Plenary, 11 Nov 2004

Meeting date: Thursday, November 11, 2004

Official Report 694KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Education and Young People, Tourism, Culture and Sport

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VisitScotland (Funding)

To ask the Scottish Executive how the recently announced new marketing funding for VisitScotland will be spent. (S2O-4002)

The 28 per cent increase over three years that we announced in March supports our ambition to grow tourism revenues by 50 per cent over the next decade. We will sustain that level of additional funding through to 2008, on the basis that it is matched by the private sector, thus doubling its effectiveness.

The money has been much welcomed by the industry. How will it be targeted at areas such as business tourism, the short-break market and the route development fund? Specifically, how will it be targeted at the quality assurance schemes, which ensure that Scotland's tourism product—in the widest sense—is of the highest possible standard? The schemes are very important not just in attracting people to Scotland, but in attracting them back to Scotland.

The member will know that the route development fund is not administered from my portfolio. However, I am aware that during the past two years the number of direct routes into Scotland from other parts of the world has increased by 18.

VisitScotland's marketing campaign will be extended to include Northern Ireland and the midlands, as well as Sweden, Germany, France, Spain, Holland, Italy and Belgium.

The member is right to regard quality assurance as vital and we are keen to strengthen that area. For that reason, we have given £3 million over this year and next year to strengthen VisitScotland's quality assurance schemes. Those schemes already reach about 80 per cent of the accommodation and visitor attraction market in Scotland and we have set a target of increasing that figure to 90 per cent over the next three years. The marketing of major events such as the under-21 rugby world cup, the Heineken cup and the mountain bike world cup is important to that effort. We also hugely value business tourism.

Question 2 has been withdrawn.

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Outdoor Education

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is developing an outdoor education policy and, if so, when it will report on that policy. (S2O-4018)

I announced last month that I have asked Learning and Teaching Scotland to promote and support the development of outdoor education. Learning and Teaching Scotland is employing a development officer to drive forward progress.

I understand that the development officer has not yet been appointed but will be expected to report in about two years' time. What will happen during those two years? A month ago, when the minister opened Kilbowie outdoor education centre at Oban, he said:

"Outdoor education can have tremendous benefits in the … personal and social development of children of all ages, providing an important setting for young people to discover more about themselves and the world around them."

The minister continued by saying that he wanted

"more young people to experience the far-reaching benefits of outdoor education",

to enrich their school lives and develop skills and interests that would stay with them for the rest of their lives. How will the minister progress those ambitions over the next two years?

I am enormously encouraged that Robin Harper takes the trouble to read my speeches and I wish that others would do likewise.

I share with Robin Harper a commitment to outdoor education, which can enrich people's learning and challenge young people in a variety of ways, by putting them into new settings that allow them to grow personally. I am convinced of that, which is why we have encouraged Learning and Teaching Scotland to take the route that it is taking and why we will fund the development officer post. I do not expect to wait two years to hear about progress in relation to that post. The appointment will be made in the early part of next year and will involve a dynamic process around auditing and identifying gaps in the current provision in Scotland, identifying good practice and sharing it more widely, seeking links between outdoor education and the curriculum and using outdoor education as a vehicle for all forms of learning. The new curriculum that we seek through the curriculum review should open up possibilities for that to happen more constructively than has been the case in the immediate past.

I expect a lot of progress in the next two years. I look forward to Robin Harper continuing to grill me on the issue, because I share with him the desire for improvement in that sphere of activity.

Is the minister concerned about the deterrent effect on outdoor education of the wind forests that are being established, or are about to be established, throughout Scotland? As an example, I cite the 400 square miles of East Ayrshire that is destined to have 380 towers placed upon it, in a beautiful area of Scotland.

The question is just acceptable. On you go, Mr Peacock.

I have always admired Phil Gallie's inventiveness, which the question demonstrates. I will not get drawn on the issue of wind farms. I look out from my house on to a wind farm and, personally, I find it attractive. It is artistic and I am grateful that it generates electricity in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. In principle, I support wind farming and green energy—I want energy to be generated in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. Notwithstanding what Phil Gallie said about Ayrshire and other parts of Scotland, there is still plenty of space for people to enjoy the outdoors in Scotland.

Question 4 has been withdrawn.

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Primary Schools (Free Fruit)

To ask the Scottish Executive why free fruit for pupils in primary schools is being withdrawn in some local authority areas. (S2O-3947)

The implementation of the free fruit in schools scheme is a matter for local authorities. At national level, the Scottish Executive has increased allocations for free fruit by 50 per cent, beginning in the current financial year.

Will the minister confirm that short-term funding and lottery money have been used to fund the provision of free fruit in some areas? What response does he make to the school board chair who said:

"It took the teachers a long time to get the children to eat the fruit and now it's gone. So much for ‘Hungry for Success', the flagship policy launched in a blaze of glory"?

How very interesting. Whatever may be going on locally, the Executive has increased its funding by £1 million. Rosemary Byrne surely has enough experience by now to know that she can write to the Education Department to let us know of any local difficulties or concerns, which we will consider with local authorities. However, one contrary example does not obviate the policy.

