SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Hospital-acquired Infections
To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has to reduce the number of deaths from hospital-acquired infections in Scotland. (S1O-1155) The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon): Hospital-acquired infection is a growing problem, not just in Scotland but worldwide. As part of our quality agenda, we are continually taking steps to protect patients from HAI. As well as tackling individual outbreaks, we are setting up a national framework for hospital- acquired infection surveillance. That will give us the evidence that we need to bring about change.
I am pleased to hear that. Is the minister concerned that, unlike England and Wales, no figures exist for hospital-acquired infections in Scotland, and by the fact that recent staff cutbacks have reduced surveillance of infections? She may already have answered this question, but will she ensure that every hospital— [Interruption.] I shall continue anyway. Will she ensure that every hospital has a fully staffed infection team that can carry out the surveillance framework contained in the Scottish infection manual, so that we can be made aware of all deaths caused by hospital-acquired infections in Scotland?
As Mary Scanlon may be aware, a National Audit Office report on this very subject was published today, and I suspect that that may be where the reference to England and Wales comes in. She may be interested to know that the Scottish infection manual to which she referred, which offers guidance on core standards for the control of infections in hospitals, in other health care premises and in our communities, is singled out by the National Audit Office as a model that should be followed elsewhere in the UK. I am in no way complacent about the situation, but I believe that we are taking important practical steps to control the problem.
Given the recent reports of alleged cases of necrotising fasciitis at Monklands hospital, will the minister ask the local national health service trust to launch an immediate investigation into standards of hygiene and infection control to alleviate the concerns of my constituents and those in neighbouring constituencies?
I understand the reason for
I note what the minister has said on our inspection guidelines. I hope that they include the need for a strict hand-washing regime.
Margaret Smith raises a number of important points. I stress that HAI is an increasing problem for a number of reasons, including those to which Margaret Smith referred. The reasons include the fact that the national health service is treating larger volumes of more vulnerable patients, it is using more invasive, high- tech procedures, and infections such as MRSA are emerging as a result of antibiotic resistance. Alongside our measures to improve hygiene in hospitals, therefore, we recently issued new guidance about the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Manufacturing Industry
To ask the Scottish Executive what projections there are for manufacturing industry over the next two years and what contribution textiles are anticipated to make in that period. (S1O-1183) The Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Henry McLeish): The Scottish Executive monitors the views of all leading independent forecasters of the Scottish economy. The latest forecasts show that Scottish manufacturing is expected to continue to expand this year, and at a stronger rate than in 1999. The textile sector will continue to make a significant contribution to the economy over this period.
I speak as the representative of a constituency that has experienced much of the strong economic growth to which the minister referred, but which has also suffered some negative announcements in the textile sector. Will the minister expand on any particular initiatives that he expects to take place in the textile sector over the forthcoming period?
I am pleased to do so. I can confirm Bristow Muldoon's point that the textile industry accounts for 10 per cent of manufacturing employment. That means that there may be 30,000 people involved in the industry. Apart from the employees who are involved, the industry makes an enormous contribution to output and to production.
Surely the minister deplores the fact that, in recent times, companies such as Glentrool Knitwear Ltd, Wilsons, The Sweater Shop Group Ltd, Strathclyde Knitwear Ltd and Glencraig Knitwear Ltd have shut down in Ayrshire alone. Does he feel ashamed that those closures were a consequence of Labour Government inaction?
To describe that contribution as a sweeping generalisation based on no evidence whatsoever does not begin to sum it up. It is important that we put into perspective what is happening in the Scottish economy: output is up, employment is up, exports are up, and unemployment is at its lowest level for 25 years.
Farming (Petitions)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to address the concerns raised in the National Farmers Union petitions submitted to the Parliament on 11 January this year. (S1O-1142) The Minister for Rural Affairs (Ross Finnie): As Mr Lyon will be aware, the petitions were considered by the Public Petitions Committee and have been referred to the Rural Affairs Committee, the European Committee and the Transport and the Environment Committee. I will respond to any requests from them. At least six of the matters raised in the eight petitions call for unified action at either a United Kingdom level or a European level, and I have already commenced discussions to pursue the matter with my fellow agriculture ministers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In relation to the petition on agri-monetary compensation for all sectors of the agricultural industry that have been hit by the strong pound, as Eddie George recognised when he was in Scotland earlier in the year, can the minister reassure me that he will do everything possible to make the case to the UK Treasury for matching funding, to ensure that that compensation is paid to the agricultural industry?
