SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Welcome back. The early start means that the chamber is somewhat denuded. We will see where we can get to.
Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Transport
Public Transport (Antisocial Behaviour)
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking so that public transport is less vulnerable to crime, vandalism and antisocial behaviour. (S2O-2741)
I congratulate Murdo Fraser on being the only member of the Opposition in the chamber.
I am sure that all members who are present would support that approach and such initiatives. What measures is the Executive taking to deal with the very worrying increase in the number of children who are accessing railway lines, and to deal with the equally dangerous and illegal practice of individuals shooting at trains with air guns?
Those incidents are alarming and potentially very dangerous. We work closely with the transport police on those issues. Later this month, national route crime week will be launched, which will be a full week of media activity, promotion and advertising that will highlight the dangers of such crime.
Air Services (Tiree and Barra)
To ask the Scottish Executive how the recently announced lower air fares to Tiree and Barra are expected to impact on tourism and the local economy. (S2O-2649)
Lower fares on the air services that are supported by the Scottish Executive between Glasgow and Barra and between Campbeltown and Tiree are aimed at making transport links more affordable for everyone who travels to and from those communities. The fares are expected to have a significant positive impact on tourism and the local economy.
Does the minister agree that we must expand air services in the Highlands and Islands and reduce the cost of flying if we are to sustain those vulnerable communities? Furthermore, does he agree that the United Kingdom Government's air transport strategy is making that possible?
I agree. A range of initiatives are aimed at improving affordability and availability of what are, in many cases, lifeline air services, which are essential to the communities that they serve. Traditionally, the costs have been very high, which is why one of the core proposals of the Highlands and Islands strategic transport partnership—HITRANS—is the development of a public service obligation network across the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Executive is giving support to the development of those plans.
There is deep concern in Campbeltown, Tiree and Islay that the impact of security charges will cancel out any benefits to communities from the reduction in air fares. I welcome the suspension of the introduction of the charges until 1 July, subject to the Executive's reviewing them, but can the minister say when the review and his discussions with Her Majesty's Government on the security issues will be completed?
That is an important point. We were determined to ensure that the reductions in air fares through the PSO contract that was agreed with the Executive were not wiped out by increased security charges. There is real concern that the cost of the improvements to airport security and safety arrangements should not be focused solely on the small airports about which we are talking, because the effect on fares would be disproportionate. That is why we asked Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd to suspend the introduction of increased fares and to consider how to spread costs fairly across the network, rather than focus on individual airports. That review is not yet complete and suspension of the proposed charges will continue while it continues. I am determined to resolve that issue as quickly as possible in a matter of weeks and soon after the Parliament returns in the autumn in its new location, and I am determined that we have a solution that is fair throughout the Highlands and Islands.
I am obliged to call questions if members have not withdrawn them. Question 3 is in the name of Pauline McNeill, who is not present, so we move to question 4.
Park-and-ride Sites (Edinburgh)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is encouraging the development of park-and-ride sites in Edinburgh. (S2O-2684)
The Executive strongly supports local authority provision of park-and-ride facilities. Significant funding, totalling more than £14 million, has been given to assist park-and-ride sites at Newcraighall, Todhills, Hermiston, Straiton and Ferrytoll.
As the minister is aware, Edinburgh's new park-and-ride sites, in particularly the one at Straiton, which is adjacent to my constituency, have simply not happened yet, even after years of talk by the City of Edinburgh Council. Will the minister intervene and ensure that they are built as soon as possible, because the delay is hampering the overall transport development of the Lothians and the Borders? It is time for the Executive to act against the City of Edinburgh Council.
As Mike Pringle is aware, the Straiton scheme was held up initially because of planning difficulties. An appeal was lodged on 1 October last year, and the Scottish Executive reporter upheld that appeal and granted permission on 9 February 2004. I understand that acquisition of the land for the site is now proving to be difficult, but if there is anything that I, as Minister for Transport, can do or that the Executive can do to resolve those issues, we will be pleased to intervene.