The provision of fresh fruit is important and should be encouraged, and I congratulate the Executive on the scheme. However, what is the Executive doing to ensure that children get a healthy, balanced lunch, which for many children is their only decent meal of the day? Does the minister have information about the pilot project to provide lunches for kids in Dunbar Primary School, which I heard about at the weekend?

Mr Pringle was good enough to tell me earlier about the project in Dunbar, which seems to be a useful initiative. In response to the report of the expert panel on school meals, "Hungry for Success: A Whole School Approach to School Meals in Scotland", the Executive has provided £57 million over three years to allow local authorities to develop healthy meals. We have also published new nutrient standards for school meals and detailed mechanisms for monitoring them.

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Secondary Schools (Modernisation)

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have plans to replace, or comprehensively modernise, all their secondary schools. (S2O-3950)

Through the preparation of their school estate management plans, all local authorities are considering the entirety of their school stock, as well as future investment needs and plans.

All local authorities may be considering the stock, but some local authorities are getting on with the job of modernising. It is a privilege to represent one of the most radical and forward-looking counties in Scotland. Will the minister join me in congratulating East Lothian Council on taking full advantage of the Executive's public-private partnership scheme to modernise comprehensively all six secondary schools in that county? Given that it has not been easy to teach and learn on active building sites, will the minister pay tribute to the staff and pupils there, who have had a difficult year? Does he agree that East Lothian Council did well to tackle the massive task through one contract, rather than prolong the agony over several years? Incidentally, what does the Executive intend to do about procrastinating councils such as Inverclyde Council?

I am interested by the member's remarks. East Lothian Council has done well. There was a difficulty with the contract—the kind of difficulty that might arise in the conventional procurement process—but the council did well to recover from that difficulty, which was not of its making.

I recognise that East Lothian Council has six secondary schools; the fact that it is dealing with those schools will be useful for the education of children in East Lothian. I pay tribute to the staff, parents and children in any school that has to continue to work in an environment in which building is going on. As for Inverclyde, Mr Home Robertson will doubtless be aware that work is on-going in the present administration, which, he must remember, is dealing with a legacy of many years. It is now on track to deliver.

In the spirit of the cross-party unity that is evident on the Executive benches, I draw the minister's attention to the fact that his party and mine now have responsibility for the management of the schools estate in Perth and Kinross Council, where an imaginative proposal to renovate Breadalbane Academy in my constituency is under way. Is the minister supportive of the innovative proposals to ensure that a sustainable fuel system—a system that is particularly difficult to implement under a PPP contract—is used for the renovation of the school? Will he assist the efforts of the local authority to ensure that the school is able to be renovated with a wood-burning system, and to guarantee that it is a sustainable development for highland Perthshire?

The member raises an important and interesting issue. We would be supportive of an innovative scheme. Clearly, the details of the contract are a matter for the local authority to pursue. However, ministers in the department are keen to share good practice and new ideas. We would therefore be interested to hear in detail what is entailed in that particular part of the project and whether there are lessons for other authorities. If there is an example that can be followed, we would be happy to spread that round the rest of Scotland.

Does the minister agree that a good and proper learning environment is vital if we are to ensure that all our young people maximise their potential? Will he join me in congratulating the school boards, parents, students and staff in Fife Council on the work that has been undertaken in making innovative proposals for the complete refurbishment or replacement of Viewforth High School in my constituency? Further, will Euan Robson or Peter Peacock find time in their busy schedules to visit the school?

Marilyn Livingstone raises an important point about a local situation. I am sure that Peter Peacock or I would be only too delighted to visit; perhaps she can let us know when that would be convenient. Overall, we believe that—as Marilyn Livingstone said—there has to be the most efficient and effective learning environment for all Scotland's children. That is why we are investing £2 billion in the modernisation of the school estate.

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Antisocial Behaviour (Schools)

To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is being provided for teachers and head teachers to help deal with antisocial behaviour in schools. (S2O-3999)

There is a total of £29.48 million at education authorities' disposal for action to improve discipline and ethos in schools, and I am involved in a range of other initiatives with stakeholders in education to drive progress to improve behaviour in schools.

I welcome that commitment and the resources that have been made available. Does the minister agree that innovative projects can sometimes assist in dealing with antisocial behaviour in schools? One of the most innovative of such projects has been the placing of police officers within secondary schools in the east end of Glasgow, where police officers are working with staff to ensure that they tackle antisocial behaviour. In particular, in recent developments at St Mungo's Academy, police officers were involved in informing pupils of the new legislation on antisocial behaviour and worked with pupils and teachers in the school to address that issue. Does the minister welcome that initiative, and does he consider that it could be rolled out across Scotland?

I am happy to welcome that initiative. One of the depressing things about the way in which some of the Scottish media report such matters is the implication that the police are being brought in to control violence in schools. What is actually happening in Glasgow, in the way that Frank McAveety described, is that the police are being engaged in working constructively with young people to help to improve behaviour not just in and around the school, but in the wider community.

