SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Transport
Economy (Performance Indicators)
To ask the Scottish Executive what performance indicators it has set for ministers with responsibility for developing the economy. (S2O-5684)
The Scottish Executive does not set performance indicators for ministers.
That is a surprise, as it seems to have set targets for everyone else.
I would not accept that we are failing—quite the contrary. Mr Davidson's question referred to performance indicators for ministers as opposed to the economy. Of course, we set a number of performance indicators under "The Framework for Economic Development", which considers adult education and skills; research and development; entrepreneurial dynamism; the electronic and physical infrastructure; and managing public sector resources. "A Smart, Successful Scotland", which we recently refreshed, gives a range of related indicators against which we manage progress. There are also a couple of sustainable development indicators that we add to the mix.
Does the minister agree that there is a compelling case for a target annual growth rate in Scotland? Over the past 25 years, economic growth in Scotland has trailed that in the rest of the United Kingdom and has been lower than that of most small European countries. Further, it has been dwarfed by economic growth in Ireland—over the past 25 years, Irish economic growth has been 5.2 per cent a year compared with 1.8 per cent in Scotland. Does the minister accept that those indicators amount to a compelling reason why Scotland should have the full economic and financial power that independence would bring to allow us to strengthen the Scottish economy?
No. Surprisingly enough, I do not believe that. We set performance targets for the Scottish economy. We aspire to see Scotland reaching the upper quartile of comparator Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development nations. As I said, "The Framework for Economic Development" sets aspirations across a range of indicators.
Graduate Endowment
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to increase the graduate endowment above the rate of inflation. (S2O-5722)
There are no plans to increase the graduate endowment above the rate of inflation.
I am delighted to hear that the endowment fund is tied to the level of inflation. As the endowment is used exclusively for student support, how much would it cost the Executive to fund that directly?
We estimate that the resource cost to the Scottish Executive of paying the graduate endowment would be approximately £3.3 million in 2005-06 and £19.6 million in 2006-07. That would rise slightly in subsequent years.
Does the minister agree that the graduate endowment will add to the already heavy burden of student loans and that it will further exacerbate the problem of graduate debt? Will he take this opportunity to explain why the publication of the research on student poverty and graduate debt, which was supposed to take place in January, has now been postponed until the summer? Has the publication of the research been delayed because it will show that graduate debt is a millstone round the necks of individuals and an unsustainable drag on the Scottish economy?
I do not believe that. Entrance to universities and higher education is at an all-time high as a result of the policies of this partnership Government. Further, the introduction of the young students bursary is helping to ensure that young students from low-income backgrounds get the opportunity to go to university. Far from adding to student debt, the graduate endowment has reduced overall student debt.
European Regional Development Fund (Highlands and Islands)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the European Commission is provided speedily with the full information that it needs to complete the audit into ERDF funding in the Highlands and Islands. (S2O-5712)
We have already provided a substantive response to the Commission's draft report, which included all the detailed documentation that was requested by the Commission. As to the second audit, which takes place this month, officials are working closely with applicants to ensure that all documentation is available. However, ultimately it is the responsibility of the individual applicants to ensure that all original documentation is to hand.
It will come as no surprise that I am asking this question. We were fearful that bits of the Highlands and Islands might lose future funding. Will the minister confirm that there are parts of the Highlands and Islands that are in desperate need of European assistance and, despite what might or might not have happened in the past, will he support the case for the Highlands and Islands getting access to European funds?
I will indeed and the Executive is working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the appropriate information is available to the Commission to ensure that there is no clawback of the much-needed funds to which Jamie Stone refers. We are also working in close concert with the United Kingdom Government to ensure that, in the current negotiations on future structural support for the Highlands and Islands in particular, and for the whole of Scotland, we maximise the benefit that European structural funding can bring to Scotland. I am confident that we will be able to secure an advantageous settlement for the Highlands and Islands within the overall settlement.
The minister has just informed the chamber that he is working tirelessly to get future European funding for Scotland. We all recognise the past importance of that funding and we hope that it will play an important role in the future.
