Culture, Europe and External Affairs
The next item of business is portfolio questions on culture, Europe and external affairs. I would prefer short and succinct questions and answers, please, in order to bring in as many questioners as possible.
National Museum of Scotland (Remains of Beothuk Tribe Members)
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the national museum of Scotland regarding the request to repatriate to Canada the remains of the last two members of the Beothuk tribe. (S4O-04458)
The national museum of Scotland has confirmed that it has met those wishing the Beothuk remains to be repatriated to Canada, and it has explained the established mechanism for making a formal repatriation request. The museum has yet to receive a formal request, but it expects one to be made.
National Museums Scotland has advised that it has yet to receive the formal request, but it will consider any such request carefully. Decisions on repatriating individual items in the National Museums Scotland collection are, in the first instance, for the board of National Museums Scotland, acting in that respect independently of the Scottish Government.
I welcome that response, and I am grateful to the cabinet secretary. I am sure that she would agree with me that, although it is of course a matter for the board of the national museum in the first instance, the keeping of skulls is surely not a 21st-century response to the common humanity that we share with these two individuals, who were the last recorded individuals of this tribe, which was wiped out probably because of environmental pressures on their hunting grounds, as well as by cultural pressures. Perhaps it would be an appropriate response to that shared humanity to ensure that, when the request comes, it is dealt with speedily and in a humane fashion, so that we can set the matter to rest.
National Museums Scotland is well aware of the sensitivity of the issue. There is well-developed guidance on the repatriation of human remains from Scottish collections in the light of the human tissue legislation that was passed in Scotland in 2006. There was an example of returns from the NMS to Wellington in 2007.
I reiterate that the decision is for the NMS board, but ministers may then have to make a legal designation for the receiving institution in Canada as an appropriate body. I very much take on board the member’s points that this is an issue of humanity and should be treated as such.
Government of Qatar (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government which ministers have met representatives of the Government of Qatar since it was awarded the 2022 world cup. (S4O-04459)
Scottish ministers have met Qatari officials on a number of occasions since 2010, when Qatar was awarded the 2022 world cup. Most recently, I met Mr Khalid Rashid Al-Mansouri, head of European affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We discussed a number of issues, including those of the rights of migrant workers.
According to press reports, the Minister for External Affairs and International Development went on a trip to Qatar from 19 May 2013, and the First Minister visited some time between 27 October and 4 November 2011. Can the minister advise why there is no detail of those ministerial visits or of what ministers did on those visits in the ministerial diaries?
Will the Government now release all information about those visits? Two weeks ago, when he was asked, the minister said that it was because of an administrative error that there was no detail in the diaries. It would appear that that administrative error still persists.
I say to the member that the Scottish Government aims to be as transparent as possible about meetings that are undertaken by ministers. The reason that was given at the time of the press report absolutely stands. There was a clerical error, not just on that visit but on a number of visits. I accept that point, and it takes time, of course, for that clerical error to be rectified. We hope to publish the updated list soon.
I say to the member that the trip that he refers to—the Qatar trip of 2013—was not some kind of secret. In fact, his own researcher tweeted the link to the announcement that we made at that time. This is not the work of the Illuminati or the Knights Templar. There is no conspiracy theory. We are happy to continue to give details.
I know that the issue is close to the member’s heart, and I am happy to work with him, talk to him and discuss it with him. The Government has raised the issue of migrant workers not just in Qatar but across the Gulf region. If he is serious about the issue, my door is always open to him to talk about how we can work together to ensure that workers are treated correctly, not just in Qatar but across the entire region.
Gaelic Culture (Promotion and Support)
To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to promote and support Gaelic culture. (S4O-04460)
The Scottish Government’s support for Gaelic culture has been significant.
Support for MG Alba has transformed broadcasting in Scotland. Our support for Gaelic education has created a significant and successful sector. Support for Bòrd na Gàidhlig has enabled Gaelic to be promoted in many areas of Scottish public and community life. Our support for Gaelic arts and cultural events has allowed a minority community to have a significant impact on Scottish cultural life. Creative Scotland is providing more than £5 million to Gaelic organisations and other organisations with a high Gaelic content over the three years from 2015 to 2018.
