Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, March 17, 2011

Official Report 1148KB pdf

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Scottish Executive Question Time

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General Questions

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Forests (Grant Recipients)

1. To ask the Scottish Executive for what reason, in response to freedom of information requests, it has chosen not to reveal the names of recipients of grants in relation to forests. (S3O-13341)

The European Court of Justice has made a judgment that the European Commission’s regulation on the matter imposed excessive requirements on the publication of data for individual beneficiaries—that is, natural persons—which meant that all member states were in breach by publishing payment details of natural persons. It is not technically feasible for many member states, including the United Kingdom, to separate individual beneficiaries from businesses.

Following Scottish Government legal advice, the decision was taken temporarily to suspend publication of the payments of all 22,000 beneficiaries on the Government website until a solution can be found that allows us to publish payment details of those beneficiaries that are not deemed to be natural persons. The rural payments and inspections directorate of the Scottish Government will still release information in response to individual freedom of information requests where it is possible to identify that a business is not a natural person.

With respect, that is a load of rubbish. I keep getting lectures that our freedom of information regime in Scotland is better than it is in the rest of the UK. I have the replies for England, in which everyone is named. For Wales, everyone who got money is named. For Scotland, the documents say “Name withheld”, “Name withheld”, “Name withheld”.

It has been suggested to me by someone with a little more daring than I have that maybe the names have been withheld because there are some Scottish National Party donors among them, or some people who are endorsing Alex Salmond.

Members: Oh!

That is a disgrace.

Order. A question, please, Lord Foulkes.

I would hesitate to suggest such a thing. Let us have the real reason, then. Why are the names being withheld?

I thought that I gave a clear, calm explanation of the current position in respect of the legal advice that the Government received. I do not know whether Labour Party members are suggesting that we simply ignore legal advice. I have undertaken and continue to undertake to investigate why there is a disparity between what is happening south of the border and north of the border, although I gently remind Labour Party members that, the last time I looked, we still had an independent legal system in Scotland, and it may well be that the advice is different. I am very sorry that George Foulkes adopted the tone that he did.

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Public Safety

2. To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of recent events such as the murder of Reamonn Gormley, what measures it will bring forward to improve safety on Scotland’s streets. (S3O-13351)

Every murder is a tragedy, and my deepest sympathies are with Reamonn Gormley’s family and friends, as well as with the wider community. Reamonn was clearly an outstanding young man who had so much to offer. Every tragic incident and every life lost because of knife crime is one too many.

The Scottish Government is committed to making Scotland a safer place in which to live and work. Latest statistics show progress. Crime in Scotland is at its lowest level in 32 years, the number of people killed by a sharp instrument is down 39 per cent over the past year and the number of people who have been caught carrying an offensive weapon is down to its lowest level in a decade. In South Lanarkshire, violent crime is down 12 per cent, and handling offensive weapons crimes are down 27 per cent.

However, there is always more that can be done, which is why this Government will maintain 1,000 extra police officers on our streets, and it is why, last month, I announced a doubling of the funding for our no knives, better lives education campaign.

I appreciate the minister’s answer, but within a square mile of that tragic murder there have been around eight murders over the past 18 months. My local paper can report on four murders over a six-week period, and page after page reports violent crime. The police tell us that violent crime is down and that crime in general is down, but that is not the feeling on the streets of Hamilton and the surrounding areas. What will the minister do to further reassure people in those areas that it is not just fancy statistics but the reality of life that will eventually make them feel better?

We appreciate that some areas in Scotland face significantly greater problems than other areas face. We must get matters into perspective; equally, we must remember particular problems and instances such as Mr McCabe mentioned.

We are doing what we are doing. We are maintaining a significant police presence. More than a quarter of a million stop and searches have been carried out in Strathclyde alone, which disclosed that fewer people are carrying and more people are getting caught. The people who are caught are getting longer sentences, which is as it should be. The average sentence for a knife offence is nine months, and people who perpetrate serious offences such as murder face a mandatory life sentence, as of course they should do.

