Contents
- Scottish Parliament Thursday 11 September 2003
- Asylum Seekers
- First Minister's Question Time
- Question Time
- Partnership Agreement (Funding)
- Point of Order
- Legal Deposit Libraries Bill
- Business Motion
- Decision Time
- Obesity
Question Time
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Drug Users (Treatment and Rehabilitation)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address any concerns relating to delays in accessing drug treatment and rehabilitation. (S2O-365)
In line with our partnership agreement, we have announced a wide-ranging review of drug treatment and rehabilitation services. That will look at the availability and accessibility of services throughout Scotland.
The Executive is already acting to improve the effectiveness of drug treatment and rehabilitation in Scotland. That includes providing an additional £13 million to national health service boards for treatment services and £21 million to local authorities for rehabilitation over the three years from 2001-02. The partnership agreement commits us to providing additional resources and we will determine the level of that investment once the review is completed.
In June, the Executive requested specific action from drug action teams and service providers to address issues of accessibility to and the capacity of drug treatment services. The DATs and service providers are due to report back to the Executive by the end of the month.
What has the Executive done to address concerns in the Aberdeen area about waiting times for access to drug treatment services? Will the minister outline what the Executive is doing to address the city's particular problem with the use of cocaine and crack cocaine?
We are aware of the prevalence of drug misuse in the north-east of Scotland. It is estimated that the Grampian region has the third highest number of problematic drug misusers. Resources allocated to drug treatment services in the Grampian area have almost doubled since 1998-99, from £0.75 million to £1.3 million. An additional £2 million has been allocated to rehabilitation and more than £1.2 million has been allocated for work with children and young people. It is for the local DATs to identify priorities and need.
We know that there is an identified problem with cocaine and crack cocaine in the Aberdeen area. We have agreed to fund a specific service for cocaine and crack cocaine users and we are working with the local DAT to make the appropriate arrangements. We believe that the service will get under way in November and we have committed up to £300,000 for a three-year pilot project.
A letter that I received yesterday from Grampian Primary Care NHS Trust indicated that the waiting time for NHS drug treatment in Grampian fell from a massive 27 months in June 2002 to four months in June 2003—I am sure that the minister will welcome that. However, the cash for the pilot initiative runs out in September. Will the minister speak to NHS Grampian to ensure that adequate resources are available to allow that initiative to become permanent so that we can break the cycle of drug-related crime in Grampian?
Our officials are regularly in contact with agencies throughout Scotland to consider service provision and funding. The question of specific funding for particular areas is always under review and we try to reflect local needs and concerns. A review of drug treatment and rehabilitation services is under way and we have asked for it to be done urgently—I expect it to be completed within the next few months. We will then use it to determine our future strategy and investment in relation to drug treatment and rehabilitation services.
Is the minister aware of the widespread concern among those who work with drug misusers that, despite the significant additional resources allocated by the Executive, the number of addicts in treatment has not increased significantly? Will he give a commitment to the chamber that, following the review that he mentioned, which is very important, early action is taken to increase the number of residential, day and community programme places, without which we cannot roll out the pilot schemes on drug testing and treatment orders or drugs courts?
We rule nothing in or out in relation to what is the most effective course of treatment. For some individuals, one method of treatment might be more appropriate than another. We know that some people quickly fall back into a drug misusing habit when they come back into the community after having been in residential rehabilitation. We also know that some community rehabilitation services are effective. However, our review will focus on what has been done, what has been done well, where the money is being used, how effective that use has been and how we ensure consistency across Scotland. Although we are investing record amounts of money, we want to ensure that that money achieves a desirable and consistent effect across the country and covers all aspects of residential and community-based service.
Will the minister assure us that he will investigate allegations of improper access to drug treatment and rehabilitation in Ayrshire, particularly as it affects people in HMP Kilmarnock?
Clearly, I would be concerned about any improper access of the kind that Margaret Jamieson describes. I would need more details about the matter. If the member writes to me with the information that she has, I will certainly have the allegations investigated.
