SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Head Lice Infection
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to address head lice infection. (S2O-973)
The Scottish Executive issued the "National Guidance on Managing Head Lice Infection in Children" in March this year. We were aware of a lack of consistency and clarity in the advice that was provided for parents and carers across Scotland. We wanted to ensure that all children and their families were given accurate and impartial advice and support from professionals on the detection and treatment of head lice.
The minister will be aware that the guidance to which he referred says:
I agree with Susan Deacon about the need for communication and information about head lice infection. Although people sometimes make light of head lice infection in the wrong kind of way, it is a serious matter. I am pleased that NHS Health Scotland is producing an information leaflet that will come out in January. The leaflet will give facts about head lice, deal with detection and give treatment options.
The minister will be aware that head lice are increasingly resistant to some of the available treatments. He will also be aware that some of the available lotions contain ingredients such as malathiom. Given that malathiom is an organophosphate, surely it is not the sort of thing that we want to be putting on our children's heads? Will the minister initiate a public awareness campaign to stress the need for parents to inspect their children's heads regularly? The campaign could also advocate the use of other methods of control like wet combing, which can be used to remove lice.
As I indicated, treatment options are dealt with in the leaflet that is coming out in January. I also indicated that over-use of lotions is neither effective nor desirable, although, obviously, some lotions are acceptable. I agree that wet combing, which is important for detection, can be used as a treatment option. The wet combing method, which is called bug busting, avoids the use of lotions.
Is the minister aware that I wrote to the Executive about the issue in June? Head lice infection is causing concern and practical problems for many parents. I told the Executive about the situation in West Lothian, where there is concern that the practical implication of alert letters not being sent out is that outbreaks are not being dealt with. I agree that we must ensure that we do not over-use chemicals. However, mothers—indeed, parents—are very responsible and if they are given the right information, they can deal with the issue promptly. Will the minister review the guidelines quickly? Head lice infection is causing real problems in the here and now.
As I said at the start of my answer, I accept that we need more and better communication and information. The expert advice is that the correct way to proceed is for parents to be informed about the issue; that is the way to ensure that they take the action that is appropriate. The advice, however, is that alert letters do not complement the key issue of better communication and information. That is because they would have to be sent out on an on-going basis. The advice is that that would not add very much to the fundamental information that people require.
Household Income (Definition)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review the definition of household income that is used in the Scottish house condition survey. (S2O-990)
The definition of household income that is used in the Scottish house condition survey is regularly reviewed to ensure that it remains up to date and fit for purpose.
The minister will be aware that the survey's current definition of income may distort the true level of fuel poverty in Scotland, because it includes benefits such as free school meals, community care grants and maternity and funeral payments, which, in reality, people cannot use to meet fuel costs. Given the fact that Citizens Advice Scotland, the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland, Energy Action Scotland, Help the Aged and others all support the redefinition of income to exclude those benefits, will the minister commit to undertake that reform so that we can know the true extent of fuel poverty in Scotland?
The Scottish house condition survey does not disaggregate income sources to the level that would be required to calculate the definition of income that is used in the fuel poverty statement. However, the calculation is as close as possible, using the available data, and we believe that it enables us to make a robust estimate of the level of fuel poverty in Scotland that is consistent with the spirit of the fuel poverty statement. I assure Shona Robison that we would always take the opportunity to review the way in which we survey information if we did not think that it was meeting the relevant needs.
Adoption (Support)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve support to those who are involved in the child adoption process. (S2O-993)
Support for those who are involved in adoption is one of the issues that are being examined by our independent adoption policy review group. As a result of the first phase of that review, work is under way with voluntary sector groups to improve the support that is given following adoption. The second phase of the review is examining the legal framework for adoption and fostering, including support and allowances.
Does the minister agree that it is unacceptable that a family in my constituency who wish to adopt a three-year-old nephew find that they will incur legal expenses of between £5,000 and £10,000 because the child's natural father wishes to contest the case? Can I meet the minister in the new year to discuss ways in which we can give financial support to families who wish to give so much to those who are in difficulties?
