SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Poll Tax Debts
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will write off all outstanding poll tax debts in line with practice in England. (S2O-1141)
The treatment of outstanding community charge debt is a matter for local authorities, in line with their statutory obligations and in consultation with their auditors as necessary. That is similar to the practice in England.
Does the minister agree that it is entirely unfair that Scottish local authorities continue to hound people for outstanding poll tax debts, which are now between 10 and 15 years old? He is well aware that the same debts in England were written off some years ago. Will he accept that many of the 150,000 Scots who have not registered to vote are afraid to do so because they cannot afford to pay those outstanding poll tax arrears? Does he agree that it is particularly ironic and unfair that the hated poll tax, which we in Scotland endured first but which has been rightly consigned to the dustbin everywhere else, continues to haunt Scotland?
Mr Fox is wrong to state, as Ms Leckie did in my local newspaper, that there was some sort of amnesty down south. I have confirmed with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister that there is no general amnesty and that those who are in debt will continue to be pursued. The ODPM made the clear statement, which I support, that such a move would be unfair on the vast majority of people who have paid their local council tax debts. Mr Fox is just plain wrong. Perhaps he was misinformed or perhaps he has misunderstood—I understand how that could happen.
Strangely, I agree with most of what the minister has said. Does he agree with me that, if an amnesty were offered for the £554 million in council tax that is currently owed to local authorities, it would be unfair on all those who have been prepared to pay their council tax?
I share that view. As one of my constituents said in a letter to the East Kilbride News:
Schools (Fines for Parents)
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the reported proposals in England and Wales to fine parents who take their children on holiday during term time. (S2O-1137)
Education authorities have had powers since the Education (Scotland) Act 1980. Section 38 of that act provides for attendance orders and section 43 provides for the process of prosecuting and fining those who are convicted of an offence under section 35. There are no plans to change that legislation.
Does the minister agree that while it is fine to have principles about tuition, they are often too difficult to adhere to in practice? It is right that students should be at school during term time, but is he aware that, for example, a police officer in my constituency has never been able to obtain a holiday during school holidays throughout the time that his daughter has been at school and so has had to take her out of school to enjoy a family holiday? Does he agree that common sense and flexibility are required in these matters? Will he confirm whether any Scottish parents have been fined for taking children on holiday during term time?
On the latter point, I can confirm that, since the legislation was enacted, I understand that one parent has been fined, although that was not in relation to taking holidays during term time.
Business Rates (Relief)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of introducing a minimum 80 per cent relief from business rates for community amateur sports clubs. (S2O-1111)
The additional cost of introducing at least 80 per cent rate relief for community amateur sports clubs is estimated to be in the region of £1 million.
I thank the minister for his reply to my question last week in which he announced the minimum 80 per cent relief. That is a great victory for Scottish sport as it will enable clubs to increase their investment in sports facilities and opportunities. When the relevant legislation is being drafted, will he consider including mandatory relief from water charges, which are also a considerable burden for many amateur sports clubs that do not qualify for the water charges exemption scheme?
The Executive sought to put the allowance that we are talking about into the system. It is a victory for sports clubs, although they were pushing at an open door in relation to the Scottish Executive's view of the matter. We wanted to make the announcement early so that clubs could be aware of the substantial assistance that the allowance will bring to them when they are doing their financial planning for next year. The initiative will allow clubs to spend their hard-earned cash on other activities, such as encouraging talent and excellence in sport.
Does the minister accept that the burden falls not only on local community clubs but on national organisations that are trying to develop sport at a grass-roots level? I refer him to the situation that is faced by the Scottish Rugby Union at Murrayfield. While trying to support local sport, the SRU has seen its sports development funding fall by 36 per cent from £700,000 to £450,000 but its rates bill rise by 42 per cent from £494,000 to £710,000—it now finds itself £260,000 worse off. Will the minister recognise the need for rates relief for organisations that are trying to pursue sporting excellence not only at a community level but at a national level?
The relevant minister should get back to Mr MacAskill on that point. We are targeting sports clubs whose ability to function will be greatly assisted by the measure that we are discussing. Community sports clubs fall into that category but I would take some convincing that the larger organisations that Mr MacAskill mentions do.
Burns Night (Promoting Scotland Abroad)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Burns night will be used to promote Scotland abroad. (S2O-1120)
The First Minister, as president of the regions with legislative powers, is hosting a Burns supper in Brussels on 19 February to promote Scotland's place in Europe. On 13 January, Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations, gave the inaugural Robert Burns memorial lecture in New York in the presence of the Deputy First Minister. That received worldwide media coverage for Scotland.
