SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review the grounds for objecting to the designation of a site of special scientific interest to include economic, social and other factors. (S1O-4911)
I have no plans to review that particular aspect of the matter. Scottish Natural Heritage may not take non-scientific objections into account when confirming the notification of an SSSI. The selection is made on a scientific basis to ensure that the SSSI series represents the most important examples of Scotland's habitats, species and geology. SNH can, however, take social, economic and other factors into account when making decisions about the management of SSSIs. We are considering giving local communities a stronger voice in those management decisions.
I thank the minister for that reply, the terms of which I was broadly aware of. Does he not accept that, although it is necessary to protect plant and animal species, it is also essential to protect the human species? Increasingly, in many parts of Scotland—not least on the islands of Yell, Islay and Arran—communities are extremely concerned about the sometimes unfair and draconian impact of SSSIs. Does the minister not accept that the designation, with its detailed and onerous conditions, is perhaps really more suited to preserving and protecting meadows in Sussex than it is to preserving and protecting tracts of land in Scotland?
One really has to draw a distinction when there is a serious attempt, on a scientific basis, to protect Scotland's natural heritage: having designated a particular area, one must then consider how to manage it. When people consider the list of potentially damaging activities that is issued for SSSIs, there is a slight tendency to conclude that the whole of the list must be applied in every case. However, that is simply not the way in which the regulations are written.
Is the minister aware that recent market research has indicated that 71 per cent of owners were proud to have an SSSI on their land; that 78 per cent said that they had a good relationship with SNH; and that 71 per cent did not see the SSSI as causing them any problems? Does the minister agree that Scotland's natural heritage is a wonderful asset for Scotland? Will he join me in condemning Fergus Ewing's rather shabby attempt to undermine essential conservation measures in Scotland?
I am well aware of the very high percentage—in the 70s—of people who think that SSSIs are effective and who are very happy to have them designated. I hope that Fergus Ewing is not attempting to undermine the basis on which such sites are designated. The figures show that there is a high degree of satisfaction where practical and co-operative steps are taken in the management of SSSIs. We must ensure that that applies across all SSSIs.
I would not want to undermine SSSI designations, but I am sure that the minister is aware of the strong objections to the proposed SSSIs on Arran, Barra and Yell. Has he considered making a special case for island communities such as Arran, Barra and Yell, whose social and economic infrastructures will be jeopardised by the designations?
The premise that those communities will be damaged is quite erroneous. There is already an SSSI on Arran and it operates effectively. I have visited Arran because of the particular problems that have arisen there. I am staggered that people who are well aware of the way in which potentially damaging activities are regulated in the existing SSSI are making erroneous claims about the impact that the regulations would have on current activities. Mr Scott shakes his head, but I say to him that we have had a serious look at that. The real issue is the practical management of SSSIs, rather than their designation.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (Targets)
To ask the Scottish Executive what visitor number and revenue targets have been set for the proposed Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park. (S1O-4920)
No such targets have been set by the Scottish Executive. That will be an issue for the national park authority when it is established.
I thank the minister for the revelation that no targets have yet been set. Is he aware of the remarks by Councillor Gillie Thomson, who is the Labour chair of the road services user group and chair of the national park interim committee, that £20 million is required to upgrade Stirling's roads? As the funding to the national park remains £1 million or more lower than the budget requested, is the minister confident that the roads in the national park will take the strain of additional visitor numbers?
The figure is not £1 million lower. I presume that Mr Monteith is referring to the Scottish Natural Heritage figure of £5.3 million to £5.8 million. However, that applies to the amount needed for the third year of the park's operation. That might be £1 million more than the amount allocated for the first year, but it is not a comparable figure.
While recognising that the roads infrastructure is a problem, does the minister agree that the focus of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park is the future sustainable development of the area, which will involve local action points being fed directly into the national park plan? That will continue to involve working in partnership with local community groups, such as the community futures group, a meeting of which I attended recently in Lochearnhead.
I agree. That is the essential difference between the structure of national parks in Scotland and those that were designated in England, where local communities were excluded from the development of national parks. I agree with Sylvia Jackson that the correct approach for developing national parks must be partnership with local communities. We must also recognise that we are creating a national park for the benefit of the whole of Scotland.
There is genuine concern in my constituency about the total budget that is available to set up and implement Scotland's first national park. Will the minister reassure my constituents that he is confident that the budget will secure the success of the national park? That is an important issue for the Cowal and Argyll forest park area.
I agree that funding is of extreme importance. The most recent communication that I had from the interim committee was to the effect that it is satisfied with the £4.8 million allocation and that it believes that that money is sufficient to ensure that the national park gets off to the best possible start.
