SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Highlands and Islands Veterinary Fund
To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to conduct a review of the present payment arrangements of the Highlands and Islands veterinary fund with a view to addressing any need for increased animal disease surveillance. (S1O-4306)
I recognise the importance of maintaining viable veterinary services in the Highlands and Islands. My officials recently met representatives of the British Veterinary Association and representatives of those involved in the Highlands and Islands veterinary services scheme to discuss future funding and operation of the scheme.
Does the minister agree that good animal disease surveillance is necessary for good animal welfare and health, and that it is vital to winning back the confidence of our European Union partners? What improvements have been or will be made to animal disease surveillance?
I can report to the member only that I learned at my meeting with the BVA that, as part of its inquiry into the outcome of foot-and-mouth disease, it is considering surveillance in connection with the matters to which John Farquhar Munro referred. The BVA expects to make proposals relatively soon. We will consider seriously what is required to ensure that, on animal health and animal disease grounds, we meet the BVA's recommendations.
North Channel Ferries
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the north channel ferry operators. (S1O-4283)
On Monday 10 December 2001.
I knew that answer.
It is a waste of public money to ask a question to which the answer is known.
People should never ask a question unless they know the answer. [Laughter.]
I hesitate to answer the question, because it is clear that Mr Morgan already knows the answer. I met him to discuss the matter last week and he will be aware that Executive officials are meeting the north channel partnership and other interested parties to discuss possible variation in the proposed schemes.
Is the minister aware that the Executive owns considerable areas of land in Dumfries and Galloway as a result of the customary foresight of the previous Conservative Government, which purchased the land for its continued road improvement programme, which it would have undertaken had it had the chance? Will the minister audit that land with the aim of reviewing the Executive's road improvement programme to find out whether the programme could be hastened by first developing the land that the Executive owns?
We are setting a theme for this week. Mr Fergusson raised that point with me when we met last week to discuss Stranraer's position. The Executive has made it clear that its priorities will be set by that area's transport needs. We will make maximum use of our resources and continue to examine the options for overtaking opportunities on the routes in question.
Disabled Students (Allowances)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are to address any discrepancy between means-tested and non-means-tested allowances for disabled students in further and higher education. (S1O-4281)
Arrangements for most support for disabled students, for example maintenance allowances and study-related costs, are broadly similar in the two sectors. The only discrepancy in relation to support for disabled students is in travel costs.
Does the minister agree that there should not be a discrepancy between higher and further education, albeit in relation to travel costs, and that it would be better to streamline both systems of student financial support? Will the minister also consider the fact that for many students there are still too many complexities in the system and that the onus is on students to investigate their own entitlements, which vary a great deal from institution to institution? Will she consider simplifying and streamlining the system with parity?
I share the member's general sentiments, which is why we introduced the special educational needs allowance this year to address the specific needs of disabled students in the further education sector. The Executive and the funding council are keeping all aspects of student support under review in order to introduce greater clarity and simplicity into the system.
Has the minister been consulted about the review of student finance that was instigated by the UK Government, including a review of means-tested allowances—
The question must relate to disabled students.
It does.
On the most recent occasion on which I met Estelle Morris, the UK Secretary of State for Education and Skills, we had a wide-ranging discussion that touched on student support. With respect, I am not sure about the current position relating to the specific matter that Alex Neil raises. I would be happy to write to him on the detail of that matter.
Sheriff Courts (Gaelic)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is monitoring how many people elect to use Gaelic in the sheriff courts of Portree, Lochmaddy and Stornoway. (S1O-4293)
Yes—the situation is being monitored by the Scottish Court Service. To date, no one has elected to use Gaelic in any of those courts.
I thank the minister for his response. The service was an initiative for the European year of languages, but Comunn na Gàidhlig feels that the initiative is not being publicised sufficiently, in spite of the fact that there are leaflets in Gaelic in the sheriff courts to draw it to people's attention. Will the Executive consider other ways of publicising the use of Gaelic in those courts, perhaps by advertising in the local press?