Fireworks
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to ensure that local authorities and the police will be able to enforce forthcoming legislation on the misuse of fireworks. (S2O-372)
The Fireworks Bill at Westminster is an enabling bill that will allow ministers to make regulations in a wide range of areas. However, regulations will be introduced only after extensive consultation with all interested parties, including local authorities and the police.
Although it is only September, I have already received complaints from constituents about the disruption caused in their communities by fireworks. Will the minister assure the Parliament that the Scottish Executive will work in partnership with local authorities to ensure that the measures in Bill Tynan's private member's bill protect communities across Scotland?
I am aware that the member has, like other members, taken a keen interest in the issue; I am also aware of her hard work on the matter in her constituency. We have been working hard with local authorities, police and others to ensure that, when the Fireworks Bill becomes law, we can quickly draft regulations, send them out for consultation and ensure that they are speedily implemented. I, too, am concerned about the conduct of retailers who choose to sell fireworks at this time of year and of people who choose to misuse those fireworks. The Tynan bill will address precisely those matters and the Executive will implement any regulations forcefully.
Will the minister say whether the legislation will lead the way to the establishment of licensing schemes for fireworks vendors? If so, how quickly could such schemes be introduced to ensure that we can turn around the appalling rise in fireworks injuries this year?
I acknowledge the member's interest in the matter. Clause 7 of the bill deals with licensing. The bill still needs to proceed through the House of Lords, but that will happen very soon. The speed with which we get any licensing system up and running will be a matter for consultation and discussion. I do not think that it will happen in time for 5 November this year, but I am confident that measures that we will seek to enforce and with which we will reduce such incidents in communities will be in place for November 2004. We must ensure that the legislation and any regulations are correct, because that is the good way of doing business, and we will ensure their effectiveness by working in partnership with local authorities and the police.
Edinburgh South Suburban Railway
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with stakeholders and the rail industry over reopening the Edinburgh south suburban railway line to passenger services. (S2O-384)
The Scottish Executive has had regular discussions and has provided funding so that the City of Edinburgh Council can help to progress the project through a study of the likely passenger demand for the south suburban railway line.
I understand that the City of Edinburgh Council is due to receive a consultant's report on the south suburban railway. Will the minister give a commitment to act swiftly on its proposals? Moreover, will he ensure that, in all discussions about developing capacity at Waverley station, the south suburban line and Edinburgh's transport problems are considered as a priority? Finally, will he comment on the idea that, when the Borders railway line is opened, the link around the south of Edinburgh could give direct access to Glasgow but avoid Waverley?
Before we can consider whether the railway line can take a route through to Glasgow, my first priority is to ensure that it exists. However, the idea, which I heard today for the first time, is interesting. The W S Atkins report, to which I referred and which the Executive funded to the tune of more than £500,000—a significant commitment—is due to be completed shortly. The track already exists and freight services run on the line, but there are track and signalling problems, although they are felt not to be insurmountable. The issue takes us back to capacity at Waverley station, a subject that Sarah Boyack raised at First Minister's question time. If we are to make progress with our ambitious rail schemes that focus on Waverley, increased capacity at that station is vital.
In considerations on the matter, has thought been given to preparing the station and a car park at Morningside?
Despite the fact that the flat where I stay in Edinburgh during the week is close to that station and that I would, no doubt, make use of the line if the station were opened, I do not know the answer to that question. However, I am happy to try to find out and to give Lord James the answer.
Physical Education (Students)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be an increase from last year in the number of students accepted for physical education degrees and diplomas in universities and colleges. (S2O-370)
Figures for the current year will not be available until January 2004. The last available data from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service are for 2002-03. They show that the number of students accepted to study physical education at Scottish higher education institutions and further education colleges rose by more than 6 per cent from the previous year, which was in line with the overall increase in students accepted to study physical education across the United Kingdom.