Frank McAveety is right to say that there is innovative practice; such practice can be found not only in Glasgow, but in other parts of Scotland. Work is taking place on restorative practices, solution-oriented schools, better motivation, and teacher empathy programmes. There is some great practice, which we want to encourage, because there are issues about behaviour in schools and we must keep bearing down on those issues.

The minister will be aware of the work that is being undertaken in Glasgow with nurture groups in 29 of the city's primary schools. Given that early intervention has the best chance of helping children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties to be socialised in the school system, will the minister undertake to evaluate the impact of those nurture groups with a view to either supporting education authorities elsewhere in Scotland that wish to introduce them or rolling out the initiative throughout Scotland?

I am more than happy to take a look at that. In the past few weeks, I have engaged with all the stakeholders in education in Scotland—the General Teaching Council for Scotland, teachers' unions, the Headteachers Association of Scotland, directors of education and local authorities—to do just that: to look at innovative practice in Scotland, consider what works best and ensure that we roll that out wherever appropriate. I have made it clear to all the stakeholders that if there is good practice anywhere in the world that we can bring to Scotland to improve what happens in our schools, we are more than willing to do that.

The member is right about early intervention. The quicker that we get into schools and encourage the positive behaviours that we want to see in society, the more impact that will have. That is exactly what is happening, from nursery schools right through early-years education and primary schools and now into secondary schools. We are talking with young people about pro-social behaviour and encouraging and rewarding such behaviour in our schools.

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Tourism (Promotion)

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being implemented to ensure the effective promotion of Scotland as a tourist destination in the Republic of Ireland. (S2O-3973)

VisitScotland has always regarded the Republic of Ireland as an important market, so it promotes Scotland there in various ways. The increased level of marketing funding that the Executive made available to VisitScotland in March has allowed it to strengthen its marketing plans. As a result of that additional funding, VisitScotland plans to reach 75 per cent of the population of the Republic of Ireland as it works harder than ever to market Scotland there as a must-visit destination.

I welcome the additional resources, but does the minister share my concern about the recent revelation that only a tiny fraction of the Irish people who visit the United Kingdom visit Scotland? Is that not because, in the past, it was VisitBritain and not VisitScotland that took the lead for promoting Scotland in Ireland? Is that not a ridiculous situation, given our close historical and social ties with our closest neighbour and the results of a recent survey, which said that the most popular area of the UK for young Irish people is Scotland? Surely we should tap into that opportunity and ensure that VisitScotland, not VisitBritain, takes the lead.

We try to market Scotland in a variety of ways, one of the most important of which is through VisitBritain. A number of visitors to the UK make their way from, perhaps, London to Scotland, and Scotland is the second most popular destination for visitors arriving in the UK. It is entirely appropriate for us to work with our colleagues at VisitBritain, because that is how we can ensure that the money that we put forward for marketing is used most effectively. We will not always market Scotland on our own. There are times when it is effective to do that, but in this particular instance that is not the case.

The minister might be aware that in a recent survey by the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, three quarters of the respondents said that national marketing campaigns either had no visible effect on visitor numbers or led to a decrease. In the light of that devastating statistic, will she assure the Parliament that both she and VisitScotland will greatly increase its co-operation with the industry in deciding how best to use the new funds?

I read those statistics, but given that in the first six months of this year the number of visitors to Scotland from abroad increased by 12 per cent and the number of visitors from Europe increased by 25 per cent, I think that they might have to be looked at again.

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Sonar 2087

To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the impact on marine wildlife tourism of the trials or use of Sonar 2087. (S2O-4016)

The Scottish Executive has made no assessment of the impact of type 2087 sonar on marine wildlife tourism. The testing or use of military sonar is a reserved matter that falls within the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence. I understand that research by United Kingdom Government departments is on-going to investigate the effects of acoustic disturbance, including sonar, on marine wildlife.

Marine wildlife tourism in Scotland is growing but is threatened directly by the development. When will the minister's department have an opinion and something to say to the UK?

The subject is a reserved matter, but I understand that there is no evidence that the system will have the effect that Mr Ballance claims. The Scottish Executive works closely with the UK Government on a range of matters. If we have cause for concern, we will take it up.

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Finance and Public Services and Communities

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Supporting People

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a further announcement on the distribution of the budget for the supporting people initiative. (S2O-3951)

I have met the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities several times and listened to its concerns. I hope to make a new announcement shortly.

I accept that the distribution of the supporting people budget is distorted at present because some councils failed to take up their share of funding in the initial stages, but does the minister agree that it would be unjust and wrong to withdraw care arrangements from extremely vulnerable people in areas such as East Lothian because of delays that occurred elsewhere? The minister's so-called compromise of an 18 per cent cut would have that effect in my constituency and, I suspect, in Edinburgh, too. Will he consider further COSLA's proposal for a fairer and less damaging solution? He has a duty to address the matter seriously.