I welcome the minister's support for park-and-ride schemes, his commitment to do everything that he can to encourage the City of Edinburgh Council to develop such schemes and his support for the council in doing that. However, does he agree that, in addition to park-and-ride schemes, congestion charging is needed to reduce traffic congestion in Edinburgh? Is he aware that Friends of the Earth Scotland passed a motion at its annual general meeting last weekend criticising him specifically for his lack of leadership on the introduction of congestion charging in Edinburgh, and criticising the Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh for their opposition to congestion charging? When will the minister join the First Minister in encouraging congestion charging, just as he has said he will support and encourage park-and-ride schemes in Edinburgh?
That was three questions for the price of one, but as we have time, Mr Stephen may address them.
I was aware of some of what Mark Ballard said. On congestion charging, I have made it clear in Parliament on a number of occasions that, provided that the scheme is appropriate and that there is clear evidence of local support for it, I am prepared to approve a congestion charging scheme under the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001. There should be no doubt about that. A public local inquiry on the Edinburgh scheme is on-going, so it would be inappropriate for me to say anything further. I will be asked later to receive the recommendation from the reporter and to reach a decision on the scheme.
Croy Station (Parking)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure progress on the provision of additional parking at Croy station. (S2O-2735)
The provision of additional parking at Croy station is being delivered by Strathclyde Passenger Transport, with financial support from the Scottish Executive. We have already expressed our concerns about the significant delays that have been caused by land acquisition problems. We are working closely with SPT to resolve those problems.
The minister is aware that Croy station is an important link on the route between Glasgow and Edinburgh for travellers from the area. He will also be aware of the success of the station since the introduction of services between our two main cities calling at Croy every 30 minutes. The popularity of the station has resulted in the need for many more parking places. Does the minister appreciate the frustration that many people feel when they are unable to find a parking place at the station?
Yes, I would be pleased to do so. The situation is similar to that in Edinburgh. I believe that there is a real opportunity to create park-and-ride sites on the main corridors into Glasgow and there are not enough such facilities at the moment. I would like to see them built soon and I would like them to be high-quality sites. The problems in the case that Cathie Craigie highlights are typical of those that have arisen elsewhere in Scotland. I believe that, wherever possible, such problems should be resolved through negotiation and a partnership approach, and through the public sector working closely with local landowners.
Question 6 is withdrawn.
Specified Tertiary Education Providers
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received in respect of its proposals to set up specified tertiary education providers as part of its consultation process into merging the higher and further education funding councils. (S2O-2728)
The Scottish Executive published its proposals and draft bill to merge the funding councils on 30 April. We will not have a full picture of the responses to the range of issues that have been raised until the consultation closes on 15 July. I should make it clear that, contrary to some early misleading reports, the Executive has no plans to change or to replace the distinctive bases on which universities and colleges in Scotland are currently established.
I welcome the fact that the proposal from the former Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee to merge the funding councils will be the subject of a bill. However, does the minister recognise the folly of the proposals to divide the old and new universities into different categories? One of the key recommendations of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee's report on lifelong learning was that we should not make such divisive delineations in higher or further education. Will he admit that he got it wrong in that respect?
First, I acknowledge Alex Neil's role as convener of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee in session 1 of Parliament. He is right to say that the proposals that we are bringing forward flow very much from the valuable work of the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, which proposed the merger of the funding councils. As I have explained to some university sector representatives, the draft Tertiary Education (Funding etc) (Scotland) Bill contains a legally correct definition of the various institutions that was included for legislative drafting purposes. I acknowledge the concern that it has caused and I have made it clear that I will not lose any sleep if that part of the bill is amended.
Does the minister accept that there is concern in the university sector about some aspects of the draft Tertiary Education (Funding etc) (Scotland) Bill, which its representatives see as being centralising and taking more powers for ministers? Will the minister assure us that he recognises the autonomy of the universities, that he values their independence and that he will not seek to centralise more powers within his department?
I am aware that such concerns have been expressed. What is important in the consultation is to try to find out where concerns lie and to address them as well as possible. In addition to the formal consultation and responses, a number of meetings have been held in different centres around Scotland. Those meetings have sought to engage people from the universities and further education colleges and I intend to have meetings with principals of the FE colleges and universities before the conclusion of the consultation. I know that what Murdo Fraser described is an issue. However, I take the opportunity to say that I am a firm supporter of academic freedom and the independence of the universities, and that I recognise that the draft bill will extend academic freedom to further education colleges, which do not enjoy it at the moment.