Education Policy (Consultation)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to take into account the opinions of pupils, parents, teachers and employers in developing future education policy. (S1O-4933)
The national debate on education that I launched yesterday is an opportunity to have an inclusive dialogue with pupils, parents, teachers, employers and everyone else with an interest in the future of school-age education.
I thank the minister for her response. It shows that the Parliament has at its heart real engagement with the people of Scotland and, in particular, with our children and young people. Will the minister reassure concerned parents in my constituency who want to educate their children in Catholic schools that they will be able to continue to choose to do so?
I am happy to give Elaine Smith that reassurance. The Executive believes that denominational schools make a positive contribution to the Executive's aims of raising attainment levels for pupils and promoting social inclusion. I look forward to hearing further information, views and opinions from the constituents whom Elaine Smith represents in the forthcoming national debate. I am sure that they will continue to put forward those views.
Water (Fluoridation)
To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals are being developed on fluoridation of the public water supply. (S1O-4923)
We propose to consult on a range of measures to improve children's oral health, including ways in which fluoride could be made available, maybe through fluoridation of the public water supplies. Details of our proposals for the consultation will be announced shortly.
I hope that the Parliament will acknowledge that tomorrow is world day for water. Given the outcome of the court cases involving Northumbrian Water, whose refusal to add fluoride to the water supply was upheld in the absence of a full indemnity from the Westminster Government against all claims, will the minister confirm that fluoridation of the water supply in Scotland is a complete non-starter unless the Scottish Executive provides such indemnity to Scottish Water? Is the minister prepared to do that?
It would be for the courts to determine liability in such circumstances. However, under current guidance and under section 172 of the Water Act 1989, the Executive will indemnify against any legal challenge a water authority that is carrying out fluoridation schemes that are requested by a health board.
On the eve of world day for water, which has the pertinent theme of water and health, will the minister join me in congratulating North Lanarkshire Council and the south Coatbridge social inclusion partnership on initiating pilot schemes in four Coatbridge primary schools to provide free accessible drinking water to pupils? Could the minister comment on that kind of provision for all Scotland's schoolchildren, given the obvious benefits to health and well-being?
I am happy to congratulate North Lanarkshire Council on that project. I acknowledge the benefits of water being available. It is up to local authorities whether they want to implement such provision, but I urge them to consider North Lanarkshire Council's pilot scheme.
Suicide
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is tackling suicide among young males. (S1O-4918)
As part of our drive to improve mental health and well-being, I launched a consultation last October on our draft national framework for the prevention of suicide and self-harm. I hope to publish the final version of the framework later this year. We are also providing financial backing for a new phone line that will go live on 8 April for people with low mood and depression who might be at risk of suicide.
Would the minister care to comment on the experience we had at the Edinburgh City Youth Cafe on Victoria Terrace? We hosted a health board pilot scheme offering counselling to potential suicides. From that, we learned first that it is a good scheme and that we need more such schemes offering counselling and, secondly, that there must be better support in social work for people who end counselling. People cannot be in counselling for ever.
The issue is complex and that is why the framework proposes a series of actions. Part of that is targeting actions on people who are at risk. As Donald Gorrie said, that is what happened in Edinburgh with some success. Again, he highlighted the important role of the voluntary sector. The important thing is that local alliances form and local action plans take a series of initiatives to deal with such a serious problem.
As the minister will know, young males constitute the largest age group of people who commit suicide in our society. As the cross-party group on children and young people heard at a meeting earlier this year, there are many complex and different reasons for that. Does the minister agree that organisations such as the Samaritans, and other voluntary and statutory agencies, have a key role to play in offering counselling and support to vulnerable youngsters? Will he ensure that sufficient resources are available to ensure that their work will continue?
Those organisations certainly play a valuable role and I pay tribute to them. I hope that the phone line that I announced in my first answer will complement the splendid work that the Samaritans and others have done for such a long time.
I ask the minister and his colleague the Minister for Justice to examine the specific circumstances of the spate of young male suicides in the private prison at Kilmarnock. I ask them to identify whether any aspect of that regime needs to be improved to avoid a repetition of such suicides in the future.
It is extremely distressing when any young person commits suicide. That applies to young people in a range of prisons. The specific matter that the member has highlighted falls within the remit of the Minister for Justice. Unfortunately, we have heard of suicides in quite a large number of prisons.