I disagree that COSLA's final proposals are fairer, because they would involve very slow movement towards the new formula. We have a problem, because nobody is saying that the formula is wrong. It is based on the numbers of elderly people, disabled people and homeless people and—crucially—on deprivation. If we go towards that formula very slowly, we will have a problem of unmet need and an equal number of authorities will complain that they are losing out.

We must strike a balance. The new formula is right, but I have been willing to slow the process of transition towards it, which is the right balance to strike. I await COSLA's final response to my proposals.

Is the minister aware of the concerns about the level of service that have been expressed by clients—in particular, people with learning difficulties and learning disabilities—of agencies that access the supporting people fund? Will clients' satisfaction with the support services that they have received under the initiative be audited?

I am sorry; I did not hear the whole question.

Funding for the supporting people initiative has doubled in the past two years. People are saying that there has been a bit of a cash pull-back in the review that was undertaken, but we should remember that the funding is still double what it was two years ago and is twice the figure per head in England, which is a relevant factor. The sums of money are significant. As part of the new formula, all services will be reviewed and providers and councils will be involved in that review. Some of the information that Sandra White seeks will emerge through that.

I am sure that the minister is aware of the genuine and justified concern in West Dunbartonshire about the impact that the proposals would have on the local authority there, especially because the council and its staff were encouraged down a route for which the rules have changed. Will the minister agree to meet Jackie Baillie and me to discuss our concerns about potential redundancies and the service withdrawals that might ensue from his proposed changes?

I am always willing to meet Des McNulty and Jackie Baillie, and I will certainly meet them to discuss the subject. The West Dunbartonshire situation illustrates the issue. Spending per head there is £235, which is way beyond the Scottish average of £92.

There is an issue about the way in which the fund is not based on any needs formula. That issue had to be addressed. We have to move towards the formula but slow down the process of change that was originally planned.

I would like to be part of that meeting if possible, because I have had many meetings during the past weeks and have visited several agencies in my constituency that will be affected by this decision. They include alcohol and drug support, an agency where the service demand has doubled in the past year; Women's Aid in Wigtonshire, which in the past year has gone from three to 11 support workers, four of whom are totally dependent upon supporting people funding; and the Loch Arthur community, an incredible trust whose work with disabled people gives it a genuinely productive community role and real worth in society. That funding is benefiting those at whom it is aimed and it cannot be right to curtail funding to Dumfries and Galloway Council, as has been done to East Lothian Council, just because that region has been successful in rolling it out.

Will the minister consider acting in line with the terms of Elaine Murray's motion on the issue and agree at least not to decrease the resources that are available under the supporting people initiative?

The fact of the matter is that overall resources are decreasing. This is a transfer from the Treasury, although the Executive has topped it up. We should remember that the resources have doubled during the past two years. We have to keep that in mind.

The changes that I have proposed will help Dumfries and Galloway to a considerable extent and the final details of that will emerge when I make my announcement. I have not just proposed to slow down the process of transition; I have also been willing to put in some extra transitional funding for 2007-08, which is crucial for slowing down the changes. I have made significant improvements that will help Dumfries and Galloway. I am not clear about what the member is suggesting but if I was to do everything that he wants, I am sure that there would be a large number of MSPs standing up to tell me that I was not meeting unmet need in their constituency.

Is the minister aware of a specific problem in Highland Council, which was highlighted by People First? That organisation fears that the reduction of supporting people funding to Highland Council will halt plans to move a number of patients from long-term mental health care in hospital into supported accommodation. Does he realise that that causes distress to the patients? Will the minister find a way to support the local authority by ensuring that the plans that have already been made and the outcomes that are eagerly anticipated by those people will not have to be abandoned?

A lot of those decisions on how to spend the money have to be local decisions, but they should and will be informed by the reviews that will be done. From the reviews that have been done across the UK, we know that there is some scope for efficiency and I do not think that anyone in COSLA denies that. That has to be considered and priorities will have to be addressed within the significant sums of money that will still be available throughout Scotland for the supporting people initiative.

Will the minister ensure that councils use the available money, in part, to provide core funding for existing organisations that are delivering good service in this sphere? In that way, councils could keep good projects going rather than just endlessly inventing new projects to satisfy new ministers.

Many of those specific decisions will be for the local authorities involved, but I am sure that they will look carefully at their existing services and, if good services exist, I am sure that they will want them to continue.

Does the minister acknowledge that, whatever the rights and wrongs of the changes to funding, the handling of the issue has not been all that it might have been, and that lessons must be learned? Does he also acknowledge that, despite earlier assurances to the contrary, real people and projects are being adversely affected by the changes? We have heard examples from other areas. In Edinburgh, we know that rough sleeper services, for example, will be jeopardised, and that key initiatives in delayed discharge are being jeopardised. Those are key Executive priorities. Would it not be a tragedy if such areas, into which the Executive has put so much emphasis and investment, were to be undermined because of the mishandling of one area of funding?

I do not agree with the comment about mishandling. There is no matter on which I have had more meetings in my first five weeks in this position than the supporting people initiative—there has been almost a meeting a week with COSLA, at which we have had prolonged discussions of the subject.

