SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Energy Options Assessment (Publication)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it now has an expected date of publication for its independent assessment of the energy options open to Scotland, as recommended in the "First Annual Report of the Council of Economic Advisers". (S3O-7902)
The Council of Economic Advisers is currently considering the report.
What weight will the Scottish Government give the independent report, given that the Council of Economic Advisers and the business community have concerns about the energy policy?
The Government obviously pays particular attention to the issues and proposals that are put forward by the Council of Economic Advisers. We are fortunate to have access to a range of individuals who give of their time, commitment and energy to address some of the strategic questions that face Scotland. Of course we will consider the opinions that are expressed by the Council of Economic Advisers, as we have demonstrated in our response to the council's first annual report, in which the Government explained and set out some of the approaches that we are taking to address the significant issues that were raised.
Has the cabinet secretary endorsed the report that the marine energy group of the forum for renewable energy development in Scotland—FREDS—published on 26 August, which praised the £13 million wave and tidal energy scheme that was put in place by the previous Scottish Administration and recommended
The Government is giving significant support to the development of wave and tidal energy in Scotland. Indeed, on a recent visit to the Orkney islands, I saw some of the most recent developments in that area. Further, the First Minister recently inaugurated the new Scottish European Green Energy Centre in Aberdeen, with which Mr Macdonald will be familiar.
Question 2 has been withdrawn.
Justice of the Peace Courts (South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received recommendations from the Scottish Court Service regarding the future location of the justice of the peace courts in the sheriffdom of South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway and, if so, what those recommendations are. (S3O-7935)
The Scottish Court Service has recommended to me that Annan, Cumnock, East Kilbride and Girvan courts should close. I am currently considering that recommendation.
The original communication from the Scottish Court Service suggested that the order would be laid in early September. Given that that same proposal was rejected soundly by the Justice Committee in May this year, I entreat the cabinet secretary not to resubmit the order, since it is very unlikely to get through the committee or Parliament.
As I said, I am considering the recommendation from the Scottish Court Service and discussing matters with members of the committee and others. If Elaine Murray wishes to discuss the matter with me, I am happy to do so.
Teaching Hours (Early Years Education)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the minimum number of required teaching hours will be per month for each early years establishment serviced by a peripatetic teacher. (S3O-7919)
It is for local authorities to decide how teachers are best deployed in pre-school settings to reflect local needs and circumstances. Research evidence is inconclusive on how much teacher time is required to improve children's outcomes, so there is no robust basis for setting minimum thresholds for teacher access in full-time, part-time or peripatetic settings. It is clear, however, that teacher support needs to be regular and sustained.
We have heard another cop-out from the minister: a grand promise was made, but there has been no action to back it up. The minister talks about input being sustained. Will he confirm that, as I am told, a two-hour visit from a teacher once a term will be sufficient?
No, that will not be sufficient at all. The statistics that were published yesterday on support for pre-school children show a 4 per cent rise—to 70 per cent—in the number of pre-school children who have access to a General Teaching Council for Scotland-registered teacher. That is the equivalent of an extra 3,600 children, which is real progress.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I am sure that the minister would not want to mislead Parliament. He said in response to my first question that it was a matter for local authorities to decide. However, he then said that a two-hour visit once a term would not be acceptable. If the minister knows what is not acceptable, why has he just told me that that is for local authorities to decide? Can you help me, Presiding Officer, in trying to get the minister to reply to the question or to withdraw the misleading information?
You know that that is not my role, Mr Henry, but I am sure that the minister has noted your point.
Bang goes another manifesto promise. We now know that access to a nursery teacher for every child has been dropped from the manifesto. Will the minister confirm whether the number of children who have access to a qualified nursery teacher has gone up or down? From my reading of the statistics, the number has gone down.
I am happy to correct Rhona Brankin in her interpretation of the statistics. There is, as I said, a 4 per cent rise in the number of pre-school children who have access to a GTCS-registered teacher, which is an increase of 3,600 children throughout Scotland. That is significant progress.
Question 5 was not lodged.
Marches and Parades (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive when ministers next plan to meet Strathclyde Police Authority and Glasgow City Council to discuss marches and parades. (S3O-7909)
Although I meet regularly with Strathclyde police authority, I have no plans to meet with it or with Glasgow City Council to discuss marches and parades. I would be happy to discuss the matter with Strathclyde police authority at a future meeting if it wishes to do so.
The minister will be aware that the Government recently justified a £3.5 million capital city supplement to Edinburgh on the basis that it recognised
The member mixes up two distinct matters: events of a cultural nature that occur in Edinburgh and some events that occur in the west of Scotland that are euphemistically described as cultural. I do not view Orange marches as falling into that category.
