Contents
- Scottish Parliament Thursday 18 March 2004
- Genetically Modified Crops
- Council Tax
- First Minister's Question Time
- Question Time
- Action to Promote Women
- Justice (Northern Ireland) Bill
- Decision Time
- Bone and Joint Decade
Question Time
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Education, Tourism, Culture<br />and Sport
Tourism (Cunninghame South)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage tourism in Cunninghame South. (S2O-1583)
VisitScotland and Ayrshire and Arran Tourist Board work hard to encourage tourism in Cunninghame South and in Ayrshire generally. Their endeavours are assisted by the rising number of direct flights to Prestwick, which have been stimulated by the Executive's commitment to the route development fund.
Will the minister join me in welcoming the new Prestwick to Rome service, which is supported by the route development fund? Does he agree that we need to do more in destination towns and airports to promote and market the attractions of Ayrshire and the rest of Scotland? Will he consider working with local partners and agencies on how we can ensure that such new routes attract visitors to Ayrshire and provide opportunities for Scots to go abroad?
I confirm that we want to maximise the opportunity of the new flights that are arriving in Prestwick to ensure that south Scotland benefits from them. In the relationships between the partners—local authorities, the local tourist board and the local enterprise agency—we are exploring ways in which to maximise that opportunity.
Last week's announcement on the Executive's general response to tourism described substantial new money for marketing. I hope that some of that is being used to develop ideas that will benefit south Scotland and the Prestwick direct-flight routes.
How will the new tourism hub that covers Cunninghame South and the other hubs throughout Scotland that the minister announced last week be constituted? Who will be hub members? Will hubs be answerable to local tourism businesses?
We are in the early stages of developing the concept that we described last week. To give specific details would be premature—
Will that happen soon?
In due course?
I did not use the words "soon", "shortly" or "imminently". This week, VisitScotland met several partners, including the area tourist boards. Area tourist boards throughout Scotland have welcomed the concept of an integrated strategy, as they have welcomed additional marketing resources and the commitment to skills and training. I hope that the Conservatives support that, too.
Schools (Non-traditional Sports)
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to non-traditional sports in schools in order to motivate and encourage children to become more physically active. (S2O-1628)
The five-to-14 national guidelines on expressive arts encourage schools to provide varied and stimulating experiences in physical education for pupils. Education authorities have the flexibility to decide what those experiences should be.
Does the minister agree that not every young person wants to participate in major sports, such as football? Will he join me in welcoming Fife Council's recent agreement to allow an empty former steelworks in the Kirkland area of Methil in my constituency to be used as an indoor off-road motorbiking facility? Does he accept that sports such as off-road biking are becoming increasingly popular? If they do not qualify for support under the current scheme, will he examine what help he can give to such more minority sports?
Christine Grahame—[Interruption.] Christine May, I should say—makes an important point. I give my humble apologies for insulting the member in such a way.
Be careful.
I hope that I can recover from that by giving the right answer.
Christine May made a good point about the importance of finding activities that engage young people in what they are interested in, that capture their enthusiasms and which therefore improve their motivation in school. We know that young people's attainment levels will improve if we can do that. That is why the PE review, which I expect to report to me very soon, will examine alternative sports—the minority sports to which the member referred—that we can include in school activity. For example, young people participate in their leisure time in the off-road biking that Christine May talked about and in mountain biking, skiing, yoga, martial arts and a variety of other activities. Those are the activities in which young people want to engage. If we can bring those activities into schools, we can help young people's motivation and attainment. I would be happy to consider the member's proposal in the future.
Will the minister share with members the content of his letter today to The Scotsman, which stated that it was "unfounded" speculation that the Government intended to provide two hours of compulsory PE at primary school level?
The purpose of today's letter to The Scotsman was to make it clear that the report that it produced last week was without foundation. I was grateful to The Scotsman for its very positive coverage, which I am not accustomed to receiving. It was particularly gratifying that it gave me such positive coverage in respect of a meeting that I did not attend. The important point was that I wanted simply to set the record straight: I did not make the comments that were reported, because I was not at the meeting that I was reported to have attended. That said, I made it clear in the letter that I want to make further progress on PE, which I regard as being extremely important for the reasons that I touched on in response to Christine May's question. I want to ensure that in future more of the extra teachers that the Executive is providing can go into PE. We are examining the implications of that for the training of PE teachers; we want to move forward.
I will reserve judgment on the specific issue of two hours of compulsory PE at primary school level, because I expect to receive advice on that in the PE review—it would be wrong of me to pre-empt that advice. Once I have seen it, I will give consideration to the matter and report to Parliament in due course.
Schools (Standard Grade Examinations)
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is in respect of young people sitting standard grade exams in secondary 3 rather than S4. (S2O-1626)
Under current regulations schools can present students for standard grade exams in S3 if they judge that to be in the students' best interests. We are currently consulting on whether there should be additional flexibility through revised guidelines.
Will the minister acknowledge that, although such an approach benefits some school students, it is possible that it creates disadvantages for others? I am thinking especially of school students in credit/general classes who are currently performing at general level and would be deprived of the positive influence of their peers who are performing at credit level. Will the minister comment on that? Is the Executive considering compulsory application of the approach that I described?
Bill Butler makes a very good point. There is no intention to make that approach compulsory. We seek to give additional flexibilities and freedoms to schools, so that individuals can, when it is appropriate in their circumstances, advance more rapidly than would otherwise have been the case. The point that Bill Butler makes about the credit/general mix is valid. We have no intention of forcing people into situations that their teacher or school judges to be unsuitable.