I will certainly consider that. Maureen Macmillan is right to say that notices in both Gaelic and English are posted in the courts. Further explanatory leaflets are obtainable from the sheriff clerk's office and local solicitors were informed of the provisions. I am advised that a copy of the act of court, which provided for Gaelic to be used in civil proceedings in those courts, was published in The Scots Law Times on 22 June 2001. I would be the first to accept that in Lochmaddy, Portree and Stornoway The Scots Law Times probably has a smaller readership than the West Highland Free Press; therefore I am sure that this exchange between Maureen Macmillan and me will be taken forward by her and perhaps by John Farquhar Munro and Alasdair Morrison as an opportunity to publicise the fact that Gaelic may indeed be used in civil proceedings in those sheriff courts.
Question 5 has been withdrawn.
Homeless People (Edinburgh)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to address the rise in the number of homeless people in Edinburgh. (S1O-4311)
The Scottish Executive has provided more than £9 million to the City of Edinburgh Council over the past five years, and will provide a further £2 million in each of the next two years to address the problem of rough sleeping in Edinburgh. An additional £1 million was provided last year to help reduce the use of inappropriate forms of temporary accommodation for people assessed as homeless. To ensure effective delivery of the increased duties placed on local authorities by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, £27 million has been allocated to authorities over the next three years, of which Edinburgh will receive an agreed share.
I thank the minister for his reply. I am pleased that, after much delay, there has been progress on the rough sleepers initiative. However, I have a specific question about wider homelessness applications, which had increased according to last month's statistical bulletin from the Executive. Many low-paid workers in this city cannot afford to live in the city in which they work because house prices are going through the roof, the council cannot afford to build houses for rent and the housing association houses that are available will be sold off under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001. What will the minister do to ensure that we have a sufficient supply of affordable, low-cost rented accommodation in this city?
The great thing about statistics is that one can use them to build a particular story. The statistics to which the question referred are statistics about homelessness applications, which do indeed show a rise. Those statistics refer to a period that ended some 18 months ago. The point that I tried to make is that we are placing on local authorities the highest-ever level of duty to respond to homelessness applications.
I welcome the new resources that have been made available to local authorities by the Scottish Executive, but does the minister agree that the work that is done by the voluntary sector in providing practical support for people while they are homeless is absolutely vital? Does he agree that organisations such as the Ark Trust in my constituency are doing a sterling job? Can he assure me that the Executive will make efforts to work with the voluntary sector to ensure that such organisations are given full support, just as those organisations support the homeless?
We are absolutely clear that the progress that we have made, particularly with the rough sleepers initiative, has depended very much on the work that has been done by the voluntary sector. New as I am to the social justice brief, I have already met voluntary sector leaders to discuss how to improve the way in which we work with that sector. Voluntary organisations are also key players in the homelessness task force, whose second phase report will be published in the next few weeks. We will respond to the task force's recommendations as quickly as we can, and I am sure that suggestions on how we cement support from the voluntary sector in addressing homelessness will be among those recommendations.
Racist Attacks
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to ensure that places of worship are safe from racist attacks. (S1O-4313)
In October, the Scottish Executive announced that it would make up to £1 million available to improve security at sites of worship in Scotland that were deemed to be at risk from racially motivated attacks. All Scottish police forces have undertaken surveys, and funding of £234,000 has already been released for security measures in three force areas. Approval for measures in the remaining areas is expected soon.
I welcome the fact that, as part of his series of visits throughout Scotland, the minister last week visited the Islamic centre in Dunfermline. When he visited the mosque, he would have been told that the windows in the former miners' welfare building had been boarded up for the past three years because of repeated racist attacks. That shows that it is not just since 11 September that such attacks have happened. Can he assure me that the moneys that the Executive announced in October can be used to fit an alarm system and security lighting at mosques such as the one in my constituency?