Does the minister agree that significant opportunities to benefit from the 250th anniversary, in 2009, of the birth of the bard will be available to Scotland? Does he further agree that Ayrshire, as the birthplace of Burns, should be the centre of the benefits that those opportunities bring?
I recognise the passionate commitment of the member and assure her that we are working towards the celebration of Burns's birth in 2009. That is why we have put together a team of players from VisitScotland, the Scottish Arts Council and a number of other agencies. In partnership with local representatives and local authorities, we will put something together that will genuinely commemorate the important role that Burns plays in the history not just of Ayrshire but of Scotland.
I hope that the First Minister makes a better speech in Brussels this year than he did at the Burns supper that I attended in Glasgow last year.
The member has asked two questions rather than one. I have a number of things to say. First, it should be recognised that, out of the poets of 191 member states of the UN, only Scotland's national poet has been chosen as the poet to represent all humanity. Secondly, I assure Alex Neil that the First Minister will represent Scotland positively in an international forum.
Does the minister agree that an excellent way in which to promote Scotland is to encourage and support Burns suppers, such as the forthcoming European Union Burns supper in Brussels? MSPs, including my good friend Jamie Stone, have been asked to participate in that supper. Perhaps Jamie Stone will become an ex-good friend once he has delivered the toast to the lassies and I have replied to it.
I welcome the contributions that individual members will make. We are all ambassadors for Scotland wherever we go. I hope that we can use Burns's work to represent what we think Scotland is today and that his work will make a contribution in the future.
Will the Executive consider promoting Scotland in Europe by sending representation to the tartan day celebrations in Paris this year? I would prefer the First Minister, who has an interest in the entente cordiale, to go.
The question must be a question on Burns.
I suggest to the minister that we should celebrate Burns every day of the year and not only on 25 January.
The member raises an important issue. We recognise Burns's importance as our national poet, but many contemporary poets in Scotland represent Scotland in a contemporary way and reflect our country's traditions. Through the work of Burns and other Scottish poets, we can ensure that poetry is at the heart of the nation. We should all hear their contributions.
Registered Social Landlords
To ask the Scottish Executive how, and to what extent, it monitors the actions of registered social landlords, in particular those who have received former council housing under stock transfer. (S2O-1140)
Registered social landlords are regulated on behalf of ministers by Communities Scotland within a regulatory framework that puts tenants' interests at its heart. New RSLs receive particular support in the 18 months after stock transfer to ensure that they are on track to meet their commitments to tenants.
I know that the minister is aware of problems that have been faced by Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership in the first months of its existence. Will she advise members what recourse tenants of RSLs have if they are unhappy with the actions of the board of a housing association? Do ministers have any powers of direction regarding the activities of RSLs?
RSL boards are accountable to their members and tenants and responsible for decisions about the RSL. Tenants can become members of the RSL and seek membership of the boards themselves or vote for other members whom they wish to see on the board. The Scottish ministers' regulatory powers are delegated to Communities Scotland to regulate and inspect RSLs. Therefore, RSLs are independent organisations but are expected to work within a robust regulatory framework of standards and guidance.
Does the minister share my disappointment and that of others who promoted the setting up of Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership that it has become so mired in controversy during its first six months? Will she reconsider whether there is any possibility of holding an independent inquiry into its activities so that a line can be drawn under its first few months and it can move forward with the important task of improving the housing stock in Dumfries and Galloway?
I have corresponded with Elaine Murray and David Mundell about the housing partnership's circumstances. I assure them and other members that the proper regulatory framework has been adhered to. We have given great consideration to the matter to ensure that all mechanisms have been properly addressed. I say to David Mundell that the best way in which we can now support Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership is to focus not on controversy but on housing investment and improvements that will meet tenants' needs in that area.
Does the minister agree that the task of registered social landlords is not just to manage, maintain and improve housing, but to participate in the regeneration of wider access activity, which is so essential, particularly in deprived areas of Scotland?
That is a crucial part of RSLs' activities and one of the reasons why there have been such successful transfers in Scotland. One of the reasons why I doubled their regeneration budget last year is because we see that as a significant part of their activity. RSLs recognise the commitment of the Scottish Executive to understanding that housing plays a critical role in wider regeneration. We need to maximise the opportunities that we can produce from such substantial investment and we are on course to do so.