We can trade information on the matter, because I checked some facts before I came to the chamber. The University of Edinburgh, which is one of two degree-awarding institutions in Scotland for the subject, has accepted 100 students this year, which is exactly the same as last year. Given that the very nice minister who is sitting next to Mr Wallace—Nicol Stephen—promised me in the previous session of Parliament that the number of PE teachers in primary schools would increase, will Mr Wallace say how he intends to achieve that without there being more students in colleges and universities?
Nicol Stephen has indicated to me that he said that he would encourage an increase. I understand that, until the election, he chaired the physical education review group.
The important point is that figures for this year are not available, although the trend has been upwards—there was a rise of 6 per cent last year. Our commitment to PE in schools is important. The physical activity strategy indicated that all children should take part in at least two hours of quality PE classes a week and that the role of PE in schools and out-of-school and extra-curricular activities should be reviewed. There is a real commitment to increasing the quantity and quality of PE. When the full figures are available in January 2004, I will be happy to respond to Margo MacDonald and to give her the up-to-date figures.
Does the minister agree that, if we are serious about improving the health and well-being of children and young people, we must increase the level of physical activity in schools, which will be impossible without an increased number of PE teachers? Does he agree that the Executive must take positive action rather than sitting back and resting on its laurels?
With physical activity, the issue is not about sitting back. As I said, the figures for last year show an increase in the number of students. I agree with Karen Gillon that physical activity in schools is important for our young people. That is why we are making progress with the recommendation that nursery, primary and secondary pupils should have at least two hours a week of quality PE. I accept that additional teachers will be required if that recommendation is to be delivered. Karen Gillon will be aware of the commitment in the partnership agreement to increase significantly the overall number of teachers. We will certainly take into account the recommendations in the active schools implementation plan and the PE review group report when we consider the commitment to provide extra teaching staff.
Consultation
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for a review of public consultation processes. (S2O-362)
The promotion of civic participation is a priority for the Scottish Executive. Reviews of Scottish Executive practice were carried out in 2000 and 2002. We have a programme of action to improve consultation practice within our changing to deliver programme of continuing organisational improvement and cultural change.
Will the minister take on board the views of organisations such as the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce and voluntary groups such as pensioners forums and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers? Those organisations complain that consultation is becoming an increasingly intolerable burden on their limited financial resources. They feel that, in many instances, not enough time is given for them to make adequate submissions. They call for some degree of standardisation of consultation documents and, most important, they indicate that, in order to be meaningful, consultation by public bodies should be less frequent and more focused on issues of real importance to decision making.
If there were opportunities to standardise consultation processes so as to make them more efficient and effective, we would all very much welcome that and try to focus on it. It seems from my perspective, however, that we are sometimes damned if we do and damned if we don't. If we do not consult thoroughly and effectively, people will say that we are not consulting properly; if we consult thoroughly, people will say that we are consulting too much.
I understand that there is no magic or perfect solution, but we must always work to improve consultation processes to make them as effective as possible. That means listening to the voluntary sector, to groups of people such as pensioners, to the private sector, to industry and to local communities, which is important for getting things right in relation to health, for example. It also means accepting that we might have to customise consultation for those various groups' needs. From her question, I think that Mrs Milne appreciates that the matter is complex and that we must attempt to make steady progress.
The minister will be aware of my concern about Scottish Water's past failures in consultation on planning matters. Scottish Water now has to produce a consultation code to cover consultation on major developments. Could that practice be adopted by other public organisations? Would not getting decisions right in the first place be a better route forward for planning matters than having to employ expensive methods of appeal?
I thank Des McNulty for that question. We should of course get all planning decisions right and, as I am sure I can convince him, we make every effort to do so. The proper mechanisms need to be in place to ensure that the decisions are right.
As Des McNulty knows, my colleague Ross Finnie has responsibility for Scottish Water. However, on the general point—and this answers Nanette Milne's point—we seek to examine different models of consultation and to remain open minded about the different possibilities. We are not wedded to one practice because it has been used in the past. We listen to complaints and criticism, so we can implement steady progress. I am sure that Ross Finnie will keep me up to date on progress with Scottish Water in that regard.
