Meeting of the Parliament

Meeting date: Thursday, December 23, 2010

Official Report 756KB pdf

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First Minister’s Question Time

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Engagements

1. To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day. (S3F-2800)

Later today, I will meet the new Minister for Transport and Infrastructure to discuss the latest energy statistics for Scotland, which show that, last year, there was an increase of more than 5 per cent in the volume of renewable output from Scotland and that we are well on course to exceed our target of 31 per cent for next year. I know that Iain Gray, as an enthusiast for renewable energy, will welcome those figures at this Christmas time.

It is indeed Christmas time, and we are nearly at the end of 2010. The First Minister promised us a big year this year. He was going to have an independence bill on Burns night and a referendum on St Andrew’s day, but he did not. Less than a quarter of Scots now support his independence project. Is Alex Salmond really still one of them?

The latest poll that I have seen—an Angus Reid survey from last night—shows that Scottish National Party support has increased by 14 per cent since the election this year. The argument that will be persuasive is that independence—control of our economy—offers Scotland a real and better future. The proposals from all three of the unionist parties—Labour, Conservative and Liberal—offer us nothing that will improve our economy. That is what will make the difference and why Scots will back an independent future.

I thought that I should check the latest arguments for independence, so I went to the SNP website this morning. When I clicked on “Independence” and “Success Stories”, all the old favourites were there. Let us start with Iceland. The website states that

“Independence has given Iceland the freedom to become a world leader”

and that

“The Icelandic economy has been growing steadily since the 1990s.”

I do not think so.

What about Ireland? The website states:

“Independence has given Ireland the freedom to compete with others on a level playing field, and win.”

In the real world, it is nearly 2011, but, in Alex Salmond’s Bute house Brigadoon, it is still 1990-something. The First Minister does not really still believe this stuff, does he?

As First Minister, I must do two things. First, I must address the miserable legacy that was left by the Labour United Kingdom Government, which has resulted in £1,300 million of cuts in Scotland this coming year, two thirds of which were planned by Alistair Darling, the Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer—cuts tougher and deeper than those of Margaret Thatcher.

Secondly, I must try to get the resilience to respond to that difficult situation. I welcome the fact that, in the second quarter of this year, Scotland not only outperformed the United Kingdom but in economic performance was second only to the Scandinavian countries, including Norway—across the North Sea—which has breezed through the recession more successfully than any other country in Europe. Of course, Norway has substantial oil and gas reserves. If only Scotland could get a Christmas present of substantial oil and gas reserves and the economic power to use them for the benefit of the Scottish people.

I thought that Norway would come up. After all, the arc of prosperity stretches all the way from Trondheim to Oslo these days—except on the SNP website, where it still includes Montenegro. The website states:

“Montenegro shows us just how easy it can be to become an independent country. 40 days is all it took for Montenegro to regain her freedom.

It could be Scotland next.”

Yes—40 days, two world wars, the Balkan conflict, ethnic cleansing, a war crimes tribunal and a United Nations peace-keeping mission.

Members: Shame!

Order.

You could not make this stuff up—unless you are the SNP. [Interruption.]

Order! The chamber will come to order.

Iceland, Ireland and Montenegro—is it any wonder that the First Minister has lost the argument on independence? [Interruption.]

Ms Cunningham! Order!

We often welcome ambassadors from other countries to the gallery. Iain Gray will have to be very careful about how many countries he insults. I thought that this was the run-up to Christmas, but Iain Gray is giving us 1 April.

Under the United Kingdom, we face the dismal prospect of not just one year of cuts but many, many years of cuts. With economic power, we can grow the economy and benefit the Scottish people. As we come to May’s election, beyond this Christmas spirit from Iain Gray, the choice will be quite simple. It will be between the Labour, Tory and Liberal option, which offers no economic power and less money for Scotland even compared with the cutbacks that we have had; and a future in which economic power delivers for the Scottish people. That is why we are very confident that, in the new year, people will vote for independence for this country.

It is the party that says on its website that Montenegro shows how easy independence is that insults the history of that country and that people.

