SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Environment and Rural Development
Livestock (Transportation Costs)
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it can provide to reduce the cost to producers of delivering livestock to markets from island and remote communities. (S2O-5963)
Any direct support to producers in island and remote communities is governed by the European Union's agricultural state-aid rules, which are very restrictive. The Executive is currently exploring options in that area.
I understand the restrictions, but since it has been widely reported that Liberal Democrat leaders have failed to convince the European Commission of the case for keeping ferry fares down, is not it time that we took a cross-party approach that could deliver practical and political sustainable results in the form of an historic commitment to producers in the islands that they will receive social and economic justice? If the minister were able to respond in the spirit that my question describes, I think that we would convince the EU.
That is an interesting tack to take. I was at the convention of the Highlands and Islands in Shetland on Monday and I have had discussions with people in the northern isles. I am regularly apprised of particular issues there by the two constituency MSPs, Tavish Scott and Jim Wallace. I am surprised that Rob Gibson would think it particularly partisan of the two local members to take the trouble to go on their own account to meet the commissioner. To try to persuade the Commission on ferry fares seems to be a perfectly proper move for a constituency MSP to make. The members raised a number of issues and Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel responded with a number of suggestions, which are being considered. It is not necessarily a question of persuading the commissioner on ferry fares. Rules and regulations have to be adhered to. They are not easy, but as I said in my opening answer, we continue to explore the options.
Waste (Reduction and Recycling)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage waste reduction and recycling. (S2O-5982)
We are providing substantial resources through the strategic waste fund to improve recycling facilities. We are also funding the waste and resources action programme—WRAP—for waste prevention work in respect of home composting, real nappies and retailers.
What moves are being made by the Scottish Executive to reduce the amount of packaging on goods? In particular, what discussions are taking place with manufacturers and supermarkets?
We have a framework for packaging regulations and a recovery target within that. In November 2004, we launched the innovation fund that is run by WRAP. It is designed to help retailers to minimise waste from packaging and products. We have regular discussions with retailers. The amount of packaging that is used during transportation of goods from retailers to their stores has reduced, but I continue to be disappointed by the level of in-store product packaging that remains and we continue to pursue that with the retailers.
Liberal Democrat MP Sue Doughty stated in a Westminster debate last month that
With all due respect to my colleague down south, simply to state that we have zero waste does not mean that we have no waste. I appreciate that the member might believe that, but I do not. To wave a magic wand and simply say, "Abracadabra! We have no waste" would be an interesting policy, but one has to take action on the policies, although I am grateful that the member thinks I have such powers.
Has the minister given thought to the grievances that owners of small businesses often express? They think that Government policy puts in place many measures that help householders in collection and disposal of waste, whereas small businesses are left to pick up their own costs. Are there plans to give more help to small businesses for collection and disposal of waste?
I suspect that the member's question arises from concerns that have been expressed by the Federation of Small Businesses. I met—as I think he did—representatives of that federation, with whom I discussed the matter. There is an issue, not necessarily about help, but perhaps about trying to bring together a grouping, because I think that the member would acknowledge that a key area is not so much the amount of waste but the need to collect waste together in volumes that lend themselves to more efficient recovery and disposal. In my conversations with the FSB, I said that I would be willing to try to find a forum in which we might explore the matter further, because I am conscious of the problem.
European Beavers (Trial Reintroduction)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale is for determining whether approval should be granted for the proposal by Scottish Natural Heritage for a trial reintroduction of European beavers in Argyll. (S2O-6005)
SNH made its proposal in January 2002. Ministers asked the organisation for more information in December 2002, which was provided in February 2005. We will reach a decision when we have had the opportunity fully to consider the facts of the case.
Is the minister aware that the project has been delayed for a number of years and that if no decision is made this spring it will be delayed for another year, which would be regrettable given the work that SNH has put into the project, the strong backing of the conservation sector and the potential benefits for wildlife tourism?
As I said, the original application was made by SNH some years ago, but the additional information for which SNH was asked in 2002 was provided only last month. I am sure that the member agrees that information that has taken such a long time to assemble clearly requires to be considered with care. The situation with regard to the application is unusual, because SNH usually acts as our adviser on such applications, whereas in this case the organisation itself is the applicant—a situation which poses unusual questions. However, the main consideration from ministers' point of view is that we should explore all the potential impacts of such a development before we make a decision.
