Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, January 19, 2012

Official Report 1092KB pdf

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Scottish Executive Question Time

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Culture and External Affairs

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European Commission (Status of an Independent Scotland)

1. To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to enter into discussions with the European Commission to establish the Commission’s view of the status of an independent Scotland in relation to the European Union in advance of the proposed independence referendum. (S4O-00579)

We are already in the European Union and an independent Scotland would continue membership, fulfilling the responsibilities that that brings. The Scottish Government regularly meets European commissioners to discuss a range of issues and it will continue to do so.

This exchange is a reprise—a better-informed reprise, I trust—of the exchange between Ms Davidson and the First Minister at First Minister’s question time. What emerged from that was the mere dogmatic assertion on the part of the Scottish National Party that Scotland would automatically continue as a member of the EU on the same basis as the United Kingdom. There is modest legal support for that assertion, but there is a whole body of legal, academic and political opinion to the effect that, as a new state, Scotland would have to apply for and negotiate the terms of membership of the EU, which might be nowhere near as advantageous as those that presently apply.

Regardless of whether the Scottish Government’s or my view is correct, does the minister not agree that the position should be established definitively before a referendum vote so that the voters know where we stand, and that the Scottish Government should be taking steps to establish that now?

In his answer to Ruth Davidson, the First Minister cited Eamonn Gallagher, Emile Noël and Lord Mackenzie-Stuart. The member asks whether Scotland would be better off. There is an important point to consider. Ruth Davidson mentioned farmers. If Scotland were an independent member state, under the reforms to the common agricultural policy, the new negotiated position would mean that our farmers would be hundreds of millions of pounds better off than they are.

I refer the member to more recent coverage. Aidan O’Neill, who is a Queen’s counsel, has said that

“the most likely position that the Luxembourg court would take”

would be that Scotland, and England, Wales and Northern Ireland

“should each succeed to the UK’s existing membership of the EU, but now as two States rather than as one.”

Even more recently, on 15 January, when a European Commission spokesperson was asked to comment on the status of Scotland and the rest of the UK in the EU in the event of Scottish independence, he said:

“We will not comment on hypothetical questions”.

I suggest that David McLetchie should let the Scottish people answer the question and decide their own future in a referendum made in Scotland.

I invite the cabinet secretary to welcome Denmark taking over the presidency of the EU. Denmark and Scotland are both small European seafaring nations with a shared Nordic heritage and similar natural resources, one of which can take its place at the helm in Europe, while the other is denied the position of a normal nation.

I welcome Denmark taking over the presidency of the Council of the EU. I met the Danish ambassador at an event here in the Parliament last week. Of course, Denmark and Scotland are closely aligned in our vision for the future. We share a vision of a low-carbon society with a 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, which is well above the EU’s 30 per cent target, and we share the target of generating 100 per cent of our electricity from renewable sources. Those ambitions are reflected in the Danish presidency’s priority of a green Europe. In the next six months, whereas Denmark will be chairing key EU meetings at which it can advance that agenda, Scotland will be left having to request permission from the UK Government even to attend those meetings.

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Year of Creative Scotland 2012 (Rural Areas)

2. To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to ensure that the year of creative Scotland 2012 benefits rural Scotland. (S4O-00580)

We are working with partners to ensure that events and activities to celebrate the year of creative Scotland take place the length and breadth of the country, including in our rural communities. We are using the emphasis on creativity to highlight and promote Scotland’s rich and diverse cultural life for the benefit of our communities and visitors alike. For example, we recently announced funding under the year of creative Scotland for the Fife music hub, which is a year-long project that involves working with communities in central Fife to enable them to participate by playing and ultimately performing their own music. Such events will engage our communities and visitors and provide a welcome boost to rural economies.

How will Government activities for the year of creative Scotland 2012 build on the work being undertaken by councils such as Fife Council, and how does the Government plan to support art and culture community events with the year of creative Scotland 2012 funding? Will the cabinet secretary join me in encouraging organisations and individuals throughout my constituency and Scotland to apply for funding under the first in a lifetime and culture and tourism initiatives? The funding is available through Creative Scotland and the closing date is the end of January.

I certainly encourage the member’s constituents and others to apply for that funding. The music initiative that I just mentioned was one of the first in a lifetime programmes for which funding has already been announced. I know that Fife Council is embracing the year of creative Scotland and that it sees great opportunities to promote cultural activity and attract visitors to Fife to experience the fantastic cultural opportunities that will be provided, not only from the new programmes but from the existing wealth of talent and capability in Fife and across Scotland.