What rocket scientist invented the term "specified tertiary education providers"? Will the minister assure us that universities and colleges will continue to be referred to as such and that they will not be reduced to a mere acronyms such as STEPs?
It was not a rocket scientist, but—with all due respect—a parliamentary draftsman who was responsible for that term. The intention was to ensure that, rather than repeat the phrase "specified tertiary education providers" throughout the bill, there would be a shorthand way of referring to them. In fact, there has been criticism of the length of the bill; I suspect that if we used the longhand term every time, the bill would be even longer.
Will the minister join me in welcoming the closer co-operation in Scotland's college sector, as demonstrated by last week's announcement of the merger of Glasgow College of Building and Printing and Glasgow College of Food Technology, and the proposed merger of Fife College of Further and Higher Education in Marilyn Livingstone's constituency and Glenrothes College in my constituency? Will he ensure that the merged funding councils will facilitate other such close partnerships where they are appropriate, and will he say what measures are being taken by the Executive, the funding councils, the universities and the colleges to ensure better integration of provision?
There are two issues in the question, one of which is formal mergers. I was delighted to be able to announce last week, and to lay before Parliament the order for, the merger of the two Glasgow colleges that will become the Glasgow metropolitan college on 1 August. Obviously, I must be careful because the matter will ultimately come to ministers for a decision, but I also note the proposal to merge Fife College and Glenrothes College. The important thing in both cases has been the groundswell of opinion in the colleges themselves. The colleges have progressed proposals themselves, which I certainly encourage colleges to do.
During the passage of the bill, I wonder whether the minister will address a concern that was raised by the Auditor General for Scotland in the report on the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and which has been supported by the Audit Committee. That concern relates to an accountability gap between the funding council and individual colleges. It is clearly a matter of concern that there is apparently no accountability of individual colleges to the funding council in respect of how they spend public money. Will the minister undertake to look closely at that matter during the forthcoming passage of the draft Tertiary Education (Funding etc) (Scotland) Bill?
I am certainly aware of the reports by Audit Scotland and the Parliament's Audit Committee. Off the top of my head, I do not know whether the proposed long title of the bill will be wide enough to incorporate the concerns that George Lyon expresses, but I will certainly reflect on the matter. There are opportunities as the bill is about to come before Parliament; the Audit Committee itself may wish to make points about that matter and the scope of the bill as introduced.
Justice and Law Officers
Positive Parenting
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to promote positive parenting and alternative disciplinary tactics. (S2O-2747)
The Scottish Executive supports a wide range of programmes because we want parents to be confident, competent and well informed. We want to help parents to feel strong and secure in promoting positive behaviour and to be positive role models for their children.
During the stage 1 debate on the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill, the Scottish Executive confirmed that
I will try to give as brief an answer as possible, although a considerable amount of work has been done. Members will remember that the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 outlawed several forms of physical punishment of children, including hitting on the head, shaking and punishing with various implements. Those provisions were arrived at following research and consultation with the Scottish people. To coincide with the new legislation, we prepared for parents an information leaflet that describes the change in the law. It is important that the leaflet also promotes other non-physical methods of disciplining children and encourages positive parenting more generally.
Drug Driving
To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals have been convicted of driving whilst under the influence of drugs in each of the last three years. (S2O-2720)
The figures for convictions involving drugs alone are not available. However, the total numbers of offences of driving while unfit through drink or drugs that resulted in a charge that was proved in court in 2000, 2001 and 2002 were 441, 477 and 596 respectively. It is planned that information for 2003 will be published in November.
Is the minister aware of serious public concern that the offence of driving while under the influence of drugs is on the increase and that many such offences go undetected? Is she aware that the problem surrounds the lack of appropriate technology? Does she agree that one of the Executive's priorities should be the development of technology that works on a similar basis to that of the breathalyser unit from the Carand Medical Instrument Company Ltd—CAMIC—which would ensure that those who behaved in such an irresponsible manner could be caught and dealt with appropriately?