I cannot go into details. Lighting systems are obviously among the measures that can be used to improve security. It is important that the police, in co-operation with those who are responsible for places of worship, work together to identify the most useful and effective security measures. I found my visit on Friday to the Islamic centre in Dunfermline worth while. It was followed by a visit to the mosque in Kirkcaldy. I got the clear impression that there are good, co-operative relationships between the police, the Muslim community and those who are responsible for the Islamic centre in Dunfermline. I have every confidence that dialogue on effective security measures has been taking place. In fact, I can tell Scott Barrie that Fife constabulary has already received £58,000 of the money that has so far been disbursed.
Does the minister agree that the Lothian and Borders police have been extremely efficient in tracing the person who is alleged to have been responsible for the outrage at the Edinburgh mosque? Does he also agree that the police are rightly sensitive to those problems?
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton knows that, because a case is pending, it probably would not be appropriate for me to say that. He was present at the reopening of the refurbished Annandale Street mosque following the fire bombing and knows how appreciative those at the mosque are of the police's work following that bombing. It is important that co-operation takes place. As far as Lothian and Borders police are concerned, £110,967 of the £1 million has so far been allocated for security work at places of worship in the Lothian and Borders police area.
When I have visited mosques, I have always said that it is a matter for celebration in Scotland in 2001 that we have a diverse community. Scotland should be proud of and should celebrate that diversity. I have been reminded—particularly in Dunfermline—that many people are third-generation Scots. We should recognise the integration that has taken place in Scotland without being complacent about it and we should stretch hands of friendship across the various communities. Real unity comes through celebration of our diversity.
Education (League Tables)
To ask the Scottish Executive what response it intends to make to recent comments by the director of Glasgow City Council's education department regarding the effectiveness of league tables as a measure of educational progress and achievement, as reported on BBC News Online on 29 November 2001. (S1O-4277)
The Scottish Executive does not publish league tables. We publish exam results for each school so that parents and pupils can see what their schools are achieving.
Perhaps I should encourage the Minister for Education and Young People, who is in the chamber but did not answer the question, to live up to her old-fashioned radicalism and do what her colleagues have done in Wales and Northern Ireland, which is to stop publishing league tables. As Ken Corsar said in the report that I mentioned, school league tables are "crude" and ineffective.
I repeat that we do not publish league tables in Scotland. We recognise and understand that exam performance is not the only measure of educational progress in a school. The Parliament agrees national priorities and schools are now being asked to prepare school development plans. Her Majesty's inspectorate of schools assesses the performance of individual schools with an effective programme that is called "How good is our school?" which considers a range of issues. I hope that Mike Russell and other members in the chamber agree that the improving assessment results in reading, writing and mathematics, which were published this week and show improvements in all subjects at all levels, is a positive trend in our schools.
Does the minister accept the principle that parents should be given as much information as possible to allow them to make informed choices about their children's education and that league tables or lists of exam results are an important part of that information?
I agree that it is important that parents and pupils are given as much information as possible. We will consider that issue in the coming months. There are ways in which we can improve the current position. Currently, there is a rising trend in attainment in respect not only of exam results that are published school by school, but in attainment by the five to 14 age bracket. That is encouraging.
I asked questions on this issue last year and the year before. Does the minister agree that some schools and universities appear regularly at the bottom of the league tables through no fault of their own and that the league tables seriously undervalue the work of students and staff in those institutions? Does he agree that it is about time that the Executive sat down with members of the press and editors of newspapers and asked them—if they must publish comparisons of schools—to publish something more sophisticated that gives due value to the work that is done by students and staff of the schools and universities that appear near the bottom of the tables? The present system is totally unrepresentative and meretricious.
It is important that we continue to consider social and deprivation factors when we examine individual schools. We should never look at a single snapshot of a school; we must consider trends over time. However, the actions that Robin Harper and other members seemed to suggest would raise serious concerns about freedom of information.
Does the minister agree that it is vital that parents in Scotland have information about schools? Does he agree that the Scottish National Party has nothing new to add for Scotland's parents in education policy?
