SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Post Office Network Change Programme
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an update on its response to the post office network change programme. (S3O-636)
The Scottish Government continues to work to ensure that the post office network change programme results in the maintenance of an effective post office network in Scotland. Our aim is to ensure that Scottish interests are well understood and that there are robust and transparent consultation processes that allow communities to play a full part in safeguarding local services. On 22 June, I met Alan Cook, managing director of Post Office Ltd; on 18 September, I met the Postal Services Commission; and, this evening, I will meet the National Federation of SubPostmasters in Scotland.
The minister will be aware that, under the network change programme, Falkirk and parts of east Dunbartonshire, which fall within the region that I represent, will be among the first to be affected by closures. What progress has been made on the commitment that he made on 23 May to take forward discussions about co-locating post offices with, for example, police stations or other public services?
As the Government has made clear on a number of occasions, we are encouraging people to view the network change programme as an opportunity to protect postal services by co-locating them with other public services, not just in police stations. Indeed, in my visits around the country, I have seen a number of very good examples of how public organisations are trying to co-locate services.
Is the minister aware that Post Office Ltd has decided to close the Crown post office in Glenrothes and relocate services to W H Smith in the Kingdom centre? I have been in constant communication with Post Office Ltd and have been told that, although some changes might be made at the edges, it is absolutely determined that its decision will not be changed as a result of the consultation. Does the minister share my concern that a town the size of Glenrothes will be landed with a less efficient postal service and will he join me in putting pressure on Post Office Ltd to think again on this matter? Perhaps he might be able to do so at his next meeting with the organisation.
I acknowledge the concerns that members across the chamber have expressed on the proposals for the Crown post office network and the significant issues that they raise. The criteria in the network change programme have been designed to ensure that individuals in urban and rural situations have appropriate and ready access to post office services, and I want to ensure that such a service is delivered in Glenrothes and other parts of the community. I will, of course, take up with Post Office Ltd the issues that were raised by Tricia Marwick on behalf of her constituents in Glenrothes.
Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route
To ask the Scottish Executive why it will not make a statement on its intended method of financing the Aberdeen western peripheral route until any public inquiry on objections to the road has been completed. (S3O-656)
We will examine the funding of the Aberdeen western peripheral route for its suitability for taking forward under our proposed Scottish futures trust. The procurement of the scheme will proceed as the statutory process takes its course.
I have a letter from Alex Salmond dated 15 June 2007 in which he says that he will ensure that the road
No.
What is the current estimate of the increase in cost of financing the western peripheral route that will result from the minister's decision to delay its construction by a year? What share of that cost will be borne by council tax payers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire?
The scheme cost remains £295 million to £395 million. The member refers to my announcement of a new date for the completion of the Aberdeen western peripheral route, but I draw to his attention the fact that I inherited every single day of delay, which I reflected in the announcement of a 2012 completion date.
I ask the minister to give an assurance that, whatever he decides about the future funding of the project, he will not let his ideological aims and objectives get in the way of its progress and that not a single penny will be added to the local taxpayers bill as a result.
I am sure that the member knows that, as a north-east member, I share other members' belief in the urgent need to address the issue of traffic in Aberdeen. I will work night and day to ensure not only that we deliver the project that Aberdeen needs, but that we do so at a cost that is affordable and through the use of a funding mechanism that is more effective in cost terms than the discredited PPP system.
What further progress has been made on starting the northern leg of the AWPR?
I am pleased to say that this week detailed ground investigations have commenced on the northern leg. The work will involve the drilling of approximately 100 boreholes and 183 trial pits and the deployment of 30 geotechnical engineers, geologists, drillers, ecologists and archaeologists. That work is firm and real evidence of our determination to make early progress when we can.
Further to Richard Baker's question, I give the minister a third opportunity to say to what extent the additional costs of the project will be borne by local council tax payers. What part of the envelope of £295 million to £395 million will now be paid by council tax payers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire?
I am sure that the member knows that the price range that I quoted, which remains the same, is based on 81 per cent of the costs being met by the Scottish Government, 9.5 per cent of them being met by Aberdeen City Council and 9.5 per cent of them being met by Aberdeenshire Council. There is no change.
Court Services (North-east)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that excellent court services are available across the north-east of Scotland. (S3O-653)
The delivery of excellent court services across the north-east and, indeed, all of Scotland will be achieved through the Scottish Government's summary justice reform programme, which includes steps to get cases to and through court more quickly, the use of effective direct measures—non-court disposals—investment in lay justice and the unification of the administration of all Scotland's summary criminal courts.
Does the minister agree that people in rural areas should have access to local courts and that the centralisation of court services in Aberdeen would be a short-sighted move, whereas the provision of a sheriff court building in Inverurie, along with the retention of the lay court, would be a welcome investment in that rural area? If so, will he intervene to halt the proposal to close Inverurie district court, which would involve all business being moved to Aberdeen? That move is opposed by local people, Aberdeenshire Council and local justices of the peace.
The consultation on courts in the Grampian Highland and Islands sheriffdom is on-going and will not end until 30 September 2007. Accordingly, it would be entirely inappropriate for me to make any comment or commitment until all have had an opportunity to contribute to that consultation. I understand that the member who has an interest in the matter has a meeting organised with Scottish Court Service officials, which I am sure she will attend.