Question 4 has been withdrawn.
Single Farm Payment Scheme
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that producers of unsubsidised crops are not disadvantaged by the single farm payment scheme. (S2O-5915)
The Executive is not planning to take specific action because the single farm payment scheme should not disadvantage producers of unsubsidised crops. Under decoupling, production decisions will be influenced by market returns but not by subsidy payments.
I recently failed to get much sympathy from the minister on the issue with regard to deer farmers in Scotland; I hoped that the minister might have a little more sympathy for Scotland's potato producers. Does he accept that an increased area-based payment south of the border is bound to be reflected in the market price of potatoes throughout the United Kingdom, and does he also agree that Scotland's potato producers will be put at a serious competitive disadvantage because their support payments will be based on historic payments, for which potato crops did not qualify?
There is no lack of sympathy, but there is clearly a difference between Alex Fergusson and me on why I opted for the historic basis. I can only repeat my view of the financial state of Scottish agriculture, which is that far too small a percentage of businesses at the top end in each sector is anywhere near being financially viable. As a consequence, I concluded that to embark on total redistribution of Scottish subsidies while entering the radical change of decoupled payments would have had a very deleterious effect on the whole of Scottish agriculture.
The minister will be aware of constituents' cases that I have raised with him in relation to uncertainty over entitlements in respect of historic patterns for the single payment scheme. Will he tell us when his department will resolve uncertainties over entitlements for farmers under the single payment scheme?
We are very close to a final resolution. I deeply regret that it has taken so long, given that the scheme came into being on 1 January. Farmers are very close to completing the forms to meet the deadline.
Will the minister confirm whether there is any pressure from the EU to change the basis of payment in Scotland from the historic basis to the area basis?
I am not aware of any such pressure.
I ask members to welcome the Slovenian ambassador to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Iztok Mirosic, who is here with us in the balcony this afternoon. [Applause.]
Marine Legislation
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has plans to introduce legislation similar to the United Kingdom Government's proposed marine legislation. (S2O-5983)
I am considering the options for the sustainable management of Scotland's marine and coastal areas following a wide-ranging consultation last year. No decision has yet been taken on legislative or structural changes that might be required.
I welcome the recently announced inshore fisheries strategy. We will be making more and more use of the marine environment, whether through increased recreation or increased freight carriage—freight facilities grants were recently announced—or through offshore wind power, wave or tidal power, or undersea cables or pipelines. Does the minister agree that we must begin to put together a strategy to absorb all those uses of the marine environment sustainably?
I wholly agree. That is why I have made it clear that I want all aspects of our marine use to be brought within the framework of a sustainable strategy for the marine environment. We will have to decide what that framework will be and what outcomes we want in terms of improving, protecting and conserving the marine environment, taking into consideration all the competing pressures. Once we have established that framework, we will be in a better position to consider the legislative framework. We have to work in harness with the United Kingdom Government because much of the sea that is affected is not within the direct control of the Scottish Parliament.
Less Favoured Area Support Scheme
To ask the Scottish Executive why there has been a delay in payments under the less favoured area support scheme. (S2O-5956)
Mr Arbuckle has become a member of the Scottish Parliament and is consequently less well-informed than the journalist he once was. I therefore advise him that there has been no delay in issuing payments under the less favoured area support scheme 2005. Payments for 2005 are being made and started to appear in bank accounts on 22 March 2005.
I am reassured—more important, hill farmers are reassured—by that information. I assure the minister that I am still very much in touch with the industry. Does the minister have any plans to publicise individual payments under LFASS or the common agricultural policy, as the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs has done this week?
I think that ours was the first department to make it clear that the single farm payment scheme, to be introduced this year, will have to come within the ambit of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
As Sarah Boyack is not here to ask question 9, we move straight to question 10.
Rural Development (Land Availability)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to assess the impact of land availability on rural development. (S2O-5936)
On 7 February, the Scottish Executive published a document detailing Scottish planning policy, entitled "Planning for Rural Development". The document says that local authorities should adopt a proactive approach to providing land for development and that they should allocate sufficient land in development plans for business and housing developments.