I cannot say that we agree entirely, because members of COSLA do not agree entirely among themselves. It is a fairly open secret that there was an almost complete split of opinion in COSLA and a casting vote was involved to decide whether it accepted our proposals. We are not talking about every council in Scotland expressing the same view; we are talking about deep divisions between councils for understandable reasons. We had to try to strike a balance so that we could move towards a fair distribution, but also slow down the process a bit and try to top up transitional funding as far as we could. That is the best deal that we can achieve.

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Scotland Act 1998 (Powers)

To ask the Scottish Executive under what circumstances it would utilise its tax-varying power under the Scotland Act 1998. (S2O-3904)

The Scottish Executive has made it clear that it will not use the powers to vary the basic rate of income tax in the lifetime of this session of Parliament.

I thank the minister for an interesting response. Based on the Chancellor of the Exchequer's block grant commitments, the Executive has committed to extremely high levels of expenditure into the future of this session of Parliament. Given the already falling tax receipts and pressures on public expenditure, if the chancellor does a U-turn, what other facilities could the Scottish Executive use to maintain its current spending plans?

I will try to make this a wee bit more interesting for Mr Gallie. I am rather perplexed: on one hand, we hear the Conservatives talk about their desire to reduce council tax, but this afternoon they ask a question that is predicated on a desire to see the Scottish Executive raise income tax.

I can understand at least one reason why the Conservatives would like us to raise income tax—they have already pledged to take £600 million away from education in Scotland. They might wish to say to elderly people in Scotland, "We have reduced your council tax. I hope you don't mind that that means taking £600 million away from your grandchildren's education, or that the opportunities that that education would have given your grandchildren to engage in and take the opportunities of a modern world are now all gone." Perhaps that is the kind of doublespeak that the Conservatives want to engage in; it is not the kind of doublespeak that we will engage in.

The Conservatives misunderstood for 18 years and tried to propose policies that would encourage selfishness and self-interest in this society. They were wrong then, they are wrong now and they will be judged accordingly.

Given the Executive's priority of stimulating the Scottish economy, and given that tax-varying powers can be used to reduce as well as to increase taxes, would the minister find it useful if the Executive had powers to vary other taxes such as business taxes—corporation tax in particular?

Mr Morgan is right. We are committed to growing Scotland's economy; it is our number 1 priority. That is why, when we make spending commitments, we are sure that we have the resources to meet them. We are not like the SNP; we do not stand in the chamber day after day making commitments to spend tens of millions of pounds without any idea of how that money would be raised.

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Open Space (New Developments)

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in setting minimum standards for open space in new developments. (S2O-3907)

The Scottish Executive has commissioned research on minimum standards for open space and the interim findings are now being considered. The research will be published in early 2005 and will feed into the revision of planning policy on open space later next year.

Is the minister aware that playing fields are under threat in Ayr and in Irvine? Given concerns about obesity and poor health in children and young people, will she stop public-private partnership projects and retail developments impinging on facilities that have been used by communities for generations?

We should make it clear that our commitment in the planning process is to a presumption in favour of playing fields and open space. National planning policy guideline 11 on sport, recreation and open space—which is currently under review—considers how our open space can be used and how our playing fields can be protected.

The member will be aware that the presumption is currently that a development will be supported only if it will enhance an area, if an alternative is in place or if there is over-provision. Sportscotland, as a statutory consultee, has the right to object formally, in which case the matter would come before ministers. The Executive is committed to young people's health, to space that is safe and to playing fields that are fit for purpose.

I have constituents who are presently faced with the landscaping of open space around their new homes, which is not the same as a planning application. The local authority feels that the situation is not serious enough to take enforcement action. What advice would the minister offer my constituents who feel that the quality of their environment has been compromised? How can we avoid developers making such variations without their consulting those who will be most affected by them?

Although I am the minister with responsibility for planning, I am not yet immersed in all the technicalities of the planning system—I have not been awarded my anorak yet. However, as a constituency member, I am aware of the impact of planning on communities. I would be grateful if the member could give me more details of the case that she highlights, so that I can reflect on whether general issues arise from it.

In the context of strong minimum standards for public open space in residential developments, landscaping works must take place early. If they take place later, local people object on the basis that the property is no longer the property that they bought. We have to find a way for communities to have confidence in the planning system and for developers to recognise that early discussion and a commitment to carrying through what they say at an early stage are the way forward.

If the member writes to me with the details of the case that she mentioned, I will look into the matters that she has raised.

Given the importance of informal play and keeping children active, and the fact that that must be possible spontaneously in the child's environment, how will the Scottish Executive ensure that new residential developments reflect that and are designed to put the needs of the child first, rather than the needs of the car?

As I said, we have the interim findings on minimum standards for open space and we will examine them. It is an important issue and the Executive is committed to ensuring that our young people are active. We are also committed to the provision of safe open spaces, which is why, in the planning advice note on open space, there is recognition that local authorities must consider what is needed at local level. A local authority that is committed to supporting its young people must, as part of its strategy, not just leave open space, but be rigorous about how that open space is used and about whether it is safe for children. Cars can be very dangerous and other things are dangerous to young people in our communities. We are keen to work with local authorities on that.

