SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Borders Rail
To ask the Scottish Executive what commitment it has made to finance the proposed Borders railway. (S1O-6610)
For capital infrastructure projects over 10 years, we have £3 billion of investment moneys, within which we have the necessary resources to implement a Borders railway project, subject to the business case being proven.
That is a rather more heartening answer. As the minister will be aware, £150 million has been committed to the Glasgow airport link, £500 million to the Edinburgh airport link and £375 million to a tramline in Edinburgh. [Applause.] They are not clapping in the Borders. Only £2 million has been committed to the railway line that, three years ago, the Parliament debated and voted unanimously to restore. Subject to what he said previously, can he give a further commitment that the proposed Borders line will be paid for, notwithstanding a business case, which he has not demanded from the projects to which I referred?
Christine Grahame is quite wrong, in that those other projects are further down the appraisal process. On the proposed Borders railway, the Waverley railway partnership must produce, as I have said many times, a detailed plan, costings and a suggested funding package. However, that has not happened yet and it is clear that, until it does, it is not possible to commit to the project and to consider it properly.
How does the minister explain his inconsistent approach to major transport projects? Last week, he stated in the chamber that the proposed Edinburgh tramway system would go ahead no matter what and that he was committing money to it. Why is he applying different criteria to the proposed Borders rail link?
I said that Edinburgh's plan for improvement in public transport would have to go ahead and be progressed. Edinburgh is not only our capital city, but our most successful city and it manifestly needs investment in its public transport infrastructure. I made a commitment to that. However, I also made the point that the parallel projects that make up that improvement plan will have to prove their business cases. However, they are further down the appraisal line than the proposed Borders rail link is.
Does the minister recall Parliament's unanimous view that the Borders rail link should be restored? Does he acknowledge that there is widespread support throughout the Parliament for the rail link? I acknowledge that a continuing process is involved and I welcome his support for it thus far. However, does he acknowledge that, after the election, my party and other parties in the chamber will still be committed to the restoration of the rail link and that there are political, social, economic and sustainability imperatives for the project going ahead?
I certainly acknowledge the desire throughout the Parliament, to which Ian Jenkins referred and which has been demonstrated on several occasions, for the project to go ahead. However, it remains the case that we have an appraisal process to judge the effectiveness and desirability of individual transport projects and to ensure that we get value for money when investing public funds. The proposed Borders project must go through that process. The core issue is that a detailed plan has not been submitted to me because it is being developed by the Waverley railway partnership. I cannot commit to a project if a detailed plan is not available. However, there is scope in the investment plan for supporting a detailed plan for a Borders rail project if or when such a plan becomes available.
New Opportunities Fund
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of the out-of-schools learning funding under the New Opportunities Fund will be allocated to Scotland. (S1O-6648)
Under round 3 of the New Opportunities Fund's funding programme, a total of £87 million is being made available in Scotland under the new opportunities for physical education and sport initiative. Of that money, 25 per cent is available for out-of-school-hours activities. In addition, a further £2.8 million was awarded to sportscotland to manage and deliver the fund's programme for out-of-school-hours learning and school sport co-ordinators.
I welcome that funding. What steps are the minister and the Executive taking to ensure continued funding for Scottish initiatives and, in particular, to support investment in sport initiatives for young people in my constituency, such as skateboarding and golf coaching, which are currently being developed?
On community initiatives, part of the New Opportunities Fund—and indeed of the Community Fund itself—is a fair share initiative, which is designed to encourage more community applications for the sort of projects that Marilyn Livingstone mentioned. The current round of New Opportunities Fund funding is ideal for such applications. The latest round of applications for the out-of-school initiative closes on 15 April and I suggest that the projects that she mentioned are of a sort that should apply for that funding.
Perhaps the minister could explain why the north-east of Scotland does not get a reasonable share of the funding, based on its population. Will he explain the criteria and what the north-east is doing wrong?
The north-east is not necessarily doing anything wrong. The money is not allocated on a geographical basis. The funds can respond only to the applications that are received.