The member has been assiduous in pursuing his constituents' case. It would not be advisable for me to discuss an individual case in the chamber; however, Paul Martin has identified a potential problem that the review group would do well to consider. I am content to meet him in the new year, with officials, to consider the specific case and to draw general lessons from it. The Executive has no legal powers to pay such expenses; the discretion lies with local authorities. Nevertheless, I am more than prepared to discuss the issue with the member.
Does the minister agree that, although local authorities are supposed to provide post-adoption services, many do not do so because of the other demands that are placed on generic social work services or specialist family placement teams? Will he consider conducting a review of all 32 local authorities in Scotland to ensure that they are complying with all the statutory requirements that are placed on them by the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and the Adoption and Children Act 2002?
I understand the point that the member is making. Clearly, the social work services inspectorate has a role in that. The review group has been set up partly to consider such issues and will, I hope, report back at this time next year, covering those issues and others that are frequently raised about adoption to inform policy for the future and, perhaps, recommending legislation.
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary<br />(Ambulance Services)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been any extra work load for ambulance services in the Lothians following the opening of the new Edinburgh royal infirmary and, if so, how this is affecting patient care. (S2O-969)
There has been no noticeable increase in the ambulance services' work load in the Lothians for either the accident and emergency service or the non-emergency service. The patient care that is provided by the Scottish Ambulance Service in the area continues to improve. The service in Lothian is set to meet its milestone of responding to 65 per cent of life-threatening calls within eight minutes by 31 March 2004, and it is on course to deliver the target of responding to 75 per cent of such calls by 2008.
Given the fact that the report that was published yesterday by Audit Scotland shows that Lothian University Hospitals NHS Trust is spiralling towards a £180 million deficit and admits that a series of cost savings must be made, does the minister accept that the ambulance services in the Lothians are caught in the middle of a budgets cut, on the one hand, and a hugely increased work load, on the other?
We see no evidence that the Scottish Ambulance Service is caught in a budget war. No representations have been made to us by the service and, as I have indicated, there has been no noticeable increase in demands on it. If Mr Fox has other information, I would be only too pleased to hear it. However, none of that has been conveyed to the Executive.
Will the minister consider a review of the decision not to provide a minor injuries clinic in the city centre, to ensure that ambulances and, indeed, police vehicles are not used as a taxi service on various dates to Little France?
As the member knows, those are decisions for the local health board. I have no doubt that the board has properly considered all the relevant factors and reached a decision. It is not for me as a minister to reconsider that decision.
Will the minister kindly confirm that all emergency cases that have been transported by ambulance since the opening of the new royal infirmary have got through within a reasonable time scale?
I have indicated that the information that we have is that, by March next year, the service in Lothians is set to achieve its milestone of responding to 65 per cent of life-threatening calls within eight minutes. We have no information to the contrary. If the member has other information, I invite him to convey it to me.
Minister for Transport (Maybole Visit)
To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions were drawn from the visit by the Minister for Transport to Maybole on Monday 8 December. (S2O-962)
The conclusion that we reached was that the Executive should conduct a study into a bypass for Maybole. That conclusion appears to have been well received by everybody whom I met in Maybole, including local councillors, community council representatives and the local member of the Scottish Parliament, Cathy Jamieson.
I welcome the fact that the Scottish Executive now seems to be playing catch-up with the road-building programme that the previous Tory Government left it.
That was something of a Christmas cracker from Phil Gallie. I recall that Maybole was under Conservative responsibility for about 18 years, during which absolutely nothing was done to progress a bypass for Maybole. We are now making progress on that project. On my visit to Ayrshire, I saw the significant progress that is being made on the new M77 and was able to announce improvements to the Whitlets roundabout in Ayr—both initiatives that the Conservatives did not take forward. We will get on with the work and deliver significant improvements in the area.
Senior Citizens (Energy Charges)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to energy companies on reducing charges for services to senior citizens. (S2O-964)
We are meeting energy companies to discuss a range of issues that are relevant to all Scottish customers, including high electricity prices, the rising number of disconnections and the rising number of people who appear to be in debt to the energy companies.
What is the sense of the Scottish Executive's flagship central heating programme to keep older people warm if one of the largest energy providers—Scottish Gas—supplies the most expensive gas in the country? My generation will switch off its heating and live in the freezing cold rather than impoverish itself with high bills.