Does the cabinet secretary agree that the big Burns supper that takes place in Dumfries on 27 and 28 January is a wonderful start to the celebrations of the year of creative Scotland? What is she doing to support the festival?

I am delighted that the big Burns supper received funding from Creative Scotland. It is a fantastic way to begin the year of creative Scotland. I look forward to visiting the festival on 27 January to mark the launch of the exciting and innovative programme. It is fantastic to see contemporary artists celebrating the life and work of our national bard.

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Artworks of National Importance

3. To ask the Scottish Government what plans are in place to allow artworks of national importance to be displayed throughout the country. (S4O-00581)

There is a wealth of artworks of national importance throughout Scotland in both national and local collections. The national collections are expected to continue to display work from their collections as widely as possible.

Aberdeen art gallery and museums worked with the British Museum and National Museums Scotland to feature the event, unmasking the Lewis chessmen, from 7 October 2010 to 8 January 2011, which cast fresh light on one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made in Scotland. During the 13-week showing, 43,696 people visited the event, compared with the previous year’s figure of 39,533 over the same period. A similar increase in visitor numbers was also recorded for a showing of “Diana and Actaeon” by Titian.

Can we get to the question?

Certainly. Can the cabinet secretary assure me that works of national importance can be displayed throughout the country, and particularly in Aberdeen to boost visitor numbers at Aberdeen art gallery?

Yes. The National Galleries of Scotland is developing its galleries without walls model to enable greater access to its collection and to develop partnerships across Scotland. I will encourage discussions between the National Galleries of Scotland and cultural institutes in Aberdeen so that there can be greater collaboration. The member might also be interested to know that the National Galleries outreach team is working with Aberdeen City Council to create a collaborative film portrait of the city, which will form part of the Scottish national portrait gallery’s portrait of the nation project.

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Broadcasting and the Arts (Diversity)

4. To ask the Scottish Executive what the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs is doing to ensure that diversity is represented in broadcasting and the arts. (S4O-00582)

The Scottish Government is continuing to seek a more plural and diverse public service broadcasting sector in Scotland by developing the case for a Scottish digital network, particularly through our call for the Scotland Bill to be amended to grant this Parliament powers to establish public service broadcasting institutions.

We are also engaging with the BBC as it develops its response to the licence fee settlement, particularly calling for the quality and diversity of its programming in news and current affairs to be maintained and for the preservation of the Radio 1 “Introducing in Scotland” programme, which has introduced such a diverse range of new performers and on which we will have a members’ business debate later this afternoon.

More generally in the arts, Scotland’s national companies, galleries, museum and library are all encouraging wider access to their productions, exhibitions and services. Just last week, Creative Scotland announced funding of over £1.2 million to create first in a lifetime opportunities for people to enjoy or take part in creative activity for the first time.

As the member knows, however, both broadcasting and equal opportunities are matters that are currently reserved to the Westminster Parliament under schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998.

Over the past few years, significant research has shown a serious gender imbalance in representation on television, where two thirds of all possible broadcast roles are taken by men. For well over two thirds of the time for which women feature in news programmes, they are represented in what broadcasters generally regard as softer items, such as cookery and health news. Women’s sport represents some 2 to 5 per cent of broadcast sports coverage. Will the cabinet secretary begin a discussion with broadcasters to ensure that they begin to make serious commitments to repair that serious imbalance, so that the gap between the real world that we see outside and the world that we see on our TV screens is smaller?

Yes—I will take up that commitment. I will raise the issue when I speak to the BBC trust and BBC senior management.

In my capacity as a constituency MSP, I met the manager of the Scottish women’s football team only this week. That team has just received a new ranking—its highest ever—of 22nd in the world. I think that it is performing slightly better than its male counterpart.

Patrick Harvie is right to identify broadcasters’ performance in showing sport and representations of women. The younger generation that is coming through sees role models on the television. The point is an important one to raise, particularly given that the Scottish Women’s Convention is visiting the Parliament this week, as members will be aware.

Regrettably, Ken Macintosh did not lodge question 5.

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Cultural Priorities 2012-13

6. To ask the Scottish Government what its cultural priorities are for 2012-13. (S4O-00584)

I set out my priorities for culture for 2012-13 when I addressed the Education and Culture Committee on 25 October last year. The priorities include minimising the impact of spending reductions on Scotland’s cultural and heritage sector as far as possible and delivering key cultural capital projects over the next three years that will contribute to economic growth.

