Contents
- Scottish Parliament Thursday 24 February 2005
- Energy Efficiency
- Identity Cards
- First Minister's Question Time
- Question Time
- Standing Orders (Changes)
- Members' Interests
- Disability Discrimination Bill
- Business Motions
- Point of Order
- Decision Time
- Scottish Civic Forum
Question Time
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Education and Young People, Tourism, Culture and Sport
Question 1 is withdrawn.
Sportscotland (Accreditation Schemes)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken with sportscotland to develop accreditation schemes and new deal programmes to increase the number of people trained as coaches and sports assistants. (S2O-5527)
Through sportscotland, the Executive is taking forward a number of initiatives that have the aim of increasing the number of people trained as coaches and sports assistants.
The minister will be aware that a commitment to progress on that front forms part of the partnership agreement. I know that she fully understands the importance of coaches to the development of sports in Scotland. Would it be possible for the Executive to encourage young men or women who are involved in sport, either as professionals or serious participants, to take up training courses and accreditation through Scottish vocational qualifications and so on, so that they can begin to develop a career in coaching while they are still active sportspeople?
There are a number of routes into coaching. I am conscious that Donald Gorrie has a particular interest in the role of young sportspeople and in encouraging them to pursue a future career in their chosen sport or in a related sport. He is right to highlight the importance of such continued involvement.
Both he and I attended an event that I hosted at Edinburgh Castle last week, at which Sports Leaders UK was launched. The Executive and sportscotland already support that initiative and we hope to help to build on it. The contribution that was made last week by young people who are actively involved in that project bears testament to the idea that Donald Gorrie articulated.
It is important to note that my officials are in discussion with officials from Jobcentre Plus to consider how the new deal programme may assist in the provision of sports assistance, which is another vital area. The governing bodies of individual sports have a role to play in that, but of course we will assist and support them in their work.
Numeracy
To ask the Scottish Executive what efforts it is making to find more effective ways of increasing numeracy. (S2O-5531)
The Scottish Executive has put in place a range of initiatives to improve numeracy skills at all levels in our education system.
I am delighted to hear that and I am sure that all other members are, too.
Has the minister noted the Justice 1 Committee's report on offending, which shows that there is a huge correlation between innumeracy and illiteracy and a propensity to offend? Is he aware of the recently issued circular HE/04/05, which reveals that there is a shortfall of 440 maths teachers in secondary 1 and secondary 2? Will he make efforts at Executive level to promote exciting and engaging ways of encouraging numeracy? I advocate especially the work of Jakow Trachtenberg, my previous obsession with which the minister knows about.
I am aware of a number of Stewart Stevenson's previous obsessions. The first point that he made is serious. We know that many people who are in prison have struggled with literacy and numeracy from the outset of their education; indeed, the incidence of dyslexia in prison is noticeably higher than in the population as a whole, which is why we now spend a lot of time diagnosing such conditions much earlier and putting in place early intervention schemes and similar measures to try to support learning more effectively. If we can do that, it will save such people from being pushed to the margins of schools and, in turn, the margins of society.
On the point about maths teachers, I am encouraged by what we are achieving this year. We have achieved an 80 per cent increase in the number of maths teachers in training. That is purposeful; it is to try to hit our target not only to increase the overall number of teachers, but to reduce the size of maths classes in S1 and S2 in particular in order to ensure that we consolidate the benefits of learning in the early years.
I agree absolutely on the need to make maths more exciting. Last week, I attended an in-service day in Kelso for 80 primary school teachers in the Borders who were being taught new techniques to make maths more engaging for young people, especially boys, so that they can get more out of it, remain committed to their learning and therefore improve generally.
I am extremely encouraged that the Scottish National Party is showing signs of being interested in improving numeracy. That is not something on which the SNP has been strong in the past. I commend that change to the SNP finance spokesman, Alasdair Morgan, who is sitting next to Stewart Stevenson. I hope that it will help the SNP to balance its budgets in future.
Breakfast Clubs
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in extending breakfast clubs to all schools. (S2O-5454)
The Executive continues to provide support to breakfast clubs, mainly through child care strategy funding to local authorities. There has been an increase in the number of clubs in recent months.
I am pleased to hear that there has been an increase in breakfast clubs. I am sure that the minister will agree that the provision of a healthy breakfast is beneficial to children's health and that research has shown that breakfast clubs are showing benefits to behaviour and performance in class. Does the minister agree that all Scotland's children would benefit from access to breakfast clubs, that the current piecemeal approach to provision is unequal and that it further disadvantages many children and young people who are already disadvantaged? Does he also agree that it is wholly unfair that head teachers should have to set up breakfast clubs on budgets that are so small that they cannot afford to use direct catering services but must instead rely on donations and volunteers? We are creating an unequal system.
I will not allow speeches; you have asked your questions.