The member will be aware that during the recent debate on fuel poverty, the Minister for Communities, Margaret Curran, referred to the issue of fuel costs in Scotland compared with those in the rest of the United Kingdom. As I have indicated, that is one of the issues that we will raise. Executive ministers are working with their colleagues at Westminster to ensure that pensioners do not have to choose between food and heating. A number of measures are aimed specifically at tackling that issue.
Marine Environment (Radioactive Releases)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take in relation to activity that results in avoidable releases of radioactivity to the marine environment. (S2O-1000)
That is an operational matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, which is responsible for authorising and controlling the discharge of radioactivity to the marine environment.
A study that was done in 1999 by the Ministry of Defence into the disposal of nuclear submarines determined that the option with the highest critical success factors was land storage of intact reactor compartments. Does the Executive accept the MOD's analysis that land storage of reactor compartments should be the preferred option? Will it actively oppose alternative disposal options that will result in the unnecessary release of radiation into the marine environment and the unnecessary exposure of workers to radiation?
The consultation on the best practicable environmental option for disposal is yet to be concluded. Thereafter, the MOD will still have to finalise the impact of each proposal. In general terms, I accept that containment and concentration would probably be the best practicable environmental option.
The British Government recently announced that it was proposing to issue anti-radiation medication to communities that are in close proximity to areas of perceived risk from nuclear contamination. Does the Scottish Executive consider that move to be an indication of a possible or potential risk to our communities?
We understand that the MOD has no plans to release radioactivity routinely at Z-berths or to carry out maintenance work at those locations. Local authorities have obligations imposed upon them by the Health and Safety Executive to make the necessary contingency plans to deal with any emergency, which could involve the issue of potassium iodate tablets if the health boards or other agencies thought that that was appropriate.
Strathclyde Police (Funding)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to increase the level of funding that is allocated to Strathclyde police to take account of any particular pressures of policing the city of Glasgow. (S2O-958)
Pressures across all Scottish police forces, including Strathclyde police, are being assessed as part of an on-going review of police grant-aided expenditure allocations. The review report is due to be submitted in spring 2004.
Will the minister assure members that when she considers the review's recommendations on funding, she will take special account of the particular pressures on policing in Glasgow, such as the city's concentration of challenging socioeconomic problems, its high homicide rate and the large number of national and international events that it hosts?
I am happy to be able to tell the member and the rest of the chamber that we will pay particular attention to the policing demands that arise from the need to maintain public order. That will be a consideration in Glasgow because of the nature of some of the events that are held there. In relation to homicide rates, it is worth recording that the working group is trying to develop a formula that will take specific account of high crime rates.
I am pleased that that issue will be examined, but will the minister consider other factors in relation to Glasgow city centre? Policing Glasgow city centre is a particularly onerous task for A-division and the centre has the greatest number of pubs and clubs outside London. Crowds of 30,000 a night come to them over the weekend, which results in particular public order problems. I hope that any review will take that into consideration.
I am happy to confirm that we understand the particular difficulties. We have included a specific reference to public order. Some of the issues to which Pauline McNeill has referred will be considered as we progress with the recommendations of the Nicholson report.
Drug-assisted Sexual Assault
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to raise awareness of the dangers of drug-assisted sexual assault. (S2O-991)
The Executive has today, in partnership with the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, launched a "know the score" campaign that highlights the dangers of spiked drinks and drug-assisted sexual assaults.
I welcome the awareness campaign at a time of year when many people's defences are lower than usual. Will the minister assure me that efforts to address that major problem will not be relaxed when the festive holiday period is over?
Janis Hughes makes a valid point. At this time of year, many people relax, go on office nights out and go to parties, and they can be in greater danger if they do not take care. However, drug-assisted sexual assault is a problem throughout the year and while, in the main, it affects women, it can also leave men in danger. We know that there are people who are intent on causing severe damage to others, and who will use drugs and indiscriminately leave people with severe problems that sometimes take a considerable time to get over. Janis Hughes is right that while we urge people to be careful at this time of year—and we welcome the effort that has been made by pubs, clubs and staff—that effort should not stop immediately after the new year.