The minister will be aware that demand for housing, particularly in rural areas, continues to outstrip supply; therefore, more land should be made available on which to build houses, as well as for other aspects of rural development. Is the minister satisfied that there has been diversification in land ownership in rural Scotland since the coalition came to power in 1999? Is he considering introducing any new measures, given that land availability is a serious problem in many areas of rural Scotland, which should be addressed? The Government has so far proposed two solutions. The first is a planning review, but planning helps only if land is put up for sale in the first place. The second is to make Forestry Commission land available for housing, but that is not appropriate in all areas. Can other measures be used to make more land available?
I acknowledge the problem, which is why the Executive embarked on discussions with the Forestry Commission on whether there are ways of making additional land available. My colleague Lewis Macdonald continues to take that forward. Planning is important. Although Mr Lochhead is right that ownership may be part of the problem, it became clear in the work that went on before producing the planning guidance in February that even within local authorities there is reluctance to redesignate land appropriately. However, the Executive currently has no plans to introduce new legislation regarding acquisition of land.
Freshwater Fishing
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in increasing access to freshwater fishing. (S2O-5906)
A group of stakeholders who have been examining access to freshwater fishing reported to a meeting of the freshwater fisheries forum in February. The options are being reviewed in the light of comments that were received at the forum and feedback that was received from forum members.
I am grateful to the minister for that information. In the meantime, however, will the minister tell Scottish Water that it would be completely unacceptable to sell or to lease out to the highest bidder the fishing rights on reservoirs such as Loch Katrine, Loch Arklet and Glen Finglas because that could mean that access would be restricted to syndicates of wealthy people, while ordinary anglers would be excluded?
Scottish Water's primary responsibility is for the supply of water and sewerage services—that is what the Scottish Executive expects it to do. In considering future arrangements for the waters to which Mr Canavan refers, Scottish Water has kept in close contact with local communities.
Health and Community Care
NHS Tayside (G8 Summit)
To ask the Scottish Executive what provisions are being put in place for Tayside NHS Board to cope with the expected demand that will be placed on it during the G8 summit. (S2O-5921)
NHS Tayside has been actively engaged with the police and other agencies in planning for the G8 summit at Gleneagles. It has contingency plans to deal with major emergencies, which will be invoked should the need arise. It has also taken into account the need for enhanced security in the area surrounding Gleneagles Hotel. NHS Tayside expects to offer the full range of routine and emergency health services to all Tayside residents.
I thank the minister for his comprehensive response. He will be aware that there are concerns locally about additional demand on the health service because of the influx of visitors to the area. Will he assure us that there will be the necessary support for NHS Tayside and—in particular—that there is no possibility that there will be a diminution in services to local residents as a result of the extra demands?
Since the location and destination of the G8 summit was announced, the health service has been working with the local health board and the ambulance service to ensure that that will be the case. The planning that they have outlined to me is focused on emergency and routine services for Tayside residents, emergency and routine services for residents within the security cordon and contingency planning for major incidents and emergencies, should they arise. Furthermore, all health boards in Scotland were written to as a result of the G8 decision in order that we could ensure that mutual aid will be available should the need arise.
The strain on the national health service might well be exacerbated by the fact that there is not yet a single safe location in Perthshire for peaceful protesters. What steps is the Executive taking to ensure that such a location is identified, which would ensure protestors' health and safety?
Such matters are for those who are planning the event. As far as the stress and strain on the NHS is concerned, we are planning ahead, as we do for all events in Scotland. Indeed, contingency planning for emergencies is a routine part of the Executive's work in partnership with NHS boards, local authorities and others. Mark Ruskell talked about the strain on the NHS, but I argue that we are planning for that strain and will be able to cope with it whatever decision is made about the safe location to which he referred.
Organ Donation
To ask the Scottish Executive what the success rate has been of recent organ donation campaigns. (S2O-5994)
As a result of our recent advertising campaigns, the number of Scottish people who have put their name on the organ donor register has increased significantly. By the beginning of this month, 1.3 million people in Scotland had put their names on the register. That is a figure of which we can be very proud. For the sake of all those who are waiting for new organs, we hope that organ donation rates will be boosted by two other recent initiatives: the creation of the Scottish organ retrieval team and the establishment of non-heartbeating donor programmes in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
I welcome the improvements that the minister has mentioned, but much more can be done. Will the Executive consider encouraging, and collaborating with, appropriate agencies on more innovative methods of registering people who wish to donate their organs, such as issuing donor card registration forms at the same time as council tax renewal forms, voter registration forms and passport and drivers licence application forms are issued?