Yes, a good breakfast is helpful to the school day. I was in Eyemouth recently, serving a farmers breakfast to the children in the primary school there. It is interesting that kids like a healthy breakfast—in Eyemouth, they liked the fruit and the cereal that were available—and it is important to encourage them to adopt healthy lifestyles and healthy eating in future.
The child care strategy money will increase from £30 million this financial year to £43 million in the next financial year, which will allow local authorities to extend provision of breakfast clubs where they wish to do so. I note the progress that Glasgow City Council is making in that regard, which is the result of a decision that Greater Glasgow NHS Board and the local education authority took. That is an important way in which breakfast clubs can be extended.
A healthy breakfast at the start of the day is good, and I am encouraged by the fact that breakfast clubs are spreading in Scotland.
Sarah Boyack is not with us to ask question 5.
Scottish Screen (Local Film Offices)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether additional funding will be provided to Scottish Screen to support its network of local film offices. (S2O-5538)
It is worth my while to point out at the beginning of my answer that Scottish Screen does not have responsibility for the operation of local film offices, which act as independent partners in the Scottish locations network. The extent of any support that Scottish Screen might offer those partners is for it to determine.
Is the minister aware that Ayrshire will lose its dedicated film officer at the end of March for want of support from each of the three local councils in the area? The loss of professional expertise will undoubtedly mean that Ayrshire's share of the £25 million that film companies spend annually in Scotland will reduce, as will the knock-on benefits from film tourism. Is not it time for a rationalised film office network to be core funded nationally, so that the full potential of Scotland as a film location can be realised?
Mr Ingram is correct to highlight the important work that film offices do, in particular that of the office that is based in Ayrshire, which has accrued a number of important commissions over the years. I understand that, following an evaluation of Ayrshire Film Focus, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire has confirmed that it has approved three-year funding to support the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry—which is currently involved in the original Ayrshire Film Focus delivery—in delivering a film information service over the next three years.
I very much welcome the minister's comments on establishing a film information office within the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Does she agree, however, that it takes time for projects to establish contacts and networks? Can she assure Parliament that the new film information service will build on previous networks of contacts with key organisations to ensure a smooth transition to the new service?
I obviously cannot speak on behalf of the new operation or that chamber of commerce, but the fact that the new office, like the previous one, will be rooted in the chamber of commerce indicates to me that it would make perfect sense for the same infrastructure, the same contact networks and the same linkages and databases to be used to carry out what is a very important job for Ayrshire.
I welcome the minister's comments with respect to the Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire. Does she believe that, where it is shown that investment produces positive results far in excess of that investment, there is a duty on local authorities through their economic development roles to provide funding and support?
It is—of course—for local authorities and local enterprise networks to decide on their priorities. Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire has funded the operation there for a number of years, and at least two of the three Ayrshire local authorities have made a contribution to its costs. It is not for me, however, to direct them in how they might wish to use the pot of money that is available.
Schools (Spending)
To ask the Scottish Executive how spending outlined in "Expenditure on School Education in Scotland, 2005" is benefiting children. (S2O-5483)
That spending illustrates our continuing commitment, along with our local authority partners, to investing in giving our young people the very best opportunities to realise their potential.
The minister will be aware that the additional resources have been used positively in West Lothian in recruiting more teachers to schools and, crucially, in raising attainment levels among young people, particularly at standard grade and higher grade. Is he aware of the challenges that are faced by West Lothian, which is one of the few areas in Scotland that is likely to have a dramatically increasing population, both generally and at school age? Can he assure me that he will work with West Lothian Council to ensure that it has sufficient resources to allow quality to increase as capacity expands?
Bristow Muldoon is right to make a link with the Executive's record spending, which will rise by another 34 per cent between 2004-05 and 2007-08. That is record investment in schools by the Executive not just in terms of revenue, teachers and support staff, but in the huge capital investment programmes that are now available for building new schools. West Lothian is notable for what it has done in that regard. Indeed, I recently visited a primary school in the West Lothian constituency that neighbours that of Bristow Muldoon, where I saw the benefits of that capital investment.
The solution is not about putting money in for the sake of it. It is about buying improvements such as having better pupil to teacher ratios than ever, smaller class sizes, modern learning environments and more support staff. As Bristow Muldoon rightly said, that is delivering higher attendance rates and higher attainment rates throughout the school system. Real benefits are being delivered.
Most of Scotland's population is set to decline significantly, but that of West Lothian will decline much less than most local authority areas' populations. In some parts of the area, the population is growing significantly in the short term. The member can be assured that we will keep open our dialogue with local authorities on that. The underlying way in which we distribute cash to local authorities for schools reflects the number of pupils in the system. The growth in population will be reflected in distribution of cash to councils.
Schools
To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools have been built or refurbished since the outset of devolution. (S2O-5473)
Local authorities have progressed more than 400 capital projects involving investment of over £250,000 in a primary school and £500,000 in a secondary school, and they have built 99 new schools.
I am grateful for the minister's comments and certainly welcome the 17 new schools that are to be built in North Lanarkshire, especially as seven of them are in my constituency.