In addition, 2012 is the year of creative Scotland, which will involve a range of activity throughout the country that will promote and celebrate Scotland as a culturally vibrant and creative nation for our communities and our visitors. We will continue to focus on the creative industries, which are one of seven priority areas for economic growth.

I welcome the cabinet secretary’s answer and the recent announcements from VisitScotland about hoping to attract more visitors from overseas and more staycationers. How do such policies fit with the priorities that the five national performing arts companies are setting? I look forward to the cabinet secretary’s response.

In December, I met the senior management of not only the national performing companies but the national collections, along with Creative Scotland and VisitScotland, to ensure that we are all working together to maximise the opportunities in the year of creative Scotland. All five national performing companies are closely engaged in that as programme partners.

I am pleased that the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet have succeeded in achieving awards from the Creative Scotland first in a lifetime programme, which I talked about earlier. They will undertake two exciting new projects that will take their work to communities the length and breadth of Scotland.

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Year of Homecoming 2014

7. To ask the Scottish Government what progress is being made regarding the programme for the year of homecoming 2014. (S4O-00585)

We are working with partners to develop the events and activities that will take place during homecoming 2014. It is envisaged that the programme for 2014 will feature a number of major events, a regional programme across Scotland and a celebration of key anniversaries. Announcements on the detailed programme will follow in due course. My colleague the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism leads on homecoming 2014.

I thank the cabinet secretary for her helpful response. Does she agree that the city of Dunfermline—as Scotland’s ancient capital, the burial place of King Robert the Bruce, the location of the highly successful annual Bruce festival and the birthplace of Scotland’s greatest philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie—is an ideal candidate to host major Scottish cultural and historical events in 2014?

I am sure that the member will make the case for that and encourage people in his constituency to grab the opportunities. The town of Dunfermline played a constructive role in previous homecoming activities, of course. Indeed, I distinctly remember fantastic artwork that involved light and candles in Dunfermline abbey. I am sure that there will be great opportunities to take that forward for 2014.

One of the themes of homecoming 2014 will be ancestry, so there will be opportunities to capitalise again on Scotland’s history and diaspora—the last is important. I am sure that members across the chamber will want to grab opportunities to promote their areas, to increase tourism and to grow their constituencies’ economies as a result of homecoming 2014.

The 2009 homecoming event attracted a disappointingly small proportion—only 8.6 per cent—of visitors from overseas, and it was overshadowed by the financial shambles surrounding the gathering, which left a trail of unpaid debtors. How will the Scottish Executive increase the number of visitors from overseas for the 2014 event? How will that event avoid a repeat of the gathering fiasco?

Homecoming 2009 was very successful. There was not just one event; events took place across the year, and there were key signature events. Some 71 per cent of tourism businesses stated that homecoming 2009 was a positive initiative for Scotland, and 90 per cent of organisers who delivered events stated that they would want to take part in similar events in the future.

Annabel Goldie is quite right to identify issues that arose from the gathering, which was dealt with in an investigation by the Parliament, but she will, of course, remember that it was a Conservative peer who helped to develop the initiative. She is also right to question the robustness of future plans, and I am sure that she will do that as they are brought forward. However, to ensure that homecoming 2014 is a success, it is important that we build on the success of not just 2009, but the themed focus years. The year of food and drink helped to maximise the uptake and promotion of Scotland’s fantastic resources, and the year of active Scotland helped to promote the Highlands and other areas as destinations of choice for active holidays. We are now embracing the year of creative Scotland. That will culminate in another focus on ancestry after the year of natural Scotland next year. There are many positive things that we can do and we will ensure that we do them. We will work together collectively and build on the success of previous events.

I reiterate that the year of homecoming will be what people make it in their local communities. Homecoming is not just one event; rather, it is a series of events. It will be so again in 2014.

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International Development Funding (Consultation)

8. To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it carried out before announcing the criteria for the latest round of international development funding. (S4O-00586)

The Scottish Government spoke with both the Scotland Malawi Partnership and the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland in advance of the funding rounds for Malawi and sub-Saharan Africa being launched in December. That involved discussions about the funding priorities, timings and application papers. The priorities for funding reflect those that were set out by the Government of Malawi and our manifesto commitments to strengthen our international work in areas in which Scotland has particular expertise to offer.