Credit Unions
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to credit unions. (S1O-6637)
The Executive is providing £1.5m over the three years to 2004-05 to help to implement "Unlocking the Potential—An Action Plan for the Credit Union Movement in Scotland". Our funding is helping credit unions to comply with the Financial Services Authority's regulatory requirements and to increase their membership and the services that they offer.
I acknowledge the important and increasingly effective role of credit unions in my constituency and elsewhere. What support has been given to credit unions to play a role in the important money advice function that the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002 created? What support is given to school initiatives, such as the one in my constituency, that aim to develop good saving habits in our primary school children?
Credit unions can help their members avoid the need for the last-minute solutions in the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Act 2002. Low-cost loans, affordable forms of credit and the other financial products that they offer all help people to manage their finances better and avoid getting into debt.
Is the minister aware that, since the advent of the FSA, it is more difficult to set up a credit union? Will he also explain how, when—as shown in a parliamentary answer—the Executive does not hold information centrally, it can promote new credit unions?
I have had meetings with the Scottish credit union partnership—SCUP—and other credit union providers. Margaret Curran has had such meetings as well. We have provided significant support to credit unions in the past two years, which has allowed credit unions to start up, kept them in existence and allowed some of them to expand their services. We will continue with that approach.
Can the minister tell us, with reference to his negotiations with SCUP, what research has been undertaken on the effectiveness and stability of credit unions?
I am sorry, but I did not hear the question.
Can the minister comment on the stability and effectiveness of credit unions, in the light of any research that the Executive has undertaken on them?
One of the reasons why we are providing funding under the "Unlocking the Potential" action plan is to support the health checks and business planning that is taking place within credit unions. Throughout Scotland, credit unions—in company with SCUP and, in some instances, local authorities—are considering how they can meet the FSA's requirements and how they can sustain themselves as effective businesses. The best method of doing research is to carry on with those financial health checks and to establish, in partnership with the credit unions, what support is needed and how best it might be provided.
National Waste Strategy
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will deliver its national waste strategy. (S1O-6605)
The national waste plan, which I launched on 24 February, forms the keystone in the implementation of our national waste strategy. It is built around a major commitment of funding by the Executive to transform Scotland's record on waste reduction, recycling, composting and recovery.
In the national waste plan, the minister claims that a target of recycling 25 per cent of municipal waste can be achieved by 2006. Given that it will take at least one year to get planning permission for the many recycling points required, pollution prevention certification will take another year and building the structures involved will take two years—that makes a total of four years—does he agree that the buildings cannot be built in time to meet that target by 2006 and that therefore the target is unachievable?
No, I do not agree with John Scott. It is interesting that he allots, on the basis of speculation, one year for each part of the process. Some local authorities may have to strike a balance on improved waste recycling and decide whether it is better for the environment to have waste landfilled in its existing condition or whether it is better to reduce landfill. Those will be difficult decisions for local authorities to take, but I do not accept the premise of the question.
Can the minister confirm that in 1999 there was, as part of the national waste strategy, a target to reduce municipal waste production by about 1 per cent per annum? Can he also confirm that, in the national plan that has just been announced, the revised target for municipal waste reduction is to achieve zero growth by 2010? A lot of good stuff is in the strategy, but does he not accept that its credibility has been undermined by the fact that the Executive has given up on reducing waste in Scotland?
I do not accept that. We are continuing to try to reduce total waste—that is part of the strategy and of the targets that are set in the plan. We have made no pretence of the fact that the exercise will be difficult. Bruce Crawford and I both know that we have one of the worst records in dealing with waste in the whole of Europe. The task is substantial. The targets that are set out in the plan aim to achieve a considerable reduction in our production of waste and a substantial improvement in the amount of waste that will be recycled.
In relation to the implementation of the national waste plan and in light of the changes that are being made to the landfill tax credit scheme, can the minister reassure me that the funding for research and development work—particularly work related to how electronic waste can be dealt with, which is taking place in my area—will be safeguarded? Will the plan allow for the continuing involvement of community businesses as well as the voluntary sector?