In more than one position paper, we have put our views on the future organisation of structural funds to the European Commission through the UK Government. We work very closely with our colleagues in the Westminster Government because that is how we maximise our impact on the Commission. As the member knows, the issue comes entirely under the aegis of the European Commission, so it is important that we have the strength of the UK behind us when we make those representations.
Energy Efficiency (Business Support)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that businesses have access to support and advice on energy efficiency, waste minimisation and improved resource efficiency. (S2O-5778)
The Executive is highly committed to improving resource efficiency in Scotland. We already fund a number of organisations that promote better energy and environment management. Those include the Carbon Trust, the Energy Saving Trust, Envirowise and the Business Environment Partnership.
As the minister outlined, a number of organisations provide support and advice to businesses on how to use resources efficiently. Does he acknowledge the potential for confusion among businesses about which of those organisations they should ask for such advice? Will the Executive ensure that any overlap between those organisations is minimised, perhaps by providing a one-stop shop, so that businesses find it more straightforward to seek advice?
I am not sure which of the organisations the member argues is superfluous. Each organisation does an important job in providing advice and assistance. The Carbon Trust and, say, the Business Environment Partnership each bring different perspectives to bear in the domestic and industrial sectors. However, there may be a case for bringing together organisations so that they can work more collaboratively and co-operatively to maximise the potential benefits.
Economy
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on its priority of growing the economy. (S2O-5757)
Over the 12 months to the end of quarter 3 of 2004-05, the Scottish economy has shown a positive performance, with gross domestic product continuing to expand. The labour market is strong: employment is at its highest since quarterly records began in 1992; the employment rate is above that of the United Kingdom and is second only to that of Denmark when compared with the employment rates of the 25 member states of the European Union; and unemployment is at its lowest for a generation. Those indicators should give us all great confidence in the future of the Scottish economy.
My constituents in Central Fife have also benefited from that growth, but the Levenmouth area in particular still has pockets of very high unemployment. The central Fife economic action plan is designed to deal with that problem, but part of the solution must be good transport links. Does the minister agree that the Executive's investment in transport is vital for growing the economy? Will he meet me, my colleague Marilyn Livingstone and interested bodies to discuss the potential for transport developments in Fife, including the reopening of a rail link to Levenmouth?
I agree that the cumulative effect of the increased investment both in transport and across the range of the Scottish devolved Government's responsibilities is making a difference. In the most recent quarter, Scotland's economic growth outstripped—indeed, it was double—that of the UK and it was greater than that of many of our economic competitors. As a consequence, employment is at an all-time high and there have been substantial falls in unemployment, especially in youth unemployment. However, there is still much to do.
In response to John Swinney's earlier question on the same subject, the minister said that the Executive's target is for Scotland to be in the upper quartile of OECD countries. I assume that the target refers to GDP growth. Can the minister say when the Executive aims to meet that target?
Our aspiration is to move progressively towards being in that position. We believe that we will achieve that through "The Framework for Economic Development". That is completely contrary to the position of Scottish National Party members, whose latest contribution to the debate I noticed on the back of an envelope. When the nationalists are in a position to tell us how they will set fiscal policy, monetary policy and interest rates and whether there will be a Scottish pound in an independent Scotland, they can come to the chamber to argue their case. Until then, they should not try to tell us how to grow the economy.
Wave and Tidal Power
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to promote the development of wave and tidal power. (S2O-5758)
We have contributed more than £3 million to the establishment of the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney. We will also undertake a strategic environmental assessment of the coastline of Scotland to assist developers in identifying the best sites for wave and tidal energy devices.
I warmly welcome the Scottish Executive's commitment to the development of a range of types of renewable energy. I note that, according to the recent forum for renewable energy development in Scotland report, apart from wave and tidal power, there is tremendous potential in the development of biomass, from which approximately 64 per cent of total European Union renewable energy is derived, and that there is much more that Scots can do to develop the biomass industry. Does the minister have plans to discuss with the Department for Trade and Industry how we might attract to Scotland some of the £40 million that is believed to be available at national level from unspent allocations to develop projects here in Scotland?