Last week, on 10 June, I was delighted to present a creative places award to Stornoway and the islands of Lewis and Harris at an event hosted by Creative Scotland with support from EventScotland. The £125,000 that they won will be used for a project called Bealach, which will mark Stornoway as a gateway to the creative community of the Outer Hebrides.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that Gaelic culture and heritage is often passed down through poetry and song. To access that, we need to be able to speak the language and understand it. She talked about support for education, but she will be aware that there has been a marked drop in the number of pupils who choose Gaelic as a language in schools, and that has led to a fall in the number of students who gain a qualification. What is the Scottish Government doing to ensure that the education system is providing the education and skills that are required to access our culture and heritage?
This question time is on culture, Europe and external affairs. If the member wants to direct her question on education matters to my education colleagues, I am sure that they will be willing to respond to her directly.
The member’s original question was about culture, and in my answer I talked about the cultural celebrations. I am delighted that, particularly among our young people, there has been such an expansion, particularly in the provision of Gaelic education in the early years. If the member wants to direct her question on education to education ministers, I will ensure that it is answered.
Notwithstanding the answer that the cabinet secretary has just given to Rhoda Grant, I ask whether any discussions have taken place between the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs and the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning about how to find more teachers of Gaelic.
This is the question time for culture, Europe and external affairs. I am more than happy to answer questions on culture; as the member well knows, questions on education should be directed to my education colleagues.
As far as the celebration and promotion of Gaelic culture is concerned, my department has provided, for example, investment in Fèis Rois, support for MG Alba in terms of film and television, £620,000 for the Gaelic Books Council and £1.4 million for Fèisean na Gàidheal. I am pleased about the support that I can provide in my role as culture minister.
When I was the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, I was instrumental in ensuring that Gaelic schools were developed, but I ask that questions about Gaelic education are submitted for portfolio questions on education, which will be at a different meeting of the Parliament.
Okay. I think that we will move on to question 4.
European Union Reform (United Kingdom Government Proposals)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has been invited by the United Kingdom Government to discuss its negotiation proposals regarding European Union reform. (S4O-04461)
The Scottish Government has proactively shared its agenda for EU reform, published in August 2014, with the UK Government; it outlines a number of measures for improvement and reform within the existing EU treaty framework.
I thank the minister for his answer, but can he give us some reassurance that the Scottish Government will make representations to ensure that the needs and priorities of our fishing industry are not forgotten by the UK Government during the EU renegotiation? We all remember how we were sold down the river during previous European negotiations when a Westminster Government official said that
“in the wider UK context they—”
the Scottish fishermen—
“must be regarded as expendable.”
The member makes an important point. Richard Lochhead has been a real champion in such matters and others. When fishing issues are being spoken about at the EU agriculture and environment councils, we continue to urge the UK Government to ensure that Richard Lochhead is there to represent Scotland and Scotland’s interests.
The member will note that, in her recent speech in Brussels, the First Minister used the common fisheries policy as an example of how the EU could be better reformed. Yes, we will continue to make the representations to the UK Government referred to by the member. In terms of the renegotiation, Scotland’s voice and, indeed, that of all the devolved Administrations should be listened to.
Can the minister confirm that Scottish Government support for continued membership of the EU is not conditional on reform? Further, can he say what the Scottish Government is doing in terms of inviting businesses, charities and civic Scotland to come together to help promote the positive case for continued membership of the EU?
Both those questions are excellent. In terms of the latter question, the member is absolutely correct that the Scottish Government has a role in bringing together civic society, businesses and academics, and various discussions and facilitations are taking place. All of us, of course, have a responsibility, but I do not believe that the campaign to stay within the European Union necessarily has to be politician-led. I think that that is what the member was alluding to in her question, and I would certainly agree with that view.
In terms of the member’s first question, she is correct in that although we wish to see reform of the European Union—we set out our views on that in our agenda for reform and the First Minister has subsequently given her view in the speech to which I referred earlier—we believe that it should happen regardless of what kind of renegotiation the Prime Minister happens to come back with from Europe.