I will answer the last point first. As Sylvia Jackson knows, we have announced that, as an interim measure, we will give interim support to the voluntary sector groups that are engaged in recycling products. That funding is being channelled through Entrust and will be available for a year.
The minister may not be aware that at least one of Scotland's community recycling schemes is considering laying off staff as a result of the change in category C funding. Can he explain how reducing community recycling will contribute to meeting the recycling targets?
I can only repeat what I said in response to Sylvia Jackson's question. We have moved swiftly towards giving community bodies interim funding, which we are channelling through Entrust. I would be extremely disappointed to hear of any voluntary body laying off staff. That was not the intention; our clear intention was to put the money in place, starting on 1 April. We made a clear announcement on the matter, and, as I said, we are channelling the funds through Entrust. If the member is aware of a particular case that seems to be slipping through Entrust's net, I would be pleased to hear from him.
National Lottery Community Fund
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the future of the national lottery Community Fund. (S1O-6635)
The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport met the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Minister for Culture, Sport and Welsh Language of the National Assembly for Wales on 27 February to discuss a range of issues concerning the national lottery, including the proposed merger of the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund. No decisions have yet been made and further discussions will take place.
Does the minister share my concern that a disproportionate amount of lottery funding has tended to go to better-off communities? Putting it crudely, Kensington and Chelsea are getting an awful lot more from lottery funding than Prestonpans and Tranent. I suppose that that may be because it helps to have as local residents retired bank managers who can understand the application procedures.
We ought to be wary of criticising bank managers. Many of us are best friends with our bank managers—if some members are not, they should be.
Does the minister accept that voluntary organisations such as councils for voluntary services play a key role in helping organisations to fill in funding application forms? Does he recognise the importance of continuing to support such organisations as we do now, to ensure that they can carry out their work?
That is an important point. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations has made detailed comments on the proposals for merging the Community Fund and the New Opportunities Fund. I acknowledge that the proposals are largely related to the two organisations' roles. It is important that everybody who wants to apply for lottery funds of whatever size—the awards-for-all scheme covers applications for small lottery awards of between £500 and £1,000—is able to do so. People should not be put off, for whatever reason, by the form in which the application has to be made.
Crime (North Ayrshire)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether adequate resources are being applied to combat crime in North Ayrshire. (S1O-6622)
While we could always argue for more resources, in recent years substantial extra investment has been made in North Ayrshire to combat crime.
I remind the minister that new Labour has been in power since 1997. Can he explain why, since then, the incidence of violent crime in North Ayrshire has risen by 39 per cent, that of housebreaking has risen by 32 per cent and that of fire-raising and vandalism has risen by 50 per cent? Can he also explain why the number of drug offences has increased by a staggering 63 per cent over just three years? Is that what the Executive calls being successful in the fight against crime?
I will quote from a recent article in the Largs and Millport Weekly News. The headline reads "Crime rates are falling", and the article says:
Order.
And, Presiding Officer—
No, Mr Henry—hang on.
Last but not least—
No.
—the sum of £4.85 million over the next three years for quality-of-life funding.
I remind ministers that other members like to ask supplementaries. Ministers might like to keep some of their ammunition for those members.
Will the minister join me in welcoming the news that resources have been allocated to provide CCTV in Irvine, the contract for which will go out to tender in the next two weeks? Does he commend the local community safety forum for its persistent efforts to secure that money for CCTV? Does he also support that forum in its efforts to tackle the fight against crime in my area? According to figures that the police gave to Allan Wilson and me, there is a reduction in crime there.
I would like to commend the local groups that have been actively involved. I am sure that the introduction of CCTV in those areas will be welcomed. Those cameras will join the six that are already in Irvine town centre, the eight that are in Whitletts, the eight in Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston, and the three that are in Kilwinning.