I have to say that the original question was specific to the development of wave and tidal power, Mr Wilson.
There is £42 million available from a DTI fund specifically for the development of wave and tidal power. It is the Scottish Executive's intention to maximise the proportion of that amount of money that we can use to promote wave and tidal power, as well as using the £8 million that is available for capital development. We see the development of wave and tidal power, with biomass, as extremely important in meeting our renewable energy targets.
In connection with the £42 million that the DTI has available for wave and tidal power, is the minister of a mind to support the scheme that is currently proposed at Robert Gordon University to put devices in harbours round Scotland? Will he ensure that opportunities for small-scale projects are researched, developed and turned into commercial reality?
It is the latter point that concerns us most. We want to see the technology turned into commercial reality. That is why the £42 million to which I referred will be used to give revenue support for the development of new ideas and new devices and the £8 million will be given in capital support for construction. The strategic environmental assessment that we will conduct round the coast will give us better information on where and how such devices might best be deployed in our nation's waters.
The minister talks a good game, but on the ground—or perhaps I should say on the waves—the situation is rather different. He will be aware of the difficulties that are faced by the Inverness-based renewables company Wavegen, which was behind the world's first grid-connected wave power plant of its kind, on Islay, but which has faced serious financial problems. Does that not show that the Executive needs to do more to encourage those new technologies, which many rural communities much prefer to onshore wind developments?
Members should be aware that the Tories used to be a party of innovation and—
When? We want to know when.
It would have been at the turn of the century, I suspect.
Does the minister agree that the predictability of wave and tidal power enables it to support base-load and that that is important in sustaining the Scottish Executive's policy that we should not invest in new nuclear generation until arrangements are in place that are satisfactory for dealing with nuclear waste?
That is a tried and tested theory in relation to wave and tidal power. There is, of course, intermittent energy supply from those sources, as well as potential base-load capacity. As far as the nuclear question is concerned, we are on record as saying that there will be no further development until such time as we have resolved the waste disposal issue.
Although we all welcome the funding that is being given to the marine renewables industry, little though it is, would it not serve the industry better if there were, to use the words of one of the developers, a "stable policy route map" rather than random funding handouts?
The member may consider that £50 million is not very much by way of direct state intervention in developing the technology, but I do not share that view. Scottish companies are also investing several hundred million pounds in the technology. I am confident of this, if of nothing else: if it cannot be done here by those major Scottish engineering and electricity generating companies, it cannot be done elsewhere. We have a stable route map. That is what the strategic environmental assessment of our coastline is designed to produce.
Justice and Law Officers
Release of Offenders (Notification)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to improve the way victims are notified about the release of offenders from prison. (S2O-5746)
The Scottish Executive introduced a statutory victim notification scheme last November. The scheme gives eligible victims the right to be notified of the release of a prisoner who has committed a prescribed offence against them and who has been sentenced to four or more years' imprisonment or detention. The scheme is open to all eligible victims, regardless of when the prisoner was convicted.
Does the minister agree that it is important to continue to support victims, even after the offenders have gone to jail, and that it is doubly important that we provide quick and efficient notification when an offender is released early from prison? Does he agree that the increasing number of offenders who are released early will place a burden on existing victim notification services and that it is crucial that the Scottish Executive ensures that no victim or family of a victim discovers that their attacker is free by running into them in their community? Can he elaborate on the actions that are being taken to ensure that victim notification is up to date and expedient and that the appropriate safeguards are in place in our communities?
Michael McMahon raises pertinent points. Some of the questions that he has posed require a much more detailed response and, if necessary, I will either write to him or speak to him separately.
G8 Summit (Security)
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on security arrangements for the G8 summit. (S2O-5769)
Tayside police have overall operational responsibility for policing and security for the summit. A planning team, led by Tayside police and drawing in officers from a range of police forces and law enforcement agencies, is co-ordinating security arrangements in connection with the event.
