Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, March 14, 2013

Official Report 883KB pdf

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General Question Time

Question 1 is in the name of Hanzala Malik, but I note that Mr Malik is not in the chamber to ask it.

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National Health Service (Bullying)

2. To ask the Scottish Government what further measures it will take to combat bullying in the national health service. (S4O-01916)

Culture, values and behaviours will be a fundamental cornerstone of the 2020 workforce vision, which we aim to launch at the NHS event in June. That will present a further opportunity to restate our commitment to providing a working environment in the NHS that is free from bullying and harassment.

Is the cabinet secretary aware that the national confidential alert line that is soon to be launched, which is independent of the NHS, is being keenly awaited by NHS staff and trade unions, as it will provide an additional level of protection in the workplace, and that NHS staff who have any concerns over standards of care, patient safety or the treatment of staff, including bullying, will be able to make a complaint over the phone to the whistleblowers helpline, secure and safe in the knowledge that their complaint will be taken seriously, fully investigated and acted upon?

I am aware that the national confidential alert line is keenly awaited. The contract to provide it has been awarded to Public Concern at Work, and I am pleased to say that we are making excellent progress in preparing for the launch of the freephone service on 2 April this year. I am confident that the service will support and enhance existing procedures by providing an additional level of support for staff who wish to raise concerns about practices in NHS Scotland.

The cabinet secretary will know that I have constituents who are members of Patients First, which was established in England and Wales and is now developing in Scotland. In the main, they are NHS staff with an interest in whistleblowing and other issues in the NHS. What could the cabinet secretary do to support Patients First and those involved in it as the organisation develops?

In preparing the tender document for the alert line, I consulted Dr Kim Holt, a founding member of Patients First, to get her input and feedback on her experiences in London, particularly with Great Ormond Street hospital, to ensure that we were covering all the right angles for the tender specification. I received positive and helpful input from Dr Holt, and I will continue to talk to Patients First about the development of a policy to ensure robust implementation of our intention to eliminate bullying and harassment in the NHS in Scotland.

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Vion Food Group (Acquisition)

3. To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the 2 Sisters Food Group regarding the acquisition of Vion Food Group’s United Kingdom red meat and poultry businesses. (S4O-01917)

Scottish ministers and officials have held extensive discussions with representatives of the 2 Sisters Food Group in recent weeks regarding the proposed acquisition of Vion’s UK businesses.

Does the cabinet secretary agree with me that the safeguarding of 280 jobs at the McIntosh Donald facility in Portlethen was essential for the employees, the local community and the economy, as well as supporting a trusted red meat and poultry brand that is renowned for its quality and responsible sourcing, and which has remained steadfast throughout the mislabelled meat scandal?

I acknowledge and very much endorse the points that Maureen Watt has made. The acquisition of Vion’s UK operations in Portlethen, Coupar Angus and Cambuslang and of the supporting infrastructure in the agricultural sector has been very important for ensuring stability of ownership of major elements of the food chain in Scotland.

On the point that Maureen Watt makes about the quality and traceability at all those operations, those are at even more of a premium in the food-processing sector now given the other issues with which we are wrestling at the moment. I certainly assure Parliament of the keen interest of the Government and of our agencies, such as Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International, in working closely with 2 Sisters to ensure that the company has a strong and effective foothold in the food-processing market within Scotland. We will continue that dialogue in the months and years to come.

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Independence Referendum (Civic Society)

4. To ask the Scottish Government how civic society is engaging with the process involved in the lead-up to the independence referendum. (S4O-01918)

Civil society is already a central part of the debate and is discussing the opportunities that would be generated by and for the people of an independent Scotland. To cite just one example of that, the Scottish Trades Union Congress’s work “A Just Scotland” is a wide-ranging consultation between the STUC and its members throughout Scotland’s communities on our constitutional future. We certainly welcome such engagement. It is absolutely right that civil society should be centrally engaged now because, following a vote for independence in the 2014 referendum, civil society would have a key part to play in taking Scotland forward.

Will the cabinet secretary join me in welcoming the decision of the Scotland number 2 branch of the Communication Workers Union to back our country’s independence?

Does the cabinet secretary regret the language used by the leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland, who described the branch’s decision as “turkeys voting for Christmas” because, he said,

“One of the big strengths of the UK is the universal service”?