Can the minister confirm that the Executive's current scrutiny of organisations that it funds, and the information that is provided by them, is adequate?
I hesitate ever to say that no improvements could be made; I am sure that we will continue to refine and build on what we put out. However, I welcome the work that is being undertaken. The campaign is focused, and is targeted at a specific problem. It is a growing problem, but I do not want to overestimate the numbers involved because the problem is still relatively small—although one incident is one too many. We will continue to improve where we can, but I thank everyone concerned—the police and the licensed trade—for their efforts, and I commend the information that is available.
United Kingdom Energy Bill
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the energy legislation announced in the Queen's speech. (S2O-999)
The Executive has been closely involved in the preparation of the legislation as it affects our devolved interests. We shall shortly ask the Parliament to agree, by means of a Sewel motion, that the United Kingdom Parliament should consider the devolved provisions in the Energy Bill. I have advised the conveners of the Enterprise and Culture Committee and the Environment and Rural Development Committee that a Sewel memorandum is under preparation and will be with them shortly.
I am delighted that the minister is now aware that the UK Energy Bill contains measures on important issues affecting Scotland, including on devolved matters, such as the handling of nuclear waste and the future of renewable energy. Does he agree that the proposals in the bill need proper, detailed scrutiny by the Scottish Parliament and does he appreciate that there is considerable scepticism that that can be done by means of a Sewel motion?
The important point is that we carry forward the measures in the bill, which will be widely welcomed by members from all parties. I am delighted to report, following a question in the chamber a week or two ago, that one of the measures that the bill includes will replace the hydro benefit subsidy, which is about to be withdrawn, with a new subsidy. That will ensure that customers in the north of Scotland are not unreasonably disadvantaged by that change. The bill contains a range of provisions. It is important that committees consider the Sewel memorandum when we issue it. The provisions that are being brought forward will be widely welcomed.
Will the minister resist any proposals in the bill to transfer from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to any authority operating at a UK level its responsibilities for licensing radioactive waste?
As Bruce Crawford will be aware, the intention is to establish a nuclear decommissioning authority, which will operate on a UK basis. The authority will be a cross-border public body and will be accountable as appropriate—if the Parliament approves the terms of the Sewel memorandum—to Scottish ministers as well as to UK ministers.
Does the minister agree that, given the Executive's recently announced and welcome renewable energy targets, the UK bill will give Scotland the unique opportunity to maximise the economic benefit to Scotland—and, for example, to Methil in my constituency—of renewable energy work and research and development? What national activities are he and his officials involved in, or might they become involved in, to ensure that that happens?
There is a wide range of such activity, led principally by the forum for renewable energy development in Scotland, whose second meeting I will chair next month. A couple of provisions in the Energy Bill are particularly relevant. The establishment of renewable energy zones offshore will allow the future expansion of the offshore renewable energy industry, which offers great potential for Scottish companies. There is also provision to direct funds raised by the regulator from the Scottish renewables obligation into the Scottish consolidated fund to be used for promoting renewable energy in Scotland.
Will the Executive try to ensure that the Energy Bill will ban the practice of disconnection of domestic energy supply because of debt, which is one of the biggest causes of fuel poverty in Scotland?
Mary Mulligan has already made clear our view on that area of policy. The bill before the House of Lords, which will proceed to the House of Commons, is concerned more with the supply of electricity than with the consumer end of the business, but we have stated our view on the consumer interest as well.
Green Jobs Strategy
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its green jobs strategy. (S2O-997)
In our partnership agreement, we committed ourselves to working closely with the business community and other interested stakeholders to develop and implement a green jobs strategy. I look forward to launching a major public consultation exercise on it in the first few months of next year.
I shall read the Executive's green jobs strategy with interest to see whether it is the missing link that reconciles the Executive's commitment to economic growth with its assertion that environmental concerns are at the heart of public policy. Does the minister agree that, to be successful, the green jobs strategy must define objectives and targets for achieving green jobs and outline an action plan to maximise the number of such jobs? Does he accept that the strategy must include a procedure for monitoring progress and a requirement to report back on that progress?
