SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Health Boards and Trusts (Arbuthnott formula)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will monitor in what ways the application of the Arbuthnott formula to health boards and trusts is being used to increase access to NHS in Scotland services. (S1O-3115)
The Executive currently has well-established performance monitoring arrangements. However, as part of "Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change", existing arrangements are being reviewed and a new performance management framework for the NHS in Scotland will be announced soon.
Thank you. Given that the Arbuthnott funding was to address inequalities in access to health care, is the minister concerned that health trusts, such as Highland Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, are having to use that additional funding to reduce their financial deficit, leaving them no opportunity to address the problems that were set out by Arbuthnott in the document "Fair Shares for All"?
I am bound to say, for no reason other than the factual one, that I regret that once again Mary Scanlon is somewhat confused about the facts. It is worth pointing out that Highland Health Board, under the Arbuthnott provision, is receiving a 9.75 per cent increase in funding next year—the highest in Scotland. That is because the Arbuthnott review put in place a fairer system of allocating resources, which takes greater account of need, particularly in deprived and rural communities. A key part of the overall strategy for the NHS, in the Highlands and throughout Scotland, is to address health inequalities in local areas.
Does the minister agree that the 6.5 per cent increase for Lanarkshire Health Board is much welcomed? In addition, two new hospitals in Lanarkshire, including Hairmyres district general hospital in East Kilbride, will improve access to the health service. That is in contrast to what we will see under the Tories if they are ever elected—a £16 billion cut in public services.
I am pleased that Lanarkshire is one of many parts of the country that is getting new hospitals and where other new developments are taking place, which are part of the long-term investment that the Executive is making—and will continue to make—in the NHS in Scotland. That contrasts sharply with the past record of the Conservatives and with their future plans, were William Hague to sneak in after the next election. I think that it is time that the Scottish Conservative party admitted that a vote for it at the next election would mean cuts and privatisation—something that it has yet to admit.
The minister will be aware that there is something of a question mark over maternity service provision in my constituency. People who live in Caithness and Sutherland are very concerned that it might be downgraded to a midwife-led service. If that happened, expectant mothers would have to undertake a return trip of over 200 miles to give birth in Inverness. Can the minister assure me that, in view of that worrying situation, she will keep the closest possible eye on what is happening at the Caithness general hospital?
As Jamie Stone is aware, I have taken a keen interest in maternity services in general and I am aware of the concerns in Caithness. It is important to stress that no decisions about the future of maternity services in that area have been reached. Widespread consultation is taking place and it is right and proper that those discussions are had, to ensure that we provide services that meet current and future needs.
Homeless People (Health Services)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to improve the delivery of health services to homeless people. (S1O-3132)
On 8 March, I announced the appointment of a health and homelessness co-ordinator who will support NHS boards in their work to improve health care services to homeless people. The co-ordinator's work will be led by a national health and homelessness steering group whose membership comprises NHS, local authority and voluntary sector representatives and officials from the health and development departments. Draft guidance to the service on improving the health of homeless people and their health care services will be issued in the next few days.
I am grateful for the minister's answer and I welcome the new initiative. However, will the minister assure me that the complex health needs of homeless people will be addressed on the ground—or on the street—where help is badly needed? I draw his attention to the great need that many homeless people have for services to which he or I might give much less priority, such as chiropody and podiatry.
Addressing the problems of health and homelessness is an important part of our priorities for dealing with health inequalities. Part of that involves ensuring that access to the services that Patricia Ferguson mentioned is as convenient for homeless people as it is for us. The guidance that will be issued in the next few days will place a new requirement on health boards to develop action plans and to involve homeless people in developing those plans. The co-ordinator to whom I referred will drive forward that agenda in the next few months.
At the recent opening of Dundee Survival Group's new premises for the homeless in the city, one of the residents paid moving tribute to the importance of his doctor in helping him to overcome his alcoholism and, as he said, to get his life back. Given that the doctor to whom he referred was one of the new breed of salaried general practitioners who are employed directly by the health care trust, is not it the case that the best thing that we can do for the homeless is to encourage the spread of salaried GPs? The whole health service would benefit from the spread of that group of doctors.
John McAllion is right to refer to the personal medical services initiative, which results in the employment of salaried GPs, particularly in deprived areas. In my constituency, the same excellent development of GP services for homeless people has taken place. That is a key part of what we are discussing.
Nursery Nurses
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to initiate a review of the pay and conditions of nursery nurses. (S1O-3109)
The pay and conditions of nursery nurses are matters for their employers, which are local authorities and a range of organisations in the private and voluntary sectors. The Executive has no role in the negotiations and no plans to initiate a review.