Did the Government consult organisations that work in Zambia, Tanzania and Rwanda, which are, of course, also eligible for funding? Why did the priorities that were set exclude health and education, for example, as possible areas for work in those countries?

I refer the member to my first answer and particularly to our manifesto commitments to help to promote areas in which we have particular expertise.

For example, the Government of Rwanda’s 2020 programme and priorities set out its goals. Highlighted within that development plan are the

“Inadequate and expensive electricity supply”

as

“a limiting factor to development”

and the fact that

“the agricultural sector has continued to perform poorly, with consistently declining productivity”,

as well as people’s need for access to clean water and sanitation provision. In developing our programme we have taken account, under the Paris principles, of the needs of different countries.

Malcolm Chisholm mentioned Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia. They will receive greater funding under the model that we put forward, which has also had a longer lead-in in programme time. NIDOS asked us to provide that. We have consulted the sector and reflected individual countries’ interests and requirements. In doing so, we have used Scotland’s expertise and increased the funding that is available to the countries that Malcolm Chisholm mentioned.

Question 9 has been withdrawn for entirely understandable reasons.

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Cultural Legacy (Rural Scotland)

10. To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken in 2012 to promote the cultural legacy of rural Scotland. (S4O-00588)

As the year of creative Scotland, 2012 will include the promotion of a wealth of cultural and creative events and activities that will draw significantly on the cultural legacy of rural Scotland. We are working closely with a wide range of partners to use the emphasis on creativity to highlight and promote Scotland’s rich and diverse cultural life and heritage for the benefit of communities and visitors alike, particularly through the promotional and marketing tools available on the VisitScotland and Creative Scotland websites.

Recent tourism figures have shown that our cities are doing much better than our rural areas, and that larger hotels are doing better than guesthouses and bed and breakfasts.

How will the cabinet secretary ensure that tourists are encouraged to visit remote and rural areas so that they can experience the unique culture and heritage of those areas?

That is a very important question. Much of VisitScotland’s marketing is helping to attract people to other parts of Scotland, not just to the cities. One of Scotland’s attractions for visitors is its unique heritage and the warm welcome that people can receive.

I was pleased to hear that the 17th Hebridean Celtic festival will take place in Stornoway—I understand that the Proclaimers, the Waterboys and Kassidy are headlining—but we need to ensure that we promote activities elsewhere. It is a great opportunity to tackle the need, which Rhoda Grant has identified, to get tourists to visit all parts of Scotland.

That is one of the reasons that creativity has been used as a driver to attract tourism—not just international tourists, but tourists from across the United Kingdom. The statistics that came out last week show how successful that has been, but Rhoda Grant is right: we have a wealth of talent and fantastic scenery and heritage to promote, and it is important that we drive the advertising and marketing into those areas. Members will see from the new VisitScotland advert for the year of creative Scotland that we are certainly trying to do that.

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Infrastructure and Capital Investment

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Construction Jobs (A96 Upgrade)

1. To ask the Scottish Government what can be done to secure the procurement of A96 construction jobs for the north-east and for Scotland as a whole. (S4O-00589)

We will seek to maximise the employment and training opportunities for local people when the A96 projects move to the construction phase. That will build on the approach taken to securing community benefits through major infrastructure projects such as the Forth replacement crossing, which is expected to support more than 1,200 new jobs and has involved the award of subcontracts worth more than £20 million to 118 Scottish companies.

I will now put my card in, Presiding Officer.

That is much appreciated.

I think that I caught most of what the minister was saying; I am not sure whether his microphone is not working or he is not facing it.

Following the Government’s recent announcement on the dualling of the A96, will the cabinet secretary advise me on the impact—if any—on the Inveramsay bridge project?

I do not think that it will have any direct impact, as the Government is treating the Inveramsay bridge scheme as a project in its own right. Obviously when we are planning the A96 work we must take into account the timing of the Inveramsay bridge contract, but Dennis Robertson can be assured that we are working on both projects.

Does the cabinet secretary agree that if local businesses in the north-east are to benefit from the work on the A96 and the Inveramsay bridge, and from other local infrastructure projects, there must be a fundamental change in Scottish Government procurement policy? Does he appreciate the concerns of local construction companies, which say that they are now not even able to win third contracts for work locally? That has been a major factor in 15 local companies going out of business in the past 18 months. Will those concerns be addressed in the forthcoming procurement bill?