Two of the eight petitions refer to agri-monetary compensation, and having said in my earlier answer that I was pursuing that matter, I assure Mr Lyon that I am doing exactly that— ensuring that we get agri-monetary compensation paid on those two petitions.
In relation to the petition on the pig industry, the Prime Minister said earlier this week that he was prepared to sit down with leaders of that industry to work out a solution. Has the minister contacted the Prime Minister about that offer, or was it just another example of Labour spin?
I am in no position to comment on Labour spin. There might be some dubiety as to whether that question has been directed to the correct minister.
Health Funding
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in the light of the £90 million new funding announced by the Secretary of State for Health for the primary care group in England to meet increased generic drug costs, it will urgently reconsider funding the additional generic costs being borne by Scottish local health care co-operatives. (S1O-1137)
The 1999-2000 unified allocations to health boards included £610 million in respect of prescribing by general practitioners and dentists. This is considered adequate to meet current projected costs.
Does the minister realise that growing anger is felt by the GPs who responded to advice from the NHS in Scotland Management Executive, NHS trusts and the Accounts Commission to increase their generic prescribing? Is she aware that LHCCs in Tayside have had their budgets hammered by more than £2 million and in Forth valley by more than £1 million? Is she also aware that GPs who dragged their heels by not increasing their generic prescribing are being perversely rewarded twice over by avoiding much of the increased cost and benefiting from the reduction in brand drug costs that the UK Government has negotiated?
I am aware of the strength of feeling on this issue and I appreciate Dr Simpson's interest in this subject. It is unfortunate that LHCCs and GPs have had to cope with the uncertainty that has arisen in the drug market. I would have to take issue with some of Dr Simpson's analysis of the situation. The generic drugs market has been extremely volatile over the recent period. That situation is now stabilising.
Susan Deacon has yet to make the same commitment on Scottish health spending as Tony Blair gave for south of the border, which is to increase spending by 5 per cent each year to bring NHS spending up to the European average. Will the minister give that commitment for the NHS in Scotland?
The question is well made without the supplementary evidence.
I suspect that, as I do when I listen to Mrs Ullrich and many of her colleagues, most of the Scottish people never cease to be amazed by the Scottish National party's apparent desire for us always to do things in the same way as England does them, or to say the same things that politicians at a UK level say.
Local Tax Arrears
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to encourage Scottish local authorities to address uncollected local taxes, which have increased to nearly £1 billion of arrears. (S1O-1165) The Minister for Finance (Mr Jack McConnell): I will shortly announce the Executive's views on the recommendations from the report of the joint Convention of Scottish Local Authorities/Scottish Executive working group on council tax collection. Scottish councils are responsible for collecting local taxes and the recent Accounts Commission report shows that they need to improve their collection rates. I urge them strongly to use all appropriate means to do so.
I thank the minister for his reply. It is interesting to observe him changing from poacher to gamekeeper.
There are a number of areas in which we have to take action. I intend to make an announcement about that over the next few weeks.
Will the Minister for Finance confirm that Scottish council tax payers pay the highest council tax and that Scottish businesses are the highest-taxed businesses in the UK?
I do not agree with the second assertion and, as Mr Wilson knows, expenditure on council services in Scotland is significantly higher than it is in England. In recent weeks, he has regularly been asked in this chamber to agree to improvements in that expenditure. His question today is designed to cut back expenditure on council services in Scotland. I fundamentally disagree with him.
Does the minister agree that, given that two thirds of the local tax arrears that local authorities in Scotland are trying to recover relate to the Tory poll tax, it ill befits the Tories to talk about problems in relation to collecting those arrears, given that they introduced the tax in the first place? Does he agree that it is now time to implement a poll tax amnesty, to give local authorities an even playing field in terms of collection of council tax?
I do not agree that this is the time to have an amnesty on poll tax arrears or any other arrears. Many people in Scotland who struggled hard to pay their local taxes over the years would disagree with that assertion. However, I agree with Mr Sheridan's assertion that Mr Keith Harding was being a little cheeky in making reference to local taxation, when he was such an avid supporter of the poll tax back in 1988.