The minister may be aware that Alexandra Primary School in Airdrie received an excellent inspection report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education. However, the report also highlighted the unsatisfactory condition of the buildings. I would be interested to learn what consideration is being given to future rounds of public-private partnerships, which might offer some hope to parents, teachers and pupils at Alexandra Primary School.
Over the years, Karen Whitefield has frequently raised matters relating to schools in her constituency. Indeed, earlier this week, we met North Lanarkshire's director of education to discuss such issues. I acknowledge that parents feel that Alexandra Primary School is under pressure. The school is very good—the HMIE report showed that—but it wants to move forward so that it has better physical characteristics in the future.
North Lanarkshire Council is one of the most ambitious councils in respect of its capital investment plans. I think that I am correct in saying that it will invest just short of £200 million in new schools over the next few years not only through our PPP programme, but through the council devoting its own resources and using its freedom to make such investments.
We are gathering together the estate management plans from all local authorities to help us to gauge the true picture of the outstanding work that will be required in the future, while still investing in our PPP programme in the short term. We will consider future rounds of funding in years to come in that context.
The minister will be aware of my concerns about Argyll and Bute Council's decision to reduce the scope of its programme to replace schools. In particular, I am concerned that the council is not tackling schools that are most in need of refurbishment. I illustrate that point briefly by referring to Arrochar Primary School, the fabric of which is in serious disrepair; indeed, it is considered to be the worst in the area. Will the minister therefore confirm that his priority is for the worst schools to be dealt with first, which is the purpose for which £80 million was allocated to Argyll and Bute Council?
Jackie Baillie has also been assiduous in raising such matters with me both in the recent past and before then. As she knows, the ultimate decisions on such matters are taken at local level. Local authorities must take decisions and stand accountable for them at local level. That is the essence of local democracy. However, she is right to point out that the purpose of our finance is to deal first with the worst cases.
New schools are always welcome, but I wonder whether the minister shares my concern about the ambiguity as to where the risk in ownership of schools lies. Almost all PPP and private finance initiative projects lead to the asset concerned being shown as off balance sheet by the PFI company, but also as off balance sheet for the Executive. Is that a sensible way to deliver new assets for public services?
It is clear that that is sensible. In the recent past, we have made progress in matters on which no one else has ever envisaged progress being made in Scotland. There is now a situation that the Scottish National Party consistently opposes—the building of 200, rising to 300, new schools in Scotland. The SNP would veto the public-private partnerships that we are helping to finance, which are giving rise to more than £2 billion-worth of investment in new schools in Scotland. The SNP could never aspire to that. In fact, the SNP knows full well that an independent Scotland would struggle to do what we are doing. That is exactly why people in Scotland continue to refuse to vote for the SNP.
On new and refurbished schools, I wonder to what extent the Executive insists on there being some flexibility in provision that is made, whatever the method of construction. I am thinking about, for example, smaller class sizes and new facilities. Sometimes the tightness of accommodation is a bit of an inhibition on the ability to solve Executive and local council problems in that connection.
Robert Brown raises an important point. Over the next few years, we will have an unprecedented opportunity—of which the SNP would seek to deprive Scotland—to make the most modern provision of schools almost anywhere in Europe. Such an opportunity does not come around very often, which is why the design of schools is crucial. In that context, the Executive has issued design guidance and has encouraged people who are designing modern schools to come together to learn lessons from each other and to consider the implications of the new curriculum in order to create in our schools flexible spaces that can adapt to change during the coming period. As those projects progress, that will be reflected more and more in the design of our schools in the future.
Schools (Science Equipment)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that modern science equipment is provided for schools. (S2O-5481)
The detailed arrangements for supply and management of science equipment in schools are a matter for individual schools and their education authorities. However, the Scottish Executive has made resources available in line with its science strategy in the past two financial years and for the next financial year.
Does the minister share my concern over the decline in popularity of some subjects in schools and, in particular, in universities? Does he agree that pupils are motivated through being able to engage in interesting and relevant experiments and that provision of opportunities to undertake experiments—not just to see other people conducting experiments—is essential in attracting school students to the study of science?
Elaine Murray takes a great interest in the subject and I agree with what she says. There are several important initiatives to boost science in schools; for example, the Scottish space school, small grants for science and the science centres that the Executive will set up. I was recently pleased to announce that the Scottish Schools Equipment Research Centre has been funded to the tune of £330,000 to develop a number of the themes that Elaine Murray has mentioned.
Finance and Public Services <br />and Communities
Social Rented Housing
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to increase the supply of social rented housing. (S2O-5467)
Following the spending review, we announced our three-year plans for the investment of £1.2 billion in affordable homes to rent or buy. We have raised our three-year target for the supply of affordable homes from 18,000 to 21,500, of which more than 16,500 homes will be provided for social rent.
I was interested to read the letter in The Herald from the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development, who said:
"a significant element of demolition and rebuild on sites which are already served with infrastructure"
would
"not need new strategic capacity."