After the most extensive public consultation that it ever conducted, Forth Valley NHS Board reached a unanimous decision in favour of a new hospital at Larbert. However, some parochial politicians are now trying to intervene to overturn the result of that public consultation. Will the Scottish Executive resist those efforts and ensure that approval is granted as soon as possible for the building of the new hospital?
It would not be appropriate for me to comment on a health decision, but the member's question clearly demonstrates that consultation is not the answer to all ills; it can be conducted properly only when people appreciate that it is not entirely a substitute for policy decision making and assessment. Consultation must be viewed appropriately and in context at the time.
Dentists
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the conclusions of its assessment of the reasons for the shortfall in the number of dentists in some areas. (S2O-367)
The Scottish advisory committee on the dental work force is undertaking an assessment of the dental work force and will report its findings early in 2004.
The minister will know of my concern regarding recent letters sent to constituents of mine by a Dunfermline dental practice saying that it was no longer prepared to carry out national health service work, although patients could remain with the practice if they undertook to become private patients and took up a private contract with a company called Denplan. Will he restate the amount of extra resources that have gone into NHS dental services? Moreover, can he indicate when a full NHS dental service will be available in all parts of Scotland?
I am aware of the situation in Fife, which is a matter of continuing concern. Fife Primary Care NHS Trust has made an application for three salaried dentists, which has been approved. I know that the trust is actively pursuing recruitment of dentists for those posts. Over the past few years, a number of initiatives have been introduced. They include provision of £3 million for practice improvement, the introduction of remote area allowance and a £1 million golden hello package to improve recruitment and retention of dentists across Scotland. I assure the member that we are not complacent on the matter. We are aware that there is a worrying shortfall in access to NHS dentistry. The situation is kept under constant review.
The minister mentioned the golden hello and its use for attracting and retaining dentists. Will the Scottish Executive extend that scheme to registered European Union dentists who are willing to work in Scotland?
There are no plans to do so at the moment, but we are aware that the situation in Scotland is unacceptable and our minds are open to a range of suggestions. Mr Davidson's suggestion has not been ruled out.
Many of us have experience from time to time of being a captive audience for unhappy dentists. Does the minister accept that the problem is less that there is a shortage of dentists than that a growing number of dentists are refusing to treat NHS patients in areas throughout Scotland? Does he agree that it is not tolerable for NHS patients to be denied access to that important service? By examining the terms of the dentists' contract, what can the Executive do to ensure that the service is provided throughout the country?
I have acknowledged that the situation is not acceptable and is a matter of continuing concern. As I indicated, the Executive has introduced a number of measures, the impact of which is being kept under review. I repeat that we are not complacent. We are examining the situation as a matter of urgency and on-going developments will be kept under review.
The minister will be aware that the problem that we are discussing affects all of Scotland and that members from all parties have highlighted it for some years. Increasingly, amounts that should be spent on treatment are being spent on trying to recruit dentists. For example, Dumfries and Galloway Health Board is advertising in Spain. Will the minister accept that there is now a real crisis, which is not being addressed?
I accept that the situation is unacceptable. That is why we have introduced a range of measures to deal with it. We are assessing the impact of those measures. Our minds are open to further suggestions. The situation is constantly under examination and we may have something to say about it in the near future.
Question 7 has been withdrawn.
Fire Service (Trade Unions)
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with trade unions regarding the future of the fire service. (S2O-374)
I have met representatives of the Fire Brigades Union twice since my appointment as Deputy Minister for Justice. The Minister for Justice is scheduled to meet FBU representatives on Monday 15 September to discuss our proposals to consult on new fire service legislation. We plan to publish our consultation paper shortly; the consultation process will give trade unions a further opportunity to make their views known.
Will the minister ensure that there is full consultation with all trade unions and local stakeholders, including local authorities and communities?
The consultation process is absolutely vital. The initial response to our previous publication on the fire service was very positive. We know that to have an effective fire service there must be full engagement of all those who are involved. We will ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to be consulted. At my previous meeting with the FBU, I made it clear that we would give the union every opportunity to participate and that we would assist it with advice and support in whatever way is necessary in order to allow it to play a full part. I have since reminded my officials of the commitment that I gave to the union.