Rail Franchises
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the strategic rail authority regarding the rail franchises in Scotland. (S1O-1145) The Minister for Transport and the Environment (Sarah Boyack): I met the chair and chief executive of the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority in November, and my officials meet regularly with counterparts in the authority. Those meetings cover a range of matters, including the process of franchise replacement as it affects rail passenger services in Scotland.
In "Travel Choices for Scotland", it is made clear that "we"—meaning the Labour party—
Scottish ministers will have the sole responsibility for ensuring that franchise replacement in Scotland meets our needs. That is why the bill gives us the powers to issue directions and guidance. Clause 183 is very important and will be carried out in full. That will ensure that we are able to direct the services that we need in Scotland when we reach the franchise replacement process.
Does the minister accept that market forces are now at work in our privatised railway system and that the real reason that the electrification of the east coast line stopped short at Edinburgh is because there are insufficient profits to the privatised companies to justify the investment north to Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness?
John McAllion has made some good points about the importance of improving our rail infrastructure. The Scottish Parliament must talk to the authorities that run the services on our railways and to those who provide the tracks on which those services run. Next month, I will meet the chief executive of Railtrack to talk about our strategic priorities in Scotland and to discuss how we seen our vision meeting that of Railtrack.
Is the minister aware of the withdrawal of the Red Star Parcels service from rural areas of Scotland? Does she appreciate the difficulty that that has created for regular users of the service? The minister will be aware—
No. That is the end of your question.
I am aware of the points that the member has raised. It is a commercial matter between Parcel Force and the train operators. However, I understand that in this case, the problems are due to temporary engineering works, which are delaying the mail. We want to ensure that we have a rail service that is as efficient as possible. I am grateful to the member for raising the matter.
Is the minister aware that there are practical difficulties for the operator of the Scottish franchise because both Carlisle and Berwick, which are effectively railheads for the south of Scotland, lie outwith that franchise? Will she update us on the result of our current discussions with the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority, which has the responsibility for cross-border services?
That is exactly why we need to work within a GB rail framework. We must ensure that we address our service priority in Scotland and that we fit in with the overall UK rail framework. That is why we have regular meetings with the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority.
Food Poverty
To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for dealing with food poverty. (S1O-1153) The Deputy Minister for Community Care (Iain Gray): Through the Scottish community diet project and social inclusion partnerships, the Scottish Executive funds a range of initiatives that address food poverty in ways responsive to local needs. The forthcoming appointment of a national dietary co-ordinator will give added impetus to that work. However, the principal driver for reducing food poverty rests in the Executive's strategy for tackling poverty overall, as set out in "Social Justice: a Scotland where everyone matters".
Is the minister aware that the current initiatives only cover a maximum of 20,000 people, a low proportion of those who live in poverty? Is he aware that a recent report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation proved that such initiatives have very little impact on inequality and poverty in Scotland? Will he substantially increase the size of the programme, eliminate any complacency from the Executive's approach and give top priority to abolishing food poverty in Scotland?
Significant resources are being targeted at food poverty; for example, £2 million over three years to deliver the diet action plan. We are appointing a national dietary co-ordinator to give added impetus. The key is to attack poverty generally.
Given the importance of diet in early life, does the Executive have any plans to expand the provision of breakfast clubs, to ensure that young children have a nutritious start to the day?
Within the agendas of the national health service and the education department, a number of initiatives are being aimed at schools, among which are the promotion of the eating of fruit and vegetables in schools and the development of breakfast clubs. The new future fund money provides the opportunity for people in our more deprived communities to initiate locally based and targeted schemes, which are so important.
Quarrying and Mineral Extraction
To ask the Scottish Executive at what distance from residential dwellings it considers it reasonable for blasting to be undertaken for the purpose of quarrying and mineral extraction. (S1O-1150)
No specific distance is set by the Scottish Executive. The reasonable or safe distance from residential properties will vary for each blasting operation. Further information on this matter is contained in the annexe to planning advice note 50, which I am issuing today.
Does the minister agree with the suggestion that has been made by a number of environmental groups and villages around Scotland that have suffered from the effects of blasting for quarrying and mineral extraction, especially the village of Milton in Dunbartonshire and the village of Muirkirk in Ayrshire, that we need to accept the idea of an exclusion zone of at least 2 km? The guidelines, as structured at the moment, are directly in breach of article 1, protocol 1 of the European convention on human rights.