Does the minister accept that the figures that Allan Wilson and the local press gave seem to be at odds with the figures that the Government released? Following concerns that the First Minister expressed last week about the weekend culture of violence in Scotland, will the minister comment on the situation in towns such as Irvine, in which that culture is all too often evident? Will he also comment on the lack of holding cells in Irvine and advise me whether the police find it hard to cope with that additional problem?
I believe that a new police station will be opened in the next couple of months. However, operational matters are the responsibility of the chief constable.
Children (Reading)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to help parents encourage young children to read. (S1O-6631)
In August last year, I launched the home reading initiative, which is aimed at encouraging parents and carers to read with their children.
The minister will be aware of the support and welcome that schools in my constituency, including Arthurlie Nursery in Barrhead, have given to the reading champions programme. Leaving aside the fact that I have signed up to the scheme, can he say how much progress has been made in signing up reading champions from a range of backgrounds to encourage early reading habits?
From visits to Arthurlie Nursery and, last week, to Preston Street Primary School in Angus MacKay's constituency, where I launched the website that is associated with the project, I am aware how valuable parents, carers and young people think the initiative is. I do not want to name and shame MSPs who have not yet signed up as reading champions, as they can still do so. The latest recruits are J K Rowling and David Sneddon.
I declare my registered interest as a fully signed-up reading champion who has just undertaken four local events associated with world book day last Thursday.
I recognise that Fiona McLeod has taken an interest in this issue. I assure her that the home reading initiative has had an impact in a number of schools and nurseries that I have visited, where there has been increased demand for use of library facilities.
Does the minister agree that if we are successfully to encourage young people to read, it is as important to invest in school library stock as it is to invest in school computers? Will she tell us what action the Scottish Executive is taking to provide adequate funding to ensure that school library stocks are kept up to scratch, particularly taking into consideration the high inflation rate in publishing?
I remind Keith Raffan of the record investment that the Executive is making in education through local authorities and the initiatives that supplement that investment. I have been very impressed as I have travelled round schools where people want to use modern technology but also recognise the value of books and reading materials. They want to upgrade the library facilities, equipment and resources to ensure that young people get the best opportunities. That will be a key feature of the work that we will undertake in developing a school estates strategy in order to ensure that young people have access to the best possible learning environment.
Enterprise (Young People)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage young people to become involved in enterprise. (S1O-6634)
We have already signalled in our recent strategy for lifelong learning our wish to effect a step change in the delivery of enterprise in education for our young people. To that end, we have set aside £40 million over the next three years.
I would be grateful if the minister would outline what steps the Scottish Executive is taking to encourage young people to get involved in the creation of co-operatives or mutuals. In my constituency are Inverkeithing High School, Beath High School and Lochgelly High School. We perhaps do not give the emphasis that we should to that way of creating new businesses, which benefits the community.
Soon we have to respond to the report "Determined to Succeed—A Review of Enterprise in Education", which examines how we deliver education for work and enterprise in our schools. The purpose of that is to open our young people's minds to different opportunities and possibilities. Helen Eadie makes a good point, which I will reflect on and feed back into our response to the report.
How many young people will benefit from the £40 million being laid aside for enterprise education? What progress is being made in establishing a Scottish national association for enterprise education?
The recommendations of the report say that every one of our young people should experience education for work and enterprise at every stage in their school career. We have to respond to that report and we will be doing so soon. Therefore the answer to Alex Neil's question is that all our young people will benefit.
I declare an interest as a director of the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust. Does the minister agree that the trust has proved to be an impressive model for encouraging young people to start up and succeed in running their own businesses? Does he accept that the trust and others like it could have a role to play in missionary work in our schools in which businesspeople communicate with youngsters? Would they not be better ambassadors for the cause than bureaucrats?
I am not sure whether Annabel Goldie has read "Determined to Succeed", but it was produced by a group chaired by my colleague Nicol Stephen and made up substantially of people in business. The members of that group were clear that direct contact between businesspeople and our young people should be at the core of what we do. When we respond to the report, we will be clear about how we ensure that that happens. The report acknowledged the PSYBT's work in spreading the word about the enterprise culture and supporting young people in starting businesses.