The First Minister has lost the argument on independence, dropped his independence bill and run away from his referendum. Thanks to the SNP, we have lost the ability to use our tax-varying powers. He has left the Parliament with less power than he found it with. Two weeks ago, he led his MSPs to vote against more powers for Scotland. Everyone knows that Alex Salmond has failed as a First Minister—3,000 teachers know it and 500 nurses know it—but has he not also failed as a nationalist?

If I were Iain Gray, I would not go into poll comparisons between me and him, as it wouldnae turn out very well from his point of view.

Members: Go on.

Order.

Do you want to hear them? Should we give the poll comparisons?

Members: Yes!

I think that we should. Iain Gray has been returning ratings lower than those of Wendy Alexander.

On leadership capability, I am grateful to another website for reminding me that, on 15 January 2008, when Wendy Alexander was leader of the Labour Party and Iain Gray was shadow finance secretary, the Labour Party proposed a cut of £10 million in winter maintenance. My goodness! Is it not lucky that Parliament did not accept that particular Labour amendment? What a pity we wasted £500 million on an Edinburgh tram system that was championed by Iain Gray.

As for the achievements of the Government, let us consider the delivery of free education in Scotland, the 1,000 more police officers on the streets, the small business bonus and the saving of Monklands and Ayr accident and emergency units—which might come in quite useful in these frozen conditions. Above all, there is the council tax freeze, which has helped every family in Scotland. Iain Gray’s position was that he was for it; then he was against it; then it was mibbe aye and mibbe no. It is delivery and achievements such as those that I have mentioned that will secure the return of an SNP Government.

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Prime Minister (Meetings)

2. To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Prime Minister. (S3F-2801)

I spoke to the Prime Minister on Sunday.

Scotland is still in the icy grip of winter. Two weeks ago, I raised with the First Minister the “Scottish Road Network” report, which was published back in August. It promised that an even wider review of the winter resilience of Scottish transport would be published in the autumn but, a fortnight ago, it had not been published and the First Minister did not seem to know what I was talking about. I am sure that, with his legendary athleticism, he bounded out of the chamber to order his civil servants to produce it. My question is simple: what did it say?

Eleven short-term recommendations were made. If Annabel Goldie had read the report when she asked the question, she would have known that all of them were being implemented. In addition, suggestions were made for the medium term and the longer term. We have had particularly effective resilience in salt and grit supplies in Scotland, the need for which was one of the big lessons from last year, but there are still lessons to learn, hence the six-point plan on transport that the new Minister for Transport and Infrastructure announced and the measure that we are taking to ensure that fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gas for heating are delivered to people who need them in the present circumstances.

Difficult weather brings difficult conditions—that is pretty obvious. We have had the worst December on record in Scotland. When I spoke to the Prime Minister on Sunday, much of our discussion was about the inability to have Heathrow airport open over a period of days and the variety of transport problems in England—particularly those with the east coast main line—that have had knock-on consequences for Scotland.

I would have thought that, in those circumstances, Annabel Goldie would be in a mood in which she was at least prepared to accept that, in challenging, difficult conditions, it is not possible for any transport minister or any Government to keep open every airport, every air route and every rail line in all circumstances. I was surprised by the lack of clamour from Tory and Liberal members for the resignation of the transport minister in London.

I have had a lengthy response to something that I did not ask about, but let me publicly pay credit to the Prime Minister, whose communication with the First Minister at the weekend I was informed about. I am extremely glad about that improved cross-border co-operation between the two Parliaments and the two Governments. I join the First Minister in praising everyone who is going to extraordinary lengths to keep Scotland moving, but that is the reality of the situation that we are in—how do we keep Scotland moving?

Three weeks ago, the First Minister said to me:

“we have two months’ supply of grit and salt in Scotland at the present moment, even under heavy usage conditions.”—[Official Report, 2 December 2010; c 31183.]

In other words, he assured us that we had supplies for all of Scotland for all of December and all of January under heavy usage but, in the past 24 hours I have received reports that a number of councils have confirmed that their remaining salt stocks can be counted in days rather than the weeks that we thought we had. One council is rationing and, even when salt is on order, there are still uncertainties about delivery dates. How much salt does Scotland currently have? How many days will it last? Is rationing more widespread? When will fresh supplies arrive?