Yes. In fact, many companies and organisations have links to the organ donor register; one of our approaches will be to develop the links that exist so that we can ensure that as many people as possible are aware of how easy it is to become an organ donor. We need to make it easy to donate so that we increase the number of organs that are available for donation.
The minister will be aware that there is an age limit for blood donors. Do any age limits apply to organ donations?
I do not have that information with me, but I will be more than happy to give it to Phil Gallie. The central point is that the public should have access to information that will encourage them to donate wherever possible.
Question 3 has been withdrawn.
Diabetes (Complications)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to reduce complications suffered by diabetics. (S2O-5947)
A wide range of national and local initiatives has been put in place to improve diabetes services and the care that is offered to people who have diabetes. Since the publication of the "Scottish Diabetes Framework" in April 2002, good progress has been made, particularly on managed clinical networks, clinical management systems and eye screening. An updated framework will be launched later this year following consultation that started last November.
Is the minister aware of the type 1 diabetes management system that is known as insulin pump therapy? It can provide flexibility for patients and reduce the worry of having hypoglycaemic episodes by delivering insulin as and when required. Is she also aware that, in February 2003, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence issued guidelines for the national health service in England and Wales concerning prescribing of insulin pump therapy for people who are unable to control their diabetes? Given the many serious complications that are associated with ill-managed diabetes and the cost of those complications, why are patients in Scotland not being offered the therapy if it is appropriate? Will the minister look into the prescribing or non-prescribing of insulin pump therapy in Scotland?
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland has issued guidance that sets out the criteria for the use of pumps, and the Executive expects health boards to implement that guidance. Some parts of Scotland have been slow to develop a pump service, but the situation is improving. I am more than happy to furnish the member with an up-to-date picture of where insulin pumps are being prescribed.
Does the minister agree that severe and costly diabetic complications can be avoided or mitigated by timely reference to an appropriate specialist? Does she agree that using the estimated glomerular filtration rate rather than the much less accurate serum creatinine could enable patients who have lost renal function to avoid renal dialysis? Will she consider encouraging health boards to use GFR as the test and reference trigger for patients who suffer loss of renal function?
I am conscious that the Scottish Executive must deal with many complex measures. I have an education background rather than a medical background, so I do not dare to enter into a highly technical specialised discussion with Nanette Milne, although I am more than happy to answer her question in writing.
Question 5 has been withdrawn.
NHS Lothian (MRI Scans)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce waiting times for magnetic resonance imaging scans in the Lothian NHS Board area. (S2O-5913)
We identified the need to reduce waiting times for key diagnostic tests, including MRI scans, in our statement on future directions for the NHS, entitled "Fair to All, Personal to Each", which was published in December 2004. We are on track to deliver on our pledge to announce new waiting-time standards this spring, which will help to speed the patient's health care pathway by substantially reducing the longest diagnostic waits.
I have brought the matter to the minister's attention because a constituent of mine was told that she would have to wait until December for an MRI scan. I am also led to believe that the new Edinburgh royal infirmary's MRI scanner often lies unused. If that is the case, does the minister agree that it is even more unacceptable to keep my constituent waiting? Given that the situation is similar to a situation that arose last year in respect of long waits for eye treatment, are long waiting times for routine treatment and inquiries endemic in NHS Lothian?
I mentioned steps that NHS Lothian is taking to address waiting times for MRI scans. The board is implementing a new service at the Western general in Edinburgh. Once it is up and running, throughput should improve. However, we share the member's concerns about waiting times, which is why we are introducing reduced waiting times for diagnostic tests. The time until a diagnosis is confirmed is a time of uncertainty and anxiety for patients, so it is vital that waiting times be as short as possible. That is why we have included a commitment to set new waiting-time standards for key diagnostic tests, which we will announce shortly.
Specialist Nurses (Parkinson's Disease)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure increased provision of Parkinson's disease specialist nurses in the national health service. (S2O-5918)
Workforce planning to deliver to patients first-class health services, including specialist Parkinson's nurses, is primarily a matter for NHS boards.
If that is the case, can the minister do anything to help the people in Lanarkshire, who were promised a Parkinson's specialist nurse in post by Easter 2002? No nurse appeared, however. They were then promised that two such nurses would be in post by November 2004, but none has appeared and the efforts to find any such nurses seem to have been extremely feeble. What can the minister do or what does she suggest I do?