Recently I visited Keith Grammar School which—as part of an Executive-funded project—is experimenting with having young people make choices earlier in their school life, in S1, about what they will study in S2. It is being discovered that young people are much more focused on the work in S2 as a consequence of their making choices earlier. It seems that they are being prepared better for sitting standard grade, perhaps in S3, which has the obvious potential benefit of creating more space and time in which they can study at higher grade level, which would yield better-quality highers results in the future. That is why we are consulting on age and stage regulations, which prescribe how young people can be presented for exams. If we can create more flexibility and get the benefits at which I have hinted, we will consider seriously taking the approach that I have outlined. However, we await the outcome of the consultation.
I welcome the minister's commitment to increasing flexibility, but will he encourage more young people to stay on at school for another year before they go on to post-school education or university?
Staying-on rates in schools have increased over recent years. Young people are voting with their feet and are trying to stay in the school system. We are providing extra support for that; for example, through educational maintenance allowances, especially for young people who might otherwise be forced out of school because of economic circumstances, so that they can stay in school and get the benefits of school education. We want to ensure that there are pathways throughout school and at certain points in school life, so that young people can move into further education and, at the appropriate time, into higher education. We want to ensure that every young person gets the benefit of the whole system of education.
Shinty
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to promote shinty. (S2O-1608)
As the governing body for the sport, the Camanachd Association is responsible for promoting shinty. One of the targets in the association's development plan is to promote shinty and its cultural history to as broad an audience as possible.
I know that the Camanachd Association welcomes the support—albeit modest—that it receives from sportscotland. Is the minister aware of the high cost of shinty sticks—the caman—which come in at £27 to £29 a time?
Is the minister also aware that the sticks frequently break, either when they come into contact with other sticks or, occasionally, with human flesh? Given the glaring and mystifying omission from the Chancellor of the Exchequer's budget statement yesterday of a reduction of value added tax on shinty sticks, does the minister agree that sportscotland can do a lot more to ensure that young people do not give up the sport because their parents cannot afford the gear?
I anticipated that question leading to one about antisocial behaviour in the Highlands.
We can examine the details of the budget, the implications of which are sometimes found two or three days after it is announced. We believe in the value of shinty, not just in the Highlands, but as a Scottish cultural icon that should be supported. That is why we have given revenue support in the form of grant to the Camanachd Association for its development plan. The sport has already received over £750,000 in capital and for individual players. If participants find that they cannot meet the financial demands of the sport, perhaps they can find imaginative ways to resolve that problem through partnership with local authorities and other partners.
One of the most important ways of continuing to develop shinty is to ensure that it is played in schools throughout the Highlands and Islands and further afield. Will the minister reveal the support that he is giving to ensure that there are shinty development officers in areas where shinty is played, to encourage children to take up the sport early in schools and to ensure that it is developed as part of schools' sports activities?
We are already working on such developments with the Camanachd Association. We want to ensure that, where there is a choice of sports in the school curriculum through the active schools programme, shinty will be considered and supported. We recognise that involving young people will be to the long-term benefit of the sport, so we need to address the issue of younger people's participation in shinty clubs. Participation is also a problem in other sports. We are happy to look at imaginative ways in which to address the points that have been raised. I will take them up in more detail with sportscotland to see what is being done and what more can be done in the next few years.
Tourism (Environment Quality)
To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent it considers the quality of the environment to be important to tourism. (S2O-1651)
We consider the quality of the environment to be a critical part of our tourism product. Research revealed this week that people—particularly international tourists—view Scotland's unspoiled landscape and scenery as being a critical element of its attraction. Around 90 per cent of our visitors highlight Scotland's scenery and unspoiled natural environment as one of their main reasons for coming here. We want more of them to experience Scotland's rural areas as part of their visit to this country.
Do the importance of tourism to the economic and social well-being of Scotland and the importance of the clean and green image that underpins Scottish tourism imply that care for the environment is fundamental to supporting a healthy Scottish economy? In addition to increasing funding for marketing Scotland as a tourist destination, should we also invest—for the sake of tourism—in protecting and enhancing the environment as an economic resource as well as for the sake of biodiversity?
We have put in place through the partnership agreement a series of initiatives to develop sustainable tourism and eco-tourism. I participated recently in a conference that dealt specifically with those issues so that I could find more imaginative ways in which we can give support.
More important, a number of organisations and buildings, such as Historic Scotland buildings, have received substantial awards through the green tourism business scheme. We have made a commitment to triple the number of businesses and institutions that are recognised by that scheme. We can collectively do much more to ensure that we build up one of the most attractive features of Scotland through the development of sustainable tourism. That is why I am working in partnership with Jim Wallace, the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, with Allan Wilson and with the Scottish Executive Environement and Rural Affairs Department to develop and maximise opportunities through Scotland's new national parks.
By way of encouraging tourism in North Lanarkshire, will the minister encourage his colleagues in the Executive, particularly the First Minister, to turn down the planning application from Eden Waste Recycling Ltd for a new landfill site at Greengairs near Airdrie? The First Minister promised the people of Greengairs two years ago that there would be no need for further landfill sites.
I question the relevance of that question and would prefer to move on to the next question.