I recognise the concerns that Bill Aitken raises and we take the matter seriously. Policy and legislation relating to drug driving are reserved, but the UK Parliament has introduced powers for the police to require drivers to provide specimens for screening and to participate in roadside co-ordination tests. Those powers will commence when the screening devices are available. We will continue to take the matter seriously.
The minister mentioned road safety campaigns in her response. Given that she does not provide a breakdown of accidents that have been caused by drugs and those that have been caused by alcohol, can she tell us whether conviction rates have a seasonal pattern? If they do, does she intend to review the times when those campaigns are maintained?
As I have said, it has not, because of the nature of the legislation, been possible to meet the request to provide a breakdown of the number of accidents that are caused by drugs and the number that are caused by alcohol. However, as I have pointed out, we know that drink-driving becomes a problem at particular events and times of the year. We should try to utilise such events to secure the maximum publicity for road safety campaigns.
Question 3 is withdrawn.
Eurojust
To ask the Scottish Executive how Eurojust is making a contribution to tackling serious and organised crime. (S2O-2671)
Eurojust was established in 2002 to improve investigation and prosecution of serious cross-border crime in EU member states by co-ordinating investigations and facilitating mutual legal assistance and extradition. It consists of a prosecutor from each of the 25 member states; Scotland is represented by a deputy prosecutor from the Crown Office.
What is Scotland's particular contribution to Eurojust? What benefits can the people of Scotland expect as a result of the progress that is being made?
As I said, we have seconded a fiscal to Eurojust to serve as one of the two deputy prosecutors to the British prosecutor. That secondment has very much raised the profile in Europe of a distinctive Scottish jurisdiction and has facilitated the exchange of information between Scotland and other European member states.
Dangerous Driving
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to revision of the law and sentencing policy in respect of death caused by dangerous driving in aggravated circumstances. (S2O-2673)
Road traffic law and sentencing policy are reserved to the UK Government. The penalty for the offences that the member mentions was increased to 14 years from 27 February 2004. Moreover, since January 2003, there has been a presumption that all prosecutions in Scotland under section 1, which concerns causing death by dangerous driving, and section 3A, which concerns causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, of the Road Traffic Act 1988 will be indicted in the High Court.
Does the minister agree that, although all deaths and serious injuries that are caused by road accidents are tragic, those that are caused by drivers and vehicles that should not be on the road are particularly offensive? Given the large number of uninsured and banned drivers and untested or unroadworthy vehicles on our roads, should not we make it clear that such recklessness will compound the offence?
As Cathy Peattie understands, road traffic law is reserved to the Westminster Parliament. However, a Home Office- led steering group was established in 2003 to continue the review of offences for bad driving and to consider ways of updating the law on serious driving offences, particularly when death and injury occur. Officials from the Justice Department and the Crown Office are members of that group, which hopes to publish a consultation paper containing proposals in due course.
I actually cancelled my request to speak because Cathy Peattie more or less covered the points that I wanted to make on drivers who drive knowing full well that they are not covered by insurance and that they are, perhaps, already banned from driving. There is a perception in Scotland that the courts do not take full account of the seriousness of such offences. Can the minister and the law officers assist in that?
As I supplied an answer on that to Cathy Peattie, I am sure that Phil Gallie will recognise that we will keep that matter under review. However, anybody who drives a car knowing that it is in poor condition, or anyone who drives without the appropriate insurance or without ensuring that they comply with the law is taking a risk not only on themselves but, more important, on members of the public. It is right and proper that the law will be used to deal with them.
Justice System (Staff Suggestion Schemes)
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-23156 by Colin Boyd QC on 14 March 2002, whether staff suggestion schemes now operate in any part of the criminal justice system. (S2O-2706)
At the end of this month, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service will launch the over to you scheme, which will provide staff with the opportunity to make suggestions, raise issues or ask questions about any aspect of the department's work. In addition, each Scottish police force operates a staff suggestion scheme in some form.