Surely such language is unbecoming of any parliamentarian, let alone a party leader, and is somewhat ironic given that the Office of Communications has already concluded that

“There is a very real risk to the universal service”.

Surely the threat to the universal service comes not from independence but from the United Kingdom Government, of which Mr Rennie’s party forms part.

I thank Jamie Hepburn for that question. I warmly welcome the vote by the members of the Communication Workers Union. Let me quote from the motion that the branch passed, which states:

“We recognise that under consecutive governments the gap between rich and poor has widened and that the UK remains one of the most unequal societies in the developed nations of the world. ... To this end we believe that the only way forward for workers in Scotland is to ensure a YES vote in the referendum and we agree to do all in our power to secure such an outcome.”

I thoroughly agree with that conclusion.

In response to Jamie Hepburn’s question about the comments of the Scottish Liberal Democrats leader, as Willie Rennie is not in the chamber I will confine my comments to saying that his position is one of many that have resulted in him being the leader of just five MSPs. Perhaps the biggest problem that he faces is that his colleagues are propping up a Tory Government in Westminster that the people of Scotland did not vote for and do not want.

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Creative Scotland (Meetings)

5. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the board of Creative Scotland and what issues were discussed. (S4O-01919)

The Scottish Government attends regular meetings of the board of Creative Scotland as an observer, most recently on 28 February 2013 when strategic matters were discussed. I am next due to meet the board on 21 March.

In her future conversations with Creative Scotland, will the cabinet secretary ask Creative Scotland to think again about how it supports our film and television industry? I have received several reports that indicate to me that support for those who wish to produce new work is sadly lacking, that the process that is used to decide which project is funded is convoluted and that potential producers have found it difficult to engage in the conversation. The cabinet secretary’s intervention in the issue would be most gratefully received.

I know that the member has regularly raised issues about film and television, which is a sector that I am keen to support. I am more than happy to ensure that the points that she has made are raised in my discussions with Creative Scotland, and I am looking forward to positive news about progress in that area. The action plan that Creative Scotland produced only last week sets out a review of funding streams more generally. I will ask specifically what that will mean for film and television in particular.

The cabinet secretary will recall her visit to Fife in February to meet representatives of Fife Council, Creative Scotland and elected representatives to discuss the future of the Byre. Can she advise what recent discussions have taken place with Creative Scotland about its general review of its funding approach in Scotland that will be of particular relevance to the future of the Byre?

As outlined in my answer to Patricia Ferguson, part of the action plan relates to a review of funding models to enable as many organisations as possible and appropriate to benefit from stable multiyear arrangements, which includes an end to the plans for strategic commissioning. Changing the perceived funding hierarchy will be helpful and that stability will be important for a number of organisations.

In relation to the Byre theatre, important discussions must take place with Fife Council and the new Fife Cultural Trust in particular. I will encourage—as I did at the meeting that Rod Campbell attended—those discussions to take place. I thank Rod Campbell and all the Fife MSPs who attended that meeting for their positive suggestions and constructive support.

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Congenital Heart Disease (Standards of Care)

6. To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to improve the standard of care for adults with congenital heart disease. (S4O-01920)

I recently approved the establishment of a national managed clinical network to promote the improvement of high-quality, safe and person-centred services for children and adults with congenital heart disease in Scotland. The Scottish congenital cardiac network will be launched on 1 April 2013.

I recognise that survival with congenital heart disease is a success story of modern medicine, and I welcome the establishment of the managed clinical network. However, does the cabinet secretary understand the serious concerns of those with congenital heart disease about the absence of national standards or the particular difficulties that they encounter frequently when attending accident and emergency departments? Will the cabinet secretary ensure that national standards are established and implemented as soon as possible, along with A and E protocols, including 24-hour phone access for A and E doctors to the specialist service at the Golden Jubilee hospital?

I am actively pursuing all the issues mentioned by Malcolm Sturgeon. I am sorry—I mean Malcolm Chisholm. That is an easy way to answer a question. [Laughter.] My mistake was, of course, deliberate, Presiding Officer.

We are doing so in consultation with our colleagues south of the border. As the member probably knows, the Department of Health set up a review of the 2006 commissioning standards for England and Wales. We will take cognisance of the review when developing our own national standards.