I agree on the first point and I am still waiting to see on the second one.
Road Equivalent Tariffs
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider carrying out an inquiry into introducing a road equivalent tariff scheme for Scotland's ferries. (S1O-4282)
No. We will set out our preferred options for future fares policy on the Clyde and Western Isles ferry services when we consult on the draft service specification for those routes early in 2002.
I ask the minister to reconsider that decision immediately and to do something that the previous regime would not do—accept the principle that it should not cost more to travel a mile by sea than it does by road. Does the minister recognise that a road equivalent tariff would be the single biggest step towards boosting tourism and business viability in Scotland's islands? Is he aware of the 1,500-strong petition, which was presented to the Public Petitions Committee this week, calling for a pilot scheme to assess whether RET would benefit the economic development of the islands? Will he support such a pilot scheme?
The best service that we can offer to people in Scotland's islands, particularly those that are served by Caledonian MacBrayne, is to turn our attention to focusing the efforts that are being made by that company on achieving continuity of the existing services and securing those services within the framework that has been set by the recent European Commission regulation.
The minister mentioned continuity and security of service. Is he aware of the proposed strike action by CalMac crews that is due to start on the Clyde services on Monday and is he aware of the damage that the strike is likely to cause to the communities that are served by those services—Rothesay, Dunoon, Largs and Arran? Will the minister confirm that contingency plans are in place to provide some sort of service if the strike goes ahead and will he assure members that everything possible will be done to resolve the dispute before Monday?
I am aware of the developments on the Clyde involving CalMac crews; I have been kept fully informed of those developments. We have set in train preparations for the organisation of contingency services, for which we are responsible. Those arrangements are well advanced. I share Mr Lyon's hope that matters will be resolved before Monday—I hope that common sense will prevail and that people will get on and deliver the quality of service that customers are entitled to expect.
Does not the minister agree that the economic disadvantages of island living would be greatly alleviated by RET? Will not he consider, out of courtesy, the great success of that scheme in Norway?
Certainly, I could not disagree that schemes that substantially increase subsidy to island services would be welcomed in the islands. The job of Government is to strike the right balance between providing such support for lifeline services and achieving value for money for the taxpayer. CalMac's current turnover is in the region of £60 million. Thanks to the efforts made by the Executive, CalMac services are supported to the tune of more than £20 million. I believe that that strikes the right balance between subsidy and the needs of the taxpayer.
Marine Special Areas of Conservation
To ask the Scottish Executive whether socioeconomic factors are taken into account when considering the designation of an area of sea as a marine special area of conservation and, if so, what weight such factors are given when reaching a decision. (S1O-4303)
European Court of Justice rulings have determined that socioeconomic factors cannot be taken into account when considering the designation of Natura sites. Once a site has been submitted to the European Commission, socioeconomic factors can be—and are—taken into account in the management of those areas.
Does the minister accept that there is dismay at the decision to designate Sullom Voe in my constituency as a marine area of conservation, not least because of the fact that it is a working harbour and the largest oil terminal in the European Union? Will the minister undertake to meet me and Shetland Islands Council to consider the matter further and to examine how to make a socioeconomic case of the issue? Furthermore, does he accept that it is a matter of local concern that the chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage has hitherto refused to meet local people to discuss the issue?
I share some of Tavish Scott's concerns. I certainly expect the chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage to meet him and Shetland Islands Council; indeed, I understand that it has proved possible for such a meeting to take place on 1 February. I undertake to meet the member before that date, if that is possible. Scottish ministers will continue to approve special areas of conservation sites as part of the United Kingdom submission to the European Union.
In the light of much angry criticism that designations of SACs and sites of special scientific interest are made before consultations with the local people whose lives will be affected by them, will the Executive tell us who is in charge of consulting people, what the process of consultation is meant to be and how the Executive intends to improve the present unsatisfactory—indeed, inflammatory—situation?