Does the minister agree that peaceful protesters who come to Scotland must be made to feel welcome and secure? Does she recognise that local authorities such as the City of Edinburgh Council and Perth and Kinross Council will require financial support to do that effectively? Does she also recognise that the key to making people who exercise their right to peaceful protest feel secure and welcome will be the sensitive policing of which we have a good tradition in Scotland, particularly in situations such as that at Faslane, rather than the police brutality that we saw at Genoa?
I agree that people have the right to protest peacefully, as well as the responsibility to ensure that they keep within the law and do not cause difficulty for local residents by straying outwith the law. Of course, the aim of the Scottish police forces and the police officers or members of the other services that will be involved in the operation is to ensure that people who want to protest peacefully are welcome, but those people will have to comply with the law.
On Tuesday, the European and External Relations Committee heard from the chief constable of Tayside police and the chief executive of Perth and Kinross Council about the security arrangements for the G8 summit. One of the points that our witnesses could not confirm for us was the extent to which the Scottish Executive or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office would support the local authorities and Tayside police in meeting the financial consequentials of additional security activities. Can the minister give us an answer today?
I am certainly not going to comment on the detailed security arrangements surrounding the event, but I can say that the Scottish Executive has been in close contact with our Westminster colleagues. A lot of good work has gone on and the police have been liaising with the local authorities in question. Of course we will examine the financial issues, but I am certainly not going to give any information that would compromise security arrangements.
Crimestoppers
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is publicising the campaign to encourage reporting drug dealing by telephoning Crimestoppers 0800 555 111. (S2O-5743)
The drug dealers don't care campaign is focused on supporting local communities to get drug dealers off the streets by providing a route for members of the public to provide information anonymously. The campaign is being publicised through national and local press, local radio, posters, leaflets, beer mats and direct mailing.
The Crimestoppers project is welcome, and I am pleased to hear of the campaign that the minister has outlined. However, does he agree that the campaign has to be undertaken as part of a package of measures, including support for addicts? Does he agree that Fife is an exemplar of best practice, given the work that is being carried out there by the police and projects such as the Drug and Alcohol Project (Levenmouth)?
Recently in Fife we have seen commendable actions being taken on a range of issues, including dealing with antisocial behaviour. Specifically on the drug dealers don't care campaign, which is aimed at tackling the scourge of drug dealing, I have been encouraged by what we have seen so far. There have been 1,227 drug-related calls to Crimestoppers, which represents more than a four-fold increase on the usual volume.
Arrest Warrants (Delays in Processing)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the incidence of arrest warrants not being executed because delays in processing have led to them overrunning their time limits. (S2O-5721)
Although the execution of warrants is not subject to a time limit, action is being taken to make procedures more effective. We are implementing the recommendations of the report of the outstanding warrants group, which we published in December. Her Majesty's inspectorate of constabulary is examining police warrant procedures and a multi-agency group is being set up to improve on the existing protocols between the police and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
One reason why warrants are sometimes not properly proceeded with is that the organisation that starts them off does not give the police proper accurate information about the individuals concerned. I know that there are legal issues to do with personal information, but could the minister try to ensure that the rules that she describes address the point, so that it is easier for the police to get accurate information that they can then more rapidly pursue?
I give the member the absolute assurance that he seeks. The issue is important and it is important to recognise that the protocols try to ensure that those warrants that are issued for the most serious crimes are given priority. We also have to remember that some outstanding warrants will relate to the non-payment of fines and others will be for offences that require people to be brought back into the courts. Of course it is important that people have accurate information in order to serve those warrants.
Life Sentences (Female Prisoners)
To ask the Scottish Executive what average time is served by female prisoners serving life sentences. (S2O-5679)
Five female prisoners have been released from life sentences since October 2001, when the Convention Rights (Compliance) (Scotland) Act 2001 began to apply. The sentences served by those prisoners ranged from four years and 10 months to 36 years and five months.
Can the minister guarantee that all life sentence prisoners have minimum time limits set on their sentences in compliance with the European convention on human rights? Will she assure me that there is no gender imbalance between the time that is served by female life-term prisoners and that which is served by male life-term prisoners?