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Second Homes

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the extra finance raised through the abolition of the council tax discount on second homes will be directed to areas with affordable housing shortages caused by high levels of second-home ownership. (S2O-3933)

The decisions regarding where the extra funding will be directed are for local authorities to make in consultation with Communities Scotland, and with reference to their local housing strategy.

Can the minister clarify whether the housing associations or the councils will be the providers of the new homes?

The housing associations will be the providers of the new housing, but the local authorities will make the decisions about where investment can take place. The local authorities can choose either to give the money, in general terms, to Communities Scotland or to enter into an arrangement with a specific registered social landlord to build new houses.

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Public Sector (Wages)

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average public sector wage is and how it compares with the average private sector wage. (S2O-3969)

The average annual gross pay for full-time employees in the public sector in Scotland is £23,650. That is 2.7 per cent lower than the comparable private sector average of £24,286.

Is the minister aware of the evidence that was given by Professor David Bell, of the University of Stirling, to the Finance Committee on 2 November? He said that the growth in public expenditure in Scotland is

"well in excess of the rate of growth in the private sector in Scotland, which raises the question of the extent to which private sector activity might be being crowded out by the public sector."—[Official Report, Finance Committee, 2 November 2004; c 1805.]

How is the Executive ensuring that the private sector will benefit from the growth in public expenditure in Scotland, in particular from the 40 per cent growth in the capital budget in Scotland?

This debate has raged among economists for some time; I suggest that it will continue to rage for years to come. There are undoubtedly examples around the world of very strong economies that have significant and vibrant public sectors. In the months to come, the Atkinson review will provide us with important information about productivity and outcomes in the public sector.

We should remember that with expansionist budgets in the public sector in Scotland, the previously clear lines between the public and private sectors are now very much blurred. We now have public-private partnerships, contracting out and a wide range of public procurement that involves the private sector in expending public sector finance. That said, we will always be mindful of the fact that the public sector must play its part in driving, not dragging, the Scottish economy. We have no intention of losing sight of that very important requirement.

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General

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Smoking

To ask the Scottish Executive what help is available to people in the Linlithgow area who want to give up smoking. (S2O-3989)

A local smoking cessation service is available at Linlithgow health centre, where one-to-one counselling is undertaken by one of the practice nurses and a health visitor. Nicotine replacement therapy or Zyban are available on prescription to help smokers in their attempts to quit. Moreover, people from Linlithgow can attend group smoking cessation services at St John's Hospital in Livingston, where evening groups are run in addition to daytime services.

I thank the minister for her answer and I welcome yesterday's announcement that smoking will be banned in enclosed public places. However, I am also aware of West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Service's good work on tobacco cessation. One group of constituents whose needs are not always recognised are those who have mental health problems. WLDAS is running a project funded by Lothian NHS Board that allows people who have mental health issues to find out how they can cease smoking. Is the minister aware of that project? What issues might it usefully tackle?

Mary Mulligan is quite right to say that the smoking rate among people with mental health problems is a relevant issue; indeed, it is known that the rate is particularly high. I understand that, to improve services, Lothian NHS Board recently allocated £5,000 to West Lothian to help with the design of a smoking cessation service for people who have mental health problems. It is also ensuring that people of all ages with such problems will be consulted to identify their needs and to find out what kind of cessation service they would like. It is hoped that the service, which will be funded from the additional money that has been allocated for smoking cessation services, will be implemented next year.

Additional training is also planned this year to help practitioners in West Lothian with making smoking interventions and giving cessation advice specifically to people who have mental health problems.

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Draft Sexual Health and Relationships Strategy (Consultation)

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to complete consideration of the responses to its consultation on the draft sexual health and relationships strategy. (S2O-4013)

As I said to members on 4 November, I expect to be in a position to publish the strategy before the end of the year. We will publish the analysis of the responses to the consultation at the same time.

I thank the minister for his answer, which confirms the answer that he gave last week. Unfortunately, I lodged today's question before he gave that answer. If I had known that, I would not have made him repeat himself.

Does the minister agree that the recent description of the draft strategy and the general sexual health agenda as a values-free agenda misses the point completely and that any successful strategy must be based on values such as equality, self-respect and respect for others' dignity? Are not those strong values on which to base the Executive's work on improving Scotland's sexual health?

Yes, indeed. The strategy will attempt to reflect feelings from throughout Scotland and it will involve all the different aspects that the member mentioned. I should point out that many different interests are at play and that the Executive is seeking to provide a strategy that answers all Scotland's needs in respect of the difficult question of our nation's sexual health.

There are measures that we must take to improve our sexual health. The strategy has been delayed a bit longer to ensure that we get it right and that we reflect the views of all Scotland in our response. I am confident that the Executive will be able to do that. I am more than happy to confirm again that I will meet the cross-party group on sexual health. A meeting will be arranged as quickly as possible.

Given that Scotland has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy, does the minister agree that the way forward is to take a bold and radical approach, such as that which has been taken to smoking? Does he also agree that we need to work with young people and to guide and support them, as the excellent Corner project in Dundee does, rather than to judge and preach to them?