The direct answer to the question is that we have 140,000 tonnes in Scotland at present. We have 150,000 tonnes on order for January. We have good confidence in those deliveries because, fortunately, the Scottish Government, in addition to buying up a resilience supply as part of the implementation of the 11 points in the document to which Annabel Goldie referred, we had the foresight to make orders that will arrive in the first week of January. Those are orders that are external to the UK supplies, which, as the Prime Minister and I discussed, are under considerable pressure—indeed, they are inadequate to meet the UK’s needs. That is why we have ordered externally, from Peru, India and a variety of other locations, and that is why we have a resilience stock.

I say gently to Annabel Goldie that there is significantly more pressure on the supplies of certain councils in England, after the weather that has been experienced there, than there is on the supplies of councils in Scotland. In Scotland, we have managed to use the resilience supplies—I can give Ms Goldie a list of the councils that have benefited from that—to ensure that the salt and grit are there to keep Scotland moving. We will continue to do that; that was the purpose of building up the resilience stocks.

We are now into a fourth week of suffering in Scotland and my view on the extraordinary conditions is that there are countless thousands of people in Scotland in the health service, the public services, the social care system and the voluntary sector, as well as the gritters, the drivers and the snow plough operators, who are working shift after shift to keep this country and its economy moving. I know that Annabel Goldie understands and welcomes that but, at this Christmas time, let us salute those people who have done exceptional things over the past three weeks and compliment them on their efforts for Scotland.

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Secretary of State for Scotland (Meetings)

3. To ask the First Minister when he will next meet the Secretary of State for Scotland. (S3F-2802)

I am going to book an appointment at his constituency surgery, and then I will find out what he really, really thinks. [Laughter.]

Order.

This morning’s news of a serious accident on the A9 reminds us of the human tragedy that cold weather has the power to bring. Reports from Scotland’s hospitals show that three times more people are suffering from broken and fractured bones from falls, which is putting the service under the same pressure as a single major emergency would. The report of the Scotland-wide Scottish salt group says that councils have requested the release of 20,000 tonnes of the 25,000 tonne strategic stockpile. Is the Government directing which parts of Scotland are given priority?

Yes. That is the purpose of the Scottish salt cell, which has been in operation for some weeks now. That is why the strategic supply has been released. I can provide details about how the supply is being replenished. All that is being done, even in the current exceptional conditions, because of foresight and planning.

Tavish Scott referred to the accident on the A9, which was a very serious incident indeed. There was one fatality, one serious injury and three other injuries. It involved three heavy goods vehicles. Diversions are in place northbound and southbound but, given the inevitable accident investigation, the road closure will be significant and we will update MSPs about it later today.

I am grateful for that, and I would be grateful if the First Minister could make the information available to all members about the councils that are receiving grit and those to which it is being directed.

As the cold temperatures continue, does the First Minister recognise that thousands of people in all parts of Scotland are worried about the heating oil supplies? What assurance can he give about that? What action can be taken to help people who are not on the official list of vulnerable people but who are on the verge of having no heating on Christmas day? How can people get on to the list of vulnerable customers? Does it include families with new-born children? What should people do if they are not on the list of the vulnerable but they still have no oil for their heating?

In the temperatures that we are suffering, our definition of “vulnerable people” is families without heating. That is why the seven-point protocol that was released yesterday, which has now been signed up to by all the oil distributors and the vast majority of the liquefied petroleum gas producers, is so invaluable in making sure that every family has heating for Christmas.

I should point out that press reports occasionally give a misleading impression. The resilience room contacted Shell immediately about a story that appeared in a newspaper yesterday about something that looked troublesome and outwith the agreed protocol. The information that we received from the company is that the person concerned had received their fuel on the scheduled day, and that their tank was 30 per cent full. It is understandable that people get anxious when they see press stories about difficulties with deliveries. However, thanks to the additional supplies that have come in by tanker to Aberdeen and Inverness, and the relaxation in drivers’ hours, which will run well into January, we are confident that the heating companies will be able to get through the backlog in time for Christmas. That is the strong position that we are in at the moment, and facilities are being made available for people who run dry—the protocol accommodates that—to make sure that our families have heating for Christmas.