I can give Mr Gallie the assurance that he seeks in relation to punishment having been set in terms of ECHR compliance. Of course, it is for the judge in any case to consider all the aspects of sentencing before setting the sentence. I would be surprised if there was a problem with gender imbalance. From the information that I have given him, Mr Gallie will see that the sentences that some female prisoners serve in prison are substantial.
According to the provisional data for 2004 that I received in a written answer, it appears that the number of female receptions into prison is falling. Does the minister agree that we urgently need to make more progress in reducing the number of women in custody? Does she also agree that prison is not always the best place for many women?
I agree with the points that Pauline McNeill has raised. We know that many of the women who went to prison in the past had committed relatively minor offences and posed little risk to their communities. They could have been dealt with by an appropriate community penalty.
Alcohol (Under-18s)
To ask the Scottish Executive what sanctions it takes through the justice system against those who supply alcohol to, or purchase alcohol on behalf of, under-18s. (S2O-5699)
On conviction for the offence of supplying alcohol to, or purchasing alcohol on behalf of, under-18s, a person is subject to a fine of up to £1,000. The local licensing board can consider whether any action should be taken to suspend a liquor licence as a result of such an offence taking place on licensed premises. In addition, the Licensing (Scotland) Bill, which was published on 1 March, proposes extending the offence to cover any sale of alcohol and not just sales that take place on licensed premises. It also proposes an increase in the level of the fine to £5,000.
I am sure that the minister will share my concern about the number of under-16s—not just the number of under-18s—who are being discharged from hospital in Grampian following alcohol misuse. Not only is alcohol misuse on the increase, but Grampian has among the highest rates in the whole of Scotland. Clearly, those young people are accessing alcohol from somewhere.
Of course it is important that the law is applied. Like Mr Lochhead, I too have grave concerns about the number of instances, including some in my own part of Ayrshire, in which quite young people have found themselves hospitalised as a result of having consumed too much alcohol.
I welcome the minister's range of initiatives to tackle this problem. I want to ask about proof of age. I welcome the commitment to a no-proof, no-sale policy, but does the minister accept that we should consider a national proof-of-age scheme? I am told by those in the know that, although we have many small local schemes, some people are able to forge the cards. A national, validated scheme might help to deliver the minister's policy objectives.
The member may be aware of this, but I will repeat it in case other members are not. Dialogue youth and Young Scot smart card pilots are being run in Angus, Glasgow, Argyll and Bute and Edinburgh. Accreditation for the proof-of-age standard scheme—the PASS scheme—has now been received, and the full distribution of the card to all 32 local authority areas is currently taking place.
Question 7 has been withdrawn.
Courts (Facilities for Deaf People)
To ask the Scottish Executive what facilities are available for deaf people in courts. (S2O-5728)
The Scottish Court Service subscribes to RNID Typetalk and uses British Sign Language interpreters where necessary. Induction loops and infrared systems will be in all sheriff courts by July 2005.
I am aware that a loop system is in place in Perth sheriff court. However, is the minister aware of a recent case in which, although the loop system was used for a deaf litigant on a first calling, the system was not in use during the subsequent substantive calling? As a result, the litigant missed about 90 per cent of what was happening in court. The litigant lost his case and had expenses awarded against him. That might not have had anything to do with the loop system, but does the minister agree that, as well as a system being in place, staff must be trained and educated to use it so that it will be of benefit to those who are deaf?
Ms Cunningham raises an important point. She has acknowledged that Perth sheriff court has sound-enhancement systems. Such systems are in place in the three main courtrooms. There is also mobile equipment for use in a smaller courtroom, and sound-enhancement systems are available at the public counter. I am assured that the systems are routinely checked to ensure that they are working.
Antisocial Behaviour
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish guidance on good practice in tackling antisocial behaviour. (S2O-5748)
Guidance has already been published on many parts of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 to help practitioners to take effective and appropriate action in local communities. That has already helped agencies to implement new measures, such as closure orders and powers of dispersal. Further good practice guidance will be published as the antisocial behaviour strategy is rolled out.