The project that Marlyn Glen mentions and other projects throughout Scotland are doing a valuable job in our communities to ensure that young people have access to information that is based on their understanding of their problems, and that there is mature engagement with the issues. As I said at question time last week, we must trust professionals in our community who are working on the front line to deal responsibly with such matters. We must, as much as possible, involve parents in discussions and decisions about the sexual health strategy and the health and well-being of individuals. I am confident that the people whom I have met in the service are mature and that we can trust them to do a job for us. They try to take into account the whole life of individuals.

The service that is shared by Tayside NHS Board and Dundee City Council is a good example. Young people receive information and advice that they can appreciate and understand, but the service is also underpinned by values. It is suggested to young people that they must discuss matters with parents and other adult members of their communities. The advice that is provided and the approach that is taken are wholesome. The Corner is a good centre that works well—doctors and professionals are present to provide the service, which is a model of good practice.

The 2004 annual report of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education undertakes to produce advice on the implementation of the McCabe report, to be published by late 2004, and a report monitoring its implementation. When will that report be published? Can the minister confirm that parents were consulted by schools about sex and relationships education? What evidence of full consideration did the minister receive to satisfy him that that was the case?

Friendship and family relationships are at the heart of much education in our nurseries and our primary schools. They are the focus of our activities. I confirm that under current legislation and guidance—the education guidelines of 2000-01—schools have a responsibility to engage with parents, the religious community and the community generally on the provision of sex and lifestyle education. I am confident that the work to which Nanette Milne refers has been done, but I will have to clarify when the report that she mentioned will be published.

Does the minister share the commitment of the previous Minister for Health and Community Care to ensuring that all Scotland's young people, whatever school they attend, have access to supportive sexual health advice and services? Does he agree that it is always desirable for schools to work co-operatively with the national health service to provide that access?

Absolutely. That is and will continue to be the Executive's policy. We are trying to modernise and develop our strategy to ensure that we do what works in our communities. We want to ensure that the strategy encompasses all those with whom it makes contact, but also that it is focused on the needs of individuals. It should also have at its core friendship and family relationships. We want to ensure that we provide young people with a whole-life understanding. This is a very difficult area for all of us, but we want to ensure that services are provided in the right locations, at the right time and in the right way, to allow the individuals concerned to get the benefit of them.

Sexual health in Scotland is not good. That is why we carried out a review, to which the Executive will respond. We seek to use the best examples throughout Scotland to ensure that we provide our young people with a better opportunity to obtain advice when they need it.

Does the minister share my concern that some of the highly publicised and more intemperate interventions in the debate are in danger of obscuring the broad areas of agreement on the matter that exist in Scottish society and which have been reached through work on the matter, not least by the expert group that the Executive set up? Will he move forward in this matter and build on those broad areas of agreement? Will he work with those who want to work together to achieve real change, rather than with those who seem to prefer to disagree and to stand still?

I certainly do not take the media as my channel for information on the matter, because they seek to sensationalise the issue. They seek to build divisions, because that is what sells newspapers. I would rather engage directly with people including the churches, wider society and groups and organisations in our Parliament and elsewhere in Scotland. That is the basis on which our work will be developed; the expert group has done exactly that.

As I said in an earlier answer, we must ensure that our strategy fits with a modern Scotland and fits with our young people so that it can influence behaviour. We must ensure that we take the broadest approach to the matter and that we deal with the core issue, which is that our sexual health is not good enough so we must deal with it better. I think that we can develop a strategy that will have broad support around Scotland.

There have been sensationalist headlines here and there along the journey, but in the light of the correspondence that I have had with the churches and with other organisations I am confident that we will get a strategy that is soundly based and that the way that we want to deliver the strategy is broadly accepted by the people of Scotland.

As I said, I hope to report back to Parliament as quickly as possible. Let us understand that the issue is difficult and sensitive, but we should not engage through the newspapers. As Susan Deacon suggests, the best way to approach the issue is to build a strategy from a common base. The common base exists out there; it is what the work of the expert group has provided for us. We will publish our results as quickly as possible.

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Courts (Modernisation)

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to modernise courtrooms, in particular by ending the wearing of wigs and gowns and the use of some formal forms of address. (S2O-3937)

The Scottish Executive has no current plans to specify court attire. It is our intention to improve the court environment for all users and there are already circumstances in which the wearing of gowns and wigs is dispensed with.

I am sure that the minister accepts the need for a modern judicial system that enjoys the full confidence of the public. Does he also accept that the wearing of wigs and gowns and the use of the terms m'lord and m'lady paint an antiquated and bizarre picture, which serves only to intimidate and bemuse people and reduces public confidence in the Scottish justice system? Since so many parts of the modern democratic world have managed to rid themselves of those ancient anachronisms and refer to participants as the judge and the people rather than m'lord and the Crown, will the minister tell us whether he has plans to reduce the number of those relics and replace them with modern counterparts, or would he rather extend the wearing of wigs and gowns to all arms of legal procedure, including the Parliament?