The matter is an issue for the health board in that area. The specialist nurse role has to be seen in the context of a multidisciplinary team that includes medical staff, allied health professionals, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists, as well as nurses who have a special interest in caring for people who have Parkinson's disease. Many patients have contact with nurses who have specialist knowledge of Parkinson's disease but who are not necessarily specialist nurses.
National Health Service <br />(Nursing Staff Retention)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to improve staff retention by providing flexible employment opportunities for NHS nursing staff. (S2O-5996)
Facing the future is the banner under which recruitment and retention initiatives are being progressed to ensure that the modern health service in Scotland has the right quality and quantity of nurses and midwives to meet the growing demands of local communities now and in the future. The Scottish Executive Health Department has provided funding to NHS boards for return-to-practice programmes for trained nurses and midwives, enabling boards to bring more nursing staff back to the health service in Scotland.
I welcome the increased flexibility in the service, which is necessary if we are to attract and retain staff. I ask the minister to speak to his colleague the Minister for Transport, because I have received complaints recently from constituents who are unable to get to their places of work either because no bus service is available or because car parks are so expensive, particularly in Edinburgh, that people cannot use them. That is a simple issue, but it needs to be addressed quickly.
That is a valid point. I have had two meetings with Nicol Stephen, the Minister for Transport, to discuss the matter. To date, our discussions have been on patients and visitors travelling to nursing facilities, but the member adds the dimension of staff travel to work. I look forward to reporting back to the member in due course when those discussions have concluded.
I want the minister to imagine that I am a Lithuanian nurse who will be arriving in Scotland tomorrow. How soon could I be working on a Scottish ward?
We have a number of routes into the health service, one of which allows the international nursing qualification to be obtained. Of course, it is only when an individual has completed that clinical course to ensure that they have the adequate skills and talents to work in our national health service that that will occur. It is down to the individual to get on to one of the courses that we provide, information on which is provided on our website as well as by our universities and colleges. I suggest that the best route in is the international qualification that we provide for nurses who seek to work in our health service. The length of time that that takes varies depending on the individual's skills.
Given that many nurses in the Highlands are being given short-term contracts and others are moving out of the area to find work, will the minister consider setting up smaller NHS call centres in the Highlands? That would benefit patients and nurses alike.
The drive of NHS Scotland is to ensure that we provide as many services as we can in the local community. Indeed, more than 90 per cent of what we do in the health service is in the community setting. In addition, given the work that we are doing on asthma and diabetes and the many other treatments that we now do in the community, I suggest that there are many more opportunities that involve less travel for both patients and staff. We are also providing challenging, high-quality environments in which staff can work.
Has the minister taken action to do away with the agist policy of compulsory retirement of nurses?
An issue that affects the whole health service—and indeed public services in their entirety—is how to retain on fair terms the skills that have been developed there. I have commissioned work in the Executive to ensure that we engage positively with those who are approaching retirement age and want to work less but still be involved in the health service. I am happy to correspond with the member about the conclusion of those discussions. We have much-needed talent in our health service. Sometimes people leave the health service through their own choice, but we sometimes make it difficult for those who want to stay to do so. I want to make it easier for people to stay and provide a service to the public. I want us to retain their talents in the public sector.
Alcohol Use
To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors safe alcohol use. (S2O-5942)
The current safe limits for alcohol use are 14 units a week for women and 21 units for men. The principal source of data to monitor safe drinking levels within the population is the Scottish health survey, the latest results of which will be available in the autumn.
I received recently an answer to a parliamentary question, which I am sure that the minister will recall, which said that the Executive does not monitor directly the effect of the safe drinking recommendations. In the light of the changing human population and the rise in the number of drink-driving convictions, particularly among women, there is clear evidence that alcohol abuse and overuse are rising. Will she reconsider measuring morbidity and ill health arising from unwise alcohol use directly in order to contribute to improving Scotland's health?
Yes. I, too, am aware of the facts to which Mr Stevenson alludes. We are currently revising our plan of action for alcohol, which will commit us to a range of actions and to ensuring that we have the best, most up-to-date information and access to the best, most up-to-date research. Alcohol is a major problem for us in Scotland. We need to ensure that we have an up-to-date plan for action that covers all areas, such as crime, prevention, education, treatment, protection and controls. We must reduce alcohol-related harm throughout Scotland and we will do just that.