Is the minister aware that Scottish Enterprise Glasgow is forcing the closure of a jobs and enterprise scheme for 300 young unemployed people from the east end, which was run through the East End Partnership? Scottish Enterprise is forcing that closure on 31 March by withdrawing a grant from Scottish Enterprise Glasgow. The young people will lose their job opportunities within a fortnight. Will he please investigate and answer the question that so many are asking: what is wrong at Scottish Enterprise?
I assume that Dorothy-Grace Elder is referring to the training and employment grants scheme. I am aware of the changes. In very recent days, a number of MSPs have written to me to raise that issue. I have asked for a report on the situation. When I receive that report, I will respond directly to those who have raised the matter. Dorothy-Grace Elder also has a question on the issue next week.
Cancer Services
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure the early diagnosis and treatment of male cancers. (S1O-6640)
"Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change" sets out a variety of measures that are aimed at improving prevention, earlier detection and more rapid diagnosis and treatment for all cancers.
I am sure that the minister will agree that Scottish males are far less likely to visit their general practitioners than women are. What steps is the Scottish Executive taking to break down that reluctance to seek medical help? How can we persuade men that checking on their health is not a sign of weakness and is essential if we are to improve Scottish males' recovery rates from all forms of cancer?
I agree that it is important that men take more responsibility for their health. There are various initiatives that will help in that regard. The information initiative that will be mentioned in answer to a subsequent question is part of that. It will help men to be better informed about cancer issues.
I put on record the appreciation of those who attended the Scotland against cancer conference last Friday for the Presiding Officer's speech about being a cancer patient. Given that men are reluctant to attend their doctor to present early with symptoms, as Scott Barrie has said, I ask the minister to ensure that GPs and local national health service teams are included in the early detection of male cancer. I also ask that the excellent work that is being carried out by Dr Barlow, who is a GP in Glasgow, be built on.
I agree entirely with what Mary Scanlon said about the Presiding Officer, who gave a very informative and moving speech at the conference on Friday. The new guidance that was sent out to GPs last year included the new advice about the prostate-specific antigen test for prostate cancer. If men want that, they can certainly get it, but they must have a discussion about the complexities of the issue. We are committed to that, as is George Barlow, the GP in Glasgow whom Mary Scanlon mentioned, who is very much involved in redesigning cancer services. There have been big reductions in the time for first appointments because of the redesigning of cancer services in south Glasgow. That is another important part of progress on earlier diagnosis.
Does the minister agree that one of the conclusions that emerged from the Scotland against cancer conference was that access to support and information, especially communication, is essential? Will he look at the work of CancerBACUP and the Maggie's centres on securing better male participation, given that information and support can also assist treatment?
I join Brian Fitzpatrick in paying tribute to the work of the voluntary sector in relation to cancer. I highlighted that more than once in my speech at the conference on Friday. CancerBACUP in particular makes a large contribution in the field of information. As Brian Fitzpatrick said, it is important that we ensure that men are accessing such information as well. We need to examine that issue and we will be discussing it again shortly.
Scottish Enterprise Tayside (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Scottish Enterprise Tayside about encouraging enterprise and innovation in Tayside. (S1O-6614)
The Executive has regular contact with Scottish Enterprise and with its local enterprise companies on matters relating to enterprise and innovation.
In answers to previous written questions about the spending and investment decisions of Scottish Enterprise and its local enterprise companies, the minister told me that those were operational matters for Scottish Enterprise. When I turned to my local enterprise company, it told me that I could not get access to that information, because it was commercially confidential. How can MSPs, or anyone else, judge whether the enterprise companies are encouraging enterprise and innovation if we do not get access to the key decisions that they make and if those decisions remain shrouded in secrecy?
I am not sure to which investment decisions Mr McAllion refers. Perhaps the best thing would be for him to write to me and copy his correspondence with Scottish Enterprise Tayside. For 2002-03, Scottish Enterprise Tayside has a budget of £8.7 million. That is a public figure, but it does not include some of the funds that are available through national mechanisms such as the modern apprenticeship scheme, which Scottish Enterprise Tayside has a part in delivering. If Mr McAllion was unable to obtain specific figures, I will pursue the matter if he writes to me again.
