Justice and the Law Officers
Good afternoon, everyone. The first item of business this afternoon is portfolio questions. In order to get in as many members as possible, I would be grateful for short questions and answers whenever possible.
Police Scotland and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (Business Cases for Establishment)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the business cases that were prepared in advance of the establishment of Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. (S4O-04578)
The outline business cases that were prepared for the reform of the police and fire services were published in September 2011 and are available on the Scottish Government’s website.
Would it not have been better to have published a fully fleshed-out business case at the outset than to have published an outline one, given the situation that we are now in with Police Scotland?
The outline business case set out in considerable detail both the financial and non-financial benefits that would come from police reform. It was also used to inform the financial memorandum that accompanied the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill. As the Scottish Government indicated to the Public Audit Committee, it was important that we moved forward with the reform in order to realise the savings as early as possible, given the budget cuts by the United Kingdom Government that we were experiencing.
It is worth keeping in mind the views of the Auditor General, who stated:
“Given the stage of reform”
of the police service,
“it is my view that the financial strategy is the more important document for SPA and Police Scotland to now focus their time, effort and resources into developing.”
That is exactly what Police Scotland is doing as part of the corporate strategy that it produced in March and the work that it is now undertaking in its financial planning for the long term, which will be informed by the comprehensive spending review when it is published later this year.
It was before the cabinet secretary’s time in office, but he might be aware that we were promised a detailed business case. Given the events of the past two years, there is no doubt that such a detailed business case would have been helpful, as we would now know where we stand in terms of the savings.
I understand that the request from the Public Audit Committee, which went back to December 2013, related to the work that Police Scotland was undertaking on its corporate strategy, which includes its long-term financial planning. It was the Government’s view that delaying the reform of the police and fire services while a full business case was developed would have limited the time over which some of the financial savings could have been achieved, given the financial pressures that existed at that time. As I mentioned, the Auditor General stated that, at this stage in the reform, the priority is the financial strategy, which is the work that both the police and the fire service are undertaking now. That work will be informed by the comprehensive spending review when it is published later this year.
Chief Constable of Police Scotland (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Justice last met the chief constable and what they discussed. (S4O-04579)
I regularly meet the chief constable and other senior officers from Police Scotland to discuss matters relating to policing and public safety. I last met the chief constable on 9 September.
Stephen House recently said, in a newspaper article dated 28 August, that he could
“pull together an option that would completely balance the budget”
but he questioned whether it would be “politically acceptable” to the Scottish Government and the Scottish Police Authority. Will the cabinet secretary tell us what the chief constable meant by that and what specific measures he is considering that might not be “politically acceptable”?
To be frank, the member would have to ask the chief constable, as he has not shared that information with me.
Is the cabinet secretary concerned about the high level of assaults on police officers, as reported by the Scottish Police Federation, which comments that many of those prosecution charges appear to be downgraded or dropped? Will he confirm whether he has discussed the matter, or intends to discuss it, with the chief constable and the Lord Advocate?
It is important that we consider those matters. The Lord Advocate is in the chamber to hear Margaret Mitchell’s concerns on the issue. If there is an issue that she wishes to pursue further, I would be more than happy to discuss it in more detail.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that one of the chief constable’s greatest achievements has been the continued decrease in knife crime, as the recently published crime statistics disclosed that crimes of handling offensive weapons have decreased 67 per cent since 2006-07?
It is worth keeping in mind the fact that recorded crime in Scotland is at a 40-year low. Rod Campbell makes an important point on the significant drop in the number of people handling offensive weapons. We should not lose sight of the correlation with the incidence of homicide in Scotland, which has reduced.
There is no doubt that we have made significant progress in recent years. On the progress that we have made on offensive weapons, it is very telling that statistics showed last week that the number of young people under 19 who were convicted of handling an offensive weapon fell from 812 in 2006-07 down to 165 in 2013-14. That is a very significant drop of nearly 80 per cent. It reflects the proactive work that Police Scotland has undertaken, and the legacy forces undertook, to underline the risks and concerns around carrying offensive weapons.