We will work with the local authority, and discussions are on-going, to see how we can roll out the no knives, better lives programme, which has delivered remarkable success in Inverclyde, in areas that are equally blighted.

I thank the cabinet secretary for taking time last week to meet my constituents John Tierney, Michelle McInally and Dominic Flynn, from Blantyre, who were among the organisers of the solidarity march that followed the death of Reamonn Gormley. They were left in no doubt about the cabinet secretary’s personal commitment, and that of the Government, to tackling knife crime and making our streets safer.

The cabinet secretary recently announced a doubling of funding for the no knives, better lives education campaign, and work on the roll-out of the campaign in South Lanarkshire—

Come to a question, please.

Does the cabinet secretary agree that training and equipping a range of organisations in communities, such as the Blantyre walk ’n’ rollers group, to take the no knives, better lives message to young people will help to empower communities to tackle knife crime directly, as it affects them?

Can we have a relatively brief answer, please, cabinet secretary?

The work in Inverclyde has been successful and we hope to roll it out in South Lanarkshire—it is already being rolled out in Edinburgh, Clackmannan and Glasgow. It is appropriate that we train the trainers. Money to deal with the problems and consequences of knife offending is being provided to people who are involved in youth work in a variety of organisations.

Question 3 is from Mike Pringle, who I do not think is in the chamber, which is unfortunate.

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Land Use Planning System

4. To ask the Scottish Executive whether the recent changes to the land use planning system have helped expedite local planning decisions. (S3O-13344)

During the first half of the current financial year, decision making within the statutory timeframes has improved by 5 per cent for local applications and 11 per cent for major applications.

I have been made aware that a major established business in Edinburgh is still awaiting a decision on its master plan after some nine months, having incurred professional fees and overall opportunity costs of some £600,000. Does the minister think that such examples are acceptable as we strive to get Scotland back to full employment?

I refer the member to my previous answer. There has been substantial improvement, particularly for major applications—11 per cent, as I said. Of course, some applications are more complex than others. When particular initiatives are pursued, for example new bus or railway stations, other consultation processes must kick in, which can make the process longer.

We have worked hard, by changing the planning legislation and by issuing guidance, to ensure that we do things faster. The overall figures demonstrate that, but I accept that there will be exceptions to the rule.

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St Patrick’s Day

5. To ask the Scottish Government whether Scotland can learn from the way in which Irish culture, history and achievements are promoted and celebrated world wide on St Patrick’s day. (S3O-13318)

I wish everyone, particularly the Irish diaspora in Scotland, happy St Patrick’s day.

There are lessons that we can learn from Irish experience. For example, Ireland sends a number of ministers across the globe to promote Irish culture, trade and industry on St Patrick’s day. That is not possible to the same extent for a minority Government that requires always to be in attendance at Parliament.

The minister will be aware of the St Andrew’s day campaign committee, which is calling for St Andrew’s day to be a full national public holiday. Perhaps she will support the call.

Will the minister comment on recent remarks in the Parliament about Ireland’s current economic situation? Members of the Irish community told me that they found the remarks “offensive”, “inexcusable” and “deeply hurtful”—their words, not mine. Will she join me on St Patrick’s day in confirming our unswerving solidarity with the people of Ireland and our total confidence in their ability to come out of the situation stronger than ever?

There is no legal or statutory definition of a public holiday in Scotland, but momentum is building around the importance of celebrating our national day, St Andrew’s day, throughout Scotland.

On Anne McLaughlin’s latter point, I congratulate Enda Kenny on his appointment as Taoiseach.

On solidarity with Ireland, it is important to reflect that the International Monetary Fund forecast in October showed that the Irish economy is expected to grow at a faster rate than the United Kingdom’s. Indeed, in 2009, the gross domestic product per capita in Ireland was 12 per cent higher than that in the UK. More important, the Irish people are close neighbours of ours, and as they come through their difficulties it is better to stand shoulder to shoulder with them in solidarity than to trade insults, which some members seek to do.

