take no further action on a permanent restructuring of the board until after the publication of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee's report. I will stick to that commitment.
Flu Vaccines
To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done to ensure that there are sufficient flu vaccines to meet the current demand among vulnerable groups. (S1O-2476)
The Scottish Executive continues to be in regular contact with all key stakeholders in the national health service and with vaccine manufacturers to ensure that all those who are in at-risk groups, which now includes all those aged over 65, will be offered the flu vaccine.
I understand that general practices throughout the country take delivery of the flu vaccine at different times. Does the minister agree that all general and medical practices should be advised and encouraged to commence treatment on the same agreed date? That would be to the benefit of all concerned.
I will first pay tribute to the work that is being done by general practitioners and pharmacists throughout Scotland, and to the extent to which they have joined together and worked closely with the Scottish Executive to ensure that we have been able to offer the largest ever flu immunisation programme. I am loth to say that identical practices should be followed throughout the country, because it is important that local services can be responsive to local needs. However, I assure John Farquhar Munro that the Scottish Executive continues to work closely with local health care services to ensure that flu vaccine is available and that flu immunisation continues throughout the country.
In the light of this morning's debate and the revelation that funding that was allocated to specific projects in Ayrshire was not being spent on them, will the minister assure us that the flu vaccination programme is on target in Ayrshire?
It is important to point out that more than £10 million is being spent this year on the flu immunisation programme alone. Following the national promotional campaign—backed up by work at local level—I am delighted that people who are at risk have responded to the call and have taken up the vaccine.
Will the minister give a full progress report on the level of uptake of flu vaccines? She will be aware of anecdotal evidence that, in some parts of the country, uptake might be as low as 20 per cent, compared with the minister's target of 60 per cent. Is the minister satisfied that enough is being done to ensure that people are getting the vaccine now—before a flu outbreak—rather than waiting until it is too late?
The target of 60 per cent is not my target. The uptake target to which Nicola Sturgeon refers was agreed in discussion with the medical profession and those who are involved in the delivery of the vaccination programme. It was set because the people who are involved in the programme thought that it was right to aim for as high an uptake as possible. An effective series of measures has been put in place throughout the country to ensure that the programme is effective. Ultimately, it is up to individuals to choose whether they take up the offer. However, I take the opportunity to encourage those who are in at-risk groups to take up the offer of flu immunisation. We should deal with facts, rather than debate knee-jerk reactions to anecdotes.
There have been some concerns about the shortage of flu vaccines. Will the minister clarify whether manufacturers are experiencing short-term problems and whether the supply of vaccines will be sufficient to meet the level of demand over the winter?
There is no national shortage of flu vaccine. Arrangements are in place and discussions with manufacturers are on-going to address any short-term disruption of supply that might occur. The Scottish Executive has organised 250,000 contingency doses and has already made 100,000 of those doses available to local systems where short-term disruption has taken place.
Pensioners seem to be particularly clued up about the need to get vaccinated. Indeed, many of us find that pensioners are particularly clued up about everything. However, there is concern about younger vulnerable people, for example bronchitis and asthma sufferers, whose uptake of vaccines could be as low as 20 per cent. That could be disastrous. There is also some concern about the homeless who are living on the streets. Will the minister assure us that she is particularly concerned about those groups?
I am pleased that Dorothy-Grace Elder thinks that older people are familiar with the programme because this year, on the basis of the best possible expert advice, the programme was extended to cover more older people. As in previous years, other at-risk groups are included in the programme. The chief medical officer has issued detailed advice on that to health professionals. I am pleased to say that we have worked closely with the medical profession to allow GPs to make local arrangements with appropriate support, to reach out to individuals in at-risk groups.
Rural Public Transport
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on improving public transport in rural areas. (S1O-2492)
Our rural transport fund and public transport fund are providing significant additional resources to improve transport in rural Scotland. We are also providing the highest ever level of subsidy for lifeline air and sea services.
I welcome the measures that were announced today to improve transport infrastructure in Inverness and Aviemore and at Kirkwall airport. Could the minister give us more details on those measures? Following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement yesterday, will the minister say how the Executive will ensure that petrol stations will be able to provide ultra-low sulphur petrol and diesel even in the most remote parts of the country?