When the cabinet secretary met the chief constable, did he discuss the disappearance of coins worth more than £1 million from the national museum of Scotland that, it transpires, may have occurred when management opened the museum without adequate staffing as staff were on strike over weekend allowances? Does he know whether Police Scotland was involved in any risk assessment of a decision that has apparently resulted in national treasures being nicked?
No, our conversation did not involve those matters.
Sheku Bayoh (Investigation into Death)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the next steps in the process of the investigation into the death of Sheku Bayoh. (S4O-04580)
The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner has now submitted an interim report to the Crown and, as a result, further inquiries have been instructed. There remains further work for PIRC to do, particularly in relation to the cause of death, before its investigation is complete.
The family of Sheku Bayoh have been kept advised throughout the investigative process and, together with their legal adviser, met me and Crown Office officials on two occasions, the last being on 26 August 2015. That meeting gave me the opportunity to update the family on the progress made to date and the further work that requires to be carried out, as well as to listen and respond to a number of issues that they raised.
I have reassured the family of my previously given undertaking that the inquiry will be thorough and completed as soon as possible.
Does the Lord Advocate agree that it is important that the investigation is thorough, completed as quickly as possible and retains the confidence of the family of Sheku Bayoh? Will he comment on the role of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner in the investigation?
I whole-heartedly agree that the investigation must retain the confidence of the family of Sheku Bayoh. Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, who can fail to sympathise with them for their loss? Having met them on two occasions, I know the effect that the tragedy has had on them. They have borne their loss with great dignity. They are right to demand answers and they deserve a thorough, impartial and objective investigation. It is my job and that of PIRC to deliver such an investigation expeditiously without compromising thoroughness, and I am confident that that can be done.
Kate Frame, the head of PIRC, and Sir Stephen House, the chief constable, have recently met the family. I welcome that and I note the positive welcome of that on behalf of the family. I also note that Kate Frame has stated publicly that she has listened to the concerns of the family and will involve them in the appointment of experts for the further work that has to be done in attempting to establish a cause of death. I welcome that, and I have full confidence that PIRC will do that.
Finally, as I have confirmed to the family personally and in correspondence, regardless of a decision on criminal proceedings, there will be a fatal accident inquiry. An FAI is mandatory, Sheku Bayoh’s death being a death in custody. An FAI will allow all the evidence to be presented in a court that is open to the public and the media and to be rigorously tested by all parties represented at the FAI, including the family. An FAI will also allow the sheriff to make findings in fact and recommendations in relation to Sheku’s death in a judgment that will be available to all.
I have met the Lord Advocate and corresponded with him on this issue, and I thank him for his willingness to reply.
I ask the Lord Advocate to investigate why it took more than a month for officers who were involved in the incident to speak to PIRC. The cabinet secretary has repeatedly said that he does not believe that that was due to a lack of powers on PIRC’s behalf. Does the Lord Advocate think that the time delay was acceptable, and does he understand why it took so long?
That is a matter that PIRC is looking into and forms part of its interim report. As indicated, we are still waiting for a final report. There are evidential reasons for that. Given that it is a live inquiry, it would not be appropriate to go into that at this stage. However, I am aware of the member’s concern about the issue; I am also aware of the family’s concern about the issue, and it will certainly be addressed.
Local Court Closures (Net Financial Savings)
To ask the Scottish Government when it expects net financial savings from the closure of local courts. (S4O-04581)
The final phase of court closures was completed in January 2015. By the end of 2014-15, the closures had already delivered net annual recurring cash savings to the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service of more than £600,000 and time-releasing savings of more than £100,000. The closures also resulted in a reduction in the outstanding maintenance backlog of more than £2.8 million.
The SCTS is on track to deliver the estimated savings that were given during the public consultation process. The savings are being reinvested by the SCTS, allowing targeted investment in a smaller estate to improve both facilities and technology. The SCTS focus is on building a stronger court service that improves access to justice, reduces delays and costs and maximises the use of technology to improve services.