Dental Services (Remote and Rural Areas)
To ask the Scottish Executive how its oral health proposals will facilitate access to dental services in remote and rural areas. (S2O-5992)
"An Action Plan for Improving Oral Health and Modernising NHS Dental Services in Scotland", which I launched on 17 March, outlines a range of further measures to provide better access to dental services in remote and rural areas.
The new strategy and investment are welcome, especially in rural areas of north-east Scotland, where there have been problems with access. What dialogue will the Executive engage in with the relevant professional bodies to ensure that they actively support initiatives such as the 50 per cent increase in the remote areas allowance and play a key role in encouraging dentists to provide services in rural areas, including NHS dentistry?
I will be meeting the British Dental Association shortly. I am keen to discuss with it how we can implement changes and additions to the current recruitment and retention measures and how it intends to take advantage of the increase in the remote areas allowance from £6,000 to £9,000. I will also discuss with it the implementation of outreach teaching for dentistry students and students of professions complementary to dentistry at centres in Aberdeen, Inverness and Dumfries. I would also like to discuss how we provide support for remote practices to ensure sustainability—for example in relation to supporting extra staff—and how we can implement recruitment and retention measures for the dental team similar to those for dentists, such as financial support for professions complementary to dentistry. In my visit to Aberdeen I will be keen to discuss with NHS Grampian the provision of the outreach centre in Aberdeen, which is to be operational in September 2006 and which will combine teaching for dental and therapy students with facilities for salaried dental services.
Does the minister accept that there will be a substantial time gap before sufficient dentists are produced to meet the current shortage? How will that gap be filled between now and the future when qualified trained dentists enter the system and how can she ensure that all areas of Scotland will benefit?
We are investing £150 million of new money in NHS dentistry and in improving children's oral health. That will cover a range of actions to encourage dentists to enter NHS dentistry, ensure that dentists stay in NHS dentistry and ensure that we provide the highest-ever level of care and development for children's oral health. We need to ensure that the action plan is implemented as soon as possible, as we are aware that there are major problems of access to NHS dentistry.
General Questions
Commonwealth Games 2014
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on Glasgow's bid to host the Commonwealth games in 2014. (S2O-5940)
It was announced on 18 February that PMP Consultancy has been appointed by the bid assessment group, chaired by David Mackay, to help to assess the feasibility and winnability of a bid by Glasgow to host the 2014 Commonwealth games. David Mackay is expected to present the findings of the group to Scottish ministers in the summer.
Like all other members, I wish Glasgow every success in securing the games in 2014. What discussions will take place with surrounding and neighbouring local authorities to ascertain what benefits they can gain from a successful Glasgow bid and what they can contribute to the bid in the run-up to the selection process?
It is fair to say that economic benefits would come from tourism and visitor expenditure in Glasgow and throughout Scotland, as well as from the employment that would be generated by the organisation and staging of the games. The games might also provide opportunities for Scottish businesses to enhance trade with the Commonwealth countries that participate. In addition, the games would provide an impetus for sports development in Scotland, and Scottish athletes would benefit from competing on home soil. The benefit of holding the games in Glasgow could be spread around the rest of the country, and we would encourage other local authorities, organisations and businesses to get fully behind the bid if it is to go ahead.
Disabled People (Employment)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being considered to encourage businesses to employ disabled people. (S2O-5932)
Employment policy is reserved to the United Kingdom Government. The Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus support employers in raising awareness of good practice in employing disabled people and in fulfilling their duties under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. We welcome the Disability Rights Commission's recently launched employment campaign, which extends across the UK. The Scottish Executive's "Healthy Working Lives" action plan and its "National Programme for Improving Mental Health and Well-Being" support the employment and retention of people with disabilities.
I am pleased that the minister mentioned the fact that disability goes beyond physical disabilities. Is the Executive involved in any action to ensure that a business's recruitment process is carried out in such a way that people with disabilities are not discouraged even from applying in the first place?
We are considering the specific needs of disabled people in the development of our wider employability strategy. That involves a deal of discussion with the DWP specifically about benefits and programmes that can be developed for disabled people to enable individuals to benefit from the growing employment market. Those include the new deal for disabled people and pathways to work. The pathways to work pilot schemes have achieved substantial success in Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, and Argyll and Bute, with people who are on incapacity benefit being eligible for a £40 a week return-to-work credit. That is proving to be beneficial for the individuals concerned.