I hope that Shiona Baird will do more than read the consultation document when it comes out. I hope that she might even respond to it and make the points that she has just made, which I assure her will be given the utmost consideration. However, I take issue with her comments on the Administration's environmental credentials. It is only fair to point out that our commitment to sustainable development has been affirmed in the partnership agreement—a green thread runs through it. The most recent spending review had sustainable development as one of two key cross-cutting priorities. We have established a sustainable development forum and the Cabinet sub-committee on sustainable development was re-established following the election. Those are just some of the things that we are doing and they will be augmented by our commitment to green jobs. That not only meets a commitment to sustainability but identifies opportunities for employment and business in Scotland through the pursuit of environmental goals.
Does the Deputy First Minister agree that one area with the greatest potential is the use of renewable energy, such as solar energy and wind power, in towns and cities? Will he assure me that a substantial part of the strategy will relate to such measures and will he indicate what support is being given to the potential use of such energy?
I agree with Robert Brown that the potential for renewables is tremendous, not only in their use in our urban areas, but because of the provision of employment in some of the more remote and rural areas of our country. He will recall that, in Glasgow during the election campaign, he and I went to the top of a block of flats that was still under construction. We do not have the greatest heads for heights, but we were able to see the solar panels that were being installed. That shows what imagination and innovation can do in developing the renewables agenda. The development of renewable energy, the forum for renewable energy development in Scotland, to which Lewis Macdonald referred in the previous question, and the green jobs strategy make clear our commitment.
Drugs Courts
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in tackling drugs crime through its drugs court pilots. (S2O-971)
The early signs are encouraging. Those on drugs court orders who were interviewed for the first six-month evaluation of the Glasgow drugs court reported significant reductions in drug use and offending. That is supported by evidence from the drugs court team. In Fife, too, the perception of the six-month evaluation was that the drugs court is an important and innovative response to drug-misusing offenders. However, the full impact of the drugs courts will be known only when the evaluation—including the reconvictions study—is complete in 2005.
The success of the drugs court pilots will be widely welcomed. Does the minister agree that drug testing and treatment orders have been a success in Aberdeen, where there has been a particular problem with drug-related crime, as illustrated by the recent arrest by Grampian police of several people in relation to cocaine dealing? Does he also agree that the establishment of a drugs court in Aberdeen could be an extremely effective tool in tackling drugs crime in the city?
Richard Baker has spoken to me on a number of occasions about drug problems in Aberdeen and the surrounding area. Those problems are clearly a matter of concern. I share his view on the success of DTTOs in Aberdeen. I visited the DTTO project there during the summer and found it to be well organised, disciplined and professional. The project has shown very good results and, clearly, we would like to see such projects replicated throughout Scotland. The DTTOs were a prerequisite for the drugs courts, which will eventually be the subject of an evaluation. If the courts prove successful—as I have said, the early signs are encouraging—we will consider carefully whether they can be set up in other areas. I will bear in mind in any subsequent discussions the representations that Richard Baker has made.
Calf Trade
I draw members' attention to my entry in the register of members' interests: I am a partner in a family farming business.
An approach was made to the European Commission in July requesting that the United Kingdom be awarded moderate risk status for BSE purposes. That proposal has been referred to the European Food Safety Authority and a formal response is expected next March. Achieving moderate risk status would pave the way for the full resumption of the export trade in live cattle, including calves.
The minister will be aware that, as a result first of BSE and then foot-and-mouth disease, we lost the calf trade. Consequently, many calves born in Scotland have been shot at birth and buried on farm. Subsequently, because of burial restrictions, a scheme is now in place to allow the disposal to continue through more acceptable methods. He will also be aware that, if we are all successful in our aim to break the links between production and subsidy, the number of calves being kept exclusively for subsidy claims will reduce dramatically in one year's time. Therefore, serious welfare implications will arise if we do not restart the export trade. Does the minister agree that, for welfare reasons, it is important that, instead of being disposed of in this country, those calves are allowed to be exported?