We are pro-European, and we believe that Scotland is best served by remaining a member of the European Union and that the European Union is stronger for having Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom within it, regardless of what the Prime Minister manages to renegotiate on our behalf.
Mediterranean Refugee Crisis (Representations to United Kingdom Government)
To ask the Scottish Government what representation it has made to the UK Government regarding the Mediterranean refugee crisis. (S4O-04462)
As I said in my reply to Alison Johnstone on 21 April, the Scottish Government has consistently raised concerns about migrants risking their lives to cross the Mediterranean and reach the European Union, and will continue to use every opportunity to press for action on what is a humanitarian emergency.
On 20 May, following the UK general election, I wrote again to Mr Brokenshire as I had promised, expressing the views of this Parliament, as stated in our debate of 6 May. I have not yet received a response. The First Minister also raised the issue when she met David Cameron, and I understand that Scottish Government officials have had early discussions with Home Office officials in relation to UK Government views on refugee resettlement.
My colleague Humza Yousaf, the Minister for Europe and International Development, reiterated on Monday the Scottish Government’s position on the issue, and called on the UK Government to participate in EU proposals on refugee relocation and to take a proportionate share of the people who are fleeing conflict and persecution.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that lengthy reply. I think that she might have answered all my questions, but I will carry on anyway in case I miss out anything. I accept that funding for the EU’s operation trident has trebled, but there are still huge concerns about reports that almost 2,000 refugees and migrants have died crossing the Mediterranean this year. What can the Scottish Government do not only directly—the cabinet secretary referred to that—but indirectly to make the UK Government and other Governments strengthen their commitment to dealing with the on-going tragedy on Europe’s doorstep?
To supplement my initial answer, I can refer to a number of things in terms of influencing other Governments. For example, in her recent speech in Brussels, the First Minister referred in particular to the migrants issue, and I know that the Italian Government is very appreciative of my and the Parliament’s continuing interest in the issue. In practical terms, there are also the UK’s responsibilities in terms of relocation and resettlement.
It was helpful to have a debate in Parliament on the issue so that we could indicate to the UK Government our collective desire not only for the immediate humanitarian issue to be addressed—I think that that is the point of Margaret McCulloch’s question—but for the longer-term issues to be addressed, too. The member’s question is not the only question on a humanitarian issue that has been asked in today’s questions; I thank for her for asking it.
Voluntary Sector Organisations (Developing Countries)
To ask the Scottish Government how it supports voluntary sector organisations working in developing countries. (S4O-04463)
The Scottish Government supports voluntary sector organisations working in developing countries in many ways, for example through our international development fund, which is £9 million a year, and our £6 million climate justice fund. Both those funds support robust programmes for development that have been delivered by a range of organisations and institutions in Scotland, including from the voluntary sector, working with partners overseas.
In 2015-16, we are also providing just over £450,000 to 15 smaller organisations from our small grants programme, which delivers a broad range of capacity building, feasibility and project grants to smaller organisations.
Will the minister join me in congratulating Mary’s Meals—which is headquartered in Dalmally in my region and led by my inspirational constituent, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow—on its recent announcement that it is now providing 1 million children in some of the world’s poorest countries with a meal on every day that they attend school? Does the Government agree that Mary’s Meals is a world-class example of the impact that the voluntary sector can have in developing countries? How can the Scottish Government help other national and international voluntary organisations to learn from that best practice?
Yes—I join Jamie McGrigor in congratulating Mary’s Meals. I agree with his comments on his inspirational constituent Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, who was mentioned as being one of the most influential Catholics in a list that was made up recently, and who deserves his spot in the top 10, because his inspiration is felt not just in Scotland, but around the world.
I sent a video message to Mary’s Meals to congratulate it on the great achievement of feeding 1 million children around the world every day, which is phenomenal. I want Scotland to be known and judged by how compassionate a country it is: nothing demonstrates that better than Mary’s Meals.