Strategic Spending Review (Efficiency Savings)
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in identifying efficiency savings to be included as part of the strategic spending review. (S3O-680)
As we have said before, we plan to deliver efficiency savings of at least 1.5 per cent each year in the period 2008-11. The detail is being informed by work on the strategic spending review 2007, which will focus on achieving the Government's purpose and strategic objectives. Spending plans to deliver our purpose, objectives and commitments will be announced in the autumn.
Will the cabinet secretary specifically rule out the suggestion in the Howat report that the bus route development grant be cancelled? That would cut bus services in my constituency and throughout Scotland. Furthermore, will he confirm whether the commitment in the Scottish National Party manifesto for a £4 million investment in modern buses is still under consideration or whether that is another SNP promise that is here today and gone tomorrow?
I say to Mr Kelly what I have said to Parliament many times: the contents of the Howat report—I gently remind members that it was commissioned by the previous Administration—are to inform the spending review. We inherited the Howat report and were the first to publish it, despite my efforts to get hold of it before the election. I specifically ruled out one of the report's provisions but said that I was not prepared to rule out any of the others, as the report had to be considered.
The cabinet secretary might be aware that, as well as being asked by some people to rule out all the recommendations in the Howat report, he is being challenged by the same people to double the rate of efficiency savings to 3 per cent per annum. How could he achieve efficiency savings of 3 per cent per annum if he were to rule out every recommendation in the Howat report?
Mr Brownlee rather effectively points out the hypocrisy that I hear from Labour members and the inherent contradiction in their arguments when they criticise me one minute for taking forward measures to deliver efficiency and the next for not taking forward enough of them. Mr Brownlee's point is well made, if I may say so, and I look forward to members of other parties being infected by the constructive spirit that he has brought to our proceedings.
Is the cabinet secretary aware that the Howat review recommended merging the antisocial behaviour and community safety budgets? Will he give my constituents greater reassurance than I received from the Minister for Community Safety in his reply to my recent letter on future funding to tackle antisocial behaviour? He said that no guarantees could be given that such funding would continue and that community partnerships would just have to plan
It would be a step forward on the approach of our predecessors.
Energy Policy
To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to bring forward a distinct energy policy and from what sources it expects to replace current installed nuclear capacity with non-nuclear alternatives. (S3O-658)
Ministers are currently meeting a broad range of stakeholders to discuss energy policy. Arising from that work, the Scottish Government will produce a statement setting out a strategic overview for energy policy in Scotland by the end of the year. That will set out key objectives and priorities for Scotland and provide the context for the Government, industry and other stakeholders to take forward a range of specific initiatives. We expect Scotland's future electricity needs to be fully met from renewable energy and clean fossil fuel technologies.
The minister is aware of the many wind farm developments that are being constructed onshore and offshore. They are limited in their constant power production. When can we expect to see more support for wave and tidal power projects, which would seem to be the obvious solution?
We are seeing that already. We have approved such a project in Orkney, and I expect to see more in the future. However, I am sure that John Farquhar Munro will agree that we should not provide support at any price or anywhere. It will be done in a seemly manner, consistent with the interests of Scotland and its regions.
Does the minister agree that it is important not only to increase the supply of energy from renewable energy resources, but to decrease overall energy demand? I draw to his attention the fact that more than 160,000 homes were built in Scotland under the previous Administration, the vast majority of them meeting only minimum building standards—standards comparable to those in Scandinavian countries some 30 years ago. What steps has the Government taken and what steps will it take to improve energy efficiency in our homes and public buildings? What impact can such initiatives have on Scotland's energy policy?
That will be covered in our energy strategy, and we will take specific steps to encourage different behaviour, more awareness, different levels of consumption and energy efficiency. At a recent event in Cowal in my constituency, GTi, a local energy efficiency provider, came together with builders, the local enterprise company—Argyll and the Islands Enterprise—and Argyll College to discuss what they could do for new builds in the area, to learn from the Scandinavian lessons, and to ensure that there are youngsters able to do energy efficiency work in existing homes.
Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (Guidance)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to issue fresh guidance to schools and colleges to ensure that they meet their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. (S3O-632)
The Disability Rights Commission has published guidance on the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 for education authorities and grant-aided schools. In addition, the Scottish Government is revising its guidance to education authorities on improving access to education for disabled pupils in schools. That will include reference to education authorities' new disability equality duties and requirements under the DDA. The Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council issued advice about the act to Scotland's colleges on 16 December 2005, which included a self-evaluation toolkit to help prepare them for the introduction of the act. The council has no plans to issue fresh guidance.
I am pleased to hear the minister's answer, but how concerned is he to note that the Disability Rights Commission is considering a potential breach of the act by schools in Scotland that have acquiesced with selection criteria applied by the British Army during its school visits programme that specifically prohibit children with learning difficulties from taking part in activities with the armed forces?
I certainly agree with the sentiments that Christine Grahame has expressed. Schools should not be involved in any activity that discriminates against disabled pupils under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. We would need further details about the circumstances of the particular case before reaching a view on it. However, it is helpful that the Disability Rights Commission is involved.
Before we come to First Minister's question time, I am sure that members will join me in warmly welcoming the Lord Speaker, the right hon Baroness Hayman, who is in the gallery. [Applause.]
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