Natura sites are selected on advice from SNH, which follows agreed guidelines that are produced by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee in accordance with the EC habitats and birds directives. I should point out that the previous Conservative Government signed up to both those directives.
Children (Online Grooming)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the law to make it illegal for the online "grooming" of children to take place. (S1O-4309)
We are concerned about the grooming of children on the internet. We are currently working with the Crown Office and others to identify the scale of the problem and possible remedies.
I am grateful for that answer. In order to combat use of the internet by paedophiles, will the minister task the police with setting up a unit that employs entrapment methods?
I recognise the member's helpful and continuing interest in this area. At the moment, the police may apply for an interception warrant under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 where they consider it necessary for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime and where the information sought could not reasonably be obtained by any other means.
Local Democracy (East Ayrshire)
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to support local democracy in East Ayrshire. (S1O-4310)
Through its modernising government agenda, the Executive is committed to an inclusive democracy that involves local people in the decisions that are made by their local authorities.
Does the minister agree that actions speak louder than words and that the Executive's decision to dump foot-and-mouth pyre ash at Garlaff without prior public consultation and against East Ayrshire Council's democratically expressed wishes smacks of Government diktat? Does he further agree that the heavy-handed police action that the Executive ordered to deal with protesters at the site leaves a stain on the democratic credentials of ministers and the Executive?
I do not agree with that. I thought that the member might have concentrated on some of the initiatives that East Ayrshire Council has adopted to involve the local community in many of its decision-making processes.
Is the minister aware of a growing feeling of discontent in Ayrshire over the Scottish Executive's interference in planning issues? The ash is the latest issue, but before that there was the overturning by the Scottish Executive of the Ayr United stadium decision. Will the minister re-examine both those issues and try to align the Executive's policy with the wishes of the people of Ayrshire?
I am conscious that the responsibility for this matter rests with my colleague Ross Finnie.
Railtrack
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Railtrack following its decision of 5 December 2001 not to support four Scottish Executive-funded rail enhancement projects. (S1O-4290)
The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Railtrack on a wide range of issues, including those four projects. We are keen to see the projects taken forward.
When the minister next makes representations to Railtrack, will he take the opportunity to clarify whether the company continues to claim that it has pulled out of the Gourock project because no signalling engineers are available? Will he advise Railtrack that the Strategic Rail Authority takes the view that there is short-term availability of signalling engineers? Will he take urgent action to get to the bottom of this issue?
We are in discussion with Railtrack and others on these matters. As Mr McNeil said, there is concern regarding the availability of signalling resources. That concern is not confined to the Gourock project, or even to Scottish projects, but is more widespread. We are asking Railtrack and the other interested parties to consider how best they can ensure that the projects are dealt with. We recognise the importance of safety considerations and of ensuring that signalling engineering resources are put first where they are most urgently needed. We do not think that any of the four projects in Scotland should be set to one side and we will continue to work with Railtrack and the other interested parties on that basis.
Does the minister agree that the chaos and confusion at the heart of London Government policy on the future of Railtrack is hitting rail investment hard, and that Scotland's hard-pressed passengers are suffering at the hands of a range of London-based organisations who have little regard for Scotland? Is not it time that the Executive trusted itself to have the same power over railways as it has over roads? Is not independent control of Scotland's railways the way to guarantee future investment?
That is another example of a questioner knowing the answer before asking the question. No, I do not agree with Andrew Wilson. The important thing that we have to attend to is ensuring that Scottish interests and the interests of Scottish stakeholders are fully represented, whatever the outcome of the discussions on the future of Railtrack. That is not a matter of starting off with one fixed ideological position and sticking to it regardless; it is a matter of discussing and negotiating to ensure that we get the best possible outcome for Scottish passengers and rail users.
The minister will be aware of the threatened loss of the Stonehaven-Aberdeen-Inverurie commuter rail link as a result of the decision that has been made. What action have the minister and the Executive taken to deal, through the Secretary of State for Scotland, with the Westminster Government? What assurances has the Executive managed to get from the Secretary of State for Scotland?