Enterprise in Schools
To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools will have access to enterprise in education materials. (S2O-1661)
All Scottish primary schools already have access to enterprise in education materials. As part of our enterprise in education strategy, as outlined in "Determined to Succeed: A Review of Enterprise in Education", all secondary schools will have access to enterprise in education materials from April 2004.
I warmly welcome the minister's reply. Will he confirm that the budget for the enterprise in education initiative will double over the next two years, as the budget documents outline? That is also very welcome.
Does the minister agree that the design and print company of students at Selkirk High School represents an excellent example of an initiative that puts enterprise on the schools agenda? Does he agree that to capitalise on such activity by encouraging local and national business leaders to go into schools and relate to students would be an extremely positive aid to the success of the enterprise in education initiative?
I have heard of the initiative at Selkirk High School, although I have not had the advantage of seeing it, as the member has. It represents an example of the exciting developments that might take place as a result of the initiative.
Connections between local industries and schools are immensely important for all sorts of reasons. In the financial years from 2003-04 to 2005-06, £42 million will be put into the determined to succeed initiative.
Is the minister aware of the important work that the Scottish young co-operators network is doing to raise awareness of social enterprise in schools in Scotland? Will he ensure that enterprise education for young people throughout Scotland includes education on co-operative enterprise?
The member makes an extremely important point and I would be happy to take up the matter with her and to discuss it in some detail. I am sure that we can develop the link that she suggests; I look forward to discussing the matter with her.
Ratho Adventure Centre
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with regard to the future of the adventure centre at Ratho. (S2O-1580)
The Scottish Executive has no direct locus in that issue, but I understand that the receivers will be looking for a buyer and that the centre will continue to trade meanwhile. Sportscotland, which made a lottery award of nearly £1.2 million for the centre, will work with all the parties to assist in whatever way it can.
Obviously we hope that a new owner will soon be found. Will the minister do all that he can to help to secure the jobs of the staff at the centre? Given that the centre is the largest indoor climbing centre in Europe, will he also ensure that that state-of-the-art facility is publicised by VisitScotland within the United Kingdom and internationally, in order to maximise the number of adventure tourists who come to Scotland?
I share the member's concern about the potential loss of a tremendous facility and I put on record our support, which we will offer where we can to try to ensure that there is a way forward on the issue. I know that the local authority, which is a significant player in relation to a number of issues around the centre's future, has already met a number of individuals to discuss a management buyout. I hope that many of the issues that the member mentioned can be addressed through such a buyout. I assure the member that sportscotland is open-minded about trying to sustain the centre as a climbing centre and I will certainly mention to VisitScotland the points that she made about potential marketing. However, other practical issues have impacted dramatically on the centre and we would first like to explore and resolve some of them before we address the longer-term marketing strategy that will be needed if the management buyout is successful.
Olympic Games 2012
To ask the Scottish Executive what analysis it has made in respect of the impact on Scottish sport of London's bid for the Olympic games in 2012. (S2O-1634)
We believe that staging the Olympic games in London in 2012 would give a major boost to sport and sportspeople in Scotland.
I agree that a successful bid would have potential benefits for Scottish sport, but is the minister aware of concern that sports funding from the national lottery is being top-sliced to finance the Olympic bid, leaving less available for sportscotland to distribute to sports projects in Scotland? Will the minister make appropriate representations on the matter at United Kingdom level, to ensure that the London Olympic bid does not jeopardise sports projects in Scotland and, indeed, in other parts of the UK?
Representatives of sportscotland have already had discussions with representatives of the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Scotland will have a number of opportunities should the Olympic bid be successful—we are exploring options to maximise those opportunities. We will also examine the impact of lottery income on sports organisations in Scotland. We are working actively on some of those issues and we hope to report to Parliament soon on our deliberations and discussions.
Finance and Communities
Council Tax Rebates (Second Homes)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its position on council tax rebate on second homes. (S2O-1577)
We expect to make an announcement fairly soon. However, as I have said before, the issue is fairly complex and we want to ensure that all points that are raised are dealt with properly.
I spoke only this week to the convener of the Highland Council, Alison Magee. She said that it would be best if this revenue stream, which could provide homes for the needy, could be genuinely additional to revenues that Scottish local authorities currently receive. Does the minister agree that a suitable mechanism should be considered for that?
When I spoke at the recent conference of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, I also received representations from the convener of the Highland Council. This may not be a good answer, but our decision on the issue will have implications for the rest of local government finance. I must ensure that all such matters are considered. We have not yet made up our minds on the possible impacts, but we are seeking to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
If the council rebate on second homes were scrapped, more revenue might be raised but very little would be done to address the shortage of affordable housing in rural areas. If people can afford to buy a second home, they can afford to pay a second council tax.
Does the minister agree that the chancellor's budget will in a number of ways make life even more difficult for first-time buyers in Scotland?
The chancellor's response to the Barker review was extremely positive in respect of the need for affordable housing. My colleague Margaret Curran may answer questions on such matters later; she will sort Mr Lochhead out.
I am not sure how people with second homes would be affected under the SNP's badly prepared proposals. Would they pay 16 per cent extra tax? They probably would.
When local income tax is considered in the review of local government finance, will the minister ensure that the issue of people with second homes is taken into account? There is confusion about whether people should pay income tax in different parts of Scotland and about whether they would have a choice about where they pay local income tax.
Again, Mr McNulty has raised some of the issues that the review will have to consider. I look forward to that review taking place soon.