The truth is that, in the case of Haddington, which closed in January, many months have passed. The court is still on the court service books and the commensurate maintenance costs continue to be a cost against the court service.
The truth is that savings—if any—that have already been made and any that can be made will be dwarfed by lost business in Haddington High Street and by extra costs incurred by the police—
And your question is?
—by social work and by individual citizens who are trying to access justice.
The justice secretary has made something of a reputation for himself by reversing the dafter decisions of his predecessor. Will the minister not ask his colleague to reverse this decision too?
It is worth stressing that, as Mr Gray knows, these are operational matters for the SCTS, but I recognise the points that he has made. I heard them myself in the course of the debate around the future of Haddington sheriff court.
The SCTS is working with the local authority on legal issues in relation to the building itself. I hear Mr Gray’s point about maintenance savings, but clearly this is a long-term decision about the future shape of the delivery of court services in Scotland and the intent is to dispose of the premises and to move on.
I reassure Mr Gray that, based on the evidence that I have seen, the court business that has transferred from Haddington is being dealt with efficiently in the Edinburgh sheriff court.
Can the minister outline any measures that the Scottish Government has introduced to help deal with any additional pressures that may have been put on the remaining courts?
Gordon MacDonald raises a fair point. The cases of domestic abuse and sexual crimes that have been dealt with have led to an increase in activity in Edinburgh sheriff court and in other sheriff courts. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and the SCTS have been given an additional resource of £1.47 million to provide sufficient cover to ensure that the human resources are there.
It is worth stressing that that resource would have been necessary even without the court closures. It is not a consequence of the closures but a result of the efforts that Police Scotland and the Crown are making to encourage women and others to come forward to report cases of domestic abuse and to ensure that those cases can be dealt with in our courts. I reassure Gordon MacDonald that resources, when they are required, are being provided.
Firearms Licensing (Restructuring and Centralisation)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on Police Scotland’s restructuring and centralisation of the firearms licensing function. (S4O-04582)
The Scottish Police Authority approved Police Scotland’s proposals for the restructuring of its firearms licensing section at the SPA’s meeting on 27 August. Such decisions are rightly for the police and the SPA. However, the Scottish ministers have received assurances that public safety remains a fundamental part of Police Scotland’s considerations.
Until now, dedicated firearms inquiry officers carried out in-depth inquiries into licence applications, with their key role being to identify applicants who might pose a risk to public safety or to themselves.
The new centralised model involves the substantial loss of civilian expertise and the transfer of functions to police officers, who are to undertake the role on a part-time ad hoc basis as part of their other duties.
I ask the cabinet secretary to address two areas of concern. First, when there are spikes in police activity as a result of major events or major incidents, will the firearms work be sidelined? Secondly—and perhaps more importantly—I understand that the training that is being offered to police constables who are taking over the role is at best minimal.
I ask the member to come to the point, please.
A few days in the classroom are no substitute for decades of experience. Is the cabinet secretary absolutely confident that the new arrangements and the training provision will not compromise public safety?
As I said to Alison McInnes in my previous response, we have sought assurances from Police Scotland that public safety remains a central focus of the way in which it handles firearms certificate applications, and it has assured us that that remains the objective.
One of the aims in moving to a much more streamlined and centralised approach to the matter is to ensure that it is handled in a consistent way across the country. There were different approaches in the eight legacy forces in dealing with such issues.
I understand that, since the turn of the year, approximately 350 police officers have gone through a specific training programme to enable them to undertake work on firearms certificate applications and renewals. Additional administrative staff are also being provided to support the work.
It is worth noting that the training is, as I understand it, not a one-off but part of an on-going training programme that those officers will undertake to ensure that their skills are sufficient for the role that they carry out. It is important to recognise that the move is about getting a more consistent, effective and flexible approach.
On the issue of spikes in the demands on police time, I would expect that, given that public safety continues to be a key part of how Police Scotland delivers the firearms certificate process, it will continue to be a priority in dealing with these issues.