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Coastguard Stations

4. To ask the First Minister whether the Scottish Government will make representations to the United Kingdom Government regarding the proposal by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to reduce the number of coastguard stations, in light of their role in protecting Scotland’s marine and coastal environment. (S3F-2809)

I thank Alasdair Allan for his question and bringing the issue to the attention of Parliament. Although there has been substantial publicity about the issue, with everything else that has been happening, I do not think that the significance of the issue has been understood. The plans will have a significant impact on Alasdair Allan’s constituency. Richard Lochhead has written to the UK Government to highlight our grave concerns about the matter. Scotland is a maritime nation with one of the longest coastlines in Europe. That is reflected in the importance of our maritime industries such as fishing, which generates tens of millions of pounds; oil and gas, which generate billions of pounds; and the growing offshore renewables sector, which will also generate billions of pounds. Given that level of maritime activity, the proposed closure of 60 per cent of Scotland’s current maritime and coastal stations is very serious, and that is how we are treating it.

Does the First Minister agree that the proposals to reduce five coastguard stations in Scotland to one full-time and one part-time station imply that calls at night from any vessel in difficulty off a vast area of the Scottish coastline, and indeed far into the north Atlantic, would be taken by a single centre staffed by people who could not possibly be expected to have local knowledge? Will he acknowledge that, taken together with the intention to withdraw emergency tug services, the proposals are not just ill thought out but reckless?

I agree with Alasdair Allan. There are improvements that modern technology can allow, but local knowledge in coastguard stations is still invaluable—and that applies to Stornoway and elsewhere. The coalition Government’s proposals are ill thought out. The Government and, I hope, the Parliament will do everything in our power to oppose any reckless measure that may jeopardise maritime safety.

The First Minister will be aware that the announcement last week of the consultation to modernise the services will result in the closure of Clyde coastguard station in Greenock. The station looks after the Clyde, the busiest gateway to our shores from Europe and the UK. It manages Ministry of Defence traffic, including submarines, significant ferry routes, cargo traffic and an increasing number of cruise ships. The proposals will ensure that those services are looked after from Belfast, Stornoway or Liverpool. Will the First Minister convey in the strongest terms that the Parliament, I am sure, believes that the proposals as set out are not only daft but dangerous?

At this Christmas time, I find myself agreeing with Duncan McNeil, although I must say as the ghost of Christmas past that I was concerned about the last round of closures of coastguard stations, which occurred in 2000.

I was disappointed with the UK Government’s consultation document in a number of ways. It does not list any of the devolved Administrations as consultees and we were informed about the proposals at the same time as they were announced by the Westminster Government. I do not regard that as adequate consultation.

Of much more importance, however, is the inherent danger in the nature of some of the proposals. I believe that, given the wealth, industry and activity around Scotland’s coastline, if we can unite as a Parliament, at the very least we can secure some mitigation of the extreme proposals. I will therefore be marching arm in arm with Duncan McNeil against these reckless proposals. Together, our united efforts will secure a victory for Scotland.

I echo the sentiments expressed by Alasdair Allan. As the First Minister will be aware, over recent years successive fisheries deals have resulted in many vessels being forced to steam further west and north to avoid putting pressure on cod stocks. Does he agree that that is just one further example of why the Stornoway and Lerwick coastguard stations must both be retained? Will he do all that he can to ensure that those two key stations are not played off one against the other?

Yes, I agree with that. It should also be said that the lower number of fishing vessels means that the automatic response of any vessel in the fishing community to come to the aid of any other vessel in distress is not always practical or available, which makes it all the more important that the co-ordination through the coastguard is as good as possible. Any member from a maritime constituency, wherever it is around the coast, will understand that, but all in the chamber will understand and emphasise the paramount importance of safety. The proposals—they are just proposals at this stage—must be subjected to the most intense scrutiny by this Parliament and to intense campaigning to ensure the safety of all our maritime industries.