Higher Education (Research Funding)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that Scottish Higher Education Funding Council research funding is in line with Executive policies. (S2O-5972)
My annual letter of strategic guidance to the funding council sets out the Scottish Executive's priorities for all aspects of the council's activities, including research.
Does the minister agree that the emphasis on research funding in the field of energy should be on the development and effective use of renewable energy technologies, not just to the direct benefit of Scotland, but to enable us to export those technologies to the developing world to help it to meet its rapidly expanding requirements in safe and sustainable ways?
I have to tread carefully because I am prevented by law from directing SHEFC to fund particular institutions or research programmes. That said, I am certainly aware that a considerable amount of research has been done into the kind of alternative renewable energy developments that will be beneficial to Scotland and will help us to meet our challenging target of 40 per cent of electricity generated from renewables by 2020. As Nora Radcliffe says, that could also have applications furth of Scotland.
Question 4 has been withdrawn.
International Development Strategy
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation has taken place on the formulation of its international development strategy. (S2O-5917)
A range of internal and external stakeholders were consulted as our international development policy was developed. There were meetings with the Department for International Development, the British Council, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, a number of Scottish local authorities and a range of Scotland-based international aid agencies. NIDOS—the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland—also conducted an informal consultation of their members on our behalf.
I thank the minister for her answer and for the extensive consultation that has gone into the formulation of the strategy. I welcome the strategy and ask her to share with Parliament what she believes will be the impact of the strategy on communities outwith Scotland.
I thank Mr Swinney for his helpful question. One only had to be present on the evening when we discussed the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association delegation's trip to Malawi to understand the scale of the problem that is faced by aid agencies around the country.
Does the minister agree that life sciences play an important role in creating wealth and improving health and quality of life in Scotland? What consultation has the minister had with life sciences organisations with respect to using their special skills in international development activities?
The Executive does not think that its international development policy is a static piece of work; it is a living document and it will evolve and change with time. We will enter into more negotiation with the general business community in Scotland about the efforts that it can make. At a very good seminar on Monday, the Secretary of State for Scotland, Gareth Thomas of DFID and I talked to a wide range of contributors, such as NGOs and aid agencies, as well as businesses, about the work that they might want to do. Organisations throughout Scotland such as local authorities, schools and education providers, and businesses are willing to take part in and contribute to what we are doing. We will talk to anyone who has something to contribute to this process.
Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (Dungavel)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many children being held at Dungavel House immigration removal centre have been referred to the children's reporter under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. (S2O-5962)
Six children resident in Dungavel House immigration removal centre have been referred to the principal reporter under section 52 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. None of the children was referred to a children's hearing as a result of those investigations.
I refer the minister to an e-mail retrieved under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 from Alan Miller to Yvonne Strachan at the Scottish Executive, dated 12 September 2003, in which he states, inter alia:
I have no specific insight into the points that Christine Grahame makes. I am happy to look into the matter and to write to her, if that is appropriate and there is anything further to follow up. Notwithstanding what she said, any matter that is referred to the reporter for investigation will be investigated. If, in the reporter's judgment, matters need to be taken further and compulsory measures are required, those matters will be taken further.
Written Questions
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the standard of answers that it provides to written questions from members. (S2O-5941)
Yes. Questions are considered very carefully, with the aim of providing answers that are as informative as possible.
I am grateful for that response. From some information that I have already provided to her, the minister will be aware that all is not rosy in the garden of parliamentary questions. For example, has she considered the parliamentary answers that were given in the week beginning 21 February? Eleven of the answers could have been checked for manifest errors, as they included totals in tables. There were seven errors in those 11 answers. I have in my hand a 22-page document with answers that contain manifest errors. If there are manifest errors in answers that can be checked objectively by adding up the numbers, how many errors are there in answers that we cannot check so easily? Is it time for the only other mathematician in the Parliament to move over to make way for the one mathematician in the Parliament who can count?
The mind boggles at the thought of Stewart Stevenson being Minister for Parliamentary Business and having responsibility for such matters.
He was talking about being First Minister.
The member has bigger ambitions that I did not properly attribute to him.
Women's Football
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support women's football. (S2O-5952)
Since 1997-98, sportscotland has invested in excess of £1 million of Exchequer and lottery funding. It has committed a further £400,000 to support the Scottish Women's Football Association's current four-year development plan. Women's and girls' football has also benefited from facility awards and our substantial investment in initiatives such as active schools. Implementation of the action plan for youth football will also deliver a step change in the development of women's and girls' football.
