Local Produce
It is vital that the people of Scotland have access to the fantastic range of food and drink products that we have right here on our doorstep, and this offering is also available to all those who visit our shores, of course. That is why, over the next three years, we will invest £3.2 million to support think local and the community food fund; to support Scottish food champions to encourage our tourism businesses to offer Scottish produce; to support sourcing for growth—which is about bringing together our local supply chains—and to support prestigious food and drink events across the country, such as our annual Scottish food and drink fortnight.
I thank the cabinet secretary for his reply. What action is the Government taking to spread a culture of belief in buying local produce? Such produce is often perceived as having an expensive price tag, but in fact it can be the most economical way of feeding a family. Action in this area could be processed through the education system or could involve other aspects of the buying and use of local produce.
That is an important point on a topical theme. It is, indeed, the case that families can have affordable, healthy and nutritious meals using local ingredients when they cook at home, and food education has a large role to play in that. Michael Russell, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, and I are working together on a number of food education initiatives to ensure, at least, that the next generation is able to do that.
Scottish Police Authority
The Scottish Government provides direction to the Scottish Police Authority on an on-going basis in a range of different ways. We have a strong working relationship with the SPA and we continue to support the authority on a daily basis. The Scottish Government also has a range of specific responsibilities, which include agreeing and putting in place an appropriate framework document, setting the SPA’s strategic priorities, approving its strategic police plan and setting its annual budget.
Iain Whyte, an SPA board member, has been quoted as saying:
I think that we have got the question, Ms McInnes.
Does the cabinet secretary now regret that?
I have had no need to invoke the power of direction. I have been working closely with the SPA, as have my staff and the chief constable and his staff. I disagree with some of the comments that have been attributed to Iain Whyte, but I hold him in high regard. He served as the convener of the board of Lothian and Borders Police.
School Closures
The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010 makes it clear that educational benefits should be a key consideration when an education authority proposes a significant change to its schools estate. When an education authority proposes a school closure, there is a statutory requirement that it must provide an educational benefits statement, and Education Scotland must provide an independent report on the educational aspects.
Where Education Scotland finds that a proposal does not give sufficient consideration to the impact on the local community of closing a school; where it takes the view that closure might have a detrimental impact on the education of some young people, particularly those with additional support needs, who require careful transition planning; where it finds that stakeholders are justifiably concerned about the timescale for implementation and the lack of evidence on the possible detrimental effect on young people’s education; and where it finds that concerns about the walking route are also justified, would the cabinet secretary expect any local authority to amend its proposals significantly?
Once Education Scotland has submitted a report containing such information, the education authority must explain, in its final consultation report, how it has reviewed its proposal in the light of the Education Scotland report, and of any other representations that it has received. In determining a school closure case, I will of course look closely at the Education Scotland report and the authority’s response to it, along with the other relevant documentation.
Will Education Scotland give any weight to the informal consultation in the East Dunbartonshire Council area, which has been deeply flawed and has caused a great deal of misery?
Internal consultations are not part of the legislation and so do not form part of the process. The informal consultation that is being undertaken by East Dunbartonshire Council invites views on a number of options. The council has a statutory duty to ensure that there is adequate and efficient provision of school education in its area, and it is accountable for the decisions that it takes. I understand, however, that the council has not taken any firm decision. If East Dunbartonshire Council formally proposes to close a school, the clear statutory process that is in place requires it to undertake a public consultation—as is set out in the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.
Can members check that they do not have their mobile phones close to any speakers? I am getting feedback in my ears.
Child Protection (Alleged Sexual Abuse)
In all cases where allegations of child sexual abuse have been raised, social services, the police and other relevant agencies must ensure the safety of the child and identify whether any on-going actions are necessary to protect the child and others. A range of issues is considered, including whether the child needs counselling or therapy. Local authorities assess each case on its own merits to determine what level of support and protection is required by the child, for the immediate future and in the longer term.
As the minister knows, some young children do not respond well to interview and, for one reason or another, a physical examination is not carried out. Then, despite a family member still having concerns for the child’s wellbeing, no further investigation is carried out by the police or social services, because they say that there is no evidence to prove that abuse is occurring.