Aberdeen Police Control Room and Service Centre (Additional Resource)
To ask the Scottish Government how much additional resource it plans to spend on the police control room and service centre in Aberdeen in the current financial year. (S4O-04583)
On 3 September I announced that the Scottish Government will immediately make £1.4 million available to Police Scotland to support the implementation of the recommendations arising from the interim report on call handling by Her Majesty’s inspector of constabulary in Scotland.
It is for Police Scotland, with the oversight of the Scottish Police Authority, to decide how that money should be allocated to the various activities that are required to implement the HMICS recommendations.
Will the cabinet secretary confirm that almost half the highly trained call handlers have left the service centre in Aberdeen since the beginning of last year? Does he accept that the report requires him to replace those staff?
Will the cabinet secretary explain whether the provision that he has made assumes that those staff will be replaced by recruiting and training civilian staff for the Police Service; by taking police officers off the front line to answer calls; or by using a recruitment agency to fill positions on a temporary and casual basis?
Police Scotland is presently reviewing its plans for the handover to the call centres, including the changes that were proposed in Aberdeen, in order to evaluate how it can most effectively deal with the recommendations from HMICS. I understand that Police Scotland intends to accelerate the recruitment of between 70 and 75 staff in order to support that transfer process.
In the meantime, while Police Scotland is recruiting additional staff for the Govan and Motherwell centre and for the Bilston Glen centre, as well as staffing up the new Dundee centre, the Inverness and Aberdeen centres will remain in place. Only after Police Scotland has completed that transition plan—and HMICS has considered the plan—will it consider whether the final transfer will be completed within the existing timeframes that have been set.
As HMICS has outlined, a very thorough transition plan needs to be put in place, which will be considered by the SPA and by HMICS before the final transition takes place involving the staff at Dundee and Aberdeen.
That concludes portfolio questions on justice and the law officers. I regret not being able to call more members.
Rural Affairs, Food and Environment
Bee Population (Reported Decline)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on discussions it has had regarding the reported decline in the bee population. (S4O-04588)
We are working closely with the honey bee sector on a strategy that aims to achieve a sustainable and healthy population of managed honey bees. In recent years, we have seen an increase in managed stocks in Scotland.
Recently, Marco Giannasi, who owns the Battlefield Rest, which is a local restaurant in my constituency, installed beehives on its roof, and I was presented with a petition that was put together by five-year-old Conrad House, who is a pupil at Merrylee primary school. Conrad managed to get more than 150 signatures from friends, family and neighbours for his petition, which brings attention to the importance of bees to the food chain. Will the cabinet secretary join me in welcoming that recognition by my constituents of all ages of the role that bees play? Will he accept my invitation to come to my constituency to meet Conrad and his family to discuss the petition further?
I am delighted to hear that restaurants in Battlefield are installing beehives on their roofs. Indeed, Presiding Officer, the Scottish Parliament has also installed beehives.
There is increasing awareness across Scotland and the world of the role that bees play in delivering food security. I understand that about a third of our food relies on pollinators, which is why I congratulate young Conrad House, Mr Dornan’s constituent, who has carried out good work in his community to highlight the importance of our bee populations and gather support for saving bees.
We tried to set up a meeting when Conrad House handed in the petition, but I was unavailable. I would of course be happy—indeed, delighted—to meet him if the opportunity arises. Should I be visiting Mr Dornan’s constituency in the near future, I will ensure that that is arranged. In the meantime, I am sure that we all congratulate Conrad and all other young people in Scotland who take such a close interest in bee health.
As I said earlier, brief questions and answers will be welcomed.
The University of Stirling and the University of Sussex have conducted research into planting wild flowers rather than grass on roundabouts and verges and have found that it results in a spectacular increase in bumblebees and hoverflies. What might the Scottish Government do to support other such initiatives to help to sustain and increase our bee population?
The initiative that the member highlights illustrates the fact that work to promote bee health by a number of organisations and academic institutions is increasing across Scotland. The Government is supporting a bee health strategy but, if we could be doing more, I would be delighted to hear about projects that perhaps require support. A number of support mechanisms are in place already.