Can the minister confirm that he will not allow new-build developments on sites where houses previously stood to be delayed by Scottish Water?
The implication of what Lewis Macdonald said is that, in our calculations, we estimated that 15,000 homes would require new infrastructure and that the others would not. He was obviously addressing the concerns that had been expressed by Homes for Scotland. I repeat that our target is not 15,000 new homes, as Homes for Scotland seems to be implying. About 24,000 new homes are being built every year—many more than in previous years—and we expect that level to continue. We believe that the money that we have invested directly in the registered social landlord sector and more widely in water services will allow that number of homes to be built.
The minister will be aware of the review of social housing demand by Communities Scotland and Glasgow City Council, which projects that demand throughout the city will drop over the next 11 years. Does the minister accept that in pressured areas, such as my constituency in the west end of Glasgow, the demand for social housing continues massively to outstrip supply and that more resources should be invested in maintaining our housing mix in such areas? Will the minister consider the possibility of developing in the forthcoming planning legislation quotas for a mix of tenure to ensure the right mix of housing in areas such as my constituency?
We are keen to encourage a quota of affordable housing when wider housing developments take place, and we are already seeing significant use being made of that in places such as Edinburgh. We intend to produce a planning advice note that strengthens that policy. The issue might well be considered when planning legislation is introduced.
Obviously, as far as the overall need for housing is concerned, the general situation in Glasgow is different from that, for example, in Edinburgh. I certainly accept what Pauline McNeill said about her part of Glasgow, where there is a shortage of social rented housing. The option of considering parts of a city for an affordable housing quota could certainly be examined.
Local Government Funding Formula
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the formula for allocating funding to local government and other bodies in order to give greater weight to deprivation. (S2O-5465)
The Executive is more than happy to consider any representations from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities or other bodies to review existing methodologies. We look forward to discussing those matters with COSLA over the coming year.
I am sure that the minister will also welcome representations from back-bench MSPs; after all, he will be aware of the additional costs of tackling deprivation, which can clearly be identified in social work, education and health spending. Does he agree that, in order to deal with the depth and complexity of the problems, we need to ensure that adequate resources go to the front line? If so, will he consider allocating the £12 million in Treasury consequentials to the 10 most deprived local authorities in Scotland?
I say again that I am more than happy to discuss distribution matters with COSLA. I remind members that when I announced the local government settlement earlier this year I also announced redeterminations for the previous year of £169 million, which has considerably assisted local authorities.
In Scotland we must have a distribution methodology that truly addresses the needs of communities, irrespective of where they are. The current methodology has been in place for a considerable time. In meetings, I have made it clear to COSLA, back-bench MSPs and representatives of local councils that my mind is open to any suggestions that would allow allocations to be made that better reflect communities' needs.
The minister will be aware of a long-standing complaint from Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council, which are regularly at the bottom of the local government funding league. Does he accept that there are many indicators of need? Although deprivation is worth reviewing, the funding formula should be widely reviewed, not just one specific indicator.
I am sure that the areas that Mr Lochhead represents and to which he has referred have made their case to COSLA. I have no doubt that, when we meet to discuss these matters, the councils will reflect that point of view.
I am sure that the minister will want to congratulate West Dunbartonshire Council on its efforts to hold council tax levels down for a second year. However, he will also be aware that some local authority areas with the highest levels of deprivation—such as west Dunbartonshire, Dundee and Glasgow—also have the highest levels of council tax in Scotland. That is a direct product of the underweighting of deprivation and shifts in population. We do not need a system that penalises such authorities so heavily for population loss—
Quickly, please.
Indeed, the Barnett system does not—
No, no. You are making a speech now, Mr McNulty. I think that we have got the question.
As I said, I am more than happy to enter such discussions with COSLA. I have received representations from West Dunbartonshire Council, Des McNulty and Jackie Baillie and I am aware of the problems that the council faces. I have to say that those problems have existed since the Conservatives foisted local government reorganisation on us in the mid-1990s and they remain in vogue. We are more than happy to discuss with the parties involved potential ways of rectifying such deficiencies.
Question 3 is withdrawn.
Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003 (Implementation)
To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is being provided to local authorities to support the implementation of the Homelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003. (S2O-5469)
Local authorities are assisted by the provision of specific funding to prevent and alleviate homelessness. Over the spending review period, that funding will amount to more than £150 million, £61.5 million of which will support the legislation's implementation.
The minister might recall that I have already raised with him the subject of housing allocations in North Lanarkshire. I understand that he recently discussed the matter with the council. Although I commend the Executive on its projected aims for homelessness legislation, will the minister tell me what action is being taken currently to address the immediate problem of protracted waiting times for allocations that are being affected by homelessness allocations and, as a consequence, the inevitable perception among my constituents that the only route to an allocation is through a declaration of homelessness, regardless of personal circumstances?