Teachers Induction Scheme
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial or other assistance it is giving to local authorities to ensure that all those seeking a probationary year under the teachers induction scheme are able to secure such a position without the cessation of any existing temporary contracts for teachers already in post. (S1O-4901)
The guarantee of a one-year training contract for all eligible probationary teachers will be met. Appropriate measures are being taken in partnership with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to ensure that that is achieved and that it is adequately funded. As with all teaching posts, the position relating to teachers who are on temporary contracts is a matter for individual local authorities.
The minister's reply will not satisfy many of the young teachers already in temporary posts who are being told that their jobs might well not last beyond the summer. Everyone supports the teachers induction scheme but, as the father of a young female teacher in Glasgow said to me yesterday, it would be unacceptable if that scheme were to be implemented at the expense of existing teachers. Will the minister ensure that local authorities have the additional assistance that is necessary to ensure that experienced teachers and teachers who are already in post do not suffer as a result of the introduction of the induction posts?
I will undertake to do that. We have been having close discussions with all the local authorities. We wrote to them last week to reconfirm the number of training posts that will be available. We are discussing with them the significant number of new teachers who are coming through the system and who have been given the guarantee, not only by the Executive but by COSLA and the teaching organisations that are represented on the Scottish negotiating committee for teachers.
I welcome the new move forward. What will be done about teachers who qualified in 2001? Some of those teachers are still not in jobs or are in temporary jobs. They have two years of probation to do and are concerned that they will not be able to complete their probation.
The point is the same. We are moving from an old system that was unsatisfactory and in which there were problems. The average time taken to complete the probationary period was three and a half years. We are moving to a new system in which the probationary period will be completed in one year. Significant improvements will be made. Some young teachers are still in the old system. Because arrangements for the new scheme might be unsatisfactory for them, we have made concessions that will speed up the process of their training. That has been agreed with the SNCT. Other issues will arise during the next few weeks and months. I am determined that those issues should be tackled fairly.
River Clyde (Regeneration)
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will provide for regeneration of the River Clyde. (S1O-4915)
In November, I established the River Clyde working group to progress an ambitious strategy to maximise economic development along the River Clyde. The working group will bring together and add value to the many regeneration initiatives that are under way.
The minister will be aware of the appalling scenes of dereliction that scar both banks of the Clyde along much of its course from Glasgow to Dumbarton and Greenock. What action will the Scottish Executive take, not just to restore derelict and vacant land to productive use, but specifically to decontaminate all the toxic sites that are adjacent to the Clyde? By what date will that task be completed?
As Kenneth Gibson will know, the Executive is currently involved in the Glasgow harbour project at Meadowside, the "Wall Street on the Clyde" proposals and the Pacific Quay proposals. I find it rather difficult to take that the SNP should want to encourage land development in Glasgow while opposing the proposals for the rebuilding of the city's council housing and of every secondary school in the city. The SNP has also opposed our transport plans for Glasgow.
National Scenic Area Designations
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to Scottish Natural Heritage's review of the national scenic area designation sent to it in 1999. (S1O-4903)
I hope to be able to do so shortly.
I hope that "shortly" will be shortly.
I am happy to agree with most of what Mr Raffan has said. The question has been one of priorities. We have had to implement a range of Scottish statutory instruments dealing with the legislation for the national parks. SNH's recommendation that the statutory obligations for the existing 40 NSAs should be reconfigured to allow greater flexibility and to recognise the degree of diversity to which Keith Raffan referred clearly needs to be brought forward as quickly as possible.
Rural Post Office Services
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government on the possible impact on rural areas of any reorganisation of post office services. (S1O-4926)
Consignia, post offices and postal services are a reserved matter. However, the Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a range of issues that include postal services, as Mr Stevenson will know from yesterday's members' business debate.
In last night's debate, the minister said:
I can certainly confirm that we have a real locus in the provision of services in rural areas. Yesterday evening, I also made it clear that, although the postal service is a reserved matter, we have a real interest in the provision of service delivery. In conjunction with Andy Kerr and the modernising government unit, we are looking closely at how we can embody some of the sensible suggestions that are coming from the "Your Guide" project. That might help in providing the framework that would assist the Post Office in the delivery of its services.
Is the minister aware that many members who were present for last night's debate on post office services were disappointed with his response to the debate? As always, he expressed kind words, but he offered no practical resolution to the issue of the future of post offices. Will he make real positive proposals that will allow our post offices to continue to operate in rural and deprived areas?
Hear, hear!