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Climate Change Objectives (Biomass Plants)

5. To ask the First Minister what assessment the Scottish Government has made of the impact of large-scale biomass plants on its climate change objectives. (S3F-2808)

Biomass, particularly renewable heat, can help to meet the emissions reduction targets in the Scottish Government’s world-leading Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009. Our policy is to promote the use of biomass plants for heat only or for combined heat and power. Relatively small new plants can bring the greatest benefits to communities and local supply chains and maximise efficient use of the fuel source. Individual applications for the smaller plants are, of course, considered locally.

I commend the First Minister’s enthusiasm for renewable energy in general. However, does he agree that large-scale biomass plants such as the one that is proposed for Leith docks, in my constituency, emit a substantial amount of greenhouse gases—more than coal-fired plants, according to a recent study—and incur a massive carbon debt that can be repaid only after decades, if ever? Will he support the call from Greener Leith, No Leith Biomass, the Leith Links residents association, me and several of his back-bench colleagues for a moratorium on the construction of such large-scale biomass plants pending further research into their consequences for climate change?

As a former minister, Malcolm Chisholm is well aware that I cannot comment on the detail of any individual application that we are likely to receive for determination. We have not yet formally received the application for the biomass generating station at Leith. The application is currently undergoing a check versus a scoping opinion to ensure that all elements requested by the consultees have been considered.

The research that we have indicates that biomass can achieve 80 to 90 per cent energy efficiency, which is pretty impressive. Nevertheless, I agree with the conclusion in the research that was carried out for WWF Scotland and Friends of the Earth Scotland by Garrad Hassan last month, which is that the most logical use of Scottish biomass is for small-scale heating or combined heat and power systems, according to local heat demand.

In responding to Malcolm Chisholm’s question about climate change objectives, the First Minister again praised the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009, which, sadly, the Government was in breach of for several months earlier this year by failing to set emissions reduction targets. The next objective that is legally defined for the end of this month is the publication of the Government’s proposals on public engagement on climate change objectives. Has the Government decided to miss that deadline as well, breaching the legislation again, or will it simply publish on boxing day or new year’s eve so as to minimise public engagement?

I will try to organise as many Christmas presents as possible for Patrick Harvie.

Biomass has a role to play in meeting the renewables targets. As Patrick Harvie well knows, the renewable heat target of 11 per cent by 2020 is a key part of the climate change targets, which will be achieved not just by the Government but by the Parliament and the country.

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Flu Vaccine

6. To ask the First Minister what action the Scottish Government is taking to raise awareness of the importance of the flu vaccine among eligible groups. (S3F-2805)

I am grateful to Murdo Fraser for raising this hugely important issue, as it allows us once again to highlight the importance of flu vaccinations.

Our efforts this year have included television and radio adverts during October and November; pharmacy posters; engagement with more than 100 stakeholder organisations; a national invitation letter for everyone over the age of 65; and a range of public relations and online activity that has led to 77 separate pieces of press coverage across Scotland and more than 40 online articles. A further series of radio and television adverts will commence on 30 December to encourage more people in the at-risk groups to come forward for vaccination.

The First Minister will share my concern that there has been a low take-up of seasonal flu vaccinations among some eligible groups. For example, fewer than one in five pregnant women have had the jag. I do not know whether the First Minister himself falls into an eligible group, but I was interested to see him described in a newspaper at the weekend as being

“a wee softy”

who

“hides behind a rather macho facade”.

Is the First Minister too much of a softy to have had his own flu jab?

I will receive the jag tomorrow afternoon, in Mintlaw surgery. The member is correct to say that I am in one of the at-risk groups because of a chest infection.

I draw attention to the issue of pregnant women being especially at risk from some aspects of the flu virus that is circulating. The vaccination take-up rate is higher than it was this time last year and is much higher than it is in England at present. I do not think that the decision to withdraw the paid advertising campaign in England was particularly sensible and neither does the chief medical officer. I am grateful to Murdo Fraser for drawing attention to the subject because, although the take-up rate is higher than it was last year, it is not high enough—hence, the renewed advertising campaign. Members may believe that I am overcoming my softy-ness in order to have the jag. I encourage everyone in the at-risk groups to get the vaccination, which is the best possible protection against the flu virus. In particular, I encourage pregnant women, in the interests of their families and their unborn children, to take up the flu virus. They should contact their doctor and get the flu vaccination—it is the best protection that they could have.