Does the minister accept that, despite their increasing responsibilities, many nursery nurses feel that their role is not being recognised? Does he agree that a nationally implemented career structure could lead to improved pay and conditions and raise the morale of nursery nurses?
I am sympathetic to the issue of nursery nurses' low pay. I would like a more professional pay and conditions structure to be adopted, which would offer better career progression prospects for nursery nurses. The Executive is working hard on training and on developing qualifications for nursery nurses. Recently, we produced two documents on that. I understand Mary Mulligan's concerns, which we are working with others to address.
Does the minister agree that the current framework of child care qualifications in Scotland remains overly complex? What reassurance can he give nursery nurses that they can in future progress more easily through the main routes for advancement in early-years services?
Yes, I do agree. The reassurance that I can give is that we are working through the documents that I mentioned to try to address those issues for nursery nurses and for others who are involved in looking after and helping to educate children of that age. We are also working through other initiatives; for example, the child care forum—which I chair—includes a range of representatives from the sector.
I will declare an interest before I ask the minister the question. As a member of Unison and as the mother of a student nursery nurse, this matter is obviously important to me and to my daughter's development.
Perhaps I should also declare an interest as the father of a nursery-age child. I understand the issues. I can say only that the changes that have been introduced by the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Bill have been widely welcomed within that sector and by nursery nurses specifically. There has been a lot of support for the changes. Those changes seek to bring greater professionalism into the area. Over time, we will see progress, but that progress might be slower than many of us in the chamber would wish. The issue is difficult, but we are determined to tackle it.
Anti-social Behaviour
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to tackle anti-social behaviour. (S1O-3106)
We have recently announced the appointment of a sociable neighbourhood national co-ordinator, who will promote good practice across Scotland, and work with councils and others to develop successful strategies. We have also made provision in the Housing (Scotland) Bill to give additional powers to local authorities and registered social landlords to help tackle this problem. Those measures are in addition to the existing powers and guidance that are available to local authorities and other landlords.
I thank the deputy minister for her reply. Admittedly, it was in her speech yesterday. However, can we have a system whereby we make people more aware of the methods by which they can make complaints? I ask that because of the enormous number of inquiries that have come into the SNP's west of Scotland regional office about problems in the Greenock and Inverclyde area. The local authority, although it is sympathetic, tends to refer clients to the police. There appears to be a great deal of confusion about the process. We ask for an information campaign to outline clearly to people the structures that they can use to address anti-social behaviour.
I understand and agree with the need to tackle that serious social problem. We made clear yesterday the Executive's determination to deal with the problem and to understand the experience that many people have. As I said in my speech yesterday, we firmly believe in zero tolerance towards any level of disorder and violence in communities. We are taking measures in the Housing (Scotland) Bill that will bring about great progress in that area. However, we also recognise that there has to be action across the Executive and we are determined to take such action. We will take any opportunity that we can to publicise the great work of the Executive and its determination to deal with the problem.
Is the minister concerned that a deficiency in the control measures that are available to children's hearings adds to the problem of anti-social behaviour? If so, what remedies are planned?
I am terribly sorry. I think that I grasped the question. I genuinely do not wish to be impertinent and not listen properly.
Will the minister assure the chamber that the national alcohol strategy that the Executive is in the process of developing will address the anti-social consequences of alcohol misuse?
Having worked with Keith Raffan in the Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector Committee, I have no doubt about his interest in the issue. I accept that it is an issue of great importance. We want to consider cause and effect in our work. We do not want only to be punitive in our response to anti-social behaviour in communities, but we want to consider the causes of that behaviour. That is why we have a joined-up strategy. I encourage the member to raise that matter with the appropriate minister.
New Housing Developments
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures can be taken to ensure that developers of new housing include local amenities in planning applications. (S1O-3086)
A range of mechanisms is available for securing the provision of local amenities in residential developments, including development plan policies, planning conditions, planning agreements and development and design briefs.
I thank the minister for his reply. Does he share my concern that developers are able to volume-build in areas such as Robroyston and to submit planning applications that give no consideration to local amenities such as schools and nurseries? I ask the minister whether I can meet him to discuss my general concerns on the matter. My declaration of interest is that I stay in Robroyston.
The relevant national planning policy guideline in the matter is NPPG3, which defines the considerations that must be taken into account when local authorities are determining planning policies and planning applications. That would include amenities such as those referred to by my colleague, Paul Martin. Last November, Sam Galbraith announced a review of those guidelines. I am always available to meet Mr Martin or any other member to discuss the general principles of the guidelines. However, I cannot discuss the specifics of any particular application or anything that might in future go forward for an appeal decision.