Will the Executive ensure that, when integrated risk management plans are developed in brigades, there will be a minimum standard of fire cover throughout Scotland below which brigades will not fall? Will the minister assure me that stations such as Clarkston and Barrhead fire stations in the area that I represent will not be downgraded or closed, but will continue to provide 24-hours-a-day cover for the people of East Renfrewshire?
It would be premature for me to comment on any individual fire stations. In any case, it is our clear view that local decisions are best made by those who are directly responsible to local communities. The consultation paper will reflect that principle. We believe that the way in which we are progressing will lead to an enhanced, improved and more consistent fire service throughout Scotland.
I draw the minister's attention to the threatened closure of the auxiliary fire unit in the village of Lybster, in Caithness. That closure is unthinkable because, if a fire broke out in Camster, it would take too long for a fire engine to get there from either Wick or Dunbeath to tackle the fire. A petition of 1,000 signatures has been submitted to the firemaster, pleading for the unit to be kept open. In responding, perhaps the minister will join me in welcoming the children from Ross-shire who are in the public gallery.
I join Jamie Stone in that welcome.
The proposed closure is a matter for the local fire board and firemaster. I know that Jamie Stone and the community council in Lybster have been active in pursuing the issue and I am aware that the firemaster has given a commitment to the community council that he will consult it further. He has indicated to the community council his intention to have the plans for Lybster in place before March 2005.
Scottish Opera
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will congratulate Scottish Opera on its recent performance of Wagner's "Ring" at the Edinburgh festival and take action to address the financial position of Scottish Opera and keep ticket prices low to increase public access to opera. (S2O-388)
The Executive warmly applauds the exceptional production of the "Ring" cycle, which is currently being performed by Scottish Opera. In the past week or so, there have also been performances in Glasgow. Ticket pricing is a matter for the company; however, it is fully committed to social justice principles and pursues pricing strategies that encourage people on low incomes to attend.
Does the minister agree that Scottish Opera belongs to all the people and that the company's excellence is for everyone? Can he explain how he is going to open up access to that national treasure to keep it within everyone's reach and ensure that productions tour the country and that Scottish Opera's outreach work is extended? As the minister is probably aware, that approach underpinned the success of the Edinburgh People's Festival, which took place last month. Finally, I ask the minister to avoid an unsightly Dutch auction that would come from his suggesting that the extra money for Scottish Opera should come from other areas of the arts budget.
I thought that Mr Fox was going to argue for the public ownership of 201 companies, including the opera company. The Executive has been committed to the work of Scottish Opera, which is why more than a fifth of the budget for the Scottish Arts Council is allocated to Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet. We are consistently working with the boards of the two companies to ensure that they meet their obligations regarding product development and the generation of income. It is a complex issue; it is about not just whether there are additional resources, but whether the companies can build audiences. Key to that will be the education programme, which I encourage Mr Fox to engage with. Having seen his performances in contemporary dance and traditional singing, I think that he should perhaps take up classical singing.
Will the Scottish Executive consider new models of funding for Scottish Opera and Scottish Ballet, such as endowment, to allow them to have full artistic control?
The Executive has committed to carrying out a review of our cultural organisations and bodies. If Mr McGrigor wants to make that suggestion, we will consider it along with the many other submissions that we anticipate receiving over the next few months.
Road Maintenance
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make specific funding available to local authorities for the maintenance of roads used by lorries transporting timber. (S2O-392)
Currently there is no specific direct funding for local roads that are affected by timber traffic, but we continue to work with local authorities, timber industry representatives and the timber transport forum to minimise the impact on such routes.
The minister will recall that the Liberal Democrat party manifesto made a commitment to improve and upgrade rural roads that are affected by large volumes of timber traffic. Without additional funding or specific funding, how will that be done?
The partnership agreement commits us to ensuring sufficient resources for the non-trunk road network and acknowledges particularly the needs of pressured rural roads that are affected by timber production and other primary industries. I expect to see in the near future the report commissioned by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the timber transport forum on the options for funding timber routes. It is too early to give a commitment to the Parliament today to provide additional funding, but we will carefully consider the report.