Community Broadband Scotland
To ask the Scottish Government what input its agriculture, food and rural communities directorate has into the work of community broadband Scotland. (S4O-04589)
The agriculture, food and rural communities directorate and the digital directorate helped to shape the design of the broadband scheme that community broadband Scotland is delivering under the Scottish rural development programme for 2014 to 2020. The First Minister launched the broadband scheme in Oban on 24 August.
Broadband is essential for rural and island communities and businesses. Only yesterday, the internet on Arran in my constituency was down for most of the day. Next summer, 97 per cent of Arran will receive superfast broadband but, as things stand, the 150 or so people in Machrie will not. What steps will the cabinet secretary and his colleagues take to ensure that Machrie is included in Arran’s superfast broadband roll-out?
Kenny Gibson rightly highlights the importance of broadband to rural communities and to rural development. It is great news that so many people in Arran are benefiting from the latest investments.
The purpose of community broadband Scotland and the rural broadband scheme, which is a separate scheme worth £9 million through the rural development programme, is to reach out to communities in harder-to-reach areas that might not benefit from the wider programme. The investment is significant. The broadband scheme brings various communities together to find their own solution and supports that. Community broadband Scotland is for individual community schemes. I hope that Mr Gibson’s constituents can take advantage of those two significant funds so that all people on our island communities can connect to fast broadband.
Does the Scottish Government intend to assess the number of online applicants for the single farm payment who are forced to use library and college broadband facilities because of slow broadband speeds or a total lack of access to broadband? Will the cabinet secretary give a reassurance that the Scottish Government will give appropriate support in the future to those who are affected?
Additional support was made available at local regional offices for farmers and crofters who were applying online for farm payments and did not have adequate broadband in their homes. I am willing to send the member statistics on those who applied online through the new system but, if I recall correctly, the overall figure for online applications was at least the same as, if not higher than, that in the old system, despite all the doom and gloom that many people expressed. Applying online is the way forward, and I believe that we are giving adequate support to ensure that people can access broadband to apply online for farm payments.
I note the cabinet secretary’s answer regarding the online applications that are increasingly being asked of crofters and farmers. What will he do with community broadband Scotland to reach the areas that Kenny Gibson mentioned, given that there are still many parts of the Highlands and Islands where no such broadband is available at all?
As Tavish Scott is aware, there was enormous frustration in Scotland’s rural communities for many years over the lack of progress in broadband availability. The substantial investment that has been made available over the past couple of years, which is making a huge difference to mainland and island communities, is therefore very welcome. That is why we also set up the specific funds in community broadband Scotland to target the harder-to-reach areas that would not benefit directly from the main investments. We are working hard with the new broadband scheme, which is worth £9 million, as well as the existing community broadband scheme, to allow bespoke solutions to be found in our rural and island communities.
Japanese Knotweed (Control of Growth)
To ask the Scottish Government how the growth of Japanese knotweed is controlled. (S4O-04590)
Scottish Natural Heritage is the lead agency for advising on the management of Japanese knotweed. Much of that control work is undertaken by owners of land on which the plant is growing. SNH encourages and co-ordinates action by other groups or bodies. For example, the Tweed invasives project has been delivering comprehensive control of Japanese knotweed across the Tweed catchment since 2003. SNH also has advice on its website for householders, much of which focuses on long-term solutions that people can carry out for themselves.
In Scotland there is little prospect of eradication at present. Our strategy is to use public funds, where appropriate, to control the plant in priority areas and to encourage landowners or householders to tackle the issue by providing them with good advice on control methods.
It may surprise the minister that many of my constituents have Japanese knotweed growing on land around their properties. Unchecked, it has the potential to cause serious damage. In many cases, the situation is that the minute Japanese knotweed appears, no one seems to own the land where it is growing. Should the owner of the land on which the Japanese knotweed is growing have to deal with the weed before it causes serious damage to private property?