The problem lies not with the Scottish Government’s procurement policy, but with the fact that we must adhere to European procurement directives, whereby any project over £4,348,350 must go to European-wide competition. Inevitably, based on the criteria, we must accept the most competitive tender. Whoever was in Government would have had to—and did—accept those rules. The difference between us and Richard Baker’s party is that we have committed to dualling the A96 and it never did so.

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A83 (Upgrade)

2. To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the A83 and prevent future landslips from closing the road. (S4O-00590)

We continue to plan for and manage the risk associated with landslides across Scotland and we understand their impact on local communities. Transport Scotland is looking at protective netting, shelters and the potential for planting of the hillside around the Rest and be thankful. The improvement and strengthening of the parallel forestry road as an emergency alternative will also be investigated, and discussions were held on that before Christmas. Transport Scotland is also looking at the safety of the whole A83 trunk road, including the feasibility of removing pinchpoints and pedestrian safety in villages. Discussions have already started between officials and the local community. Transport Scotland has a programme of meetings, which I will not list in the interest of brevity, which I will pass on to the member. Further meetings with other local community groups are planned and I have kept in regular contact with the local member, who has also raised the issue.

I thank the minister for mentioning all those points. If they come to bear, that will be a great thing.

The minister has told me that there is the potential for a far larger landslide to occur. Is he aware of the anxiety that is now being experienced by my constituents and others who have to sit at traffic lights in the area? Will he do everything in his power to ensure that the road is opened fully to two-way traffic as soon as possible, to keep things moving? Will he also recognise that everyone in Argyll and Bute—and, indeed, beyond—knows that capital investment is going to be needed on the route to prevent further landslides and closures? The Scottish Government must accept that and the strategic importance of the A83—something that, with due respect, it is currently failing to do.

Obviously, I do not accept the member’s latter point. We understand the strategic nature of the A83 and the need for people to use it, and we are very much aware of what happens when it is not open to local people. That is why we and Transport Scotland will do the various things that I have mentioned.

The very thing that makes us a spectacular part of the country is what leads to landslips, and no Government can prevent landslips from happening. We can, however, try to mitigate the effects of those landslips either for the safety of individuals or for the convenience of people who are trying to move around the country, to which the member refers. Therefore, we will take the actions that I have mentioned. Capital expenditure will come into it, and that expenditure could be absolutely huge depending on what we want to do, which is a question for the Government.

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Social Rented Housing (Glasgow East End)

3. To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to support the building of more social rented housing in the east end of Glasgow. (S4O-00591)

I have taken the east end to mean the two local housing forum areas of east centre and Calton and Baillieston, Shettleston and greater Easterhouse. Current planned expenditure in 2011-12 for new social rented housing is £24.477 million, with 47 unit approvals and a possible additional 50 units for Scottish Veterans housing association. Support is being provided through a number of routes including the transfer of management of development funding, which, since 2003, has been managed by Glasgow City Council; Glasgow Housing Association new build; the Commonwealth games village; and Scottish Veterans housing association. Future years’ programmes have not yet been agreed but carry forward commitments from 2012-13 onwards for social rented housing in the east end and are currently worth in excess of £41 million.

Does the minister agree that, as well as producing houses, house building is very good for producing jobs because it is labour intensive and creates jobs and apprenticeships?

I very much agree with that. That is why we have said that the huge cut in capital expenditure of around 32 per cent over the next three years will be detrimental to our efforts to create more jobs in the construction industry. We take that point on board, which has been underlined by John Swinney’s moves to try, where possible, to take money from revenue and put it into capital. Those projects—whether road building, transport projects or housing—create jobs so that, instead of having people claim benefit, we can give them wages and they, in turn, can pay tax. That seems to be a virtuous circle.

On the capability of housing associations such as Glasgow Housing Association and others to build more social rented housing, how does the minister respond to the view of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations that the current subsidy of £40,000 is not sustainable to meet the Scottish Government’s manifesto commitment to build 6,000 affordable homes for rent annually?

We have had discussions with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations on that issue, most recently this week, and we know of its concern. However, we should consider the success of the innovation and investment funding of around £110 million, which will result in there being more than £400 million of expenditure on housing next year. We should also consider the fact that Shelter, which has made a similar point, asked for £610 million to be dedicated to new house building and we have provided about £600 million. From that, it is evident that we are doing as much as possible on affordable housing and, in most cases, almost as much as the stakeholders have asked of us. However, we have heard the concerns of the SFHA that the member mentions and we will continue to discuss those with it.