I am aware of that project and the Scottish Executive wants progress to be made on it, as well as on the other projects that have been mentioned. We have pursued the matter with colleagues at Westminster and with the Strategic Rail Authority. In the case of the Aberdeen crossrail project, an input into the feasibility study stage is required. The Executive has already made a financial investment in realising an outcome to the project. We want that project to succeed and that money to provide the right return. We will continue to talk with all relevant parties, at Westminster and elsewhere, to achieve that end.
The minister may or may not be aware that the Railtrack debacle resulted in some smaller casualties. One of those was the project to do up the old railway building in my home-town of Tain. Will the minister assure me that he will use his good offices in whatever way he can to ensure that, as and when the rescue package for Railtrack is put together, such smaller but important projects are looked after and rescued?
We have laid out our priorities for rail investment. We will pursue those priorities, but we are of course open to suggestions on other priorities further down the track.
Will the minister assure me that the Forth rail bridge maintenance project and disabled access to railway stations will feature as high priorities of the Scottish Executive as well as in his meetings with the SRA and the administrators of Railtrack?
We will continue to discuss the whole range of issues on which we have given commitments in the past. The member's question is of particular relevance to the proposal to reopen the Stirling-Alloa-Clackmannan line, which has particular relevance to the Forth rail bridge and to rail traffic on that route. That is among the priorities that I have described and which we will continue to pursue.
Clackmannanshire Bridge
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the proposed Clackmannanshire bridge across the Forth at Kincardine. (S1O-4271)
Our consultants are continuing their appraisal of potential crossings upstream of the existing Kincardine bridge, and expect to submit their report next spring.
Will the minister tell Parliament and me when he expects the line of route to be decided finally? When can we expect detailed design work for the southern end of the bridge, where many think that a grade-separated junction will be needed? When does the minister expect construction to start? Does he agree that, if the gap between completion of the east Kincardine link and completion of the new bridge is too long, congestion will only get worse?
We have made a commitment on the construction of the new bridge at a value, as Mr Raffan knows, of £50 million. We are therefore keen to ensure that we get the design and route right. The data have been collected and are now being processed by consultants. We expect further steps forward in that process in the course of the coming year.
Does the minister appreciate the concern about the fact that the Executive is examining a new option when there is a previously agreed option? Will the minister comment on the impact that that will have on the start date for the construction work? Will he make a commitment that work on the Clackmannanshire bridge will begin before 2003?
Rather than increasing the number of options, we have narrowed it down to two. Those two are the options that our consultants are considering at the moment. We wish to begin construction as soon as we are in a position to do so, but we will not rush the design stage. We know from previous transport projects that it is important to get things right at the beginning. We will seek to do that.
Does the minister agree that the bridge will not be a Clackmannanshire bridge, because it will go from Falkirk to Fife? Consultation has taken place in Clackmannan and Kincardine; will similar events be held in Airth and in Falkirk East?
I am aware that one of the two options that we are considering involves the village of Airth. We will consider carefully the views from that area that have already been expressed to us. If Mrs Peattie is reflecting a sense that people in that community have not had full access to the process, I will certainly address that matter.
Homelessness
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of local authorities to discuss housing and homelessness. (S1O-4296)
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is represented on the homelessness task force, the housing improvement task force and a number of other Executive-led groups. I hope to meet the COSLA housing group in the new year.
Does the minister share my concern about the quality of service that Fife Council and Angus Council give to homeless families, given that people in those areas who have been assessed as having priority need are twice as likely as others in Scotland to have to wait for four months or longer to secure permanent or even temporary accommodation?
I am certainly aware that homelessness is a major issue in Fife, although I note that homelessness application figures are 12 per cent down for the last year for which we have complete figures, compared with the year before. Ultimately, the local councils have statutory responsibility for addressing homelessness in Fife and Angus.
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