I thank the Solicitor General for Scotland for her answer. Does she think that the absence of staff suggestion schemes may have contributed to a lack of appropriate feedback from front-line staff? Such feedback might have prevented a number of the difficulties that the Minister for Justice has readily acknowledged and that we have discussed at length in the chamber over recent months. In relation to the police schemes that are in operation, can the Solicitor General tell me approximately how many suggestions have been made in recent times?
I would readily agree that communication in a department such as the COPFS is crucial. Certainly, it was symptomatic of some of the department's difficulties that communications were not as they should have been. However, a suggestion scheme is not a panacea for good management and good communications. Clearly, the scheme that is to be launched is only one part of a wide-ranging series of initiatives that have been taken, including new internet facilities for communication, team briefing systems and much more extensive training for managers throughout, to ensure that staff know that they are appreciated and valued and that they are developed to their maximum potential.
Reliance Custodial Services (Training)
To ask the Scottish Executive what training has been provided to staff employed by Reliance Custodial Services. (S2O-2721)
Under the terms of the contract, the service provider must maintain a training policy and programmes to ensure that staff have the knowledge, skills and competencies to undertake their role. Staff who perform the role of a prisoner custody officer under the relevant legislation must be certificated by the authority. The 30 required training units for prisoner custody officers are set out in a detailed table in schedule 1 to the published contract.
The minister will be aware that the Scottish Prison Service continues to provide training and support to staff within Reliance Custodial Services. Has the SPS fully accounted for the costs to the public purse of providing that training and support? If it has not done so, why not? Does she believe that any costs that are incurred by public agencies in supporting and training Reliance Custodial Services staff should be met by Reliance rather than by the public purse?
The member will be aware that we have had considerable debate in the chamber on that issue. It is important to recognise that monitoring of the training is on-going and that any gaps in the training will be filled. The SPS and others have a valuable role in ensuring that Reliance staff have the appropriate skills and qualifications to do the jobs that they are contracted to do. Having seen the information that we published, the member will be aware of the exacting nature of the contract. Together with the SPS, I will ensure that the appropriate penalty clauses are invoked whenever Reliance does not deliver on the contract in the way that it should.
What structures does the minister plan to put in place to learn from the shortcomings that have been highlighted by the Reliance contract, given that some shortcomings may involve procedures in other parts of the criminal justice system?
Sylvia Jackson has highlighted a critical point, which is that several agencies are involved in the issue. At the moment, those agencies are working together in a number of ways, including through the working group that I established to examine the process of transferring prisoners between the different courts. The group is also considering issues surrounding warrants and issues around the Scottish Court Service. When the group reports, I expect that it will make some firm recommendations on how we can improve the system to deal with those issues, which in some instances have been long-standing problems that have not been quantified to date.
Civil Litigation (Court Deadlines)
To ask the Scottish Executive which individual is responsible for compliance with court deadlines in connection with any civil litigation in which the Executive is involved. (S2O-2697)
Civil litigation is conducted by different parts of the legal offices of the Executive and by private firms that act on behalf of the Executive.
I had expected an answer to the question that I asked. If a solicitor in private practice had missed a deadline for lodging an appeal, the solicitor would not only be negligent but would be held responsible for the consequences, especially if those were financial consequences. Surely there are three people who could be responsible: the Lord Advocate, the civil servant who is in charge of the department or the Minister for Justice. Does no one in the Executive accept individual responsibility? Is no one ever to blame? Does the buck never stop?
As was explained to the court, and as has been explained in the letter that Cathy Jamieson and I sent to the conveners of the justice committees, the error occurred in the office of the solicitor to the Scottish Executive. That office reports to me and I have ministerial responsibility for it.
Police (Funding Review)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the results of the review of police funding. (S2O-2646)
I expect to receive the final report of the police grant-aided expenditure working group in the next few weeks and to announce the results after that.
For the past few years, Grampian police and the local community have pinned their hopes on the review, which it was hoped might tackle the force's chronic underfunding. The area has some of the highest crime rates in Scotland, but it has the lowest level of police officers per head of population. The force also has extra responsibilities that other police forces do not have. Having been told to expect the results of the review last year, we were then told to expect them this spring, but the minister is still unable to give us a date. Will she take the situation seriously by telling the Parliament and the people of Grampian what extra evidence she requires before she appreciates that the force is chronically underfunded?