The minister and the chamber may have noted that, once again, Fife was in the media being congratulated on its success in dealing with antisocial behaviour. Does the minister agree that the severe measures that have been highlighted in those reports should be used only as a last resort? However, will he encourage all police forces and local authorities to send out the clear message that—as in Fife—if all else fails, the most severe measures will be used against those who persist in refusing all help and who continue to indulge in antisocial behaviour?
The measures that we have taken—in legislation and in resource support to local authorities and other partners—are about ensuring early and effective intervention. We are keen to encourage the use of mediation; we are also keen that disputes and problems should be resolved as early as possible. However, those who persist in causing problems and mayhem in communities must be dealt with. The powers are now available to ensure that that happens.
General Questions
European Environmental Law (Breaches)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take in respect of its 32 alleged breaches of European environmental law currently being investigated by the European Commission. (S2O-5788)
Of the 32 alleged breaches, 27 cases fall on my department, including six on animal health and welfare, five on fisheries and 16 on the environment generally. A further four relate to environmental impact assessment—a development function—and one, on asylum seekers, cuts across several portfolios. In the animal and plant health cases, recent transposition deadlines have all passed. In such instances, infraction proceedings are opened automatically. We are in the process of stating our progress to the Commission and are making arrangements to complete transposition as soon as practically possible. The fisheries, EIA and environment cases relate to regimes that have been transposed and arise because the Commission itself wishes more information or because an individual member of the public or a body has raised an issue with the Commission. All the cases have been discussed with the Commission but have not yet been taken further.
I thank the minister for the level of detail that he has provided, which has been difficult to get so far. I am sure that he would agree that, in the week in which the First Minister launched the sustainable development framework, it is a bit embarrassing to find that the Executive is being hauled over the coals for 32 infractions. Does the minister agree that it would be better if we were now to be given the exact details of how the Executive is alleged to be failing the environment, rather than being left to speculate about it? Will he agree to release further details of those proceedings?
It is a bit much to jump from saying that there is an alleged breach to our being overwhelmingly embarrassed by the fact that these cases have been brought to account. If—as I am sure he was—the member was listening carefully to the final part of my answer, he will have heard me say that, although they may be trivial, those cases nevertheless constitute legal proceedings. I sought members' indulgence for the fact that it would be inappropriate for me to disclose further details until those matters have been heard properly.
Agriculture (Casual Labour)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has had any discussions with the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board about its powers to investigate the employment of casual labour in agricultural businesses. (S2O-5690)
There have been no such discussions.
Is the minister aware that there are serious concerns that a large number of foreign workers may be working excessive hours, below the minimum wage, for gangmasters used by Monaghan Mushrooms at Fenton Barns? What action has been taken by the wages board on the information that I gave it on 28 October? When will the board reply to my letter of 17 January about the investigation of Monaghan Mushrooms, Pleroma and other related companies whose records may be held outside Scotland? Those are longstanding and serious allegations affecting both foreign and local workers. Will the minister please intervene to ensure that the case is brought to a proper conclusion?
It was only on receipt of John Home Robertson's question that I became aware that his letters had not received responses from the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board, or that he had not had any substantive response to the very serious matters that he has drawn to the board's attention. All that I can do is give Mr Home Robertson the undertaking that, as a consequence of his question, I will take the matter up with the wages board and see that he gets a response as soon as that can be arranged.
The minister assures me that casual labour will be brought under the remit of the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board, but the point that John Home Robertson raised is important. If we do not have casual labour now, the soft-fruit and vegetable industries in Scotland will collapse, so I ask the minister to reaffirm his commitment to bring casual labour under the board's remit.
I am happy to undertake to ensure that the statutory powers that the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has will be implemented in full. That would encompass the role that it has in protecting casual labourers in the industries that Andrew Arbuckle mentioned. As I said in my earlier answer, John Home Robertson has raised a serious matter on which he is entitled to a response.
I ask that the minister, in addition to consulting the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board, consider accommodation, welfare and other matters that are related to casual employment in the agricultural industry, which is as important in areas round about Leven, Leslie and other parts of my constituency as it is in the more rural areas of Scotland.