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Broadband Take-up (Glasgow)

4. To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase broadband take-up in Glasgow. (S4O-00592)

Broadband access is generally available in Glasgow, but to take up such access the household is required to purchase it from a broadband provider. Data from the Scottish household survey for 2009-10 indicates that 60 per cent of households in Glasgow had broadband access, compared with a figure of 64 per cent for Scotland as a whole. Total home internet access was 63 per cent in Glasgow, compared with 67 per cent in Scotland.

Earlier this month, the Scottish Government issued a publication entitled “Digital Participation in Scotland: A Review of the Evidence”. The findings of that research will inform our approach to addressing digital participation and broadband take-up in Glasgow and throughout Scotland. We will work on that during this session of Parliament with the public, private and third sectors, particularly through the digital participation action group, which was set up after the GovCamp Scotland event that was held towards the end of last year.

As Glasgow’s broadband infrastructure could support higher uptake than the present level, and given that there is an issue about computer access, does the cabinet secretary agree that greater public access to computers should be supported in schools, libraries and further education college community campuses?

Yes, I agree. It might be of interest to the member to know that, in the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s autumn statement last year, he announced an additional £100 million for the development of superfast broadband services in the capital cities and six other cities in the United Kingdom. Glasgow was identified as potentially being one of those other cities. Obviously, we are actively pursuing that with the UK Government.

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Railway Investment (Highland Main Line and Inverness to Aberdeen Line)

5. To ask the Scottish Government what investments it has planned for the Highland main line and the Inverness to Aberdeen railway. (S4O-00593)

Two extra services each way were introduced on the Highland main line in December 2011. As the next step, journey-time improvements are expected for some services on the line from December 2012. Network Rail is examining a number of options to improve the Inverness to Aberdeen railway line, including reducing journey times by approximately 20 minutes, enhanced service frequency and possible new stations at Dalcross and Kintore.

I thank the minister for that reply, for the on-going consultation on the 2014 rail franchise and, most important, for the £50 million investment in the Caledonian sleeper service. Highland concerns about the sleeper service have now moved on to the Highland Chieftain service, which is run by East Coast. In effect, that means the United Kingdom Government, but it is yet to consult on something that is to change in 2013. Will the minister write to the UK Government to encourage it to act and end the uncertainty connected with the Highland Chieftain?

The member mentions the 2014 rail consultation. Despite all the comments that have been made on that, some extremely productive discussions have taken place throughout the country when Transport Scotland officials and others have gone to railway stations to talk to people at first hand. That kind of consultation is absolutely essential when a major franchise is being let. I am not sure why the UK Government has not yet initiated such a consultation for the 2013 franchise, which begins before ours, but I am happy to look into writing to the UK Government as the member suggests.

I draw the minister’s attention to the situation at Insch station in Aberdeenshire, where northbound trains have to stop at the platform opposite the village because of restrictions that are caused by the single track. Consequently, passengers with mobility issues or prams and pushchairs have to cross the footbridge to access the village. Will the minister meet me and local councillor Allison Grant to discuss the matter and to see whether a solution can be found?

The member will be aware that many of the improvements that we have carried out to railway stations along the lines of those suggested at Insch station come from a process and project that is managed jointly by us and the Department for Transport. As the member well knows, that has recently led to the improvements that have been announced for Dyce station. I am more than happy to meet the member to discuss the issue.

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Noise and Vibration (Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine Railway)

6. To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to compensate households affected by noise and vibration from coal freight trains on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine railway line or to ameliorate the disturbance. (S4O-00594)

Clackmannanshire Council and Transport Scotland have employed Network Rail to install acoustic barriers by way of noise mitigation. Contractors have been appointed by Network Rail, and works have now commenced. As a result of noise and vibration monitoring and assessment, acoustic barriers will be installed at 68 properties.

Network Rail manages the process of evaluating other claims for compensation, under part 1 of the Land Compensation (Scotland) Act 1973, for residents who consider their properties to have been devalued as a result of the reinstated railway.

I thank the minister for his reply and for agreeing to meet me to discuss the issue in further detail.