Does the minister accept that although people who have holiday homes bring money into areas seasonally, they place very few burdens on communities? Does he accept that such people make little use of local health and education provision, which are the services on which the vast bulk of councils' money is spent?
We are a listening Executive and, quite correctly, I am receiving representations from local authorities and others on the matter. We want to listen. However, we have to implement measures practically. Our difficulty is in assessing the impact that measures will have on the wider local government settlement. We will not come to the chamber with ill-thought-out proposals—I leave that to others. The Executive treats such matters very seriously.
Voter Education
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will report on the voter education campaign for the 2003 local government elections. (S2O-1642)
We asked the Electoral Commission to review the conduct of the local government elections in May 2003, when it carried out its statutory review of the Scottish Parliament elections. That review was published in November 2003 and covered the joint voter education campaign for the elections.
In its report on the 2003 elections, the Electoral Commission expressed its concern about the apparent levels of confusion in the electorate about the voting systems. The commission has offered to work with the Executive to improve things. Given the possible introduction of a new voting system for local government in 2007, will the minister say whether the Executive will work with the commission? What will the Executive do to ensure that voters can use the new system to its full potential?
Those matters have been raised with the Local Government and Transport Committee: the Executive will take due cognisance of the points that the committee raises. Of course the Executive will seek to work with the Electoral Commission, which is the body that is responsible for much of the work that we do in elections. We will work with it to ensure that we reduce voter confusion at the next elections.
Asylum Seekers
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to enable asylum seekers and refugees to contribute to their new communities in Scotland. (S2O-1640)
The Scottish Executive is supporting the Scottish Refugee Council to implement the framework for dialogue project, which enables asylum seekers, refugees and host communities to communicate in order to support integration. The Executive has also provided funding to assist with the development of refugee community organisations and the refugee policy forum, which allow asylum seekers and refugees to participate in their communities.
There is much positive work going on, which I am sure we can all endorse. I wish to ask the minister about the Executive's general approach to those communities. Does the minister recall the First Minister's statement last month on fresh talent, in which he expressed detailed views on migration and asylum and explained his approach on gaining policy changes from the United Kingdom Government? Why, on other reserved aspects—such as families being made destitute on our streets, the imprisonment of children in Dungavel and asylum seekers being pushed as far as three Iranian men have been pushed in Glasgow in recent weeks—does the Executive tell us nothing but that those matters are reserved? On what basis does the Executive decide whether to form a view, to express it to Westminster, to express it publicly to Scotland or to maintain a silence?
I draw members' attention to my response to a parliamentary debate about Dungavel, during which I attempted to explain that the Executive will take clear action where it has clear responsibilities. That is what I do in relation to refugees and asylum seekers. Where an issue is reserved in law, the Executive must operate within the law. However, there are occasions when the Executive would find it appropriate to have some dialogue. In response to Linda Fabiani and in order that we could move forward I have in the past raised with Beverley Hughes various matters that have been drawn to my attention.
I have always made it clear—the Executive will continue to make it clear—that the Executive cannot alter matters of law in respect of reserved issues. The Executive has been given recognition from the refugee community that, on matters for which it has responsibility, it has taken many progressive steps to support asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland. That—I say in all sincerity—should be the focus of Patrick Harvie's attention too. It is not proper for this Parliament always to focus on the activities of another Parliament. Let us focus properly on the activities of this Parliament and let us properly support refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland when we can.
Will the minister continue to speak to her counterpart in Westminster, Beverley Hughes, and insist that the most sensible way to allow asylum seekers and refugees to integrate with communities and to make a contribution to communities is to give them the right to work? Work is the only way in which they can contribute fully.
I reassure Linda Fabiani that I will properly undertake my responsibilities as a minister and that I will engage with Westminster as and when it is appropriate on a number of issues. I do not agree entirely that work is the only way in which people can contribute. At the heart of the matter is the fact that Britain needs an effective and robust immigration system—that is a debate that will properly take place at Westminster. That is part of the Labour Government's response on the right to work.
The minister is responsible for housing. Will she at least comment on the housing conditions of Farnborz, Mokhtar and Farouk, who are on hunger strike? They are living in a bedsit that has been contracted by Glasgow City Council. It has poor wiring and is clearly in a state of disrepair. That, I imagine, is her responsibility. Will she undertake to investigate it and, if she agrees with me on the findings, to do something about it?
I draw to Carolyn Leckie's attention the regulatory regime for housing in Scotland. It is a robust system that is used by Communities Scotland, which properly regulates all local authorities' discharge of their housing duties. That is where that question should be directed.
Staff Relocation
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has examined the advantages of the Irish model of staff relocation policy when considering its own policy. (S2O-1607)
The Executive will watch with interest the development of policy in Ireland and, indeed, in Whitehall following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement yesterday on the implementation of the Lyons review.
I would have thanked the minister if that had been an answer.
Is the minister aware that the Minister for Finance in Ireland, Mr Charles McCreevy, announced in December a fully detailed programme for the proposed relocation within three years of 10,000 jobs to the parts of Ireland that need investment? Does the minister agree that, although we should not replicate completely the policy of another country, a national strategy with the principle of having volunteers not conscripts and a national spatial policy through which relocated jobs go to the parts where economic development is needed are the model policies to which Scotland should aspire?
