SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Anthrax (Importation of Animal Skins)
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to United Kingdom import agencies with regard to the importation of animal skins from Africa used in the manufacture of drums, in light of deaths from anthrax in Scotland and England. (S3O-4822)
The rules governing the importation of skins are set out in European Union legislation that has been transposed into domestic Scottish legislation. The legislation is enforced at points of entry by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and official veterinary surgeons. In light of recent events, the Scottish Government has written to Scottish importers reminding them of the import rules that are applicable to the products.
As the minister may know, the fatal accident inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Borders man Pascal Norris is to commence next week. Does the minister share my concern that not enough lessons have been learned by UK import agencies in light of Mr Norris's death and the death in London? I do not want to pre-empt the FAI, but both deaths appear to have strong connections to contaminated and imported animal skins. What assessment has been made by the civil contingencies unit and Government health officials to prepare for—I hope that this does not happen—a possible outbreak of anthrax in Scotland?
We have reviewed the recommendations in the report with Health Protection Scotland and animal health officials. As Christine Grahame will know, the Public Health etc (Scotland) Act 2008 introduced new legislative controls to address issues that are faced during such incidents regarding access to property and other matters. We will review the need to take further action following the outcome of the fatal accident inquiry to which she referred. I am happy to keep the member informed of the discussions that my officials have on that matter.
Equality and Human Rights Commission (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth last met representatives of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and what issues were discussed. (S3O-4788)
I have not so far met representatives of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
I find that disappointing, and I urge the cabinet secretary to meet them as a matter of urgency, particularly on single outcome agreements.
I respect the considerable interest that Johann Lamont takes in equalities, which she has pursued both as Deputy Minister for Communities and in other aspects of her parliamentary activities. However, the formulation of single outcome agreements is properly undertaken by individual local authorities. There is a duty on each authority to ensure that it takes equalities issues fully into account in the formulation of its policy positions.
In 2006, Tom McCabe, who was then Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform, said on a similar issue:
The issue of equal pay has been a significant part of the discussions that I have had with committees on the budget for 2009-10. I took part in an extensive discussion on the issue with the Equal Opportunities Committee, in which Sandra White participated.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that for equalities organisations—and, indeed, for the people of Scotland—it is essential that equality impact assessments are implemented in a timely fashion? Will he outline how he is monitoring single outcome agreements, for which he has ultimate responsibility, and will he issue an interim report on the progress that is being made towards meeting the equality duties, which are legal requirements?
I consider the progress of single outcome agreements on an on-going basis. Many members told me that it would not be possible to put in place single outcome agreements by April 2008 and, not for the first time, they were proved wrong. The single outcome agreements are in place, and a fresh set of agreements will be formulated by community planning partnerships, which will involve local authorities, in April 2009. The Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities are working together to monitor single outcome agreements and to advise authorities on the approach that they should take.
Buildings at Risk Register
To ask the Scottish Executive what powers it has to hold local authorities to account when a building has been placed on the buildings at risk register. (S3O-4754)
The Scottish Government has no powers to hold local authorities to account when a building has been placed on the buildings at risk register. Placing a building on that non-statutory register creates no new legal powers or duties for either the Scottish Government or the local authority. Local authorities have a range of powers to choose from to prevent the deterioration of buildings, where they believe that it is appropriate for them to do that.
Is the minister aware that Hamilton hall, which is the historic B-listed former Grand hotel overlooking the Old course at St Andrews, has been placed on the register? Is she aware that development work on the building stopped a year ago, and that it is now open to the elements? Is she also aware that Fife Council has tried—so far without success—to contact the American owner of the building to ask him to effect urgent repairs? With the open championship returning to St Andrews in just 18 months' time, what can the Scottish Government do to save that iconic building?
I understand Ted Brocklebank's concern—the building is certainly showing signs of neglect. Internal works took place, but they ceased more than a year ago. The building has broken windows and is an eyesore on the back of the golf course, which is one of Scotland's jewels. Our inspector is in touch with Fife Council; we understand that a solution is being sought and we will monitor the situation.
Question 4 has not been lodged.
Student Hardship
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects levels of student hardship to increase in this academic year. (S3O-4771)
Like everyone else, students will be affected by the current economic climate. We recognise that that may mean that more students are facing hardship, so we are working closely with colleges and universities to establish what demands are being made on the money that we provide to alleviate student hardship through the Student Awards Agency for Scotland and the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council.
Can the cabinet secretary confirm that a student in England with a parental income of £50,000 receives more Government support than does the very poorest Scottish student? Does she agree that stripping over £12 million from funding for grants, bursaries and loans over the next three years, which is a result of the Scottish Government's decision to reduce the number of students who are eligible for Government support, risks increasing student hardship and drop-out rates, and threatens the widening of participation at Scottish universities?