Anyone who says, "Hear, hear!" must believe that they are sitting in Westminster. The postal service is a reserved matter. To expect me to announce what Consignia will do is wholly unreasonable. I pointed out our commitment, which I will repeat, that Andy Kerr and our modernising government unit will consider whether brigading services would provide a foothold that would work and that would mean that post offices could survive. "Your Guide" offers another opportunity or link by which that can be done in Scotland. That is what Andy Kerr and I will work towards.
Planning (Historic Landscapes)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to use its planning powers to protect historic landscapes, such as the Carse of Gowrie, from development. (S1O-4914)
It is for the planning authority to set development plan policies for its area and to determine planning applications in accordance with the development plan. The Scottish Executive provides national policy guidelines, which planning authorities must take into account when forming their development plans.
Is the minister aware of the widespread local concerns in the eastern end of the Carse of Gowrie—the area that lies around the council boundaries of Dundee, Angus, and Perth and Kinross—at the proposed Dundee western gateway housing and industrial development that is set to be finalised in the Dundee and Angus structure plan? Is she aware of the huge opposition of local people to the prospect of hundreds of new houses being built on green belt and prime farming land and of their concern about the effect that such a massive development will have on a historic landscape? Will the minister ensure that local concerns are taken fully into account before approval is given to the finalised structure plan?
As many people are aware, Scottish ministers have to ensure that all the issues that are covered by a structure plan reflect established national planning policy. That is the case whether the issue concerns rural development, planning or the historic environment. We also have to take into account the views of those who have made representations about any aspect of any plan.
Is the minister aware that there is an active campaign in East Carse, which is called "Eyes off East Carse" and is led by an SNP councillor? Is she further aware that Perth and Kinross Council, in whose area the Carse of Gowrie lies, sees no cause for concern in the Angus and Dundee structure plan? Does she agree that, if such serious concerns exist, the Tory councillors in the Perth and Kinross Council administration might have made those views known? Will she resist any attempt to make planning a party political issue?
Roseanna Cunningham should take a taste of her own medicine.
Land Management (Access)
To ask the Scottish Executive how land managers will be able to carry out timber felling, lambing and other operations if they are unable temporarily to restrict access for reasons of land management and public safety and whether it has consulted the Health and Safety Executive and any other organisations on this issue. (S1O-4917)
In drafting part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill we consulted widely all relevant interests, including the Health and Safety Executive. The provisions of the bill do not affect the responsibilities of land managers under health and safety legislation. Part 1 of the bill requires that those exercising access rights should do so responsibly. Responsible exercise of access rights will not interfere with legitimate land management, such as timber felling or lambing. The Scottish outdoor access code will provide guidance on the exercise of responsible access.
Does the minister accept that access to land increases the potential liability of land managers? Will he consider an amendment to part 2 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill?
Two issues are involved. First, we must be clear about what is responsible access. As was made clear in yesterday's debate, "The Comeback Code", which was published after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth, demonstrated that the Scottish public is very capable of exercising responsible access to the countryside.
Does the minister recognise the public's response to the demands of the foot-and-mouth crisis and the existing satisfactory arrangements that are in place on Forestry Commission land, where felling, explosions and shooting take place subject to appropriate signage? Since 1995, open access arrangements have been in place at Mar Lodge. Those arrangements can accompany the working of commercially operated estates.
I am happy to acknowledge the points that Brian Fitzpatrick made about the growing evidence of the Scottish public's ability to exercise access to land in a responsible manner. I wish that the Tory party would stop peddling the nonsense that an army of people is pent up and ready to trample the countryside. That is arrant nonsense and the Tories should stop peddling it.
Will the minister confirm that the overwhelming number of responses to the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill were in favour of having fewer rather than more restrictions on access to the countryside? As a result, will the Executive pay more attention to the views of genuine lovers of the countryside rather than to the unrepresentative views of right-wing urban guerrillas such as Bill Aitken?
Dinosaur yesterday, urban guerrilla today: Bill Aitken is certainly moving on, if that is progress. Indeed, for Mr Aitken, that might well be progress. We will certainly not be listening to that particular faction when we fashion the bill. As the Conservatives' closing speech yesterday afternoon made clear, they stand alone on this issue, and very far apart from the whole of Scotland.
Green Office Week
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to support green office week from 18 to 22 March 2002. (S1O-4941)
Staff in a number of Scottish Executive buildings will be taking part in a stationery amnesty as part of green office action week. This is the first year that the Executive has participated in such an initiative. Furthermore, we are supporting Friends of the Earth Scotland's green office programme with an £88,000 grant which will be spread over this and the next two financial years and will assist in promoting green office action week and related events and services.