I enjoyed a long discussion about that and other matters with North Lanarkshire Council recently. There will be another meeting with my officials because we are still waiting for some detailed information from the council.
According to the published figures for 2002-03, 18 per cent of allocations went to homeless people. The figure was 20 per cent in 2003-04. Both of those figures are below the Scottish average. I was told that the figures have increased considerably for this year; we want further discussion of that and the reasons for the increase with North Lanarkshire Council.
The target for the new rights to permanent accommodation for all categories should be achieved by 2012, so we have seven years in which incrementally to reach that particular objective, which has been widely admired not only in Scotland, but throughout Europe and further afield. We have time to meet the target even if particular issues have accelerated the situation in North Lanarkshire. We want to find the reasons and see what can be done to help.
Local Authority Housing Debt
To ask the Scottish Executive how much local authority housing debt has been written off by central Government since 1999 and which local authorities have benefited as a result. (S2O-5540)
A total of £985 million of local authority housing debt has been repaid by central Government since 1999. That has arisen from the whole-stock transfers by Glasgow City Council, Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council, and will help to generate nearly £2 billion of housing investment in those areas in the next 10 years.
Will the minister please advise the chamber how, in the interest of equity, council tenants who have chosen not to go down the stock transfer route might also receive the benefit of housing stock debt write-off?
A number of stock transfer options are available to councils. I am sure that the Minister for Communities will be able to fill Mr Adam in on the precise details, but as far as I understand it, the range of options that are available to local authorities to meet the Scottish housing quality standard—an objective that all in the chamber would share—include a retention strategy, using the prudential regime that is available to all local authorities; whole-stock transfer; and a mixed retention and partial transfer strategy. Those options are currently being considered by the authority in Mr Adam's area and we look forward to the development of proposals.
How many councils are currently pursuing the housing stock transfer process? Is it the Scottish Executive's objective to transfer all council stock in Scotland on time?
I understand that seven authorities are currently considering either partial or complete stock transfer. If I have got that wrong, I will write to Mary Scanlon with clarification. I understand that the Minister for Communities will have further details to announce on the overall programme in due course.
Freedom of Information (Housing Associations)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that housing associations, such as Scottish Borders Housing Association, should continue to be exempted from the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and what the reasons are for its position on the matter. (S2O-5551)
The Executive will shortly issue a consultation paper on the criteria for bringing other bodies within the scope of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. It would not be appropriate for me to prejudge the outcome of the consultation by commenting now on the specific position of housing associations.
I received a letter from the minister's department saying that the consultation document is being prepared. Will the minister advise how she is evaluating the running costs of large housing associations and whether they are truly improving the overall conditions for residents? Does she agree that if a large housing association such as the SBHA were to run into financial difficulties in the next 12 months or so, that would be a matter of public interest for Borders residents?
A number of those questions probably relate more directly to my colleague, the Minister for Communities, and I am sure that he will deal with them appropriately. I am answering the member's question because it relates to freedom of information.
It is in the Executive's interest to ensure that proper information about all public bodies in Scotland is available to people, according to freedom of information legislation. I assure members that Communities Scotland regulates housing associations to ensure that they deliver information and—if I may speak on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Communities—housing services to their tenants.
Refugees
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the needs of refugees. (S2O-5459)
The Executive is implementing the Scottish refugee integration forum action plan, which is aimed at improving integration. A progress report will be published in the spring. Since 2001, more than £9 million of additional funding has been allocated to a range of projects aimed at assisting refugees to integrate.
The minister will be aware that dignity at work is one need that refugees have. Given the severe skills shortages that many areas of our country face, when will the minister seek to allow refugees proper participation in the workforce to enable them to secure their own personal, and our social and economic, development?
I know that many refugees already contribute to Scotland's economy and I welcome that fact. That is one reason why we have a positive attitude towards asylum seekers and refugees who come to Scotland. In the latest round of funding, the Scottish refugee integration forum action plan provided funding for many projects that help refugees, mainly in Glasgow.
The role that refugees play in many workplaces throughout Scotland was explicitly praised by the Federation of Small Businesses in the meeting that I had with the organisation's representatives this week. We shall certainly do everything that we can to encourage the wider integration of refugees, including by encouraging them to play a part in the workforce.
Landfill Site (Greengairs)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to reach a final decision on the planning application from Eden Waste Recycling Ltd for a landfill site at Greengairs in Lanarkshire. (S2O-5478)
The final decision is dependent on the satisfactory conclusion of a legal agreement between the applicant and North Lanarkshire Council. I understand that the council hopes to conclude the agreement in the near future. On receipt of the agreement, Scottish ministers will make every effort to issue an early decision.
I draw the minister's attention to the unique position of Greengairs. There are already nine landfill and opencast sites in the surrounding area. The addition of another landfill site would totally fly in the face of the Scottish Executive's environmental and planning policies and would do further enormous damage to the environment and economy of that part of Lanarkshire.