Scottish Natural Heritage (Dispersal of Jobs)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been an up-to-date estimate of the cost of the dispersal of jobs of Scottish Natural Heritage to Inverness and whether value-for-money considerations still apply. (S2O-1105)
Scottish Natural Heritage provided an estimate of the costs of relocating to Inverness in its project plan, which is currently under consideration. SNH also provided cost estimates for the Parliament's Finance Committee hearing on 13 January. Value-for-money considerations will apply as part of the project plan approval process.
Is the minister aware that there have been reports that the proposed expenditure of £20 million appears to have increased to £40 million? Is he aware that the proposed dispersal appears to be deeply flawed in its financial planning, in common with the Holyrood building project? Bearing in mind the excellent record of Scottish Natural Heritage over the years, would it not be safer to reconsider the whole proposed dispersal, which appears not to be achievable with value for money?
I do not accept that premise. I would have thought that, as a minister in the former Administration, which pursued a not dissimilar policy with regard to the relocation of public sector jobs, the member would understand that the economic benefit that will accrue can be spread throughout Scotland to communities beyond Edinburgh. That is an important consideration that drives the process.
The minister will be aware that there is widespread support for the principle of public service jobs dispersal but, equally, there is widespread concern and criticism of the SNH decision in particular and, indeed, of other aspects of the implementation of the policy.
The member knows me to be sensitive to criticism. I am concerned that we take seriously decisions that we make in the Executive that impact on families and lifestyles. We take seriously our responsibilities to those staff. Since I assumed responsibility for the portfolio, I have been most flexible in my approach to the employer and to ensuring that trades union concerns about flexibility around the proposals are taken on board. To that end, I agreed the redeployment of 50 jobs from the total number that we proposed to relocate in order to accommodate those trades union concerns. I am being flexible, I am listening and I am concerned not to impose inadvertently undue obligations on existing personnel.
Biodiversity (Damage by Deer)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Natural Heritage has conducted an analysis concerning the impact of damage caused by deer on biodiversity and, if not, what plans it has to conduct such an analysis. (S2O-1151)
Scottish Natural Heritage uses information from a variety of sources to assess the importance of deer impacts on biodiversity. Further work is currently in hand to improve those sources, and SNH's site condition monitoring programme will assist in the evaluation of deer impacts on designated natural heritage features.
I noticed in the press this morning that Ross Finnie has undergone his operation. Obviously, we all wish him well and wish the deputy minister well in the Cabinet. [Applause.]
I am glad that the member has mentioned section 8 of the 1996 act, which puts significant powers at the Deer Commission's disposal. The commission's ability to take action when wild deer are damaging natural heritage sites will be further strengthened by the land management order provisions in our Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill.
Given the record numbers of deer in Scotland and the pressing need for a much more strategic and co-ordinated approach to deer management, does the minister agree that any analysis should address, in addition to biodiversity, the impacts of red deer on forestry, agriculture, crofting, traffic and recreational interests?
Yes, although the member should recognise that responsibility for controlling deer rests in the first instance with the landowners and the land managers concerned. Of course, there are also disputes about the reliability of the figures for deer numbers in Scotland. Beyond that, I accept that we want to keep the wider environmental impact of deer numbers on natural heritage under review. As I said to Bruce Crawford, we will do so in the context of the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill.
Is the minister aware that, in one day, Forest Enterprise slaughtered 97 deer on the Cobbler in Argyll forest park, which itself is within the new Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park? Does he consider that to be reasonable and sustainable deer management?
I was not aware that that had taken place on the Cobbler, but I am now. Presumably, we would have to put that incident in the context of the discussion and debate that we have just had on the overall numbers of deer in Scotland. If one takes the position that the deer are causing damage to our natural heritage in specific locations, it follows that action has to be taken to eradicate the problem. As the Forestry Commission is by far the largest owner of land in the country with a related deer problem, it is clearly in the position to take the lead on deer culling. None of what the member has said surprises me; however, as far as the problem on the Cobbler is concerned, we will examine what happened to find out whether the response was proportionate.
As convener of the cross-party group on animal welfare, I know that deer management is a big issue for us. Will the minister comment on the excellent partnership working that is being carried out in my constituency by the Balquhidder deer management group and the Loch Lomond and Trossachs deer management forum not only to resolve local deer management issues but, more important, to set up a model of best practice for the rest of Scotland?
Yes, I am pleased to hear about that partnership working. Obviously we want to consider any example of good practice and roll it out across the country.
Local Government Finance
To ask the Scottish Executive why it has not set up an inquiry into local government finance. (S2O-1142)
We are committed to an independent review of local government finance and are currently discussing its remit and format with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
Does the minister agree that a Government that takes more than nine months to set up a review of the council tax does not regard the matter as a high priority? Will he also tell me why the Executive has set up more than 40 consultations and reviews of policy since May last year, yet still fails to set up a review into the council tax? Is the Executive too busy misleading the Parliament about the Scottish service tax proposals to examine critically its own policy?