I am happy to agree with Mr Johnstone. As he knows, the European Union ban was introduced in March 1996, following an announcement of a link between BSE in cattle and variant CJD in humans. No separate figures are available for Scotland, but 500,000 calves were exported from the United Kingdom in 1995, at a value of £76 million. We understand that a strong demand remains in continental Europe for Scotch beef. There are real economic incentives to resuming the trade.
Contemporary Visual Arts
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is supporting and promoting contemporary visual arts throughout Scotland. (S2O-970)
Executive support for the contemporary visual arts, as with all other art forms, is channelled through the Scottish Arts Council. During 2003-04, the SAC will have invested more than £3.3 million in developing the visual arts across Scotland.
Does the minister agree that access to contemporary visual arts should be available to people no matter where they live in Scotland? Does he recognise the valuable contribution that has been made to accessibility and social inclusion in Fife by the Crawford Arts Centre in St Andrews? Does he find it acceptable that the Crawford Arts Centre should find out through press reports that the SAC is considering removing its core funding in 2005? Will he ask the SAC to reconsider any decision to withdraw that funding?
I have already, certainly in the past month, raised with the SAC the issue of how it handles announcements. We need to take cognisance of that process. Although it would be wrong for a minister to interfere directly with the allocation of grants, which is based on the evaluation that peer groups within the drama committee or the visual arts committee make, we want to ensure that, when those decisions are made, the assessment process is transparent. It is even more important that we recognise the continued support that we give to the visual arts community throughout Scotland. I can give the member a concrete assurance that we wish the visual arts to be prominent throughout Scotland and that any development by the SAC will need to reflect that agenda.
Will the culture minister support Richard Demarco's exciting concept of a Scottish equivalent to the Venice biennale, an idea that has already received the support of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the SAC? Together with the British Council and the SAC, the Executive invested approximately £400,000 in Scottish representation at this year's biennale. It was right that Scottish artists had the chance to play away from home in Venice, in the cultural equivalent of the world cup. However, a biennale in Scotland would not only give Scottish artists the opportunity to play in an international arena on home soil, but attract the international art world to Scotland, just as the Edinburgh festivals already attract international attention in theatre, music, film and literature.
That question contained a PhD in cultural studies. No direct submission has been made so far; all submissions are made to the SAC and other funding bodies. We await with interest any application and development.
General Practice Out-of-hours Cover<br />(Remote Areas)
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress national health service boards are making towards ensuring that, once the new general practitioner contract commences, out-of-hours cover in remote areas is maintained at current levels or is enhanced. (S2O-1011)
Each board has a general medical services team and a project plan for the implementation of the new contract and is developing detailed plans for those services. The national out-of-hours working group is supporting the service by networking the local plans, sharing good practice, developing new models of service provision and creating national accreditation standards for out-of-hours services.
As this will be my final question of 2003, I take the opportunity to wish all members of staff in the Scottish Parliament a merry Christmas.
I know that a great deal of work is being done in Highland to develop an out-of-hours service model to address local issues. I have already referred to the national out-of-hours working group report, which I also mentioned in this morning's debate. All of that is feeding into what boards are doing and is supporting their work, so a great deal of activity is going on. There is also funding to support that.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that all national health service boards issue prompt responses to the report of the short-life working group on myalgic encephalomyelitis. (S2O-1013)
The Executive will be writing to NHS boards early next year to inquire about the progress that has been made in the planning of services for people in their areas with chronic fatigue syndrome and ME. That follows the recent publication of the short-life working group's report. An appropriate deadline for responses will be set.
Does the minister share my concern that, by approaching each of the health boards individually, we are running a real risk of ending up with a piecemeal approach to the treatment of ME in Scotland? Given the recent announcement by Her Majesty's Government of £8.6 million of ring-fenced renewable funding for the implementation of a strategy in England and Wales, does he agree that such an approach would be far more robust and focused, considerably more sensible and much more likely to ensure a major step forward for ME sufferers here in Scotland? Will he consider adopting that approach in Scotland?
On many occasions in the past, we have explained that our view is that decisions on the care of local populations in Scotland are best left to the local boards. We will look at the proposals from each board throughout Scotland and, in certain circumstances, we will consider whether we need to express a view. However, we firmly believe that decisions on the needs of the local population are best left to the board that has responsibility for such decisions.