I have great sympathy for those whose property is being affected by Japanese knotweed. I acknowledge that it can damage property, although I caution that some of the stories of its destructive force appear to be a bit exaggerated. The Great Britain non-native species secretariat, for example, has no evidence that the plant has ever been recorded growing through concrete—a claim that seems to be a favourite in some parts of the press.
It is important to know that Japanese knotweed can be controlled. Advice is available and there are companies that provide that service. There may also be recourse in the courts for people whose property is damaged by the weed spreading on to it from elsewhere. However, it is not practical or reasonable to expect every landowner in Scotland to clear their land of Japanese knotweed. That would be extremely costly and it would be unlikely that they could eradicate it.
The minister might be aware that mortgage lenders have refused to lend on the basis that Japanese knotweed is in the vicinity of certain houses. Local authorities have no powers of enforcement, so they leave the matter to the landowner. Should that change and should we give local authorities the power to enforce eradication?
The Council of Mortgage Lenders website states:
“Lenders determine their individual policies on this issue and take into account a range of factors when considering whether to lend.”
I have no reason to believe that that is not an accurate representation.
Some contractors can offer guarantees that some lenders will accept but, ultimately, lenders determine their own policies. Entering into a dialogue with them about the assurances that they will accept is the way to find a solution.
To make sure that we are taking a sensible approach, I have asked the Scottish biodiversity committee to prioritise the species on which we need to take action. Japanese knotweed is being assessed alongside other plants that we might have concerns about, such as giant hogweed and Himalayan balsam.
I cannot emphasise enough the fact that we need to be a lot more organised and strategic in dealing with such problems. We cannot afford to carry out control measures when the effort will be wasted. I am confident that prioritisation will help us to take such an approach.
Farming Industry (Effect of Low Prices)
To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to address the reported concerns of NFU Scotland regarding the effect of low prices on the farming industry. (S4O-04591)
We are supporting a number of initiatives to mitigate the pressures currently faced by our farmers and crofters, and I have written to farming ministers elsewhere in the United Kingdom to stress the need for urgent steps to safeguard the industry. There is an unprecedented opportunity for UK ministers to agree a list of commitments that supermarkets and the food service sector can sign up to in order to support our food producers. The aid package proposed by Commissioner Hogan at European level is appreciated and we are assessing what the package means for Scotland.
Low prices have an effect on farmers’ cash flow. Will the minister confirm that all single farm payments that are due in December will be made in December?
I appreciate that, along with other factors, the low prices that are being paid in the agricultural sector cause cash flow issues. That is why we are working flat out to do our best to ensure that payments will begin during the formal payment window, which is before the end of December. We will continue to work flat out to achieve that.
The system is brand new and very complex. Other UK Administrations face the same obstacles that we face in Scotland, but I recognise the importance of giving the issue my full attention to help our farmers with their cash flow problems.
I certainly hope that we will see those payments being made before December. In the meantime, on dairy prices, what has the cabinet secretary been doing to accelerate the implementation of the dairy action plan? What is being done in particular to support dairy farmers to use fresh milk in other dairy products and so get paid good money for it? Many of our dairy farmers face financial difficulties because of the lack of action. I wrote to the cabinet secretary about this last month and have yet to receive a response.
I say to members and to the people of Scotland that, as consumers, we should get behind Scottish produce and help our farmers and food producers in their hour of need. Our food service companies and retailers should do a lot more to show loyalty to our home producers and get behind them.
On specific help for the dairy sector, we are trying to help our dairy farmers at a number of different levels. As Sarah Boyack mentioned, there is the dairy action plan and we have already offered support to the Campbeltown creamery and First Milk to help to provide it with a viable future. We are also working with retailers to increase the sourcing of Scottish dairy produce. We are launching the international dairy brand for Scotland at the Anuga 2015 event in Cologne next month, and we are taking a number of other measures.