I was certainly not seeking to discriminate in the extent to which I will investigate the matter. We are all aware that, in agriculture and inshore fisheries, extensive use is made of incoming workers. The Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has rather restricted powers over the setting of wages and over the question whether persons employing people under such contracts fulfil statutory requirements. The other issues to which Christine May refers, such as accommodation, fall under other remits, but I will try to ensure that a comprehensive response is made to the concerns that have been raised this afternoon.
Asthma
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the quality of care and treatment for people with asthma to enable them to lead their lives free from the symptoms of asthma. (S2O-5708)
The Executive is participating in a range of measures to improve the quality of care for people with asthma. Most importantly, NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is now working, with input from Asthma UK Scotland, on a project to develop and promote personal management plans for asthma. The asthma project is being supported by funding from the Scottish Executive and includes training programmes for medical professionals.
I am sure that the minister is aware that the Asthma UK report "Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Asthma in Scotland today" was launched today. That report examines the impact that asthma has on the daily lives of the 390,000 people who have the condition, 100,000 of whom are children. Does he agree that, given the scale and seriousness of asthma and other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and epilepsy, there is an urgent need for a co-ordinated approach to tackling such conditions? If he agrees—I hope that he does—will he assure me of his support for the creation of a long-term medical conditions alliance?
Those who suffer from asthma are neither out of my mind nor out of my sight. Some of the measures that we have taken to date have been, and continue to be, successful. For instance, the general practitioner contract, which includes reference to asthma, will attract our GPs' interest and ensure that we are giving out the right advice and carrying out the right measures in relation to the cessation of smoking, as well as collecting relevant data on such matters. The contract also includes influenza immunisation for people with asthma. We also have a children's steering group, which is chaired by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland and which considers services for our children, whom Bruce Crawford mentioned. There are a number of other measures, including £700,000-worth of asthma-related research projects. Bruce Crawford can rest assured that, far from those with asthma being out of sight or out of mind, we are focusing closely on the matter.
I know that the minister, having recently joined me at a meeting in Dundee organised by Asthma UK, Diabetes UK and Epilepsy Scotland, is aware of the collaborative work that those organisations are undertaking. Does he agree that, on treatment and access to services, those chronic conditions raise similar issues and that, as Bruce Crawford suggested, a long-term medical conditions alliance would be of benefit not only to asthma sufferers, but to the many sufferers of diabetes and epilepsy in Scotland?
As I indicated, I am more than happy to listen to that perspective on the management of long-term chronic conditions. The Executive's health improvement strategy is based on not only the management but the prevention—which is also important—of many chronic conditions and covers diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol abuse and issues relating to people's general mental well-being. The collaborative measures that are being taken in relation to public health improvement will make a significant difference.
According to the Asthma UK report that was just mentioned, around half of all people with severe asthma symptoms said that access to asthma specialists would benefit them in reducing their symptoms, yet one in five sufferers does not have such access. What is the Executive doing to increase patient access to specialists and the number of specialists with an interest in asthma?
There are an increasing number of specialists in the NHS. Under the GP contract, we want to ensure that we are seeking out people actively and passing them through the NHS to ensure that they get specific advice. The quality outcomes framework in the GP contract will assist us in the task of ensuring that people suffering from asthma take the right patient journey through the health service, get the right level of treatment and reflect that back to us so that we organise the health service around long-term chronic conditions. Again, I assure members that I am listening to their views.
I draw to the minister's attention an organisation in my part of the world called Asthma Support in Rural Scotland, which is particularly concerned with people living in rural areas who might need medical attention rapidly. The group is trying to ensure that medical records of chronic asthma patients include a map reference, so that if emergency treatment is needed, there are no difficulties such as the emergency services getting lost on the way.
I confess that I have not heard of that initiative before, but I am more than happy to consider putting such information on patient records as an innovative step to ensure that the level and quality of care are appropriate to people in rural areas.
European Constitution
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the answer to question 208258 by Dr Denis MacShane MP on 17 January 2005 shows that the European constitution does not ensure the involvement of the Scottish Executive and the Parliament in the European Union legislative process to a greater degree than at present. (S2O-5681)
On the contrary, the constitutional treaty contains important references to the role of the legislative regions for the first time in any European treaty. By any measure that is a significant step forward. The treaty makes it clear that it is for national Parliaments to consult regional Parliaments with legislative powers. It will be for this Parliament to agree with the Westminster Parliament how the arrangements will work in practice.