Is the minister aware that the St Patrick’s day festival in Coatbridge is one of the biggest festivities of the type in the world? Will she congratulate its organisers on their hard work, which enables Irish culture and history to be celebrated over the course of the two-week festival? Will she join me in urging Scots with Irish heritage to tick the Irish ethnicity box on the census form?

Indeed I will. I was pleased to attend a St Patrick’s day event yesterday with the consul general from Ireland. I understand from her that she is attending the Coatbridge event and that it has been going for nine years. I am sure that the Parliament will want to congratulate the people of Coatbridge on delivering that.

The Scottish census in 2011 will contain an Irish ethnicity tick box, which I hope will provide a baseline for the number of Irish in Scotland. I encourage those with an Irish identity to reflect it in the census.

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Community Payback Orders

6. To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on how community payback orders are working. (S3O-13350)

The provisions for the community payback order have been in force for only a little over a month. The significant work that went into planning and preparing for implementation of community payback orders has so far enabled a smooth procedural transition from the existing system of community sentences.

Recent snow clearing involved on average 1,314 low-level offenders, who worked 33,707 hours altogether. However, the long-term success of community payback orders will lie in their effectiveness in reducing reoffending in Scotland, which short prison sentences signally failed to do. As the member knows, three quarters of offenders imprisoned for three months or less reoffend within two years, whereas two thirds of those who receive community service orders do not.

Can the cabinet secretary justify the £10,000 expense to the taxpayer of keeping the individual who breached the first community payback order in prison due to his refusal to conform to the expectations of the CPO? What will he do if others who are issued with community payback orders exhibit the same pattern of conduct?

I do not interfere in the independence of the judiciary, but I fully support any action that a sheriff feels it is necessary to take. If that is sending somebody who breaches a CPO to prison, so be it. Sheriffs have that right and face that obligation, so they have our full support.

Equally, I remind the member that it costs £40,000 per annum to give somebody free bed and board. It is better that low-level offenders go out and do some hard work to repay the damage that they have done in our communities than that the taxpayer has to contribute to funding them.

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Employment (Falkirk West)

7. To ask the Scottish Government what additional assistance it has provided to support, and help people find, employment in the Falkirk West constituency. (S3O-13316)

I am aware of the success of places such as Falkirk in building broad-based employability partnerships with a combined focus on the needs of adults and young people. It is clear that the approach is working because, despite the difficult economic conditions, the number of people employed in Falkirk rose by 400 over the year to June 2010. In fact, at 72.5 per cent, the employment rate for Falkirk is now higher than the Scottish average, which itself is higher than the United Kingdom rate.

The Government really wants to build on that kind of progress. As we announced in December, Falkirk Council will receive more than £425,000 of European social fund money for an employability and regeneration project that will run over two years. In this year’s budget, we further committed to provide no fewer than 46,500 training places across the whole of Scotland. We also announced a £10 million package of support for small businesses that recruit the long-term unemployed and a further £10 million for a community jobs fund to offer young people work opportunities in the third sector.

The minister will be aware that HEROtsc, which is based in Larbert in my constituency, has benefited greatly from support from the Scottish Government, creating some 200 new jobs. The same is true for Malcolm Allan Ltd, which is one of the country’s leading food manufacturers. In addition, Alexander Dennis Ltd has benefited greatly from the Scottish Government’s green bus fund and secured 46 of the 50 buses that will be manufactured through that scheme. Given the progress that has been made in the area, what further measures does the Scottish Government intend to take to continue to promote employment in Falkirk?

I recognise the scenario that the member has painted. Alexander Dennis, Malcolm Allan and HEROtsc have all displayed resilience and perseverance, have invested in and developed new products and services, and have sought out markets and won new contracts. The Scottish Government is doing more: four offers of regional selective assistance in the Falkirk area have been accepted, amounting to grant support of more than £1.1 million, which is helping to secure 114 additional jobs in the area. In addition, other companies in the area, such as Caledonian Produce, are pressing ahead with plans for 450 new permanent jobs.