I am never clear whether Mr Ewing backs the Executive's decision to relocate Scottish Natural Heritage to Inverness. He should not suggest that the Irish example is directly comparable with Scotland because there are many differences between the approach in Scotland and the Irish model, as I understand it. The Irish system is not without its controversies. I understand that there is controversy over the fact that relocation costs are not paid to staff, who are being asked to relocate to different parts of Ireland in a short time order. However, such costs are being met as part of the relocation of Scottish Natural Heritage. I wonder whether Fergus Ewing agrees with that Irish policy.
Fergus Ewing and I often disagree but, in this case, I ask the minister to consider the merits of the system in Ireland, which uses a regional regeneration strategy to determine where the jobs ought to go. Will the minister consider seriously such a system of relocation, given that, sadly, the application of the Executive's present criteria results in areas such as Dumfries and Galloway never being shortlisted for serious consideration for civil service job relocation?
I appreciate Elaine Murray's concerns and I sympathise with her for having to go to Dublin with Fergus Ewing. She raises important issues. I have said that we will consider the Irish model with interest. We will develop, through discussion, any aspect from which we can learn. However, as I said, there are differences between the Irish model and the approach that we take in Scotland. That is not to say that Dumfries and Galloway, like every other part of Scotland, should not benefit from our policy.
Now that the Executive has decided to relocate SNH out of the heart of my constituency, will the minister assure the people of Edinburgh South that another large employer, NHS Scotland—the offices of which are only half a mile away from the Parliament—will not be relocated?
I am afraid that I can give no such assurance. I am sure that Mr Pringle understands the Scottish Executive's relocation policy and knows about the role that the triggers play in ensuring that particular decisions are consistent with the overall policy. Decisions must be consistent with the need to balance the different needs of the economy, the different aspects of the trigger levels and the frequently raised issues about the Edinburgh economy and the economies around it.
Victims of Trafficking
To ask the Scottish Executive how women victims of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation will be supported by the pilot support service for victims of trafficking for which it announced £100,000 funding on 8 March 2004. (S2O-1572)
The pilot project will assess needs and provide advice and support to women who are trafficked into Glasgow for sexual exploitation. It will develop ways of contacting women who are involved in indoor prostitution to provide information on a range of issues such as sexual health, housing and debt advice. The project will collate information about victims and those who are suspected of trafficking to enhance intelligence for those who are involved in counter-trafficking work. It will also raise awareness of front-line service providers and encourage the development of good practice.
I welcome that answer.
Police reports show that the number of women who are trafficked for sexual exploitation and held as sex slaves in flats and saunas throughout Scotland is increasing. In a recent raid in my constituency, nine foreign women were found who are believed to have been forced into prostitution. Does the minister agree that there is a strong need for sensitive support for such victims of human trafficking, who often have no money and no passport and who often fear repercussions against their families in their home country? Does the minister agree that Glasgow City Council's work through the project is extremely important and that continuing financial support should be provided to allow the project to continue?
Pauline McNeill raises a number of points in her question. I recognise the innovative nature of the work that Glasgow City Council has done on the issue. We will evaluate the support that we are giving to the council and look at the impact of the work that it is doing. We will also continue to hold discussions on the subject. I agree that services of this nature have to be particularly sensitive, given that the women who are to be found in this plight are perhaps among the most vulnerable women on the planet, let alone in our communities. Such women suffer not only from the fear of sexual exploitation through prostitution and other such activities, but from the threat of death. Often they have no passports; all avenues and means of escape are taken away from them. Women victims of trafficking are extremely vulnerable women and we must develop services to support them. As I said in my earlier answer, we must develop intelligence on the issue so that we can deal with the traffickers. Trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation is one of the most brutal forms of exploitation and we cannot accept it any longer.
Housing Developments (Infrastructure)
To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it places on the provision of appropriate school, health and transport facilities to support major housing developments, such as the heartlands project at Polkemmet in West Lothian, which has the fastest-growing population in Scotland. (S2O-1667)
We place great importance on such provision. We must and will strive for sustainable settlements in which all sections of the community have good access to jobs and services.
The minister will be aware that 2,000 houses are proposed along with important environmental remedial work at Polkemmet. The provision of a road junction to the M8 is vital to the proposal. Can she give an assurance that her Executive colleagues with responsibility for planning and transport will work collectively to deal with any competent application that is made? Furthermore, can she provide a reassurance that the proposal will not be unduly influenced by other major development proposals in the central belt such as the development that is proposed at Ravenscraig, in the First Minister's constituency?
I cannot be other than aware of the development at Polkemmet, given that it is in my constituency. I am aware of the huge numbers of discussions that are under way to make it a sustainable development. It involves one of the largest derelict sites not only in Scotland but in the UK and a great deal of work on housing, business and transport facilities is required before it is reinstated. Obviously, I cannot comment at this stage on the outcome of the discussions on a further M8 junction other than to say that the matter will be considered. The Executive strives to discuss issues across departments in order to ensure that the outcomes are the most satisfactory for local communities.
Question 7 has been withdrawn.
Affordable Housing
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider changes to the planning system in order to improve the supply of affordable housing. (S2O-1657)
We are considering the role that the planning system can play in the supply of affordable housing and we will publish best practice advice on this later this year. We will also consider whether any legislative change is needed.
The minister will be aware that one of the major constraints in rural areas is the availability of land for new housing. The major constraint is usually the planning system's refusal to allow land to be built on. Given that there is surplus agricultural land throughout much of rural Scotland that could be used for new housing, will the minister take that issue into consideration when she looks at the question of overhauling the planning system?