Given the tremendous environmental advantages of waste reduction as opposed to landfill, what action is the Executive taking to encourage local authorities, which employ nearly 250,000 people throughout Scotland, to reduce office waste and waste from other aspects of their operations, including from schools such as Bell Baxter High School in my constituency, whose pupils are in the gallery today? Will the national waste strategy include waste reduction targets? If so, how will the Executive encourage local authorities to reach those targets?
Local authorities are arguably at the leading edge of some of the work that Iain Smith mentions. I agree that we can improve the environment simply by opening up what many people call the stationery stash and using the material that is in there. Surprisingly, when 120 businesses took part in a similar exercise, £18,000-worth of stationery was reused instead of disposed of, which meant that new office equipment did not have to be purchased. As a result, valuable natural resources were saved.
I would be terribly grateful if the Executive could make our offices greener and save public money by cutting down on spin and the fortune spent on its glossy policy documents, which use extremely high-quality paper when cheap paper would do perfectly well. Does the Executive not agree that the wages of spin are high enough already?
Hmm. [Laughter.] I will not say yes to that question, because we want to present our policies to the people of Scotland in a way that they can understand, assimilate and respond to. It is a good idea for Government to relate to the community and other interested parties and communicate with them in a clear and straightforward manner.
Equine Passports
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce equine passports as is proposed in England and Wales. (S1O-4895)
As required by European Union legislation, by 31 December 2003, all horses, ponies and donkeys in Scotland will require to have a passport.
I thank the minister for his response. I just hope that MSPs will not have to countersign the applications.
That is probably an early plea for an exemption.
Schools (Exchange Visits)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to facilitate an increase in exchange visits between Scottish and European schools. (S1O-4942)
Yes. We encourage schools in Scotland to take advantage of all opportunities for exchanges, links and co-operation with schools abroad. We facilitate exchanges with European schools by means of our involvement in European Union education programmes, such as the Comenius programme, which supports school links and projects involving schools and pupils from different EU countries.
From the minister's answer, it is clear that the Executive recognises the benefits that can be derived from such visits. Will the minister consider the benefits of other measures, such as buddy systems, which involve giving Scottish youngsters a pen friend and access to e-mail, so that they can interact with young people abroad?
I would be prepared to investigate further that possibility. In the past 12 months, every European Union country and most of the accession states have been visited either by pupils or by teachers from Scotland. We want to have more exchanges of that sort. Clearly, such exchanges can be strengthened and developed further through the use of e-mail, the internet and videoconferencing. As long as that can be done appropriately and safely, it is clearly to be encouraged.
Will the minister join me in commending the work that is being undertaken by North Ayrshire virtual school of modern languages? Does he agree that projects of that sort, which enable local children to link up with their European counterparts, using the very latest technology, provide a solid foundation for future exchanges and partnerships?
I certainly do. Exchanges and new opportunities of the sort to which the member refers can play a central role in the new initiatives that we are taking in relation to modern languages. I never fail to be amazed by some of the connections that our schools have not only with other countries in all parts of Europe, but with every continent around the globe. The First Minister has started to develop connections with schools in South Africa. Even a few years ago, such opportunities would have been unthinkable. By making use of modern technology, we can connect with parts of the globe that were previously very isolated—not only from Scotland, but from all the modern economies.
Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements and progress have been made in respect of implementing the requirements on it under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. (S1O-4947)
The Executive has been very active in meeting its new statutory duties. In recent weeks, we have brought into force an order that will impose specific duties on key public bodies to promote race equality. We have published our responses to the report of the race equality advisory forum and to the review of funding for minority ethnic groups. We have also agreed to provide £60,000 over two years to help to develop high-quality translating and interpreting services across Scotland. In addition, the Executive is about to commence work on its race equality scheme, which we will publish by the end of November 2002.
Given that, to date, legislation alone has not significantly reduced racism, how much funding is the Scottish Executive providing to implement the requirements on it under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and to further race equality in general? With the Presiding Officer's indulgence, will he and the chamber join me in sending thanks and good wishes to Dr Moussa Jogee, who retires this month after eight years with the Commission for Racial Equality and a lifetime of promoting racial equality?
It is fair to say, as Kate Maclean has said, that making progress in race equality is not just about legislation. That is why we have recently doubled the ethnic minority grants scheme budget, raising it to £500,000 a year. We have also provided funding for a development worker in the field of translation and interpretation, which is particularly important. We must recognise that working towards race equality is not an add-on for public bodies, or indeed for any body. I hope that various public bodies are already using their funds to undertake a great deal of the work that they will be required to formalise in their race equality strategies.
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