On the same subject, is the minister concerned that local defects, such as the hideous mobile phone masts that seem to be springing up everywhere like something out of an old science fiction movie, can be erected without notification? I understand that current planning law does not require the mobile phone companies to notify—
I am sorry, but you are well wide of the question. That is not in order.
I understand that, and I will communicate with the minister afterwards.
There will be a letter in the post.
Caledonian MacBrayne (Fare Structure)
I, too, will try to communicate with the minister.
I expect presently to receive a report from CalMac on the conclusions of a review of its current fares structure. I will take decisions in the light of those conclusions.
The minister will be aware that high ferry fares act as a barrier to economic growth on the Scottish islands. Why, in its preliminary response, has CalMac ruled out the prospect of considering RETs, or road-equivalent tariffs? Is the minister aware of the unanimous support of Highland Council's transport committee and Western Isles Council for a pilot scheme for such a proposal? Will she give her support to a pilot scheme to put Scottish islanders on the same, equal basis as their counterparts in Scandinavia?
I am well aware of the debate, especially about freight costs from our highland and island areas and the key role that is played by CalMac in providing opportunities. The difficulty with Duncan Hamilton's suggestion is that, as the consultants concluded, the introduction of RETs would result in substantial reductions in the company's revenues. Consequently, there would be a need for much greater subsidy. At nearly £20 million a year, we are already at record levels of subsidy for CalMac.
I welcome action to ensure that fares are kept under review, and I ask the minister what steps are being taken to ensure that community groups, especially on the islands, are fully involved in the consultation process.
It is important that the people who are affected by services and fares are involved. That is why CalMac ensured that libraries had copies of the consultation document, so that local people could read it. I understand that the company also made the consultation exercise available on the internet, which is one of the ways that we are all trying to use to communicate more effectively with people throughout the country. I hope that that made the consultation exercise more accessible to people. The extension by a week of the consultation exercise will ensure that all who wanted to contribute will have their views fully considered.
Is the minister aware of the views of my constituents in Tiree, Coll and Mull, who have asked me to raise with her the need for an essential goods rebate for the island communities that are served by CalMac? Will the minister consider such a scheme for those islands?
There is an opportunity for people to contribute their views to the review that is currently being carried out. Once we have everybody's views, we will be able to see how to move forward. We are aware of the fact that the subsidies that CalMac provides are absolutely vital to the social and economic future of communities on our islands and remote peninsulas, so we are keen to continue that. If we can improve the measures that we have at the moment, we shall consider the consultation exercise carefully when the CalMac review is completed.
The next two questions are specifically about the fish processing industry.
Fish Processing Industry (Redundancies)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people employed in the fish processing industry were made redundant during the past year. (S1O-3119)
That information is not available to the Scottish Executive. Employers are not required to inform the Executive of numbers of employees who are made redundant.
Given that the fish processing industry provides some 20,000 jobs and involves more than 300 businesses, what job losses does the minister predict will take place over and above the 1,000 redundancies in the past year? The Executive might not know the figure, but the industry does. How will she stop that haemorrhage of employment and ensure that fish processing emerges as a viable part of an overall fishing industry?
Because of concern about the fish processing sector, the Executive set up a fish processing working group in December and I met members of that group just last week. I am sure that Mr Welsh will also welcome the fact that I announced £1 million for the fish processing sector. If he is so concerned about the fish processing sector, will he urge his party to abandon its policy of tie-ups, which would lead to irreparable damage and job losses in the fish processing sector?
I call Lewis Macdonald to ask question 8.
Let him answer.
It is a sad day for Scotland when the Executive asks the Opposition what it should be doing. I asked the minister how she is going to prevent the haemorrhaging of jobs, but she does not even know the number of jobs that has been lost. If she has so much contact with the industry, she should know that. What is she doing to stop that haemorrhaging of jobs to ensure that we have a viable fish processing industry?
I call Lewis Macdonald to ask question 8.
What? Wait a minute.
Are you going to answer?
Well, he just asked me another question.
I thought that you were shaking your head.
No. I urged him—[Interruption.]
Order. I am sorry. I misunderstood you. I thought that you were shaking your head.
No, no. I urged Mr Welsh to do something. I did not ask him a question, but now he is asking me another question.
Please go on then.
Let me say yet again that we have announced the biggest ever package of aid for the fishing industry, and Mr Welsh is accusing me of not being concerned about the fish processing sector. I think that Mr Welsh ought to talk to the fish processors, who earlier this week encouraged the fishermen to go back to work.