I am not sure that the precedent that has been set in Parliament by members who wear tee-shirts in inappropriate circumstances is what we would want to see in our courts. The attire that is worn in the courts is largely a matter for the bench and the bar, rather than for ministers.

Colin Fox makes the fundamental point that our courts need to be modernised. We must ensure that people feel comfortable when they are in court seeking justice. That is why we have put so much effort into modernising court procedures. We have examined the High Court system and we are examining the sheriff court system. We have also considered giving better support and protection to witnesses and to victims. Those, rather than what someone is wearing, are the fundamental issues that really matter. However, I am sure that the points that have been made will be taken into account by judges and by the legal profession. It would be wrong to suggest that no changes have been made to modernise our court systems.

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Calman Report

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take on the Calman report's recommendations to increase the number of medical training places in Scotland. (S2O-3922)

The Scottish Executive is carefully considering the implications of Sir Kenneth Calman's report and intends to publish its response before the end of the year.

Will the minister accept that there is a need for extra medical training capacity in Scotland to ensure that suitably qualified Scotland-domiciled students can access places in medical schools to train as doctors and work in Scotland? In addition, will he advise me how he will work with the University of St Andrews to identify how to provide clinical education for the 50 more University of St Andrews students that Calman calls for?

I am currently considering how we can fulfil that ambition for the University of St Andrews. Likewise, we want to ensure that we address other issues that Sir Kenneth identified. We will consider the additional numbers that are required and we will consider how to work the admissions system of Scottish universities to provide for the needs of the service here in Scotland. In that regard, we will consider more collaboration among our universities. I have already met some postgraduate deans to discuss such issues. I accept some of Iain Smith's points.

Retention is also at the heart of the report. We will work on that and will continue to take steps. For instance, we will write to all fourth-year students—as they come to the end of their studies and are making key choices about their future—to try to keep them here in Scotland.

Sir Kenneth also raises the issue of admissions policies. We have a job to do on that to ensure that we have greater diversity and a broader mix among those who come to train as doctors in Scotland. We are also working to ensure that more people from Scotland come into that stream. I will be happy to report to Parliament as soon as I can on our conclusions on these matters.

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Small Claims Procedure

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on whether it will increase the threshold for claims that can be dealt with under the small-claims procedure. (S2O-3920)

I am quite clear that there is a mood for change to the threshold for small claims, but there are still a number of issues that need more consideration before I can propose a new figure or a specific timetable.

Does the minister agree that it is ridiculous that consumers who have grievances about purchases of goods above the value of £750 are being denied access to the small-claims court procedure and that their only means of redress is through complicated and expensive action in the higher courts? Will he confirm that the threshold can be increased to a more realistic level of, say, £5,000 without any detrimental consequences for personal injury claims? How soon can he make a change? How much longer will Scottish consumers who have been ripped off have to wait for access to small-claims procedures?

We need to act sooner rather than later. I congratulate John Home Robertson on his tireless efforts to promote the debate in Parliament and beyond. Something needs to happen.

Mr Home Robertson makes a valid point about small claims—the case for change—and he made a specific point about personal injury claims. I have received representations from a number of organisations, including trade unions and law firms that are involved in such work. More deliberation and consideration is needed because I would not want, by acting on one issue, to cause problems elsewhere. We are trying to come to a resolution that will be fair to all concerned.

There will have to be change in relation not only to small claims, but to other limits as well. That change is long overdue.

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Gambling

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government on gambling law. (S2O-3927)

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the proposed new gambling legislation. Scottish ministers would have a wider range of controls under the proposed new system, including power to set licence fees and licence conditions. Scottish ministers will be fully involved in procedures for implementation of the new regime and will be consulted prior to the UK Government deciding when to commence the new arrangements.

The minister may be aware that I have a constituency interest in the matter because a number of the applications appear to be for Glasgow Kelvin. I am pleased that the minister has said that there will be further powers to regulate the extent of casinos in Scotland. I hope that he will ensure that the Scottish Executive has the maximum powers to ensure that the number and location of casinos—if they are to be regarded as a help in regeneration—do not encourage or create other serious social problems.

Yesterday I met casino workers from Las Vegas who are fortunate enough to have a strong union and a good employer. Will the minister assure me that the Executive will communicate to potential casino employers that we will not tolerate poor pay or working conditions in Scotland?

I acknowledge Pauline McNeill's strength of feeling on the issue and I very much understand her constituency interest in it. As regards the meeting that she had yesterday with representatives of American trade unions, I can tell Parliament that Scottish Executive officials also met those unions yesterday. Ministers look forward to receiving a note of the specific points that they made, which we will certainly take seriously and examine closely.

I also confirm that, as gambling is a reserved matter, powers that are conferred on Scottish ministers—who are, of course, held accountable by this Parliament—will give them additional powers to issue planning guidance to local authorities to set conditions to be attached to any licence that is issued in Scotland. Far from our having no power or, indeed, less power, we will insist not just on the retention of our current strong system, but on its enhancement.