Health Funding (Orkney and Western Isles)
To ask the Scottish Executive how per capita health funding in the Orkney islands compares with that in the Western Isles. (S2O-368)
In 2003-04, Orkney received revenue funding of £1,185 per capita and the Western Isles received £1,650. That compares with a national average of £1,054. Per capita funding for the Western Isles is greater than that for Orkney because the Western Isles has a high proportion of elderly people in the population and a relatively high level of deprivation. Both those factors add greatly to the demands placed on the national health service in the Western Isles.
There is a significant difference of £400 or £500 per person between the figures. Is it not time to consider the historical differences that have developed between the island authorities, rather than apply small percentage changes in funding each year, to ensure more equitable funding and treatment for people living in the Orkney islands, given that the NHS in Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles must provide the same health services against the same challenges and the same difficulties of geographical remoteness?
Mary Scanlon was on the Health and Community Care Committee at the same time as I was when we looked in detail at the Arbuthnott formula. She will know that there is a significant adjustment for remote areas in that, which did not previously exist to the same extent.. Of course, the formula will be reviewed—probably in about 18 months—so no doubt the arguments will run on. However, we must acknowledge the advantages of the Arbuthnott formula and the way in which it pays more heed to deprivation—which is a particular factor in the Western Isles and in other parts of Scotland—and the number of older people in the population, which we all understand is fundamental in terms of the amount of resources that go into the health service.
Scottish Executive Environment<br />and Rural Affairs Department
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that there is an integrated approach between the environment and rural development divisions within its Environment and Rural Affairs Department. (S2O-401)
I have encouraged closer working between all the relevant interests in my department in order to promote integrated policy development. Examples of that approach include the forward strategy for Scottish agriculture, the work flowing from the "Custodians of Change" report, and our implementation of the Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003.
I thank the minister for his answer. However, in last June's "Custodians of Change" report, the agriculture and environment working group that the minister commissioned asked the minister, as its principal recommendation, to
"Establish a strategy unit within SEERAD to develop more effective, integrated agricultural/environmental policies".
Does the minister regard his actions as having achieved sufficient integration between the agricultural and environmental divisions within his department? If not, will the minister take further action on the issue?
Yes, I am satisfied that I have achieved that. The "Custodians of Change" report was critical of the situation that preceded its preparation. As Mr Ruskell will recall, the forward strategy for agriculture highlighted the fact that there was insufficient connection between the development of agricultural policy and the development of environmental policy. To that end, we called for the preparation of the "Custodians of Change" report. In the interim, we had already ensured that, at the top level within the department, the heads of the agriculture and environmental policy sections more often reviewed policies across the whole plain to ensure the degree of integration that Mr Ruskell seeks.
Sport and the Arts<br />(Reducing Antisocial Behaviour)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will increase funding for sport and the arts to enable them to make a full contribution to reducing antisocial behaviour. (S2O-397)
We recognise the important contribution made by sport and arts activities to the reduction of antisocial behaviour and will consider those areas as part of our overall strategy for tackling antisocial behaviour.
Because community, sporting and artistic activity can make such a huge contribution to improving people's health and individual and collective behaviour, will the minister seek contributions from the existing budgets for health, justice and so on, which he can direct to activities of that sort on the basis that prevention is better than cure?
We are happy to encourage ways in which we can more effectively pull together resources from across the Executive to address the concern that has been expressed by Donald Gorrie. In the past year, money from the health budget has been allocated to active activities across various age groups in Scotland. Debate about that sort of arrangement will continue among ministers. Hopefully, that will help the continuing process of pulling together the innovative work that is being done in communities to improve the quality of our sporting, recreational and arts activities. Making connections much more effectively will ensure that our focus on antisocial behaviour is not only on the criminal justice side, but concerns diversionary activities that will give the vast majority of young people who want to behave something to do. That will ensure that their good behaviour continues into the future.