As the member will be aware, Scottish ministers have already indicated that they will accept the report from the reporter, but we currently await the agreement between the local authority and the company to ensure that the conditions that are attached to the planning permission will be complied with. I think that Mr Neil knows that as well as I do.
The member will also be aware that the Scottish Executive is committed to addressing issues of environmental justice, which involves balancing the needs of local communities against the needs of the economy in any development or planning proposal. I look forward to a positive discussion in the Parliament on those issues, on which we will focus in the forthcoming planning bill.
I am sure that the minister is aware of the despair that is felt by the residents of Greengairs and Wattston in my constituency. Does she agree, as I think she said she did recently, that it is vital that the forthcoming planning bill provide communities with protection from the excessive demands of developers and allow communities to have a proper say in the planning process?
As I have said, recognition must be given to the cumulative effect of such developments, to the rights of communities and to the proper involvement of people in the planning process. The need to ensure that conditions are enforced once planning permission has been granted has also been a particular concern. Indeed, a recent meeting that I attended scoped out some of the issues around enforcement.
On the proposed development at Greengairs, people should reflect on the fact that the proposed conditions will require the applicant to seek to set up a liaison group involving representatives from the council, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, the operating company, the organisations that comprise Greengairs joint action group and any other local resident whom the council approves. I recognise that such a planning condition is probably not the first position that Greengairs residents would have taken, but it will go some way towards ensuring proper monitoring and enforcement of the planning conditions, if and when agreement is finally concluded between the local authority and the company.
Question 9 has been withdrawn.
Fuel Poverty
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in reducing fuel poverty and delivering its central heating programme to older people. (S2O-5489)
So far, the central heating programme has installed more than 46,000 central heating systems, the majority in older households. Recent research on the first year of the central heating programme showed that, of the people who were fuel poor, nearly nine out of 10 were lifted out of fuel poverty after the programme.
That is excellent progress and the minister will be aware that, as well as being effective, the free central heating scheme has been hugely popular among older people. Is she aware of the small number of contractors in the scheme with whose standard of work there have been repeated problems? Is the performance of contractors subject to regular review to ensure that they meet the standard of work that we should be able to expect from them, so that each and every older person involved in the scheme can receive its full benefit?
It is clear that the programme has been a huge success and has made a huge difference, and we must not understate the significance of the programme in addressing fuel poverty and improving the infrastructure of people's homes. Far more homes now have central heating than had it in the past. I also recognise that there are specific problems in specific places, and the individual experiences that members from all parties have raised will be reflected in any development programme in future. Some issues around the way in which the construction industry operates have also been highlighted, and we are committed to addressing those issues in relation to the central heating programme and elsewhere.
I assure Richard Baker and other members that the work of individual contractors is monitored. It is important that if there are specific issues in certain parts of the country, we know about that. Just because the programme is free to people at the point of receipt does not mean that people deserve a lower level of service. I would be concerned if any attitude in the industry suggested that that was the case.
General Questions
Violent Crime (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reverse the trend in violent crime in Glasgow. (S2O-5545)
The Scottish Executive attaches a high priority to tackling violence wherever it occurs. We have invested to deliver record numbers of front-line police officers and we are doubling the penalty for possession of a knife or offensive weapon, strengthening police powers of arrest and increasing the minimum age for purchasing a knife from 16 to 18. Also, to tackle violent incidents fuelled by alcohol, the forthcoming licensing bill will put in place a robust regime that will help to break the cycle of excessive drinking and crime.
I thank the minister for his reply, particularly with regard to the front-line police. Will he explain why, despite all the initiatives that he has mentioned, violent crime, in particular knife crime, is on the increase in Glasgow? Does he not agree that it is about time that we stopped passing the buck between the Executive and the police and instead looked to have a proper strategy of front-line policing for every area, to ensure that there are more police on the beat to prevent crime, rather than their reacting to crime that has already been committed?
Sandra White mentioned more policing. Perhaps she did not hear me when I said that we have record numbers of police in Scotland. She also referred to the front-line strategy for policing. That is a matter for chief constables. Unless I misunderstand Sandra White, she is suggesting that the Parliament should take responsibility for dictating how police services should be delivered at local level. That is an entirely different matter, which we shall certainly ponder if she wishes me to consider it, but it would be a fundamental difference from how we have always operated in the past.
There might well be issues around the figures that were recently reported. I do not know whether the final figures will turn out like that. Nevertheless, we are not, and should not be, complacent about knife crime. What we are doing is right: we are putting in record numbers of police; the Executive intends to give police additional powers of arrest—I hope that Sandra White and her party will support us in that—and we will tackle the issue of minimum sentences for carrying a knife or offensive weapon. I believe that we must also do more as a country and as a society to examine the culture that still makes it acceptable in some communities for young men to carry knives. That is something that requires more than legislation.