The quarries regulations of 1999, which came into force on 1 January 2000, specify the way in which blasting must be carried out in each circumstance. They specify the competent operators and they identify the Health and Safety Executive as being the agency that must oversee such operations. Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a mandatory duty on the local authorities to investigate any complaints of nuisance and to take action where necessary. That includes nuisance from rock and vibration.
Agriculture Schemes
To ask the Scottish Executive whether participants in the countryside premium scheme and agri-environmental schemes which involve a reduction in the number of ewes kept will receive a compensatory package in the event of the rules of those schemes being reinterpreted to their disadvantage. (S1O-1156)
Clearly, the circumstances set out in Mr Fergusson's question give rise to a prima facie case for the payment of compensation. I must stress, however, that any compensation, if payable, will be for actual loss incurred as a result of reliance on incorrect advice. It will be for individuals to show in what way they have suffered financial loss.
The minister will be aware— and if he is not now, he will be in a minute—that paragraph 13 of the countryside premium scheme explanatory leaflet states categorically that before seeking to withhold future payments for any reason whatsoever, an independent appointee must draw up a report for consideration by the Scottish Executive rural affairs department, a copy of which must be made available to the applicant.
As Mr Fergusson is also aware, the scheme has regrettably been declared illegal in the way in which it was originally interpreted. Therefore, I do not believe that SERAD has an obligation to continue to pay: payments cannot be made for a scheme that has been declared unlawful.
The subject of the question is a scheme that appears to have gone wrong. The agricultural business improvement scheme has also gone wrong. Given the various agricultural crises around Scotland with which the minister has been unable to cope, he and his officials are clearly cracking under the strain—
Can we have a question, please?
What additional resources has the minister sought so that he and his
I really do not think that that follows from the initial question. We shall move on.
Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate urgently the state of repair of the Victoria infirmary in Glasgow with special regard to the lack of essential repairs reported by medical staff. (S1O-1141) The Minister for Health and Community Care (Susan Deacon): Capital resources of over £45 million are allocated annually to NHS trusts for investment in their estate, which includes routine maintenance and the achievement of statutory standards. It is for individual NHS trusts to manage any maintenance costs from within their available resources. However, within the last three years, almost £2 million has been invested in upgrading work at the Victoria infirmary in Glasgow.
Is the minister aware that the Victoria infirmary is part of a group which is about £4.5 million in debt? Will she consider removing that debt in the light of the state of the hospital, which was described as catastrophic by senior consultant Ian Anderson? At a meeting of consultants, Mr Anderson further stated that the accident and emergency patients are often left lying in emergency rooms because there are no beds for them; that water leaks through the ceilings on to X-ray equipment and computers—
We must have a question.
Will the minister please tell us her views on rebuilding or renovating the Victoria infirmary on its present site, or on building a new south side hospital? Will she see the situation for herself and not give her usual reply that it is up to the health board?
It would be absolutely wrong if I, as a Scottish minister in a Scottish Parliament, were to make decisions on specific local provision in different parts of the country. Furthermore, I think that the people of Glasgow would have something to say about that. It is right and proper that decisions are taken at a local level.
I am not sure whether Dorothy-Grace Elder is aware of a cross-party group of local MSPs—
No, we do not want statements. We must have questions.
I am coming to that.
I am delighted to hear that members are coming together across party political divides to discuss the best possible future service provision. That is what the Executive means about making it work together, and I hope that that will be the hallmark of the health service in Scotland in future.
Human Rights Legislation
To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been done on the effect on Scots law of European human rights legislation. (S1O-1173) The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice (Mr Jim Wallace): We are systematically reviewing all our activities to identify issues where there is a risk of challenge under the European convention on human rights. That process has been under way since December 1998 and is continuing.
I am obliged to the Minister for Justice for that response. However, in the light of the current shambles manifest in the challenge to temporary sheriffs, judges and the whole High Court judicial appointments system, the problem of self-incrimination under section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the anticipated challenge to police stop-and-search and detention powers and to the powers to remand accused persons in custody, will he undertake a full appraisal of the situation for this Parliament before the entire Scottish criminal justice system is reduced to the level of farce?