I am happy to say that, as part of a £33 million public transport fund award, significant new money will go into transport interchanges in Aviemore and Inverness. Major amounts of money are being put into Orkney to ensure that flights in and out of Kirkwall airport will be less disrupted by bad weather. I am sure that that will be welcomed in the islands.
I congratulate the minister on the announcement that she is about to make available £1.9 million for a further Borders rail study as a result of the actions of 17,000 people outside Parliament, the Campaign for Borders Rail and the Public Petitions Committee. My question is—
Good.
Will the minister confirm that she is ever mindful of the motion that was agreed to in Parliament on 1 June, and that she will work energetically to have the railway line reinstated to Carlisle, rather than merely to Gala and no further?
I am happy to say that today, I announced £1.9 million to assist Scottish Borders Council in progressing work on the Borders railway line. It is an important announcement, which is not only about further study; it is about examining the opportunities to draw on developer funding and private sector funding and looking at a range of public sector funding opportunities. Crucially, it is also about enabling the Scottish Borders Council to promote a parliamentary order, which is crucial if we are to see progress.
May I be one of the first members to welcome the announcement. Does the minister agree that every big journey starts with one small step? [Laughter.]
In the context of our public transport fund, our agenda is to build step by step. Some of the small announcements will lead to bigger announcements: £33 million is the biggest public transport investment that we have made. It is appropriate that the Borders rail link is included in it.
Although I welcome the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has seen fit to remove road tax from tractors, is the Minister for Transport aware that most tractors in the Highlands and Islands are not road licensed anyway? [Laughter.] Is the Executive suggesting that people ought to use tractors rather than private cars to get rid of the enormous fuel imbalance that exists between urban and rural areas in Scotland?
I hope that that was not an invitation to the farming community to drive tractors around on our main roads. I am sure that that was not the point that was being made. The crucial point in yesterday's announcement is that there are real cuts for the haulage industry and agricultural community, which will enable them to compete better. That has been welcomed by many. The Brit disc is also important in giving our haulage industry the competitive advantage that other European countries have. It is a major step forward, which is why it will be welcomed by all those who will benefit from the measures in Gordon Brown's budget announcement yesterday.
Question 11 has been withdrawn.
Employment (Career Breaks)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to assist women who are returning to work after career breaks. (S1O-2488)
Career breaks are available for all staff in the Executive who have caring responsibilities. Women make most use of the scheme. Staff who are on a career break continue to receive information from their office, including details of posts that are available to them on their return to work and training opportunities. On their return to work, they may work reduced hours and further support is available to staff who have child care and other care responsibilities.
I thank the minister for that response, but I wish to pursue an issue on which I have had representations from constituents. Will the minister outline the plans that are in place in the public sector to ensure that those who return to work from maternity leave or career breaks in services that operate non-traditional shift patterns—such as the police and postal services—are afforded the opportunity to access child care that suits their child-care requirements?
Provision of child care is important to the Executive. There is no sense in providing child care unless it suits the requirements of those who seek to access it. However, responsibility for many of the public services to which Elaine Smith refers is at UK level, rather than with the Scottish Executive. Nevertheless, I am happy to meet Elaine to discuss delivery in the areas for which the Executive is responsible.
Scottish Parliament (Autonomy)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to obtain a level of autonomy for the Scottish Parliament equivalent to or greater than that applying in the Manx Parliament or the States of Jersey. (S1O-2490)
No.
I thank the minister for his response, but not for his poverty of ambition. Jersey and the Isle of Man have complete fiscal autonomy and control over customs and excise, postal services, telecommunications and social security. Are not the minister and the Executive embarrassed that this Parliament has none of that control? Why are the 84,000 inhabitants of Jersey and 70,000 residents of the Isle of Man trusted with wide-ranging social and economic powers with which the 5.2 million people of Scotland are not trusted?
