General Questions
Renewable Energy (Jobs)
Under our renewables action plan and the national renewables infrastructure plan, the Scottish Government and all its agencies are working in close collaboration with industry to ensure that Scotland capitalises on its renewable energy advantage. That includes taking a strategic approach to the development of primary locations to support highly skilled manufacturing jobs for the offshore renewables industry.
What co-operation is envisaged between Scotland and other European and international players in the renewable energy field?
The answer is: considerable. I refer to our work with the Scottish European Green Energy Centre, European Commission work and the forum for renewable energy development in Scotland. That work is being done with a focus on skills. This morning, I met the north Scotland industries group to understand what it is doing on energy and engineering skills. I have also spoken to the divisions that look after energy, enterprise and education in the Scottish Government—divisions that are coming together and whose officials will arrange to talk to Christopher Harvie and his researcher Stefan Buettner on the matter.
Does the minister agree that developing wind power further offshore and wave power in the north-east Atlantic requires specific offshore training and safety standards for those who work in such hostile environments? If so, will he say what discussions he plans to have with the oil and gas academy—OPITO—and the offshore division of the Health and Safety Executive on the application of its expertise to offshore renewable energy?
I very much agree with those points. Dialogue is on-going and the question adds further focus. The item was raised at the last meeting of the oil and gas advisory board, as it was when we spoke at the all energy summit, which brought together all the advisory boards. There is common interest on the matter. We want to ensure that we do not reinvent the wheel. We are drawing in input from the oil and gas sector on training, health and safety, project management, finance and other areas where skills exist. We want to ensure that all of that coalesces.
The minister is aware of my interest in bringing renewables jobs to Inverclyde. I hope for a positive response to my letter in which I invited him to come to Inverclyde to meet a couple of renewables companies. Can the minister provide reassurance that places such as Inverclyde will not be omitted from consideration for renewables jobs that come to Scotland?
Our work, including under the national renewables infrastructure plan, goes very much with the flow of the market. I encourage Inverclyde and other places to make their presence and proposition felt. Given the proximity of Inverclyde and my historic connections to it, I am happy to drop in on one of my Fridays as I head to Argyll and Bute.
Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme
The Edinburgh to Glasgow improvement programme will greatly improve the rail network in central Scotland, bringing real and lasting benefits to rail passengers and substantially improving connectivity between Glasgow, Edinburgh and central Scotland communities. EGIP will enable a significant step change in the availability of routes and journey times between Scotland’s two major cities, from today’s six or seven services each hour, with a fastest journey time of around 50 minutes, to 13 services each hour, with a fastest journey time of around 35 minutes.
One of the lines that is to be electrified is the Cumbernauld line. Does the minister agree that its electrification can allow for and should lead to an increased frequency of passenger services on that line as well as direct services between Glasgow and Edinburgh, so that people who use Cumbernauld, Greenfaulds, Gartcosh and Stepps stations no longer have to travel to Glasgow or Falkirk to change for services to Edinburgh? Would not such initiatives lead to a vastly improved rail service for people in central Scotland?
The member makes an important point. At present, services to Cumbernauld are performing below their capability. With the electrification of the line through Cumbernauld, there will be an opportunity to consider what interventions could maximise use of the new and existing infrastructure.
I welcome the electrification of the Cumbernauld line. I am sure that, when it is complete, it will bring many benefits to commuters using trains from Cumbernauld. I wish to ask the minister about the effects that the plans might have on Croy station. I am sure that the minister is aware that Croy is an important hub on the Glasgow to Edinburgh line, and I wish to ensure that Croy enjoys the same number of services, if not more. What plans does the minister have to ensure that the people of Croy are consulted on any proposals that Network Rail might have to make changes at Croy station?
Croy station is a very important part of the commuter and social infrastructure of the west of Scotland. I have used it on a number of occasions, and I have seen how busy it is. We have not yet developed the timetables that will come into play on the completion of EGIP, but the member should be assured that there will be no diminution in the service that is delivered to Croy. We will engage with the community to ensure that the proposals that we put into Network Rail’s planning system reflect the needs of the community of Croy and the surrounding area.
Edinburgh Trams Project
Monthly progress meetings are held with the City of Edinburgh Council as part of the formal governance arrangements for the project.
Does the minister accept that there will have to be an inquiry into the tram project in due course, covering problems with the 2008 contract, mismanagement by the council, the extent of any monitoring by the Scottish Government and other matters? Does he agree that there are two more urgent and immediate priorities: first, to drive as hard a bargain as possible with Bilfinger Berger, the company that is holding up the work and is trying to extract as much as possible from the public purse; and secondly, to ensure that the whole line, from the airport to Newhaven, is completed without extra cost to council tax payers, but using, if necessary, innovative funding methods such as tax increment financing, which I suggested in a recent letter to the minister?
As Mr Chisholm will be aware, I have been making it clear to the City of Edinburgh Council for some considerable time that the Government has offered and continues to offer practical assistance in the development of a tax increment finance proposition for the City of Edinburgh Council. I look forward to continuing discussions with the city council on that.
A year ago Mr Stevenson answered a question from Mr McKee, stating that he had not had any meetings with the City of Edinburgh Council about trams over the previous year. Can the cabinet secretary tell us how many meetings he and Mr Stevenson have had with the city council, TIE or Bilfinger Berger about the trams since last September to deal with the real difficulties around the project?