I do not accept the premise of Mr
Car-free Day
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will lend its support to the European car-free day planned for 22 September 2000 by the European Commission and, if so, what steps it intends to take in this connection. (S1O-1134) The Minister for Transport and the Environment (Sarah Boyack): We welcome initiatives to promote greater understanding of transport choices. In Scotland we plan to establish a travel awareness campaign to complement and reinforce local initiatives. We hope to make an announcement in the spring.
Does the minister agree that the car-free day would be a good and minimally expensive way in which to publicise the idea of traffic reduction? Will she further agree that we must reduce traffic so that Scotland can contribute to meeting the carbon dioxide reduction targets that were agreed in Kyoto?
The best way to tackle traffic reduction is to give people choices in transport. There must be safer routes to schools, traffic- calmed areas, better quality bus services and an integrated approach to train and bus services. The transport bill will bring us those things and my top priority is to get that bill through Parliament.
Does the minister agree that the idea of a car-free day is a joke in the straths and glens of Sutherland? Will she outline what further improvements are intended for public transport services so that one day we might have a car-free day?
We need solutions that are appropriate to different areas. It is not appropriate for me to implement a one-size-fits-all transport policy. Each local authority has its own perspective and its own local transport strategy. I draw members' attention to Aberdeen City Council, which is going to promote promotional fares on buses and hold travel awareness conferences. There are many local initiatives that we should welcome. The critical issue is that they are local, but we must support them at national level with the appropriate resources and the right legislation.
Revenue Support Grant
To ask the Scottish Executive how much revenue support grant for local authorities has been allocated to forward its specific policy objectives. (S1O-1184) The Minister for Finance (Mr Jack McConnell): It is for councils to determine their expenditure priorities from the resources allocated to them through revenue support grants. Separate provision is made to councils for particular policy objectives through specific grants, totalling £543 million in the current year.
The minister thinks that he is generous to local authorities. Can he name one Scottish council that is not raising council taxes and cutting services under his policy?
Mr Welsh is well aware that this year Scottish councils have received an increase higher than the rate of inflation, which they can spend on council services. They will receive an above average across-the-board increase in Government grants next year. The reality is that if the proposals of Mr Ewing—who I do not see in the chamber—on non-domestic rates were accepted, the amount of money available to Scottish councils next year would be reduced, services would be cut and council taxes might have to increase further. The only protection for Scottish councils comes from the policies of the Government, not from those of the Scottish National party.
Can I tempt the minister to indulge in some creative thinking and, if necessary, some creative accounting to find extra money to offset the burden on businesses in Edinburgh, which are asked to pay the third highest business rates in the world? I am sure the minister agrees that that is not exactly a welcome to Scotland.
As Ms MacDonald—but apparently not Mr Ewing—is, I am sure, aware, the amount of money that would be required to tackle the proposal that her party appears to be making in respect of non-domestic rates is £150 million. If that change were made, £150 million would have to be taken out of Scottish council coffers or the Scottish budget.
Due to the business statement at the beginning of the afternoon, I will allow one more question.
Women's Organisations (Funding)
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the funding package announced on 27 October for women's organisations and refuge places has been released to date. (S1O-1140) The Deputy Minister for Communities (Jackie Baillie): None. The closing date for applications is April, as previously announced in the chamber.
It is all very well for the minister to put the Labour spin on what was announced, but women's organisations—[Interruption.] It is not just me who is saying it; people out in the streets— constituents and members of the public—are too. Is the minister aware of the situation affecting Glasgow Women's Aid? [Interruption.] It is not a laughing matter, Mr Galbraith.
No, but you are.
Order. Let us have quiet and let us have a question.
It is no laughing matter when we talk about refuges for women who are trying to get away from violence by men. It is scurrilous, Mr Galbraith.
We need a question.
Is the minister aware of the situation affecting Glasgow Women's Aid, which needs to raise £30,000 by the end of the financial year? The organisation is quoted as being
Order. I am beginning to regret my generosity.
I will try to be brief. This is not a matter of spin, but a matter of fact. We announced in the chamber that we would make additional moneys available for something that this Administration cares deeply about. I am aware of the situation in Glasgow Women's Aid from press reports, but we must bear in mind that funding of local provision is a matter for local authorities. [Interruption.] If Sandra White will let me finish—
Order. Let the minister answer.
Glasgow City Council received not only a 2.9 per cent increase in its settlement for 2000-01, but an additional £8.7 million deprivation allowance for next year.
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