Yes. In fact, we have just issued a consultation in respect of planning advice on rural development. Some of the broader issues that George Lyon raises are interesting in terms of how we develop our affordable housing policy. As we undertake the review, we will take into consideration a variety of factors, one of which is the supply of land. We are looking at strategic land banking and at the development of sites. In our consideration of the subject, we will take a broad view of how we take forward planning policy. I hope that we will have numerous debates on the subject in the coming period.
I welcome the minister's response to George Lyon's question. I also welcome the award that she made to the City of Edinburgh Council for its imaginative policies on the delivery of affordable housing through the planning system. Does she acknowledge that, in order to build affordable houses, our social housing providers in Edinburgh need the capacity to meet the scale of our housing crisis, which is currently running at the level of 1,000 new homes a year? Will she meet me to discuss how an integrated approach can be taken to tackling Edinburgh's housing crisis?
Yes, I would be happy to meet Sarah Boyack to discuss housing policy and housing options in Edinburgh. We are undertaking a review of affordable housing because of issues in places such as Edinburgh and because there are rural areas with acute shortages. As she knows, there is an over-supply of housing in other areas, and there are issues to do with quality and standards. We are now attempting to develop an integrated approach. That means examining the available mechanisms, the planning system and the available land and ensuring that social housing needs are taken into account. I will happily discuss those issues with Sarah Boyack.
General Questions
Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it endorses the change in strategy by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency. (S2O-1587)
The primary focus of the SDEA has been, and will continue to be, to work closely with law enforcement partners to combat the damage that is caused to Scotland's communities by drug trafficking and other forms of serious and organised crime.
Given the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency's new approach, which is based on new laws on seizing the assets of drug dealers, will the minister assure me that the agency will work with the appropriate authorities in England to tackle the problem of drug dealers from the midlands bringing crack cocaine to Aberdeen? Could he assure me that, as the profits of drugs gangs are targeted, the proceeds arising from the assets that are seized will be used to support schemes to tackle drugs misuse for the benefit of communities that are plagued by drugs crime, including communities in Aberdeen?
There are two distinct aspects to that question. First, the SDEA works closely with partner agencies elsewhere in the United Kingdom and Europe. Co-operation, involving the gathering and sharing of information, intelligence and experience, has been effective in helping the agency to achieve its widely acknowledged success. There will be close co-operation with other parts of the United Kingdom in applying such an approach in Scotland and, specifically, in Aberdeen.
On the second part of the question, the First Minister has made it clear that he is keen for the money that is seized from those who are engaged in drug dealing and other illegal activity to be used to benefit the communities that have been most directly affected by that crime. We are considering a range of proposals in that regard and we hope to make an announcement on that in the near future. We are determined to ensure that the communities that have been worst and most directly affected benefit from any assets that are recovered.
Is the minister aware that the implementation of the enhanced services element of the new contract for general practitioners means that some health boards are not prioritising the provision of drug treatment? For example, Greater Glasgow NHS Board is seeking to set up an alternative, non-GP-prescribing service at lower cost. Does he agree that moving to large, central clinics without proper consultation will result in lower retention and a consequent increase in drug use and drug-related crime? Will he assure me that those seeking a route out of drug misuse will not be penalised as a result of that?
We are currently examining treatment and rehabilitation services. Medical services in local communities will be a matter for local health boards, which will need to take into account many aspects of clinical treatment, of dependency and of the needs of the individual. I am not sure that the conclusions that Rosemary Byrne draws are necessarily correct, but I would be confident that those who are responsible for those services in local communities will do everything in their power to ensure that the best possible service is delivered to those who need it at the earliest possible opportunity.
Can either the SDEA or the Executive take any steps to stop the prescription of methadone for consumption outside pharmacy premises? Is the minister aware of disturbing evidence that prescription methadone can be distributed to other people, with fatal consequences in the case of one young man in my constituency?
There are clearly concerns if people are misusing or abusing methadone. Specific examples of such abuse should be reported to the appropriate agencies. It is necessary to consider the environment in which methadone is both prescribed and consumed. Any steps that can be taken to improve confidentiality and privacy, as well as security, will be considered. We are aware that some people continue to abuse and misuse methadone, and whatever steps can be taken will be taken.
Scottish Agricultural College
To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications are for the Scottish Agricultural College of the recent research organisation assessment exercise in respect of its funding and for the timing of the publication of its business plan. (S2O-1618)
The recommendations of the research organisation assessment exercise are being considered with the Scottish Agricultural College. Until that process is complete, it is not possible to comment on possible implications for the SAC's funding and the business plan that it is preparing.
The independent research organisation assessment exercise's conclusion on the quality of research in the Scottish Agricultural College runs counter to the basis of the Deloitte & Touche reports on the future of the college. Which view is correct and has the Scottish Executive had any consequential discussion with the college on the content of its future business plan and the timing of its publication?
Yes. There are three things going on here, which Brian Adam will appreciate, given his constituency interest. First, we have the ROAE reports to which he referred, which are obviously confidential, given their subject matter. Secondly, we have the strategic review of the biological research strategy as a whole, which will impact on the SAC. Thirdly, there is the preparation of the business plan. We discussed each of those matters with the college and came to the proper conclusion that we should delay publication of the business plan to take account of the research review as well as the strategic assessments contained therein, which is the right thing to do.
Is the minister aware that student applications to the SAC have increased by more than 50 per cent this year? Does he agree that by moving much of the college's educational capability to Edinburgh, which is part of its plan, it will in the long term run down its educational commitment rather than increase it?