Such comparisons are completely pointless. Historically, politically, practically and in every other context, there is no comparison between that situation and that of a nation such as Scotland. Arrangements in the Isle of Man and Jersey are entirely different and take account of a different historical context and different circumstances. It would be far better if the SNP started to take Parliament seriously and resisted such juvenile matters.
I welcome the minister's comments on power and autonomy. Does he agree that the Scottish Executive must not extend its centralised powers? Does he feel that the Minister for Environment did that last week in overruling a planning application that South Ayrshire Council had approved? Will he—
Order. Mr Gallie, I am doing the overruling. We will not have that question.
The Isle of Man is not in the European Union. Will the minister speculate on the losses that the Scottish economy would incur if we were taken out of the EU? Has the minister been notified that it is SNP policy to take Scotland out of the EU?
The loss will be incurred if the SNP continues to talk Scotland down and make comparisons that denigrate our history and political context—it will be guilty of hammering Scotland. The coalition in the Parliament is determined to do everything that it can to improve Scotland's position in the world.
Is the minister aware that the Isle of Man and Jersey are able to promote badly needed firework legislation, but the Scottish Parliament cannot because of the Explosives Act 1875, which is a matter that is reserved to Westminster? Will the minister assure members that Parliament will approach Westminster to ensure that that act no longer remains a reserved matter?
That is in order.
I can give an assurance only that we are determined to ensure that the Parliament goes with a bang.
Energy Efficiency
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure energy efficiency in industry. (S1O-2473)
The Scottish energy efficiency office provides energy advice to Scottish businesses through a free helpline service to customers and through publications, technical seminars and workshops and free site visits by specialised consultants.
I thank the minister for her reply. Is she aware that BP Exploration, which is based in my constituency, is considering moving from generating power offshore—which uses small gas turbine engines—to using power that is generated more efficiently onshore, which could cut offshore industry carbon emissions by 7 million tonnes or 20 per cent? That exceeds the measures that are currently proposed for Scotland's contribution to the Kyoto carbon emission targets, which would have major environmental benefits. Does the minister agree that such projects should be encouraged?
I agree absolutely. The measure that Elaine Thomson outlined suggests that the climate change levy that was introduced by the Government was far-sighted. Anybody who experienced flooding during the past week will understand the importance of tackling energy efficiency so far-sightedly. We are reducing employers' national insurance contributions and increasing energy efficiency and, ultimately, the profitability of Britain's companies.
Bridges (Funding)
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial provision it makes for essential lifeline bridge projects and what funding is available where structures reach the end of their lifespan. (S1O-2502)
The Scottish Executive is responsible for the maintenance, including replacement, of bridges on the trunk road network. We are increasing funding to ensure that trunk road bridges continue to meet the needs of the travelling public.
The minister could do better than that.
The reason why I allocated £70 million over the next three years to local authorities was to give them discretion to introduce urgently required maintenance projects. I expect to discuss the outputs of those projects with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, in order to ensure that that £70 million is spent on essential road and bridge projects. COSLA lobbied the Executive on the urgency with which the money was required—£70 million has been allocated and I want the work to be progressed now.
Is the minister aware of the remarkable cross-party support for the Montrose bridge project? Does she understand that there would be enormous effects on Angus Council's roads programme if the council were required to fund the project from existing budgets? Will she make an early visit to Andrew Welsh's constituency to see the problems and to hear local people's views for herself?
To answer Alex Johnstone's last point, I am familiar with the bridge—I know where it is and how essential it is as a local bridge.
Further to the minister's answer about extra money for transport infrastructure in our rural areas, will she explain why it is that, of the £9.6 million application for rural railway improvements—
I am sorry, Mr Davidson. The question must be specifically about particular bridges.
Post-adoption Services
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that local authorities adequately fund post-adoption support services for young people and their families. (S1O-2479)
It is for local authorities to decide funding levels, but provision for post-adoption support services should be included in the children's services plans that are prepared by councils. Revised plans are due to be submitted by next April and we will consider them carefully.
As the minister knows, the provision of post-adoption support services is a statutory function of local authorities—indeed, he referred to that in his answer.
There should be equality. We are aware of concerns about the consistency and adequacy of post-adoption services throughout Scotland.
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