I thank the minister for that full response, especially after the previous question. I gather that interest in women's football is growing. Can she reassure me that the necessary support is being given to the sport to ensure that it grows within an effective management structure?
Sylvia Jackson is correct to say that the sport of women's football is growing. Some 4,000 players are now registered, in addition to the 20,000 girls who we know are playing football in schools. This is a growing sport that is to be encouraged. The governance arrangements that have been put in place for women's football are a model that could be used by other sporting organisations and governing bodies. We have recently appointed in sportscotland a new women, girls and sport officer, who will lead the implementation of the organisation's women, girls and sport action plan. I hope that that will contribute to the continuing increase in the number of women playing football.
Will the minister join me in congratulating the work of the Scottish Schools Football Association, which has established a range of interschool competitions for girls, including the Bank of Scotland-sponsored senior shield competition? What action will she take to support schools that have had to cancel football matches due to fears over insurance and liability in the wake of the Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003?
As I am delighted to congratulate anyone who is helping to encourage excellence and participation in sport, I join Jamie McGrigor in congratulating the SSFA. As for his other question, some bodies that are involved in sport have perhaps been a little overzealous in some of their precautions over and arrangements for insurance. The best advice that I can give is that anyone who is concerned about such issues should contact sportscotland, which will provide very good and expert guidance about how to manage such issues.
Moray Air Bases (Job Losses)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the impact on the local economy of the loss of 1,000 jobs at the Moray air bases. (S2O-5899)
The First Minister and I met representatives of Moray Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Moray, Badenoch and Strathspey Enterprise on Monday, prior to the convention of the Highlands and Islands. Following a very informative and constructive discussion, we were pleased to announce that Highlands and Islands Enterprise will establish a small dedicated team within the local enterprise company that will build on the work of the existing local partners' task force to support the diversification and sustainability of the Moray economy.
Given that it has the lowest wage rate in Scotland, Moray already faces serious problems. Will the task force address those underlying weaknesses in the area's economy as well as the loss of the 1,000 jobs at the air bases?
Very much so. Part of our discussion centred on this opportunity to think about the diversification of the Moray economy which, as many people would accept, has been defence dependent for many years. Such considerations will form an important aspect of the role of the team, which will work with other organisations in the area that have been looking at and undertaking important work on this issue.
Given that many of the people who are employed at military bases in Moray will now leave the area, and that their partners and spouses work in schools and hospitals and form a vital part of its infrastructure, what support will be given to Moray Council and NHS Grampian to ensure that such a situation does not do any further damage to the area's economic prospects?
I am very aware of the fact that, as Stewart Stevenson has pointed out, the people whom he mentioned are engaged in the local health service and in local education and that service personnel children attend local schools. The Minister for Education and Young People and the Minister for Health and Community Care are also taking an interest in this matter. Any effect on the durability of such vital services will be considered by the local partners as they develop their action plan over the next three months. I assure Mr Stevenson and the Parliament that the relevant ministers and I will continue to monitor the issue closely.
Public Demonstrations (Management)
To ask the Scottish Executive what lessons in the management of demonstrations have been learned as a result of the Trident Ploughshares demonstration outside the Parliament on 10 March 2005. (S2O-5924)
Police forces regularly deal with demonstrations, and I am sure that Lothian and Borders police will have assessed the handling of the demonstration in question as a matter of routine. Any lessons would in the first instance be a matter for the chief constable.
People who have to police demonstrations and who have to look ahead to the next one have a natural tendency to overreact, because they will be criticised more for underreacting than for overreacting. Will the minister try to ensure that there is no such overreaction to the much more serious demonstrations that are likely to occur during the G8 summit? After all, the fear of hype and of being involved with alleged troublemakers will discourage ordinary peaceful people from going on legitimate demonstrations.
In the interests of giving accurate information to Stewart Stevenson and to other members who always like truthful answers, I point out that I have been involved in peaceful demonstrations and that I take seriously people's right to protest peacefully. People who are planning for the G8 summit have particularly noted the issue that the member mentions. I say to people who want to protest that doing so is perfectly legitimate but that they should protest safely and within the confines of the law. If they do so, they have nothing to fear.
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