In my letter of 23 March 2004 to the clerk to the Grampian joint police board, I reminded board members that the GAE working group had already recognised that Grampian's share of the funding per head of population had been lower than that of other forces. Following the group's interim recommendations, which were submitted to ministers in late 2002, the GAE calculations that were reflected in the local authority funding announcement in December 2002 included additional funding for some forces. For Grampian police, the additions were £724,000 for 2003-04, £1.614 million for 2004-05 and £2.5 million for 2005-06.
I remind the minister that Fife constabulary has 200 fewer police officers than our population deserves. I know that Fife Council is concerned about the situation, as is the Fife police authority. Can the minister give us any hope that, at long last, Fife will get an increase in its police?
As I said to Mr Lochhead, the working group has taken very seriously a number of issues, looking right across the board at the various pressures that police forces in each area face. I will not pre-empt the results of that working group coming to me by making any announcement in the chamber today, but I assure Tricia Marwick that all the points that have been raised in the chamber previously and today are being taken into account in the work that the group is doing.
General Questions
Housing Stock Transfer
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review its policy on housing stock transfer. (S2O-2732)
A review of the transfer process was undertaken last year and a new framework is now in place to deliver housing transfers. No further review is currently planned. Transfer to community ownership remains a key means for many councils to achieve the Scottish housing quality standard while keeping rents affordable.
Is the minister aware of the Westminster select committee report that was published last month calling for a level playing field to be created for tenants who vote against transfer, so that they are not penalised? If tenants in Dundee or in other parts of Scotland all vote no to stock transfer, why should they then be denied the necessary investment in the housing stock? If they vote no, is not the minister duty bound to review the current policy on stock transfer in order to give those tenants a level playing field, which is surely nothing less than they deserve?
I am sure that Shona Robison is well aware of the consideration that we have given to housing policy in the past few years. We have opened up a number of routes for local authorities to meet the housing quality standard, which they all subscribe to and consider appropriate. They can do that through housing stock transfer, through the prudential regime or through an increase in rents within their own resources—it is properly a matter for local authorities to decide how they meet the standard.
Elections (Voter Participation)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to encourage increased voter participation in elections. (S2O-2647)
I shall take a serious, statesmanlike approach to that question. We recognise the small increase in turnout at the recent European elections, but there is clearly still a lot more to do. There is no one solution to the problem, which members must recognise is not just a Scottish one, as the turnout in other European countries has shown. The partnership agreement commits us to increasing voter participation at local council elections and we are seeking to do so in a number of ways, including through piloting all-postal ballots and, in the longer term, investigating electronic voting.
Although all politicians in Scotland—and, indeed, throughout Europe—will want to reflect on the low turnout in last week's European elections, does the minister share my surprise that Alistair Darling, the Secretary of State for Transport and Scotland, raised the prospect of an all-postal ballot at the next Holyrood election? Was Mr Kerr consulted before the secretary of state made that announcement? Does he agree with the many members in all parties in this chamber that any such decision should be taken by the Scottish Parliament and not by London?
I cannot resist mentioning that some people—most of the SNP MSPs—are reflecting more on the election results than others are.
Does the minister agree that voter participation is about more than people turning up on the day? It is also about their vote being rendered admissible. Is he as concerned as I am by the fact that in London, where an attempt was made to run an election in which people voted with a cross and using a preference system, more than 167,000 ballots were rendered inadmissible? Will he rethink his determination to run the Scottish Parliament elections and the first single transferable vote local government elections on the same day?
We constantly reflect on experiences throughout the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world with regard to electoral policy and strategy. The member has made me aware of his views on those matters. I have tried to reassure him that promotion and publicity that accompanies any future election in Scotland will seek to ensure that the electorate are well educated in the purpose of voting and in how to vote. I have confidence—as I am sure others have—in the electorate's ability in that respect.
Does the minister accept that the case for all-postal voting has certainly not been made by the experiments in the European elections in England last week and that there are still significant concerns about the administration of such elections and about fraud, which perhaps denies some people their vote? Will he give an assurance that Scotland will not go headlong down the all-postal route and that we will continue to consider other options, such as alternative voting days and extended voting hours?