I am sure that Margaret Smith understands this and is not trying to play petty politics with the question, but the contract exists between TIE and Bilfinger Berger. That contractual relationship must be managed by TIE and supervised by the City of Edinburgh Council—that is where contractual responsibility lies. Of course, the Government has provided funding in relation to the project. A number of meetings have taken place between ministers, the City of Edinburgh Council and TIE in connection with the development and completion of the trams project. That is what ministers have been undertaking. As I have just explained to Mr Chisholm, the focus of those discussions has been to encourage a resolution of the contractual disputes and the completion of the project as efficiently and effectively as possible.
I endorse every last word from my colleague Malcolm Chisholm on the Edinburgh trams project. I remind the cabinet secretary that we are prepared to support the notion of two aircraft carriers, for which there is a very dubious use. We know that a use is marked out—I see Mike Rumbles, who has armed services experience, agreeing with me—and there is a use for trams. Indeed, I would like their use to be extended.
Do you have a question?
I have a question on the matter of an inquiry. Does the cabinet secretary agree that, in an inquiry that will be specialist and detailed, the Auditor General for Scotland will need some specialist buttressing? Perhaps the cabinet secretary might consider that for any future specialist inquiries, as ones such as the forthcoming one on this will be.
I am not sure that it is incumbent on a Government minister to be involved in questions of specialist buttressing for the Auditor General for Scotland. There is a separation of responsibilities between ministers and the Auditor General.
Question 4 has been withdrawn.
Carbon Reduction (Digital Technology)
Scotland’s future lies in low-carbon technologies and greener business. Climate change is a global challenge, which presents global opportunities. We must seize the moment and take action now to make the transition to a low-carbon economy a reality.
Transport Scotland’s “Travel Plan 2010-2013” encourages the use of audio and videoconferencing to replace carbon-generated travel. Will the Scottish Government consider encouraging organisations to provide incentives for their staff and clients to use digital technologies to attend conferences or training events virtually, rather than attending them in person, to reduce carbon emissions?
Dr Wilson raises a substantial issue. There is every pressure to ensure that we utilise video technology more fully in the business of government and public service. It can save on cost and on carbon emissions. It requires a change in approach and working practice, however. In many of its interventions, the Government encourages that process—ensuring a change in working practice to utilise technology and achieve the objectives that Dr Wilson set out in his question.
Broadband (Highlands and Islands)
Although the Scottish Government fully recognises and supports the wider benefits that can potentially be gained from the pathfinder north and south networks, the matter is complex because of the potential for contractual and state-aid issues to inhibit non-local authority access. That said, we are actively exploring with pathfinder partners and Cable & Wireless the opportunities that might exist to realise the potential benefits. The most recent meeting between officials and Cable & Wireless took place on Tuesday 14 September and discussions are on-going.
I am grateful for that response and hope that the minister will continue to encourage his officials to be actively involved in supporting Highland Council and the other councils in the region when retendering for the project comes up in the not-too-distant future. Will the minister also encourage Broadband Delivery UK to support Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s recent bid for the roll-out of broadband in the region and ensure that, as part of that, the pathfinder network has such public access in future?
Indeed I will. We will continue to be as active and supportive as the member suggests. Indeed, at this point, I should recognise and express my appreciation for Mr Peacock’s continued informed interest in the area. As he has indicated, we are continuing to press BDUK on this issue and will work with Highland Council, HIE and Cable & Wireless to ensure that we get the very best possible outcome.
Although Shetland became fully connected to pathfinder north in December 2009, there are still concerns across the islands, especially on Unst and Yell, that general access to high-quality broadband is at best patchy. What is the Scottish Government doing to improve the broadband service to all people in Shetland?
I would be interested to hear in greater detail about the points that the member raises. It might well be a case of taking the path of least resistance and taking up the new LEADER broadband funding that has become available. I encourage the member to raise the issue with people in Shetland. If she requires any clarification in that respect, we would be glad to help her.
Forth Replacement Crossing (Economic Benefits)
The Forth replacement crossing project will provide a major boost for the local economy and associated local employment prospects. The successful contractor will be required to advertise subcontracting and supply opportunities through the public contracts Scotland website and all site-based employment opportunities through local job centres. The contract will also contain a requirement for a minimum number of training places, including site-based apprenticeships and opportunities for the unemployed, throughout the construction period.
I believe that no specific, standalone business impact study has been carried out in relation to the new crossing and that any such impacts are contained in the more wide-ranging environmental impact study. Last week, I gave evidence to the assessor of the Forth Crossing Bill hearings with representatives of the Queensferry Business Association, who retain some concerns about the matter. Will the cabinet secretary agree to consider whether a business impact study would be beneficial, given that it could help the Scottish Government to do all that it can to maximise the opportunities and minimise the problems that the £2 billion crossing will bring to local businesses and the wider Scottish economy?
I certainly share the objective of maximising the beneficial local economic impacts that Margaret Smith mentioned in the latter part of her question. That underpins the Government’s approach to the project. I will consider her suggestion about further work on business impacts and write to her in due course, but I assure her that the mechanism on the public contracts Scotland website is very efficient, allowing contracts to be advertised and local companies to register free of charge to access those procurement opportunities.
What steps will the cabinet secretary take to ensure that businesses such as Deep Sea World, which is one of Scotland’s top tourist destinations, are protected?
From my knowledge of where Deep Sea World is, I am not altogether sure that the site will have any negative impact on it. If Helen Eadie has any particular concerns or questions, I am happy to consider and address them.
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