Will the minister ensure that, in any discussions around the development of sports and arts facilities for young people, the crucial issue of access to those facilities is kept in mind? At a meeting earlier this week, my constituents expressed concerns about that issue, reporting to me that they could not let their sons and daughters out to play or go to clubs because of the intolerable behaviour of some young people and adults in their communities. Does the minister agree that our approach to antisocial behaviour, far from stigmatising young people, gives us the opportunity to liberate those young people and their families from their current situation?
I agree with Johann Lamont. Soon, I will have a meeting with her to discuss one of the many progressive initiatives that are being undertaken in her community and to which she has given her full support.
The central issue is to ensure that there are a range of activities available and that the vast majority of people—the decent majority, as I like to call them—can conduct their business without any great difficulty. One of the key themes in that regard is the development of community clubs, which enable people, in particular those who have just left school, to access sport and recreation facilities in the community. People in the community value that and protect the clubs from the extremely small minority who wish to do damage.
Economic Policies (North-east Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it has made to discuss with Her Majesty's Government the economic implications of its policies for the north-east. (S2O-376)
The Scottish Executive is committed to the continuing diversification and growth of the economy in the north-east. We work on those issues with local partners, and we discuss relevant matters with UK Government departments as and when appropriate.
As recently as the end of August, Jim Wallace wrote to me in response to a written question that I had lodged on the discussions that the Scottish Executive had had with Her Majesty's Government regarding the implications for the Peterhead economy of the downgrading of the Royal Air Force base there, and the decisions made in Westminster that affect the fishing industry. The staggering answer that I got was:
"There has been no specific discussions with Her Majesty's Government."—[Official Report, Written Answers, 26 August 2003; p 534.]
Will the minister explain how actively the issues that I raised will be pursued with Her Majesty's Government, given that the Executive has responsibility for employment and the Scottish economy?
It is precisely because we have responsibility for economic development that we are working in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Grampian, Communities Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council and other local partners to put together a local action plan for the Buchan economy. We recognise the requirement to do that.
In the context of the wider north-east economy, we work with the Department of Trade and Industry and other UK partners on a range of issues including the continuing development and promotion of the offshore oil and gas industry. We will continue to work with the UK Government on such matters where it is appropriate to do so.
If the questions and answers are kept tight, I will take question 15.
Clyde Shipyards (Apprentices)
To ask the Scottish Executive what long-term support it will give to develop and retain the skills of the 112 new apprentices starting at Clyde shipyards. (S2O-394)
The Clyde shipyards task force report included 29 recommendations to ensure that the Clyde has the skills, infrastructure and forward strategy in place to compete successfully for work in the future. The final meeting of the task force took place in March this year and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow is now taking forward the work of the task force through its shipbuilding initiative, which not only will include the Clyde, but will cover the whole of Scotland. However, specific detail on the type of support that is being offered to Clyde shipyard apprentices is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise.
The minister will know that the announcement has been hailed as bringing a renaissance to the Scottish shipbuilding industry and the manufacturing sector in general, and that that type of training revival is also happening in places such as the Glasgow harbour development near my constituency. Will he assure Parliament that the Executive will continue to create the right conditions for such vital training and apprenticeship schemes in order to relay the message that apprenticeship schemes are back and we will continue to modernise them to encourage more women and older unemployed people into them?
I am delighted to give Pauline McNeill that reassurance and also to reassure her that skills are very much at the heart of our agenda for economic development and growth in Scotland. We recognise the importance of the skills of all people; our lifelong learning strategy exists to ensure that people who left school and did not acquire skills can acquire them in later life and that people who left with skills can retrain and get different skills. That applies to women and to people in the more mature stages of life, to whom it will give opportunities. In last week's debate on the economy, Pauline McNeill raised the issue of Clyde apprenticeships. I say again what I said then: they are a welcome development and a source of optimism about the future of shipbuilding on the Clyde.
At this stage members will wish to join me in welcoming members of the Council of the Flemish Community Commission and their chairman Jean-Luc Vanraes. [Applause.]