The Scottish Government does not tolerate any form of abuse at all. Our practices are delivered through the prism of the getting it right for every child approach, and we want to ensure the safety and protection of our most vulnerable children.
Access to Further Education (Fife)
The Fife colleges have yet to submit to me their business case in support of merger—to which the colleges declared a commitment last November—but when they do so, I will consider it carefully. I will also consult all those who might have an interest in the prospective merger before I decide whether to approve it.
That does not seem to be a commitment that there will be no reduction in access to courses in Fife. I will continue to press the cabinet secretary on the issue, which is important in the context of the proposed change.
Mr Rennie should not put words in my mouth. I made it clear that I have not seen the business case. When I have seen it, I will consider it, and of course I will consider representations on it. I will take what I have just heard as a representation on the business case.
Passport System
I would expect a Scottish passport system to be in place on independence. [Applause.] That is the easiest applause that I have ever had.
On doorsteps and in surgeries, I have been asked by constituents what will happen to their passports in the unfortunate circumstances of a yes vote in 2014—[Interruption.]
Order. Let us hear the member.
Can the minister tell members and the people of Scotland what will happen to their current British passports? Will there be a cost involved in changing over by 2016? Will the British Government honour people’s current passports? Will Scottish people have access to British embassies around the world after separation?
I was not even born in 1979, but that sounded like a throwback to those days.
Renewables Target 2020
We expect and want a wide range of renewables technologies to be developed to help Scotland to meet its target. That range includes onshore and offshore wind turbines, in the right places, guided by a planning and consent process that we will ensure remains fit for purpose.
What is the Scottish Government’s response to the recent academic study that was published by the eminent scientist Professor Gordon Hughes of the University of Edinburgh? The report reveals that although newly erected wind turbines have a load factor of 28 per cent, the load factor falls by half, to 15 per cent, after 15 years of life, which means that to meet renewable energy targets we would need twice as many wind turbines as are currently proposed. Surely the research drives a coach and horses through the Scottish Government’s energy strategy.
It was David Cameron who said:
Do the renewables targets mean that the Scottish Government is likely to overturn a local planning decision, which accords with the wishes of my constituents, to reject a wind turbine at Annathill in my constituency?
I apologise to Elaine Smith; I did not catch the very beginning of her question. She will appreciate that it would be utterly inappropriate for me to make any comment on a live application, but I can say, for her benefit and for the benefit of other members—I hope that this is relevant to her question, not all of which I caught, but I will reply to her in writing later—that, in the vast majority of cases, which is to say in two thirds of cases, Scottish ministers have upheld the decisions of local planning authorities. Those are the facts.
Does the Scottish Government consider that the export potential of our clean energy, in particular that of our wind energy output, is essential to providing clean electricity security for Scotland?
Yes, that output is more important than ever before, as has been illustrated by the bleak warnings, which the Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets issued last October and again this week, that the capacity margin for meeting the electricity needs of the United Kingdom is dwindling from 14 per cent over peak demand—when “Coronation Street” is on on a cold winter’s evening—to just 4 per cent.
In the area between Kirknewton and Shotts, the combination of applications, consents and active sites means that we could have around 20 wind farms. I know that the minister is a reasonable man, so does he accept that a free-for-all resulting in such an overconcentration is undermining the very policy that he promotes?
I accept back-handed compliments even from the most unlikely of sources.
Flood Protection (North East Scotland)
We are helping to protect communities across the whole of Scotland from flooding by working with our partners to implement the Flood Risk Management (Scotland) Act 2009. We provide funding through the local government settlement for local authorities to continue to invest in flood protection schemes. Local authorities can apply for that funding on the basis of criteria that have been agreed by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
Can the minister outline what support is being given to the community in Stonehaven in the aftermath of flooding that has resulted in the closure of the town’s Maritime Rescue Institute? On mitigation of the impact of flooding in the north-east, can he clarify why Grampian is not one of the areas in the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s extended floodline warning service?
On Richard Baker’s first question, I saw for myself when I visited Stonehaven the support that the Scottish flood forum is giving to the community there.