My answer to many of those questions is, of course, no. We are committed to a review and it will be very interesting. The Parliament has examined the Scottish service tax before and roundly condemned it on all counts.
No more slips of the tongue, Andy.
Mr Sheridan, please.
Mr Sheridan talks about slips of the tongue and I would like to address that matter. Last week, when we were talking about emergency service workers, he talked about 12 years ago in this chamber, when, of course, what he meant was 12 months ago in this chamber. I know where I was 12 years ago. I was working for a living, but I do not know what Mr Sheridan was doing.
Order. Mr Sheridan, the odd interjection is allowable, but not a running commentary, please.
Just for the record, so that we are absolutely clear about what I have said about the Scottish service tax, let me say this. For 2003-04, under the current system, a couple with a band D house would pay an average of £1,009 per annum in council tax. Under the Scottish service tax, if they both earned £27,500—two teachers, for example—they would pay significantly more. They would pay £566 per annum more. Those figures are based on current calculations. [Interruption.]
Order.
If we consider Mr Sheridan's philosophy on the national minimum wage and add in its implications for the public sector, another £1 billion would be added to council tax payers' bills to subsidise his policies. Let us get the facts right. Mr Sheridan is upset because, at last, his policies are under attack. They are under attack because they will have a huge impact on hard-working families in Scotland.
Will the minister confirm that, after consultation with COSLA—as set out in the partnership agreement—the independent review of local government finance will examine the distribution formula as well as the means of raising the council tax?
We want the review of local government finance to be extensive. It is evident—and the Tories know this only too well—that jumping into solutions for local taxation and its relationship to local government is not a good thing to do. The poll tax is a good example of why things should not be done in a hurry.
Social Work Services Inspectorate <br />(Delayed Report)
To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns it has regarding delay in the publication of the social work services inspectorate's report into the Miss X case in light of the Deputy Minister for Education and Young People's advice that the report would be available in autumn last year. (S2O-1129)
No formal timescale for publication has been set. I expect to publish the report as soon as possible after its receipt.
That answer conflicts slightly with an answer that I have had previously, but I will say no more about that. We have already dealt with it.
The personnel responsibilities of the local council are for the local council. It has to make its own policies and its own decisions, including those relating to individuals, as it sees fit locally. I know that Christine Grahame has found the Miss X case a rich source of publicity over recent months and I am sure that the press statement that will follow the present exchange is already on its way to the papers. The key point is that the Miss X case is a complex and extremely serious case, which we are having independently assessed. I will not put pressure on the inspectorate to cut corners—even if Christine Grahame would.
Maternity Services (Staffing)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether national health service boards operate adequate minimum staffing levels in maternity services that take account of annual leave, sickness, training and secondments. (S2O-1150)
NHS boards are responsible for staffing levels and have been asked to review their systems in light of the recommendations of the 2002 Audit Scotland report "Planning ward nursing—legacy or design?" In addition, we have commissioned a follow-up project to address nursing and midwifery work-load issues throughout NHS Scotland and I expect to receive recommendations for action shortly.
The population has declined by 2 per cent over 20 years and the birth rate has declined by 17 per cent over eight years, but—according to the Nursing and Midwifery Council—the number of registered midwives has been reduced by 16 per cent in one year. This year, the Executive has reduced the number of student midwives from 220 to 180. We have a situation in which, as responses from health boards—which I am happy to share with the minister—show, there is a wide disparity in staffing levels. For example, where birth rate plus has been implemented, it is possible to have five core midwives on an 18-bed antenatal/postnatal ward.
Question, please.
I am getting there. In an area where birth rate plus has not been implemented, it is possible to have only two midwives per shift on a 20-bed ward. Given those facts, does the minister agree that the numbers simply do not add up, that birth rate plus should be implemented urgently throughout all health boards and that we need more rather than fewer midwives?
The reality is that the number of midwives was declining for a while, for factors that are well known, such as the declining birth rate. However, that corner has been turned and we accept that we have to increase the number of midwives, because midwives now have a more central role in the delivery of maternity services than they had in the past. That is a central feature of the EGAMS—expert group on acute maternity services—report.
Other supplementaries must be rooted in the issue of staffing levels in maternity services.
I will try to stick to that.