I accept that we should not allocate police resources, but we should be able to make representations on where police resources should be allocated. Does the minister find it unacceptable that two police officers have been allocated to the new Fort complex in Easterhouse and six police officers have been allocated to the Braehead shopping centre, while only one police officer serves the Blackhill and Ruchazie areas of Glasgow? Surely we should focus our police resources where they are most needed.
I repeat some of the comments that I made to Sandra White. I believe that it would be dangerous if ministers in the Parliament started to dictate to chief constables exactly where they should deploy police officers. I believe that it is right for local MSPs such as Paul Martin to make representations to the chief constable about how the record resources that have been given to Strathclyde police are being used. However, to suggest that ministers should be able to influence how such decisions are taken is a fundamental step away from that. That would change entirely the environment in which we deliver, operate, manage and account for police services in this country.
We have always attempted to keep politicians one step removed from operational decisions. Although local politicians are right to raise concerns, I am not convinced that it would be a step forward if ministers or other politicians stepped into those decisions.
Gun Crime
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in addressing gun crime. (S2O-5460)
Steady progress is being made. Firearms offences have almost halved over the past 10 years and last year legislation introduced minimum sentences for the possession of a firearm and provisions for tackling air weapons and imitation weapons. However, we can never be complacent and we will continue to work closely with the United Kingdom Government on what more can be done.
The minister will be aware that replica weapons are a significant difficulty and that they are all too readily available in many shops in our high streets and communities. Is it not time for the Parliament to take responsibility for firearms and to legislate to address the problems caused by real and replica weapons in our communities?
I refer Kenny MacAskill to the answer that my colleague, Cathy Jamieson, gave to his colleague, Stewart Maxwell, on 10 February. Perhaps Kenny MacAskill did not hear her state in relation to that proposition:
"I am perhaps sorry to disappoint Mr Maxwell by saying that I disagree."—[Official Report, 10 February; c 14517.]
She also drew Mr Maxwell's attention to provisions that were commenced in January 2004.
We believe that firearms offences are serious. The United Kingdom Government is operating on our behalf and in partnership with us. I believe that it is right to have a consistent approach on firearms throughout the United Kingdom. The UK Government has been responsive to anything that we have suggested and I look forward to future partnership with it on the matter.
Does the minister recall that, at the time of the handgun ban, many law-abiding citizens lost their sporting interest? Can he now evaluate whether their loss has contributed to the fall-off in gun crime?
That is an entirely separate issue. I am not persuaded that we should revisit a very difficult but courageous step that was taken in the aftermath of Dunblane. I see no positive social advantages in trying to widen the potential for ownership of handguns. Generally in society, a broad welcome has been given to the measures that have been taken and there is recognition of why they had to be taken. Although I understand the point that Phil Gallie makes about some of the responsible owners who were affected in respect of their sport, I am not persuaded that there is evidence—or that it is worth our while to try to get evidence—that seeking to extend ownership of handguns would contribute to progress in this country. I doubt that it would.
Speed Restrictions (Roadworks)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether speed restrictions associated with planned roadworks should be lifted during the times when work is not being carried out. (S2O-5541)
For safety reasons, it is necessary for temporary speed limits to continue as long as equipment and traffic management measures remain in place. All roads authorities, utility companies and contractors should ensure that works are efficiently managed to reduce inconvenience to road users.
As the minister has travelled Scotland in his ministerial car in the evenings and at weekends, he will often have come across the situation that I describe. Constituents have drawn the situation to my attention. They are rather concerned that it seems to be possible to remove the cones and to suspend the roadworks activities, but not to suspend the speed limits. It seems that many people are being caught speeding.
Is a question coming?
Will the minister consider traffic orders to minimise the time that speed limits are in place, especially at weekends when work is not taking place?
As I said in my original response, if equipment is still present and if traffic management measures such as cones and signs are still present, the speed limit remains in force for safety reasons. If Brian Adam can give me examples of cones, signs and equipment being removed but the speed limit remaining enforced, I will consider them to see whether the limit can be removed. However, all the advice that I have been given is based on safety considerations. The advice has come not only from contractors and local authorities but from the police, who of course are responsible for safety and the enforcement of speed limits.
Environmental Crime (Prosecution)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address any systemic problems in the prosecution of environmental crimes. (S2O-5516)
I do not believe that there are any systemic problems associated with the prosecution of environmental crimes. On the contrary, with the establishment of the networks of prosecutors who specialise in environmental and wildlife law, the department is enhancing its approach to dealing with such crimes.
I know that a lot of work is being done in this field, and I hope that the number of environmental prosecutions will increase to the level that we would expect—pro rata—given the level south of the border. The average level of fines for environmental crimes in Scotland last year was double that of the year before, at just over £5,000. However, the average level of fines for environmental crimes south of the border is nearly £9,000. Does the Solicitor General for Scotland regard that as a matter of concern? If so, how can it be addressed?