Fish Processing Industry (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the fish processing industry and what matters were discussed. (S1O-3121)
I met representatives of the fish processing sector on 6 March to discuss the report that was presented by the fish processors working group.
Is the minister aware that 100 fish processors from Aberdeen and Buchan met on Tuesday this week and unanimously called for an end to short-term tie-ups, to protect the jobs of thousands of factory workers in the fish processing industry? Does she accept that, in welcoming last week's announcement of £1 million in Executive support, those processors will continue to look to the Parliament for a positive response to their willingness to restructure their sector of the fisheries industry?
I am very much aware of that meeting. I want to ensure that fishermen and fish processors have a long-term, sustainable and viable future. I recognise the number of jobs that are involved in fishing, fish processing and ancillary sectors. Because a lot of jobs are involved, we must ensure a long-term, sustainable future for the whole of the industry. [Interruption.]
Members should not shout.
I, too, attended the meeting of 100 processors at Newburgh in Aberdeenshire. Lewis Macdonald and his Westminster counterpart, Frank Doran, spent the whole meeting trying to turn the processing sector against the—
Order. I want to hear a question.
Their action was despicable.
Mr Lochhead manifestly was not allowed to speak this morning and so he is trying to make his speech this afternoon.
On a point of order.
I have not heard anything that was out of order. What is the point of order?
Is it in order for a minister to criticise the Presiding Officer's choice of speaker? [Members: "That is not a point of order."] That is a point of order, Presiding Officer.
The minister was not criticising my choice of speaker.
Following the minister's response to Lewis Macdonald's disgraceful outburst, may I again ask her this question? I have read the report that was commissioned and paid for by the Scottish Executive through Grampian Enterprise. It is intended to inform the long-term delivery of support and new technical measures that are to be taken by the industry. All the processors to whom I speak regularly are asking for short-term support—employment support or other forms of support—to tide them over. What will the minister offer them in the short term? Are they going to get the same answers as the fishermen?
I can assure Mr Davidson that fish processors have very much welcomed the £1 million that I announced last week. If he cares to read reports and talk to the fish processors, he will know that they have gone on record as welcoming the £1 million.
Question 9 is withdrawn. We move to question 10.
Freedom of Information
To ask the Scottish Executive how its proposals for freedom of information contribute to its wider objectives of social justice. (S1O-3131)
The proposals that are set out in the draft freedom of information (Scotland) bill, which was published on 1 March, would guarantee for all a legally enforceable right of access to information that is held by a broad range of Scottish public authorities. The Executive's freedom of information proposals are but one example of the work that is being taken forward to improve everyone's ability to participate equally in Scottish society, which is a central objective of our social justice policy.
I note what the minister said about the wider aspects of the proposals. When the draft bill was discussed in the chamber this morning, there was a large measure of approval for it across the parties.
Mr Watson makes an important point. Indeed, the thrust of his colleague Gordon Jackson's speech this morning was that the measures will entitle every citizen in Scotland to have access to information about, for example, local services, such as refuse collection, road maintenance and snow clearing; information about schools, such as how much money is spent in each school; and information on hospitals, for example, the number of doctors and nurses. All those are pieces of information that citizens might want to know for one reason or another. The point is that they will be entitled to know; they will not have to establish a need to know.
Having published the draft bill, will the minister take into account in the consultation the difficulty that people might have in obtaining information from companies that are described as self-standing, hands-off or arm's-length, and which were previously the preserve of local council departments and have been hived or spun off?
The measures that we are introducing relate to public authorities in Scotland, but I am sure that Margo MacDonald will be interested to read section 5(2) of the draft bill, which gives ministers further power to designate Scottish public authorities. That includes "persons", which no doubt includes corporations, who
Housing (Insulation and Draught-proofing)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to provide insulation and draught-proofing for homes in the socially rented and private sectors. (S1O-3102)
Both sectors will continue to benefit from the warm deal and will now also benefit from the central heating programme, which includes insulation and draught-proofing.
If a house has an old or inefficient central heating system, and so fails to qualify for the heating system that was announced on 23 February, will the minister clarify whether it will also fail to qualify for the insulation and draught-proofing that is outlined in the package?
The criteria that we have set for the socially rented sector and the private sector vary slightly. In both cases, the house must lack any form of central heating. In the socially rented sector, it should not be demolished within a period of three years.
“North Channel Economic Study”
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the recent report "North Channel Economic Study", which was commissioned by the North Channel Partnership and produced by Pieda Consulting. (S1O-3124)
The report was received on 17 February and discussed at my meeting with the partnership on 6 March. My officials will be writing presently with our detailed response.