In respect of what else we can do, we have our international development fund and so on. Perhaps Jamie McGrigor and I can have a discussion, post-Smith, about how we could put our international development on a statutory footing, as organisations including the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland and the Scotland Malawi Partnership have asked us to do. If we do that, we might have more powers and, even, resources to put towards international development in the future.
I agree entirely with Jamie McGrigor on the achievements of Mary’s Meals.
European Union Referendum (Franchise)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the proposal that 16 and 17-year-olds and European nationals living in the United Kingdom will not be able to vote in the EU referendum. (S4O-04464)
The Scottish Government does not support the UK Government’s proposals to exclude 16 and 17-year-olds and EU citizens living in the UK from voting in the referendum on membership of the European Union. We strongly urge the UK Government to draw on the democratic success of the independence referendum and accordingly to amend the bill to allow all 16 and 17-year-olds and EU citizens living in the UK to vote in the referendum. [Interruption.]
I thank the minister for his reply and my colleague Christian Allard for his enthusiasm.
Can the minister or his officials provide me with the numbers of 16 and 17-year-olds and European Union residents who are affected and who live in my constituency of Glasgow Anniesland, given that it is a typical Scottish Parliamentary constituency?
I will ask the officials and test their statistical dexterity in that respect. I do not know whether the statistics, extrapolated down to Bill Kidd’s specific constituency, will be available, but as we know, there are more than 170,000 EU citizens in Scotland; we have a very prominent one in the chamber.
All members will know many people who are citizens of the European Union and who have chosen to make our constituencies and regions their home; those people should not be excluded from the vote. That also goes for 16 and 17-year-olds. Many of us visited high schools during the referendum campaign and all those who did will have been enthused by the enthusiasm of the 16 and 17-year-olds and their interest in and engagement with the democratic process. That response should not be stifled because of the whim of the UK Government.
China (Cultural Links)
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in establishing cultural links between Scotland and China. (S4O-04465)
The previous First Minister signed a cultural memorandum of understanding with China in December 2011 to strengthen Scotland’s cultural links with China. As part of the MOU, the Scottish Government is providing networking opportunities to enable creative practitioners to develop cultural links and partnerships with the Chinese creative sector.
Earlier this year, Scottish Ballet toured “Romeo and Juliet”, the Tron Theatre Ltd toured its co-production of “Ulysses” and NVA took “Speed of Light” to Beijing. The Scottish Government is contributing to the United Kingdom-China year of cultural exchange in 2015.
The cabinet secretary and the minister know that the cross-party group on China places a great deal of importance on cultural links, and that it believes that the development of Chinese language in our schools, improvement of the visa situation and direct flights between Scotland and China are very important. Can the cabinet secretary report any developments on any of those issues in the past year?
There have been developments in a number of areas. For example, we are taking forward the cross-party group’s work on visas, which are not just an issue for business; as Graeme Pearson has identified, artists’ travel can be prevented, and they can be particularly affected timingwise, in respect of putting on productions.
Work with schools continues and is developing. In all that, the cultural connections that we can make really help to solve problems.
Obviously, direct flights are a continuing issue. Graeme Pearson will know that our Government is continually pressing on and trying to develop such flights, although obviously that takes time.
Infrastructure, Investment and Cities
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (Discussions with United Kingdom Government)
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding securing the future of Glasgow Prestwick airport. (S4O-04468)
Glasgow Prestwick airport continues to operate on a commercial basis at arm’s length from the Government. Scottish Government officials last met their Westminster counterparts on 29 May to discuss the process for determining the location of the United Kingdom spaceport.
I am delighted to hear that, and I look forward to hearing the decision on the spaceport.
As part of the Scotland Bill package, air passenger duty is due to be devolved to the Scottish Government. With control of that tax, the Scottish Government could generate a boost to all Scottish airports. What work is being done to identify a replacement for APD? Do the considerations include the assessment of the cost and the environmental implications?
It is not the Government’s position to replace APD. In fact, we would like to have been able to take action six years ago, when the Calman commission proposed that APD should be devolved to Scotland, but that has not been possible and will not be possible until the power is devolved in the future.