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Park-and-ride Framework

8. To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made in implementing the national framework for park and ride for buses. (S3O-13313)

Bus park-and-ride schemes are delivered by local authorities and regional transport partnerships. They have been successfully developed at many sites throughout Scotland and the Scottish Government is keen for that to continue. They can make a valuable contribution to increasing modal shift and reducing congestion, which are key outcomes for the Scottish Government.

Is the minister aware of the on-going campaign for a new bus station for Cumbernauld town centre to replace the shambles that passes for a bus station at the moment? What advice can he give to those of us who are campaigning for a new bus station for the town?

I am aware of the on-going campaign for a new bus station in Cumbernauld town centre, and of the member’s staunch support for it. My advice is that North Lanarkshire Council, local bus operators and Strathclyde partnership for transport should work together to develop practical and cost-effective proposals for a facility that will meet passengers’ needs. During this morning’s debate, we saw that the best environment for buses in Scotland is a mutually supportive one in which bus operators, Government and local authorities work together. That will provide the best outcome.

I am sure that the minister agrees that the park-and-ride facilities at Croy and in Cumbernauld provide safe parking for people who use the train. However, the minister will be aware of my concerns about the unfortunate proposal to introduce parking charges at those park-and-ride facilities. Will the minister advise Parliament about the progress that has been made on through-ticketing? What progress and discussions have taken place on through-journey proposals? Could those issues and the issue of the complete cost of travel, including the parking charge, be discussed and included in any future ScotRail franchise?

I am sorry; I was trying to answer questions about the bus station and park and ride. As Cathie Craigie knows from my previous answers to her questions, although the Scottish Government funded the park and ride at Croy, it is for North Lanarkshire Council to decide whether to apply charges to it. We have to wait and see what North Lanarkshire Council does.

On through-ticketing and so on, I am happy to respond to the member in writing.

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. On what basis are members allowed to ask questions about train station park-and-ride facilities when the substantive question was about bus station park and rides?

That is a matter of judgment for the chair, Mr Hepburn.

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Crown Estate

9. To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers there would be any benefits to the rural economy if the Crown Estate commission was devolved. (S3O-13304)

A dh’fhaighneachd do Riaghaltas na h-Alba a bheil e a’ creidsinn gun dèanadh e diofair ri eaconamaidh nan sgìrean iomallach nam biodh Oighreachd a’ Chrùin fo smachd Pàrlamaid na h-Alba.

Yes, because the Scottish Government believes that Scottish public assets should be managed in Scotland for the benefit of Scotland’s people. Devolving responsibility for the Crown estate to the Scottish Parliament would ensure that its management was aligned with Scottish Government priorities and we could use the revenues generated to benefit rural Scotland directly in delivering sustainable and vibrant rural communities.

Will the cabinet secretary likewise acknowledge that, in a coastal community such as my own, where the council pays rent of £20,000 per year on piers and the port authority pays a similar figure, the benefits of the Crown estate, in its present form, are hard to discern?

I certainly agree with the member’s sentiments. The Crown estate is outdated and outmoded, and responsibility for it should be transferred to the Scottish Parliament. Also, it is estimated that up to £100 million of revenue has flowed south since devolution. Most members would agree that that money should have stayed here in Scotland to benefit our own communities.

Unfortunately, some of the other parties at Westminster voted this week against the Scottish National Party’s attempt to have responsibility for the Crown estate passed to the Scottish Parliament, including, shamefully, the Liberal Democrats, who are campaigning north of the border for devolution of the Crown estate but voting against it at Westminster.

Before we come to questions to the First Minister, I am sure that members will wish to join me in welcoming to the gallery the high commissioner of Tanzania, His Excellency Peter Kallaghe. [Applause.]