Does the minister accept the facts that have been made clear to the Public Petitions Committee, namely that the parliamentary private bill committee on the railway was misled, as were the public, the minister and then leader of Clackmannanshire Council and I, as the local member of the Scottish Parliament at the time? Scottish Power and DB Schenker stated on the record at the Public Petitions Committee that night trains were always going to run and were critical to the adequate supply of coal to Longannet. The impact study, which Keith Brown ordered as leader of Clackmannanshire Council, presumably advised by Transport Scotland, was based on the false premise that there would be no night trains. Will the minister now ensure that our mutual constituents are compensated for the overall permanent effect of the night trains and for the three years of hell that they have been through since the line opened? Will he also undertake to ensure that noise levels are retested after the mitigation measures are completed in March?

Richard Simpson’s final point sounds like a sensible proposition and I undertake to look at it and discuss it further with him when we meet.

The private bill committee was established when neither he nor I were in the Parliament, and it will have to answer to his points. He has made the point about the undertakings that were given previously and that he and I received when he was MSP for the area and I was leader of the council, and we have been through the discussion before. What is most important now is that we try to take the necessary action to address the concerns of local residents.

Compensation claims are a matter for Network Rail, but I will keep a close eye on the situation.

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Scottish Water and Business Stream (Meetings)

7. To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the board of Scottish Water and the management team of Business Stream. (S4O-00595)

I met Richard Ackroyd and Ronnie Mercer on Thursday 12 January 2012. Mr Ackroyd is chief executive of Scottish Water and Mr Mercer is chair of Scottish Water and Business Stream. I last met the board of Scottish Water on 29 November 2011 and the chief executive of Business Stream on 26 October 2011.

I know that the cabinet secretary is fully aware of the challenge of fuel poverty in Scotland. A major element of that has been the rapid increases in energy prices. The almost simultaneous timing of those increases and the similarity in their percentage level suggest a lower level of competition among the current major suppliers than is either desirable or in customers’ interest. Subject to state-aid provisions, will the cabinet secretary ask the board of Scottish Water to consider the creation of a subsidiary à la Business Stream that will enter the domestic energy marketplace to create much-needed competition and secure the interests of customers who would, additionally, be stakeholders in such a company?

I agree with what the member said about the levels of fuel poverty and the impact of the price increases that were announced before Christmas. I welcome the recent average 5 per cent price reduction, but that has to be compared with the average price increase of 15 per cent that was announced prior to Christmas.

Scottish Water is already diversifying into renewable energy and has a subsidiary company that leads that diversification. I would be happy to send the member more details of Scottish Water’s involvement in renewable energy.

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Construction (Lanarkshire)

8. To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment has had with construction sector representatives in Lanarkshire and what issues were discussed. (S4O-00596)

I have regular discussions with representatives of the construction sector and Construction Scotland, the industry leadership group that represents the construction sector throughout Scotland. I am currently planning a follow-up summit with key members of the sector to consider specific issues in relation to procurement. The construction sector in Lanarkshire will be represented.

Construction Scotland is an industry-led initiative that aims to drive improvements in Scotland’s construction sector. Its members are drawn from the public and private sectors. It seeks to encourage best practice, improve research and increase communication across the construction sector. It is currently leading on the development of a refreshed strategy for the sector, supported by Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Government.

We continue to support the construction industry through investment in infrastructure, social housing and skills and training.

I thank the cabinet secretary for that full answer, but I will bring him to a specific issue in my constituency. Is he aware that the construction of the M8 upgrade, which is now due for completion six years later than planned, will eventually allow for the creation of a new road leading from Peter D Stirling Ltd’s Mossend railhead depot to the new M8 network?

If that road is not given planning approval, it will result in the loss of a great deal of potential construction work, of increased road and rail freight and of new jobs for my constituency, which is badly in need of them following recent construction job losses. However, there are obstacles in the way of the plan that Transport Scotland and Scottish Enterprise could help to address.

Will the cabinet secretary instruct officials at Scottish Enterprise and Transport Scotland to enter into discussions with me and residents in Bellshill who would be affected by the proposed road, so that all viable options for the railhead road can be explored and the proposal’s economic benefits can be delivered in due course?

I am well aware of the project to which Michael McMahon refers. The upgrade of the M8 is vital to the future of not only the Lanarkshire economy but the Scottish economy.

I am more than happy to meet Michael McMahon, Scottish Enterprise and Transport Scotland to try to address any blockages to the M8 project. However, I must be careful not to make any comment on a pending planning application.

With that restriction, I will be happy to pursue the matter and discuss it in detail with the member if he writes to me with more detail of his concerns.