Is it not time that the minister conceded that the whole Scottish Enterprise network is completely discredited? The declining economy of many small towns in Tayside would be better served by redirecting some of that money to a reduction in business rates. Is it not time to stop giving the money to public servants to hand out to the favoured few?
Absolutely not. Sticking with Dundee for the moment, we know that Dundee has a number of the most cutting-edge life science companies in the world, such as CXR Biosciences, Cypex and Cyclacel. All those companies have benefited from the Scottish Enterprise biotechnology cluster approach and from support through, for example, the proof-of-concept fund, the small firms merit award for research and technology, and the support for products under research scheme. Those things are driving research and innovation in Dundee and they are entirely worth while. Cutting the support for business is, frankly, the last thing that Dundee needs just now.
Public Transport (Edinburgh)
To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance it is giving City of Edinburgh Council in developing a cohesive and integrated public transport system. (S1O-6641)
I am sure that Margo MacDonald will join me in welcoming the £375 million that was announced last week for the City of Edinburgh Council—the biggest-ever commitment to Edinburgh's public transport system.
Absolutely. I think that the minister is terrific. I would think him even more terrific if he promised and earmarked money for the Borders rail link, but more of that later. I am concerned that the anti-congestion policies that, with the best of intentions, have been pursued so far have proved utterly unsuccessful. Given that any referendum on car congestion in Edinburgh will not be carried out until at least 2006, I am concerned that there is a gap. What will the Executive do to help the council to fill that gap?
I think that I made this point in answer to questions on the funding for the Transport Initiatives Edinburgh plans: it would be a mistake to think that the recent announcement was the only investment in public transport in Edinburgh. Edinburgh and the Lothians also did well out of the fifth and final round of the public transport fund, which will allow the city council to go ahead with other projects. For example, it will enable the doubling of the size of the park and ride on the north of the Forth bridge and the provision of new park and rides around Edinburgh. If Margo MacDonald's point is that Edinburgh cannot wait until 2006 but must make public transport improvements right away, I agree with her, but that is what we are doing.
I add my voice to those of Margo MacDonald and all my local colleagues in welcoming the massive amounts of money that the minister recently committed to trams and to the rail link to Edinburgh airport. It is quite right that time should be taken in designing the routes for those projects and in consulting local people on those, but during that process the minister must ensure that he focuses on investment. We need investment not only in park and rides but in bus services and in improving our local rail services. A great deal could be done with the local bus operators, the train companies and the city council.
Again, I can only agree. I remind colleagues that a new rail station will be opened later this year in Edinburgh Park, which is a business park in which tens of thousands of people are employed. Those are the kinds of developments that we need to see even in advance of trams.
In developing a coherent and integrated transport system, what is the minister's best estimate as to the completion date for railway links to Edinburgh airport and Glasgow airport?
The dates are 2008 for Glasgow and 2010 for Edinburgh.
Cancer (Information)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that people with cancer have access to the information that they need, when they need it. (S1O-6636)
"Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change: A Guide to Securing Access to Information" was launched on Friday 7 March. It offers guidance to ensure that people who are affected by cancer receive the information that they need, when they need it.
I thank the minister for his answer and welcome the initiative that he has outlined. Does he agree that patients should be provided with information on clinical diagnosis at the earliest opportunity? To that end, will he indicate what priority the Executive attaches to further development of one-stop clinics, such as the colorectal and breast cancer clinics in Ayrshire, which allow people to have speedy investigation and diagnosis?
I have seen some of those one-stop clinics in Ayrshire and elsewhere and I am sure that that is an important example of redesign in the interests of patients so that diagnosis and treatment takes place more quickly.
Before I turn to First Minister's questions, I am sure that members would like to welcome to the gallery the members of Parliament from Azerbaijan, headed by Mr Speaker Aleskerov.
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