As has been stated on a number of occasions, we intend first to reduce the impact by around half. We have done the cost calculations on that. That would take place in the next session. In the future, the aim is to reduce the impact to zero, but that would happen only as public resources allowed.
Some work has been done on the environmental impact. I would be happy to get that information and pass it to the member.
The substantial point that the member made about the benefit to all Scotland’s airports was good. The benefit would be substantial. For example, Ryanair, which is the main passenger airline at Prestwick, has said that it would expect to have around a million more passenger journeys. The York Aviation report, which goes into the matter in some detail and which, I think, all airports in Scotland and many of the airlines contributed to, said that there would be a substantial economic benefit. That would be for the airports, the aircraft companies and the general population in Scotland from more people coming to this country.
I have described what we want to do. A fair bit of work has been done and work is on-going. There will be a consultation exercise. I will provide the member with the environmental information that she asked for.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the closure of Prestwick airport would have been devastating for Ayrshire and its economy? Does he maintain that the action that the Scottish Government took to purchase that airport was the right thing to do?
Absolutely. The member has raised an important point that can sometimes be lost in the passage of time. I am in no doubt that we were right to purchase Glasgow Prestwick. Closure was on the cards; indeed, the airport’s previous owners were working to a specific timeframe and were going to pull down the shutters at the airport on a specific day. We as the Scottish Government were not willing to stand by and let that happen.
The member will recall Scottish Enterprise’s estimate that around 3,200 local jobs are directly or indirectly based in and around Glasgow Prestwick, and we can all imagine the impact on the area of losing that level of jobs. We believe that with the right team in place, the right business plan for the future and the support of key local partners such as South Ayrshire Council, the airport can have a positive future and the Government can achieve a return on its investment.
City Deal (Edinburgh and Surrounding Areas)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has had discussions with the United Kingdom Government regarding a city deal for Edinburgh and surrounding areas. (S4O-04469)
As I have made clear on a number of occasions, I and the Scottish Government remain willing to work with any Scottish city to unlock investment, whether that is done individually or collectively and whether it happens through a city deal, which is one of the Scottish Government’s devolved initiatives to stimulate growth and deliver infrastructure investment, or through a combination of other measures. To date, discussions on a possible city region deal for Edinburgh have not included the UK Government, although I note that a meeting took place recently between officials from Highland Council, the Scottish Government and the UK Government. We expect such discussions to take place in due course when Edinburgh further develops its proposals.
I hope that progress will be made soon and that the cabinet secretary will discuss the matter with the UK Government, given that the Edinburgh city region has worked up a proposal. In expectation of such progress being made, will the cabinet secretary confirm that the Edinburgh city region deal will be taken into account in the draft Scottish budget that is to be published in the autumn?
That very much depends on the progress that is made. As the member will be aware, different cities are at different stages of development. One issue that has been raised with me is whether the UK Government will honour the commitments that it made in its March budget statement. We also have to move at the pace of all those involved. I should point out that the discussion that I referred to between Highland Council, the UK Government and the Scottish Government was positive.
I remain hopeful that the Edinburgh city deal can make progress, but it will happen as part of a process that involves this Government and the City of Edinburgh Council. I acknowledge that the council has worked up a proposal, but I think that it will concede that more work has to be done on it. Obviously, the UK Government, too, will have to be included.
The cabinet secretary mentioned the meeting between Highland Council and the two Governments. Will he elaborate on that? For example, does he know whether the UK Government will honour the commitments and promises that it made before the general election on city deals for Aberdeen and Inverness?
Briefly, please, cabinet secretary.
As I said, the meeting that took place just last week between Highland Council and the UK and Scottish Governments had a positive tenor, and the expectation is that the UK Government will follow through on its previous commitments to a city deal for Inverness.
Infrastructure Investment Plan
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish an updated infrastructure investment plan. (S4O-04470)
We are working to publish the refreshed infrastructure investment plan later this year.