I am conscious that there are national service issues that must be examined in the context of Yorkhill, as well as all the other issues with which members are familiar. Members will also know that I cannot give a final view on that until the end of the consultation process and until the work that I asked for on the patient flows between Argyll and Clyde NHS Board and Greater Glasgow NHS Board has been done. However, Pauline McNeill can be assured that I am already examining those issues in great detail and shall do so increasingly over the next few weeks.
Hepatitis C (Ex Gratia Payments)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people will benefit from the planned hepatitis C ex gratia payment scheme. (S2O-1123)
We estimate that up to 600 people may claim in the early years, but it is not possible to give a definite number at this stage. The scheme will pay out to all those who can show that they are eligible. I will be making a joint announcement with my United Kingdom colleagues tomorrow.
I welcome that reply. Is the minister aware of the hardship that is faced by many of those who suffer from hepatitis C, such as the young man in my constituency who cannot even get mortgage insurance? Does he agree that many of those people will require additional and on-going support?
The fundamental principle has been that there should be a fair deal for the people who contracted hepatitis C in that way. Without going into the details, which members will understand have to be announced on a UK basis tomorrow, I would like to say that we should be proud that the whole process was started here. The fundamentals of the Scottish scheme will be announced with the UK scheme tomorrow, and I think that everyone in the Executive and in the Parliament can be proud of that. The fundamental principle is that there should be a fair deal, but we must obviously take account of other demands on the health budget. I have no doubt that some people tomorrow will say, "It should have been more." However, I think that a significant payment will be made to all those who are eligible.
Will the minister tell us in advance of the announcement that will be made tomorrow whether he has decided to recognise the plight of the families who have lost loved ones to that terrible disease and accept that he has a moral obligation to those families to include them in the financial assistance package?
The fundamental principle is still as we outlined it and the scheme will apply to people who are still alive and suffering in that way. There will be some detailed changes to the eligibility criteria and I assure members that everybody will be sent the details of that. There will be some changes in the detail, but the fundamental framework of the scheme will be as we announced some time ago.
Will the minister take action to get a more accurate estimate of the number of people suffering from hepatitis C in Scotland, especially as the Scottish Centre for Infection and Environmental Health says that its figures may be a several-fold underestimate? What assurance can he give that interferon alpha and ribavirin combination therapy is available for all hepatitis C sufferers in Scotland uniformly throughout each health board area?
There is clearly a wider agenda in terms of care and treatment for all people who suffer from hepatitis C. When we had a debate on the matter two years ago, that was one of the key issues that I highlighted. We wanted a fair deal for those who had contracted hepatitis C in a specific way, but we also wanted to improve care and treatment for all people who have hepatitis C. A great deal of work has been done on finding out more of the data to which Keith Raffan refers to and on improving and making more widely available the kind of therapies that he describes.
Inverclyde Council (Education)
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education's follow-up inspection report on Inverclyde Council. (S2O-1102)
We expect councils to take HMIE reports very seriously and to act on their recommendations, but it is for the council to take appropriate action.
The minister will be aware that the inspector's damning report slates Inverclyde Council for scrapping an £80 million school building programme, which would have got all local children out of their crumbling classrooms. I hear what the minister says about the council's responsibility, but how much longer will Inverclyde Council be allowed to prevent the Executive from fulfilling its partnership agreement promise to deliver the largest-ever school building programme in Scotland's history?
As Mr McNeil points out, the report was very critical and I have said that I expect the council to take it very seriously indeed. One of the issues raised by the inspector was the need to make it clear that action is required quickly. I understand that, yesterday, Inverclyde Council was making certain decisions on the future of its school estate, which will be the basis for proposals that I hope to receive very soon. We shall examine those proposals to ensure that they contribute to the objectives that have been set out by the partnership parties of overhauling the school estate across the whole of Scotland and of securing value for money in doing so. In due course, the HMIE will follow up the most recent report to ensure that progress is being made.
The minister will be aware that a new Liberal Democrat administration was elected in Inverclyde only last May. Does he recognise that that administration, with its substantial majority, has a mandate for change? Will he assure me that the Inverclyde administration's current and much-improved proposals will be considered on their merits by ministers? Does he agree that the constant whingeing on the topic by my good friend Duncan McNeil just highlights the unfortunate legacy of the previous administration in Inverclyde, which is no doubt why it is no longer in office there?
I am grateful for Mr Brown's question. The Executive will clearly consider any proposals that are made on their merits against our objective of making the biggest overhaul of our school estate that we can. Ultimately, it is for local people in Inverclyde to decide whether they think that the proposals are better or worse than the previous ones.
Previous
First Minister's Question TimeNext
Education Reform