If the minister has had a chance to examine the study, which was produced by a consortium of local authorities and commercial interests in south-west Scotland and Northern Ireland, she will have noted that, in addition to the £21 million that is provided for the local economy, the A75 supports 2,500 jobs in Scotland through the Lochryan ferry operations and half a million tourist trips, and that it contributes £114 million to the Scottish economy, which equates to another 3,800 jobs.
We are well aware of the economic importance of Cairnryan and Stranraer to the Scottish economy. That is why I was so keen to meet with the partnership, to ensure that it had an early opportunity to speak to me about some of the conclusions. The report pulls out some important information about the growing volume of freight that is going through those ports.
On the suggested improvements to the A75 and the A77 south of Girvan, many of which are not in the route action plan, is not it clear that both Stranraer and Cairnryan are being disadvantaged against Holyhead in the south and Troon in the north, because improvements in the south-west have not kept pace with improvements elsewhere?
It is important to say that about £117 million has been invested in the route over the past two decades. That is a substantial improvement.
I thank the minister for her tribute to the previous Conservative Government's investment programme for the A75.
Mr Tosh listened to the part of my answer that he was keen to hear, but not to the other part. Our discussions with the council are based on our belief that the route action plan gives the best short, medium and long-term improvements to the A75. We must see the plan in the context of wider improvements to the A77 and the long-term improvements that we are making to the M77 north of Ayr. A lot of investment is going into the area and we want to ensure that it is agreed locally. However, the route action plan is our top priority and I hope that, when I introduce the roll forward on the motorways and trunk roads programme, my meeting with the North Channel Partnership will be useful in setting my priorities.
Further Education (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for future reorganisation of further education in Glasgow. (S1O-3136)
That is a matter for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council, which is working with the Glasgow colleges to identify and evaluate the strategic options for the provision of further education in Glasgow.
I ask the minister to note that I have a necessary interest in this matter, as four of the 10 colleges of further education are in my constituency. Does she agree that the Parliament has an obligation to ensure that any changes or mergers create positive benefits for further education? Will she specifically address the issue of the protection of the specialist nature of vocational courses in the FE sector? Will she confirm that no merger will result in site closures, which would affect the delivery of further education in the area that the colleges serve?
The review presents us with the opportunity to strengthen the excellence of further education in the city. I am particularly aware of what Cardonald College is doing in the field of adult literacy, what Anniesland College is doing on the issue of access, what the Central College of Commerce is doing on the issue of small and medium-sized enterprises, and what is being done at the Glasgow College of Building and Printing, from which I believe the member is a distinguished graduate. There is no doubt that, with a 50 per cent increase in the further education budget, the excellence of further education in Glasgow will be strengthened.
Foot-and-mouth Disease (Rural Businesses)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to alleviate any consequential losses to rural businesses as a result of the current outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. (S1O-3101)
The Executive is already providing support to some directly affected businesses either through compensation for livestock or by advice from the enterprise networks. However, as I have intimated to the chamber on several occasions, I have commissioned work to assess the immediate consequences of the foot-and-mouth outbreak on a wider range of affected industries; I will chair a meeting of the assessment group this afternoon. As I indicated in my statement earlier today, the work of that group has now been integrated with the work being carried out in England and Wales, where there are common features and industries. I look forward to an early response so that we can consider the most effective way of assisting our rural areas.
I am sure that the minister will agree that, although foot-and-mouth appears to be confined to a relatively small geographic area of Scotland—we all hope that the situation stays that way—the economic effects are being felt nationwide. Will he undertake to explore with colleagues at Westminster the possibilities of Government agencies such as Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue deferring demands for payments and of the local authorities deferring their rates demands until the rural community is back to something approaching normal? Will he assure the chamber that the Executive will look with sympathy and generosity on the inevitable demands that will come from agencies—particularly those in Dumfries and Galloway—for extra funding to kick-start the local economy once this appalling outbreak is over?
The member will understand that I cannot at this stage give any financial commitments. However, I can assure him that all the matters that he has raised are being taken on board. Some of those matters are reserved, which is why the group that I shall be chairing later this afternoon is now linked with the committee that is considering the matter on a UK basis.
I am sure that the minister is aware that the tourist industry is feeling the effects of the foot-and-mouth disaster. Are there plans to support the tourist industry, particularly in the rural areas, in the months to come? Marketing will be essential if we are to bring visitors back to the Highlands.
I assure the member that, on the committee that I chair, I am assisted by the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and the Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture. All the matters to which she refers are being given urgent consideration.
Previous
Foot-and-mouth Disease