Given the range of health, schools, justice, further and higher education, culture and enterprise building projects, will the cabinet secretary tell me how many of those projects include renewable heat and power infrastructure? Will he give a commitment that the refreshed programme will make heat and power schemes a key priority for the next round of infrastructure projects?
On Sarah Boyack’s first question, I am happy to send the member the detailed information that she seeks.
The issue that Ms Boyack highlighted in her second question must be a consideration for the refreshed infrastructure investment plan. The current plan was refreshed at the time of the previous spending review and, in reviewing the plan, we are trying to tie the two things together.
There are a number of projects in the plan—not least those to electrify rail lines—in which we want to maximise our contribution to helping the environment, but schools projects and some of the other projects that the member mentioned often fall within the remit of local authorities, so it will be for them to make proposals. Nevertheless, as I said, I am happy to let the member know what we are doing, and we will take the issue into account in our next review of the plan.
Notwithstanding the persistent cuts to Scotland’s capital budget by the UK Government, will the cabinet secretary set out the scale of the Scottish Government’s transport investment programme and say particularly how that investment will benefit my constituents in the city of Edinburgh?
The member will know that we are maximising our capital spending and supporting an investment-led recovery, despite our capital departmental expenditure limit budget being reduced by around a quarter in real terms between 2010-11 and 2015-16. Through using all the levers at our disposal, the scale of Transport Scotland’s direct and indirect capital budget for 2015-16 is just over £1 billion, including £269 million for the replacement Forth crossing—a project that will directly benefit Edinburgh and the member’s constituents. Total investment of £1.4 billion is estimated to support 1,200 jobs at the project’s peak, many of which will be in the local area.
Augmenting that budget is a revenue-funded infrastructure programme, including the non-profit-distributing pipeline and regulatory asset base investment in rail infrastructure. That programme includes a number of major projects that will improve connectivity between Edinburgh and the rest of the country, such as the Borders railway, the Edinburgh to Glasgow improvement programme and the £430 million M8, M73 and M74 motorway improvements project. That is a total overall capital investment of £1.5 billion.
Question 4 from Liz Smith was not lodged and an explanation has been provided.
Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles (Cost of Flights)
To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has received regarding the cost of flights to and from Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles. (S4O-04472)
We are aware of recent concerns about commercial air fares in the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of the air services in question and is committed to continuing the air discount scheme, which provides a 40 per cent subsidy for eligible passengers. The issue of air services to the islands was raised by the island authorities at the recent island areas ministerial working group. It was agreed that a scoping paper would be produced to look at those vital services in their totality, covering a range of issues including fares. I have also agreed to meet a delegation of campaigners, as well as a number of MSPs, including Mr Stewart, to discuss the issue.
Is the minister aware of the online campaign by islanders against Flybe and Loganair’s excessive prices, which has secured more than 14,000 followers? The Labour-led Scottish Executive introduced the air discount scheme to make air services more affordable for island and remote communities. What specific plans does the minister have to address the sky-high prices that are being charged to islanders travelling from Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and beyond?
The first thing to celebrate is the fact that this Scottish Government has continued that scheme and committed to its continuation. Fares are not the only issue with air services to the islands that I am aware of; there is also a serious issue with reliability, and the two are connected. I will meet campaigners, councillors and MSPs to explore the issues fully and consider what options the Government may have. Because of the commercial nature of the services, we may be limited in what we can do with cost capping and so on, but I want to apply pressure to operators over the affordability of air services. We share the concern about the nature of the services and the fare increases that have been experienced. There is no prospect of competition on most of the routes, and operators should be mindful of that, as well as of the importance that local communities attach to air services as part of the transport mix that ensures that the islands are not an isolated part of Scotland. I am happy to engage with Mr Stewart and other members to find consensus across the Parliament on a way forward.
As claims are being putting in for the air discount scheme, may I put on record my gratitude to my colleague Tavish Scott for introducing it when he was transport minister?
The minister rightly mentions reliability and the problems that that has caused when conflated with the high costs on the routes. I am due to meet the minister and Tavish Scott next Tuesday—subject to there being no delays with my flight next Tuesday morning. Will the minister undertake to carry out a bit of scoping work on some of the options that might address reliability which, as I say, makes a toxic mix with the high costs that David Stewart referred to?