The question was whether there was any change with respect to the consultative process, whether or not the constitution is signed up to—clearly there is no such change. Ministers in this Parliament have advised members continually that the principal reason why we should sign up to the constitution is that it will give the Scottish Parliament a greater say in such issues. Once again, Mr MacShane—someone with whom I do not always agree—demonstrates that that is not the case. Will the minister now step back from his original position?
No, I will not. The United Kingdom Government has said consistently that the Scottish Parliament should be involved in the subsidiarity mechanism. I refer the member to the joint paper that was submitted to the convention on the future of Europe by Peter Hain. I also refer the member to the evidence that was given by the United Kingdom Government to the House of Lords inquiry in which it committed itself to—
Was that the Tory Government or the Labour Government?
Order, Mr Gallie.
The Tory Government was a long time ago, Phil.
The minister will recall that around the time of the meeting of the group of regions with legislative power—or Regleg—in Edinburgh last year, the First Minister announced the establishment of a pilot project that would demonstrate how Scotland would have greater access to the European Commission and the European Union as a result of his discussions. Since then, we have heard nothing about that arrangement. Can the minister give us some further details in Parliament today?
I fully appreciate that Mr Swinney may have heard nothing since then. As soon as we are in a position to provide more information to the Parliament and to Mr Swinney, we will do so.
Does the minister agree that article 2 of the protocol on subsidiarity makes clear the Commission's commitment to consult widely, taking into account the regional and local dimension of legislative action? That is something that was supported by the Labour Party in this Parliament. Does he further agree that the new treaty will ensure better regulation and increased transparency and accountability and that it will bring Europe closer to its citizens, which is something else for which we have argued?
I agree with those points. The new treaty will give the Parliament an enhanced role and a fresh voice in our dealings with the UK Government and the representations that it makes to the European Union. That can only be a good thing. It is a further development of the influence that the Parliament has not only in the United Kingdom but in Europe.
Question 5 has been withdrawn.
Dementia (Short-life Working Group)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on progress made by the short-life working group on dementia. (S2O-5715)
Outcome guidance was published in November last year as an addition to "A Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland", which offers advice on the best organisation of care and support for those with dementia and their carers. The guidance is already informing change—for example, it has had a strong influence on the design of the pilot project for a dementia managed care network in Tayside. We are also helping to fund the workshops that are delivered by Alzheimer Scotland to promote the guidance and encourage further improvement in services.
I thank the minister for her answer; I know that she has a particular interest in the matter. The recommendations and conclusions of the working group are welcomed by dementia sufferers and their families, but does she agree that full implementation of the recommendations is vital? Will she give an assurance that the Executive intends to monitor health boards throughout Scotland to ensure that that important piece of work remains firmly at the top of the health agenda?
Yes—absolutely. I will be meeting Alzheimer Scotland again later this month to discuss the continuing agenda and I will address the dementia care conference in April. It is a hugely important matter, and we need to look closely at the results of the pilot project for a dementia managed care network in Tayside. I am conscious of the member's interest in the matter and I give her the assurance that she seeks. We will ensure that anybody who suffers from dementia has access to the highest possible level of care.
Race Equality and Racism (Media Campaign)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to evaluate the impact of its media campaign to promote race equality and tackle racism. (S2O-5789)
As with previous phases of the campaign, an evaluation of the current phase of media advertising will be undertaken when it concludes at the end of March. The results will be published on the one Scotland website, alongside the evaluations of previous phases.
I am sure that the minister is aware of some people's concern that although high-profile media campaigns have value in raising awareness of racism, they do less to tackle the underlying, deep-seated attitudes that promote racism in Scotland. Will he commit the Executive to valuing the grassroots anti-racism work that needs to take place in communities alongside the media campaign?
I assure Patrick Harvie that I and others in the Executive are discussing with London that review, which was announced only a few days ago.
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