The Executive does nothing in a headlong fashion—it acts in a carefully considered manner on every occasion. We must reflect on what happened with the all-postal ballots. Ninety-nine per cent of the postal ballots were out on time—by 1 June. There have been accusations of fraud and those are being investigated. The Electoral Commission will report on the experience in December—that will be the time to reflect on what occurred down in England. The other matters that the member raises are appropriate and we will, of course, consider them.
Schools (Exclusions)
To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms are in place to monitor the impact of its inclusion policies on the number of exclusions from schools and on teacher absences due to stress. (S2O-2675)
The Executive collects data on exclusions from school, but we do not hold data on the category of illness causing teacher absence.
I appreciate that the minister might find it difficult to give an answer on whether his policies have had an impact on the number of exclusions. However, does he have specific methods of monitoring those figures? If not, why not? Although we need to have devolved school management, it can lead to the number of exclusions being managed to take account of teacher stress or a number of other factors. That is no way in which to run a coherent education service.
Are my policies having an effect on exclusions? I hope so, because we have tried to free up head teachers to make decisions about exclusions. I have made it clear that I will not second-guess the difficult judgments that head teachers have to make every day in their schools on those issues; it is up to them to decide when it is appropriate to exclude pupils.
Does the minister agree with the view expressed by the president of the Educational Institute of Scotland that none of the Executive's initiatives on education
I read what the president of the EIS said. He certainly drew attention to the continuing challenges in schools on discipline matters. However, he also kept the matter firmly in context—which I have to say is something that Lord James Douglas-Hamilton does not always do—by making it clear in his speech to the EIS that the problem must be kept in proportion and that we must ensure that we address it when it arises.
Central Heating Programme (Eaga)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the way in which Eaga Partnership Ltd administers its central heating programme. (S2O-2678)
We maintain a close working relationship with Eaga with a view to assessing and improving its performance in delivering the central heating programme. Since the programme began in the private sector in September 2001, Eaga has met, or exceeded, its targets, installing more than 21,000 systems to date.
The minister may not be aware that I have been in correspondence with her colleague Margaret Curran in connection with the problematic issue of mobile homes that are permanent residences for pensioners. Early difficulties arose in identifying whether such homes were eligible and Eaga has had to take a fairly arbitrary decision to exclude certain homes. Was it the Executive's intention to exclude pensioner families whose permanent residence is a mobile home, albeit one that remains static? Is that the essence and purpose of the programme?
I am aware of the member's correspondence with my colleague Margaret Curran. Unfortunately, the central heating systems and the insulation that is provided with them are unable to bring such houses up to an acceptable standard. That is why we decided that mobile homes should not, at this stage, be included. However, we continue to review the matter, because we appreciate that some pensioners have mobile homes as their permanent residence. Should we find ways of ensuring that we can reach an acceptable standard of heating and insulation in such properties, we will consider the matter again.
Does the minister share my concern that Eaga contractors such as McSence Ltd in my constituency are expected to absorb a 20 per cent increase in the cost of insulation materials? That could have a serious effect on the Scottish Executive's warm deal programme. Will the minister raise that issue with Eaga's management with a view to resolving the problem?
I am not aware of the particular circumstance that Rhona Brankin refers to. However, from discussions on the funding for this year's programme, I am aware of the increase in the cost of providing services. When we started in 2001, the cost of installing a system was approximately £2,500; this year, the cost is roughly £2,800. I am aware of rising costs and will be happy to pursue the matter further with Eaga on the member's behalf.
Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill
To ask the Scottish Executive how many replies it has received to the consultation on the proposed Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill and what action it is taking to address the issues raised. (S2O-2717)
We received more than 3,000 submissions in response to the consultation and I have had a number of meetings with Executive officials and interested parties to consider the issues that have emerged.
I congratulate the Executive on what is clearly a welcome and positive bill. However, does the minister acknowledge that the bill will have to be accompanied by continuous action and a range of other measures? An issue addressed in the consultation is the shortage of Gaelic-medium teachers. Will the minister consider the possibility of running a national recruitment campaign along the lines of campaigns to address similar shortages in subjects such as modern languages and science?