Given that we have debated the matter at length, John Scott knows that I agree with much of what he said. In particular, he knows that Mr Finnie required the college to prepare a more detailed business plan to fill out the detail in the strategy to which he referred. The plan will set out how the college will rationalise activity across several sites and continue to make educational provision in both Ayrshire and Aberdeen. Therefore, the business plan will have to take into account all those developments as well as the strategic review and the external assessments.
Bankvale Associates Ltd
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in respect of the report to the Minister for Health and Community Care on the meeting held on 4 March 2004 between South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust and Bankvale Associates Ltd. (S2O-1616)
I have been advised by South Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust that its report on the recruitment of nurses from Bankvale Associates Ltd will be finalised within the next few days. Pending completion of the report, the trust has suspended its arrangement with Bankvale. It will consider future arrangements with Bankvale in light of the conclusions of the report. It has written to the individual nurses to advise them that the trust will no longer be making the deduction from salary for the payment of rent. I expect all national health service employers to treat all staff fairly and to ensure that all recruitment activity meets the highest standards of probity.
Does the minister agree that it is completely unacceptable for the national health service to use recruitment agencies such as Bankvale, which exploit overseas workers by charging them £400 for a job interview and pocketing £800 from the NHS for every nurse recruited? The minister claims that the NHS is not directly responsible for the excessive rent levels and loan charges that leave some of the nurses with as little as £8 per day to live on, but will he accept responsibility for ensuring adequate standards of social justice for such NHS employees by instructing all NHS trusts in Scotland not to use agencies such as Bankvale ever again?
The report will be available at the beginning of next week so the proper thing to do would be to wait for that and consider the details of the situation. The Bankvale agency is involved, there is an issue to do with the landlord and how much rent was being charged, and an agency in the Philippines is also involved. I certainly take the situation seriously, and I look forward to considering the report in great detail. Before I respond in detail, the right thing to do is to read the report. I will send Dennis Canavan a copy of the report as soon as it is available and I will put a copy in the Scottish Parliament information centre.
Swing Bridges
To ask the Scottish Executive what its policy is in respect of whether swing bridges should be used on main trunk routes where they cross canals or waterways and whether it will provide any incentive to avoid retention of swing bridges when trunk road improvements are carried out. (S2O-1609)
A trunk road swing bridge over a navigable waterway would be considered only where there is no practical and economic alternative. The case for replacing or retaining a swing bridge as part of a trunk road improvement scheme would be evaluated as part of the normal option appraisal process.
I am considerably indebted to the minister for that answer. I refer, of course, to the proposed swing bridge in Inverness. Is he aware of the telephone poll that was conducted by that august journalistic body the Inverness Courier, which showed that the overwhelming majority of Invernesians are opposed to the swing bridge proposal? Indeed, there is near unanimity on the issue among the good citizens of Inverness. Will he consider, with the provost and the councillors who have to grapple with the issue, any mechanism that would allow a bridge or underpass to be used rather than a swing bridge?
I was unaware of the poll that Fergus Ewing refers to. I am always willing to have discussions with Highland Council and with the provost. My colleague Lewis Macdonald wrote to the provost last year to set out the Scottish Executive's approach. The proposal is for a local road improvement; it is not currently a trunk road. Lewis Macdonald made that clear in his letter, which says:
"It would also be for the Council to decide whether it considered there was a sufficiently strong case in relation to the national or strategic importance of this crossing to justify an approach to Scottish Executive Ministers to seek assistance with funding."
That is still the position, and we are still willing to have discussions on the issue. I know that the issue is a priority for Highland Council.
Dispute Resolution (Mediation)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support greater use of mediation in dispute resolution. (S2O-1666)
Yes. The Executive believes that mediation can be a useful mechanism for resolving disputes effectively and efficiently. We strongly support it and we are keen to encourage its use where that is feasible and appropriate. The Executive provides support and funding for a range of mediation and advice services, and we are actively considering with key stakeholders what further action could be taken to encourage greater use.
I thank the minister for his answer and for his commitment to the service. Does he agree that Fife, and in particular Fife Council, has provided an example of best practice in the area, especially in neighbour disputes? Will he assure me that such innovative projects, which involve cross-departmental and cross-agency working, will continue to receive Executive support? That will ensure that such disputes are kept out of courts and that they are speedily resolved, which is important to those who are involved.
Yes. Fife Council has a commendable record in using mediation to resolve disputes; it has been doing so for many years. A number of authorities throughout Scotland are increasingly looking at the effectiveness of mediation services. As Marilyn Livingstone indicated, those services can help to keep claims out of courts and to keep costs down. They can also help to resolve disputes quickly, which is just as significant. It is not only in local authority services that mediation can make an impact. Recently, I had meetings with a number of private sector organisations that appreciate the value of mediation. We are keen to support its use where it can have a beneficial effect.
Does the minister agree that it is vital for local communities to know about not only the powers that will be available under the Antisocial Behaviour etc (Scotland) Bill but the facilities through which mediation can be implemented? He will be aware that neighbourhood watch schemes—such as the Ladywood neighbourhood watch scheme in Penicuik, to which I spoke last night—crime prevention panels and other local community groups are very active in the area but are often unaware of the powers that are available to local authorities or of measures such as mediation. Does he think that communication with local communities is vital?