I do not think that the member's second point is true, and I am happy to write to her on the matter. A recent announcement by the Westminster Government shows that it got its sums wrong and now has to cut £200 million from grant support for students in England.
In the light of the announcement by Labour's Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, that £200 million will be cut from student grants south of the border, can the cabinet secretary confirm that the Scottish Government will not follow suit and that we are still committed to increasing financial support for Scottish students?
We have introduced £38 million of additional support, which did not previously exist, for part-time students, to ensure that they no longer have to take out loans to study but can obtain grants to help them to further their studies. That is particularly important in the current economic climate, and it is only one element of the additional student support that the Government has already introduced. It will enable 20,000 students to take part in part-time study. That is very welcome in the current financial climate.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that, either through a minimum income guarantee or a full exemption, students should not pay local income tax?
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth has indicated that he will examine that issue. We have some sympathy with the position of students in relation to exemption. We have indicated that we are sympathetic to the idea of consulting on a minimum income guarantee in relation to any developments with regard to student support in the future.
Architecture and Design Services
To ask the Scottish Government what support it is giving to architecture and design services. (S3O-4828)
We have increased funding for architecture to more than £1.8 million in this financial year. Within that sum, we increased our annual support for the Lighthouse from £350,000 to £450,000 and we increased our support for the Sust. programme on sustainability, which is based at the Lighthouse, from £200,000 to £450,000, which includes £150,000 to establish a Sust. resource centre.
Will the minister expand on what she is doing to encourage education and outreach through the support that she is providing to architecture and design services?
We have further developed the outreach programme that is managed by the Lighthouse to support organisations, communities and individuals in ways that best meet their ambitions to create a better built environment. That support is wide ranging and can take the form of residences, workshops, events or festivals.
That was indeed a long answer; I look forward to reading the Official Report to appreciate its content. What support might the minister offer the people of Cumbernauld and North Lanarkshire Council to retain and improve Adam house—known as Cumbernauld house—in my constituency?
The issue that the member raises has been on-going for a long time and I have had representations from people who care very much about the building. Consideration of the situation will continue.
Gaelic (Pre-school Learning)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it supports the learning of Gaelic at pre-school level. (S3O-4823)
The Scottish Government is committed to supporting Gaelic and makes specific grant funding available to local authorities to support the development of Gaelic-medium pre-school education in Scotland.
The minister might be aware of the Croileagan Bogha Frois organisation in Cumbernauld—I apologise to Dr Allan and John Farquhar Munro for my pronunciation. The organisation was set up by parents to help to teach their pre-school children Gaelic. I urge the minister to visit it, if he can. Does he agree that organisations that have been set up and run by communities have a big role to play in teaching Gaelic to young children?
Yes. I will not attempt to pronounce the playgroup's name, but it is a small, volunteer-led group that has recently had to move from Condorrat primary school because of space restrictions. The local authority supported the move by identifying premises for it and providing resources for the children's play and staff training. The move took place over the summer and the service was relaunched at the start of this academic year, generating a lot of local interest. That is a good example of the concordat in action.
The historic concordat!
The historic concordat, yes. It gives local authorities the freedom to allocate the resources based on local needs and priorities. [Interruption.]
Order. There is too much noise in the chamber.
Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that home owners facing repossession orders receive protection under the Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act 2001. (S3O-4839)
The Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Act 2001 provides significant protection for those at risk of repossession. Owners have the right to ask the sheriff to give them time to pay off arrears and lenders are obliged to comply fully with Financial Services Authority regulations.
The minister will be aware that the Scottish Legal Aid Board has, since last year, routinely applied the preservation of property rule, which has the effect of depriving even those on low incomes of legal aid in house repossession cases. Although the Cabinet Secretary for Justice's announcement on increasing those thresholds is welcome, they do not affect the preservation of property rule. What steps will the minister take to ensure that mortgage holders who are threatened with repossession have access to free legal representation and thus access to the protections under the 2001 act?
I am glad that the member agrees that the announcement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice was welcome. We provide protection and support for members of the public, but there are also a number of free advice services in relation to legal protection. There are also services and support through citizens advice bureaux and there are a number of other areas where people can access support and advice in taking cases. Of course, there is also the in-sheriff-court advice service. There are a number of protections and a number of support services are available. We will always keep these things under review and ensure that people in Scotland have the level of protection that they should. They have that level of protection at the moment, but we will always ensure that, if anything else is required, we take the necessary action.
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