I will be happy to consider that issue. Ken Macintosh raises an important point. Notwithstanding legislation to provide for the future of Gaelic—to promote it and to ensure that it survives and thrives—we cannot legislate to turn on a tap and get more teachers. To do that, we will have to persuade people to apply to be teachers and we will have to provide training places. However, we have been successful at ensuring that we have no cap on the number of places in our institutions that train Gaelic-medium teachers. We are making it clear that such training is a continuing priority for the Executive. Indeed, new forms of training are being established in the Highlands and Islands under which teachers can be trained on a part-time basis, closer to their homes. That is one way in which we can try to ensure that we meet supply needs. However, we require to do more. We need to ensure that the big blockage in Gaelic education is not about legislation and, on the supply of teachers, I will, as I said, be happy to look at the member's proposal.
I take great comfort from what the minister has just said. He will be aware of the success of the Glasgow Gaelic School, whose new building is to open in 2005. My question is similar to Ken Macintosh's. Gaelic-medium education is so popular in the area that people who want to send their children to the Glasgow Gaelic School are being told that there is no funding for remedial teachers to enable those children who have got to level 1 in Gaelic to continue their education at the school. Will the minister put additional resources into encouraging not only more Gaelic-medium teachers but remedial teachers, so that children who have a smattering of Gaelic can attend the Glasgow Gaelic School and such schools elsewhere in the country?
I am interested in the point that Sandra White made about remedial teachers. I am not familiar with the specifics of the case that she mentions in relation to the Glasgow Gaelic School, but I am happy to look into the matter in response to her question.
Bearing in mind the fact that there is no dedicated Gaelic-language television channel, what is the minister doing to support his colleague Brian Wilson, who is making efforts at Westminster to achieve one?
I have been in regular dialogue on the matter with Brian Wilson and Anne McGuire, as, indeed, has Frank McAveety. There are a number of issues on which we are working in order to try to find a way forward. The Parliament will be advised of what they are in due course.
The minister mentioned the scheme to encourage Gaelic speakers to train as teachers. Eventually, however, we will run out of people who come into that category. Is the Executive considering a parallel programme that would encourage people who are already trained teachers to bring their Gaelic up to fluency?
Yes, indeed. We also provide support to organisations in Scotland that help with that. There are Gaelic speakers who want to improve their proficiency in Gaelic and who are currently teaching through the medium of English. We want to encourage them to move across into Gaelic-medium teaching. Indeed, we will have to address that issue in the attempt to expand Gaelic-medium secondary provision. We know that there is a large number of Gaelic speakers who are teaching in our secondary schools in and around Glasgow through the medium of English. We need to consider how we can attract them to teach through the medium of Gaelic. The suggestion that the member made is one of the mechanisms that we will use.
Housing (Gas Safety)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to introduce legislation to enable rent officers and officials of housing authorities who administer housing benefit to ensure that gas safety regulations are in place. (S2O-2734)
We have no plans to introduce legislation to change the rent officer's role or that of local authorities. As the member is aware, the administration of housing benefit is the responsibility of the Department for Work and Pensions. Gas safety regulations come under the control of the Health and Safety Executive.
My understanding of the way in which the Scottish Parliament works is that we are about joined-up government and partnership. Health and safety inspectors are experiencing difficulties in relation to the need to ensure that buildings comply with the gas safety regulations. We could take the opportunity to enable those who set fair rents for private lets and those who make arrangements for housing benefit to look at whether the regulations are in place. The opportunity is open to us to allow them to work as a team in order to ensure the safety of the people who move into those let homes.
I recognise Phil Gallie's concern, but we have to be aware of the different responsibilities of the different work forces that would be taking part in the inspections. Phil Gallie will be aware that one of the provisions of the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Bill, which we are discussing today, is about registering landlords as "fit and proper" people—if they do not comply with the regulations on things such as gas installations, they would not be considered as fit and proper people. That may be one way in which we can tackle the issue. I hope that, when we come to that part of the bill, Phil Gallie will feel able to support our proposals.