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Air Source Heat Pumps

7. To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage the use of air source heat pumps. (S4O-01921)

When Fergus Ewing, Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism, launched the “Microgeneration Strategy for Scotland” in June last year, he announced an increase in the budget for our energy saving Scotland home renewables loans. That increased the loans available for renewable heat to £10,000 for each installation, which has resulted in a six-fold increase in the rate of applications. We also provide small business loans for energy efficiency and microgeneration, and the £50 million warm homes fund can help registered social landlords and local authorities to install renewable technologies such as heat pumps on their properties.

The funding is supported by free and impartial advice and information from the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland, which we sponsor to advise householders, businesses, communities and local authorities through its network of local energy saving Scotland advice centres.

I acknowledge those steps. However, why is it the case in Scotland that planning permission is required for the installation of air source heat pumps when it is not required across the rest of the United Kingdom and has not been for some time? That requirement adds a cost of at least £150 to each installation and can act only as a major disincentive to householders, social landlords and others who are seeking to decrease their carbon footprint. When will the Government remove the requirement and catch up with the rest of the UK?

To be honest, I do not think that Alex Fergusson has substantiated his point. The fact is that there has been a six-fold increase in the rate of applications. What has been slowing up the move to air source heat pumps is the lack of clarity around the financial arrangements, particularly those relating to the domestic renewable heat incentive, which have taken some time to emerge from the UK Government.

We have taken steps to encourage the development of that. The increase in applications is a reflection of the increase in support that the Scottish Government is making available.

I assure Mr Fergusson that, if he has particular examples that he wishes to cite to me in which the necessity to secure planning permission has been an impediment to such development, ministers will consider them. However, we should welcome the fact that we are making more progress because we have put in place a regime that is of some assistance to householders throughout Scotland.

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Energy Skills Academy (Location)

8. To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the location for the energy skills academy. (S4O-01922)

Discussions with industry and with skills providers have taken place and an announcement on the energy skills academy approach will be made in the next few weeks.

On 28 February, the first Minister said that detailed announcements on the energy skills academy that Labour members would welcome would be made in the near future. As the cabinet secretary knows, I am always keen to welcome good news from the Scottish Government when there is any, so can he tell me in more detail when an announcement will be made so that I can prepare to welcome the Scottish Government’s decision to base the academy in Aberdeen?

I did not think that I would come to the Parliament today to experience a revelation, but I have certainly experienced one if Mr Baker is lining himself up to be somebody who celebrates good news. It is not something of which I would ever have accused him at any stage in the past. Of course, he has some football connections that make it difficult for him to experience or celebrate much good news, which he and I have a mutual interest in sharing.

I assure Mr Baker that very good discussions are going on with the industry. The First Minister and I took forward some further discussions in that respect on Monday in Aberdeen. We look forward to the announcement and, of course, to the welcome that Mr Baker will accord it in due course.

The cabinet secretary will be aware of the work that has already been done by the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University, along with Aberdeen College and the Banff and Buchan College, which will become the new regional college.

As an Aberdeen member, I hope that the energy skills academy will be based in Aberdeen, but is it not essential that other further and higher education institutions come on board with the project? There are not enough skills within the north-east, and we must encourage students from other areas—such as Fife and Renfrew, where there are already oil-related jobs—to come on board in the oil and gas industry, which has an exciting future.

Maureen Watt makes a number of correct and appropriate points. Although the focus of energy activity has clearly emerged in Aberdeen and the north-east of Scotland and although a tremendous critical mass of activity and the global centre of expertise are located in the city of Aberdeen, there are also opportunities in the oil and gas sector and renewables throughout the country.

Part of what the energy skills academy approach must achieve is the capture of innovative thinking from the University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University, Banff and Buchan College and Aberdeen College. However, we must take that forward in consort with all aspects of the energy sector, whether the oil and gas sector, renewables or the wide cross-section of other areas of activity that we have.

There are some real issues with congestion of activity in the north-east of Scotland. Some players within the industry are already resolving those by undertaking activity in other parts of Scotland. That is to be welcomed, because it strengthens Scotland’s overall proposition as a major centre for energy activity.

As the First Minister and I heard from Oil & Gas UK representatives on Monday, the industry has a strong and buoyant future. We look forward to strengthening that yet further with the commitment under the proposals for the energy skills academy that the Scottish Government will take forward.

Before we come to First Minister’s questions, I am sure that members would wish to join me in welcoming to the gallery the Deputy Chairman and members from the Consultative Assembly of Oman. [Applause.]