Yes, I will commit to that work. The scoping work should look at the reliability of the services, including the aircraft. Of course, we will take a close look at fares, too, because all the issues are connected. I want to have a constructive conversation with the operators about how we take forward the situation.
The online petition represents a strong feeling from the islands about how they have been treated. Every party in the chamber has claimed credit for the air discount scheme. We can keep that consensus as we work towards addressing the cost and reliability issues.
Islands Transport Forum
To ask the Scottish Government what matters the islands transport forum will discuss at its first meeting. (S4O-04473)
Earlier this month, I announced in Orkney that a new islands transport forum will be set up to consider strategic transport issues affecting Scotland’s islands.
The forum will meet biannually and will include representatives from local authorities with island communities. It is intended that the forum will deal with internal and external ferry, air and other transport services on which each of the island communities so heavily depends for social cohesion and sustainable economic activity and growth. I am in the process of finalising the detailed membership and the working methods for the forum, in consultation with the island authorities. Therefore, no detailed agenda items have yet been set for the forum’s first meeting.
Thank you for that response and for the content of your reply to question 5, which also touched on the matter.
I will introduce something quite new with which the minister is unlikely to be familiar. Air navigation and approach procedures are changing with the move towards the use of GPS—global positioning system—instrument approaches, which have not yet been adopted in the United Kingdom but which are eminently suitable for Government and local authority airports and might make a contribution to improving reliability in poor weather conditions. Will the minister talk to people involved in the islands transport forum about that and, thereafter, consider approaching the Civil Aviation Authority and the UK Government to see whether we can pilot some of the new technologies, which are much cheaper than the previous ones?
A brief answer will do, minister.
I will give the matter close consideration and, in answer to the question, yes, I will.
Many thanks.
ScotRail (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when ministers last met the management of ScotRail. (S4O-04474)
The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities met ScotRail’s commercial director yesterday.
The member will be aware of recent events in relation to Abellio’s Dutch operations alongside its parent company, NS. I can advise that I have held discussions with Abellio UK and sought assurances that the issues are being properly addressed inside both Abellio and NS.
I thank the minister for his reference to recent events at Abellio, where we have seen senior departures from the company in Scotland and in Holland. The Dutch Government has said that there is a need for cultural change in Abellio.
The minister will also be aware of the comments of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers. What discussions has he had with unions or, indeed, representatives of the travelling public, so that they, too, can be assured that ScotRail management’s focus is on having an effective and improving railway?
I appreciate that question and the opportunity to say that I am reassured that the efforts in Scotland are on providing the rail service that we would expect, and that the franchise agreements will be delivered.
On hearing the concerns that have emanated from Holland, I immediately sought reassurances from Abellio and NS. I have had discussions at the highest level, which I have been reassured by. I am also reassured that, because of the procurement process and the work of Audit Scotland and others, the issues do not affect Scotland. I will look closely at the internal investigations in Holland, which will include looking at all the company’s franchise bids over the past five years—that will happen in around a month’s time—to see whether there are any other issues that I should be aware of or concerned about. However, I am satisfied with the information that I have had so far.
As it happens, today I met the Scottish Trades Union Congress and RMT. I gave them the assurance that I will explore the issue and that, if we need to, we will revisit the situation. However, all the evidence that I have had so far is that there is no impact on ScotRail or on the procurement exercise that was undertaken in Scotland.
Will the minister update members on how ScotRail is coping with the closure of the Winchburgh tunnel and the alternative arrangements that, from my perspective, appear to be going quite well?
I am delighted for Mr Mason that his experience is that it is going quite well. I know that a number of other members are regular users of the train service. I can report that the electrification work on the Winchburgh tunnel is progressing well and remains on schedule. These are early days, but it is going well. ScotRail has reported that its disruption management plan is working effectively and its services are being maintained as anticipated. Transport Scotland has launched a new website—www.keepscotlandmoving.com.