The level of fines that the courts impose is entirely a matter for them. They must address that issue independently of the prosecution and, indeed, of the Executive. However, ensuring that sentencing is appropriate is obviously of interest, so the Executive is engaged with the Judicial Studies Committee in considering the relative levels of fines, to see whether the fines are in proportion to the offences. Of course, offences can vary substantially and it can sometimes be futile to compare the level of fines without also considering the nature of the offences in question.
Community Renewables Initiatives
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to community renewables initiatives. (S2O-5546)
I recently announced the extension of our Scottish community and householder renewables initiative for a further three years, supported by a £6.6 million investment. I have also been able to allocate a further £400,000 to the initiative in the current financial year to meet the current high level of demand.
The Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning will be aware of the success of the Gigha community in erecting its own wind farm, which will bring significant benefits to the community over the foreseeable future. The benefit will be £60,000 to £70,000 a year net, and the figure will rise to well over £100,000 a year once the capital has been paid off.
If that blueprint could be replicated throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, it would bring financial self-sustainability to many communities. I wonder what actions we are taking to share that blueprint with other island and mainland communities in the Highlands.
I take the opportunity to congratulate the community on Gigha on their wind farm. The wind farm shows the community's go-ahead nature since it was able to arrange a community buy-out of the land.
We have the Scottish community and householder renewables initiative, which is substantially funded, and we have examples such as that of Gigha. I hope that other communities will see the opportunities and make applications to the fund.
I take the opportunity also to congratulate the community on the island of Burray in my constituency. A private company undertook the development there without any public funding. That example shows that, when communities get the bit between their teeth, some of the wind farm initiatives that mean that they can provide their own generation are achievable.
Glasgow Subway
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports modernising and extending the Glasgow subway. (S2O-5519)
Strathclyde Passenger Transport is responsible for the Glasgow subway. SPT has an on-going programme of maintenance, refurbishment and upgrading and is currently scoping the work that is required to carry out significant long-term improvements to the subway. The Executive very much supports investment in modern, reliable public transport.
The minister will be aware of recent statements by Councillor Alistair Watson, the SPT chair, in support of the extension of the underground. The minister will also be aware of the dilemma that SPT faces because of high replacement costs due to the non-standard gauge of the track and the non-standard carriages on the subway. In view of the important contribution that the underground makes and of its potential to make a further contribution to controlling traffic congestion in Glasgow, is the minister prepared to give his support, in principle, to modernisation and extension of the underground? For example, will he commit Executive funding to a feasibility study on the subject?
I have not been approached on the issue as yet. Alistair Watson has briefed me on the scope of the study that SPT anticipates and a considerable amount of work will need to be done to consider the long-term strategy for the subway. We want to see modern, 21st century public transport facilities right across Scotland. We are investing in trams for the city of Edinburgh and in rail improvements in various parts of Scotland, including the reinstitution of rail lines. I believe that part of the work that we will do in future will require the improvement, upgrading and modernisation of the Glasgow subway.
Maternity Units (Inspections)
To ask the Scottish Executive what accreditation points were achieved in inspections by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of maternity units at St John's hospital, Simpson maternity unit and Borders general hospital. (S2O-5510)
Accreditation of such units by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists provides an objective mechanism for assessing hospitals to give a factual record of the training and educational opportunities that are provided. The score, out of a possible 50, represents only a small part of what is a very comprehensive assessment of an individual unit. St John's was inspected in June 2004 and achieved 30 points; the Simpson centre for reproductive health was visited in May 2003 and achieved 44 points; and the Borders general hospital was visited in November 2004 and achieved 41 points.
Does the minister agree on the excellence that is provided at the consultant-led maternity unit at Borders general hospital? Does she also agree that the services that are provided could be open to mothers and families from Midlothian and north Northumberland and that the services at BGH should be promoted as such?
On the recent visit that I made to the unit, when visiting a new mother and her beautiful eight-hour-old son—
Quickly.
The mother came from Newtongrange in the minister's constituency. Does she agree that bringing mothers and families from other parts of Scotland to the BGH would seal the future—
Come on, Mr Purvis. This is a speech. I call the minister.
We welcome excellence where we see it. However, as the member knows, NHS Borders is working as a full partner with the south-east and Tayside regional planning group. The sub-group on maternity services will help to determine the regional strategic provision of services in future. Of course, the review has been influenced by the declining birth rate, the impact of European Union working time regulations and other workforce changes. As the member might know, an interim report of the sub-group's work is currently in development. In the meantime, the status quo will be maintained.
It is important to say that any changes in service delivery that arise from the review will be subject to full consultation with all stakeholders, including the local population and the maternity services liaison committee. It is important that the review is being done regionally and that full consultation is being undertaken.
Is the minister aware that St John's hospital in Livingston is one of the few maternity hospitals where a rising birth rate is being recorded? It is likely that the birth rate will pass 3,000 births per year. Is the minister also aware that NHS Lothian recently advertised two new consultant obstetrician posts at St John's hospital in Livingston? Does she welcome that, and does she think that it underpins the unit's future?
Yes, of course. It is welcome news for the sustainability of provision there.
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