However, I urge other United Kingdom ministers, particularly Liz Truss, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to inject a lot more urgency into the situation. If we can jointly persuade the food service companies and retailers in the UK to source a lot more home produce, that will help the industry greatly in the short term. We could do that quickly, if only we had a lot more political will from Liz Truss.
The minister mentioned low prices, and he will be aware that the first store lamb prices in the far north, including in Shetland, have been around £5 a head below last year’s averages. Will he undertake to use some of the €500 million package from Commissioner Hogan to assist those crofters and farmers, particularly in areas where additional freight costs have had an impact because people have had to bring in more fodder as a result of the poor summer?
I wish that the €500 million package from Commissioner Hogan was just for Scotland, but unfortunately that is not the situation. To be frank, it is likely that it will make only a modest contribution to helping us tackle the issues that face Scottish agriculture.
That said, Tavish Scott makes two good points. First, we have to discuss with the industry how to target any aid that comes to Scotland; secondly, we have to recognise that the current problems are faced not only by daily farmers but by the sheep sector. The Scottish Government has been at great pains to persuade Europe of that, as well as the UK Government.
I am also making the point to the UK Government that, given that Scotland got a raw deal in relation to the overall European Union farming budget, and that the UK Government kept the uplift that was given to the UK because of Scotland’s payments, it is vital that we get a fair share of the help that comes to the UK to help tackle the crisis. It would be a complete travesty if, once again, Scotland did not get its fair share and we were let down by the UK Government, which failed to recognise the importance of agriculture to Scotland and the case that we have for a good share of that aid package.
Inverness Veterinary Laboratory (Planned Closure)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Scotland’s Rural College regarding plans to close the Inverness veterinary laboratory since the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee meeting on 2 September 2015. (S4O-04592)
There has been contact at official level between Scotland’s Rural College and Scottish Government staff since the Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee meeting on 2 September 2015. I congratulate the committee, of which Rob Gibson is convener, on taking evidence on this subject.
SRUC provided an update on its appearance at the committee and outlined its initial plans for veterinary surveillance. The Scottish Government now awaits a more detailed update from SRUC on its proposals on the change to the network of veterinary disease surveillance centres and the future of its private business.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that nothing should be done by SRUC to undermine the services or the excellent skills that are offered by the staff at Drummond Hill vet lab in Inverness? Will he seek agreement from SRUC to stop any move of work such as serology from Inverness to Edinburgh, which is planned for October, until a final decision has been taken by ministers on the SRUC plans to retrench in Edinburgh and close the Inverness site?
Given the importance of having a proper and robust veterinary disease surveillance system in Scotland, I urge SRUC to take seriously the concerns that have been expressed about the proposals, as I am sure that it is doing.
Of course, the Scottish Government funds part of SRUC’s work, and there is a strategic management board that oversees its proposals and will continue to oversee the amended proposals that we expect to receive shortly. The purpose of the management board is to reassure ministers that any new system that is put in place, with any changes to it, is adequate for Scotland’s needs.
The serology work is a private commercial business that the college runs for its scheme members. As such, the Scottish Government has no influence on how that scheme operates. On that subject, of course, I urge SRUC to heed the concerns that have been expressed about that service as well, and to ensure that it gives an adequate response on that issue to MSPs and stakeholders.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that the Auchincruive facility in my constituency is also under threat from SRUC’s proposals. That matter was also raised at the committee’s meeting.
Can the cabinet secretary inform Parliament of any discussions that Government officials might have had with the University of Glasgow’s school of veterinary medicine? That is important because, in addition to Auchincruive providing an important facility to local farmers, it is a key facility in the training of Scotland’s vets and has played a crucial role in disease prevention in the past.
Although I await SRUC’s formal amended proposals, I know from my officials that conversations are taking place between Glasgow vet school and SRUC in response to some of the concerns that local stakeholders and, indeed, Adam Ingram and others, have expressed. Until I have seen the final proposals, I am unable to give any further details to Parliament. However, I will keep a close eye on the matter. I urge Adam Ingram and others to continue to make their representations.
I offer my abject apologies to those members whom I have not been able to call.