It is a matter for local authorities to determine how they can best communicate with local organisations and communities. The Executive has certainly invested significantly in improving local authority services. Indeed, the moneys that Margaret Curran recently announced to tackle antisocial behaviour will make a significant difference to local authorities that are engaged in developing a range of services to tackle such behaviour, part of which can involve mediation and counselling. I am sure that the authorities will put that money to good use and hope that, as Jeremy Purvis suggests, they will try to communicate effectively with local inhabitants.
Concessionary Travel
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will begin consulting on proposals for the introduction of a national free off-peak bus scheme as part of its commitment to concessionary travel. (S2O-1573)
The consultation paper on concessionary travel is currently being finalised and we intend to publish the document in April.
I welcome that answer, as some of us have asked the question a few times previously and been told that the Executive would begin consulting soon.
I add my support, as others have done, to the free off-peak bus scheme for older people and people with disabilities, and to the commitment in the partnership document to extend it to a national scheme. Will the minister say what factors he will consider in the consultation process in determining when the national scheme will begin and how it will be shaped?
A number of issues require to be considered. Currently, 16 local schemes are operated by different local authorities, groupings of local authorities, or, in the west of Scotland, Strathclyde Passenger Transport. It is important that we move forward from our current commitment to free local off-peak bus travel for pensioners and disabled people to roll out a national scheme that takes into consideration local differences and it is important to decide how that scheme should best be administered. As Pauline McNeill and other members know, there are proposals for stronger regional transport partnerships. There is also a proposal for a Scottish transport agency and there has been a consultation document on that agency. I am currently considering the responses to that consultation.
We must decide the best way to organise, operate and manage the national scheme and how to involve the 16 local schemes, and we must decide the role of regional partnerships and the transport agency. That will take time. It is also important to involve the bodies that are affected, such as pensioner groups and disabled groups, and, indeed, individuals who can benefit from the scheme. I hope that they will respond in large numbers to the proposals so that we have a scheme that is sensitive not only to regional and local needs but to the needs of individuals.
Landfill (Aucheninnes Moss)
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to the proposed landfill site at Aucheninnes moss in Dumfries and Galloway and its impact on the survival of the bog bush-cricket and the sorrel pygmy moth. (S2O-1645)
The Scottish ministers gave careful consideration to the planning application for the Aucheninnes landfill site. Unfortunately, we decided that there were insufficient grounds to justify intervention in Dumfries and Galloway Council's handling of the case. In reaching that decision, ministers took account of advice from Scottish Natural Heritage on the ecological aspects of the proposal.
I noticed the amusement with which the minister's reply was greeted by Labour members. I point out to the minister and other members that my motion on Aucheninnes moss has been signed by every party that is represented in the South of Scotland. There is complete cross-party agreement on the issue. Will the minister please put all the evidence that Scottish Natural Heritage used in reaching its decision in the Scottish Parliament information centre? Will he please ask SNH to reconsider its decision? Will he personally be responsible for species extinction in the cause of the expansion of a landfill dump?
I admit that I was more aware of the interest of Chris Ballance's colleague in the matter than I was of his own interest, but I note his new interest. As I said, we were satisfied that the ecological interests—which obviously include the measures to protect the bog bush-cricket, the sorrel pigmy moth, the large heath butterfly and all other forms of latent biodiversity—were going to be dealt with satisfactorily within the statutory habitat management regime that was signed up to and formalised between the local authority or the planning authority and Scottish Natural Heritage, which is our scientific adviser on all matters of ecological interest. That is the correct way in which to protect the interests of those life forms, and that is the basis on which we will proceed.
The minister may laugh at this, but I hope that he will be aware of the branding approach that is being taken by a number of towns in my constituency, Wigtown being the book town and Castle Douglas being the food town. Is he aware that Dalbeattie, which is the town next to the Aucheninnes landfill site, believes that it is being forced to accept the title of dump town? Given the fact that the community is unanimously opposed to the extension of the Aucheninnes landfill site—a proposal that would not receive planning permission under current criteria—will he consider ordering a review of the part of Dumfries and Galloway Council's waste plans that affect that moss?
As the member will know, the landfill regulations that we introduced explicitly require the location of a landfill site to take into account the ecological and habitat interests of the locality. The member raises the question whether ministers should take into account overwhelming local opposition in coming to a conclusion. I do not dispute what he has to say. I am not the minister with responsibility for planning, but I can say that the weight of opposition is not a determining factor in deciding whether to call in a case; rather, it is a matter of how the proposal fits in with local and national planning policy. That is what will continue to guide ministerial decisions.
The minister says that there are insufficient grounds to justify ministerial intervention, but how can people have any confidence in the planning system when waste is being taken to Dalbeattie from all over the Stewartry and beyond in total defiance of the proximity principle? Almost every inhabitant of Dalbeattie—which is the largest town between Dumfries and Stranraer—is totally against the proposal. How can people have any confidence in the Government if the expansion is allowed to go ahead?
I took account of the argument about the weight of opposition. I agree that it is the fundamental right of every Scot to have a say in the planning processes that affect their local communities, and nothing that I have said would undermine that. I agree that, as things stand, some people have difficulty in engaging with the planning process and in getting local and other considerations taken into account throughout the term of the planning process. That is why we published the white paper "Your place, your plan" in 2003, which sets out how we intend to improve the planning process so that the right of every Scot to make their views known throughout the planning process will be enshrined and will improve future decision making.
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First Minister's Question Time