I draw the cabinet secretary's attention to a proposed demonstration in Glasgow in November that is unwanted and clearly not cultural. The English defence league plans to come to Glasgow and spread its hate and poison outside mosques. We should say no to that. I have already written to Strathclyde Police and Glasgow City Council. Will the cabinet secretary back me by making representations to both those organisations to ensure that that poison is not spread in our country?
Such events are, as I said in response to Bill Butler, a matter for the local authority, but our Administration has always said that it will support local authorities when they act in defence of their communities. The defence of the community includes not only the wider community, but specific minority communities that must be protected from those who seek to spread poison and bile. Strathclyde Police will, as always, have our support in taking whatever steps it feels are necessary to protect every citizen and every community in Scotland from those who seek to do them harm.
The cabinet secretary indicated in his response to Bill Butler that he would be happy to discuss these matters with Strathclyde Police if it wished to do so. I respectfully remind him that his predecessor signed a written agreement with many of the marching organisations and with the police in Scotland on the subject of marches and parades. Will the new Scottish Government continue to support that written agreement? Will the cabinet secretary monitor its implementation proactively, rather than waiting for the police force in Strathclyde or elsewhere to raise the matter with him?
We support the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006 that Mr McConnell and his Government introduced, which gives local authorities powers over such matters. We believe that local authorities are best placed to protect their communities. That may not have been Mr McConnell's view, or he may have forgotten it, but the purpose of the 2006 act was to allow local authorities—which are best placed to do so—to provide a balance in deciding which marches are appropriate and beneficial for a community, and which are inappropriate and unacceptable. We fully support the right of local authorities to make those decisions and to take the advice of our police and work in conjunction with them. It is not a matter for micromanagement—we should support the legislation that Mr McConnell introduced and of which he should be proud.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My question referred to the written concordat with the marching organisations and the police authorities in Scotland that followed from the 2006 act, rather than the act itself. I would be grateful if you would indicate whether it is appropriate for Mr MacAskill to write to me with a reply to that question, as he misunderstood what I asked.
As I am sure that Mr McConnell knows full well, it is for the minister to decide how he responds.
Bluetongue (Vaccination Rules)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the rules regarding vaccination for bluetongue disease in sheep. (S3O-7892)
The requirement to vaccinate cattle and sheep will remain in place until it is suspended on 25 October. After that, there is a lower risk of bluetongue infection because lower air temperatures mean that we will be in a transmission-free period. The Scottish Government and stakeholders will meet towards the end of 2009 to discuss vaccination arrangements for 2010.
Is the minister saying that vaccination will not be compulsory after 25 October? If that is so, will he agree that it is far more convenient for the jab to take place in the months that precede winter—September, October or November—rather than waiting until January, when the ewes will be in lamb and there will be extra stress?
The current arrangements were drawn up after full consultation with all stakeholders, including the sheep sector. We will continue, as I said in my previous answer, to discuss the arrangements for 2010. If the sector wants to propose any changes to the arrangements, we will listen closely.
Government Economic Strategy
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing "The Government Economic Strategy". (S3O-7896)
In the face of recession and a tightening budget squeeze, implementation of "The Government Economic Strategy" is being driven across the public sector through a range of co-ordinated actions that are designed to achieve the Government's purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth in Scotland.
"The Government Economic Strategy" includes a laudable target to increase the business start-up rate. According to the Scotland performs website this morning, performance against that target is improving. However, that runs counter to the evidence in the global entrepreneurship monitor report for Scotland, which is published by the Hunter centre for entrepreneurship. Does the Government believe that the business start-up rate is improving? If not, what does it intend to do about that?
Mr Brownlee will be aware that within the Scotland performs information system there is a published set of guidelines about the measures that are looked at and the information that is considered to inform the final decisions that are taken by statisticians—I reiterate that they are taken by statisticians and not by ministers—on the performance within that system. All of that is independently assessed. I have made it clear all along that the Government will consider whether the measures that are used to judge on those points are appropriate and adequate. If Mr Brownlee has representations to make on that point, I will of course listen carefully to them.
Budget 2010-11
To ask the Scottish Executive how the 2010-11 budget will assist local communities. (S3O-7914)
The Scottish Government's spending plans for 2010-11 will mean protection for front-line services, households and local businesses at a time of economic hardship as well as on-going investment in our economic recovery plan, all of which will greatly assist local communities throughout Scotland.
I have previously asked the Scottish Government to recognise through its budget the particular needs of the city and communities of Glasgow. It has failed to do so. This year, it proposes to rob the city of £120 million-worth of investment, and the much-needed jobs that would come with it, in order to pay for its pet projects such as the national conversation. Why does the Government continue to treat Glasgow and its communities unfairly? [Interruption.]
Order.
Why is Glasgow having to take the hit for the obsessions of this Scottish Administration?
I unreservedly thank Patricia Ferguson for the opportunity to put on the record once again the very strong level of support that the Administration is giving the city of Glasgow.
Order.
We then have the M80 Stepps to Haggs motorway at a cost of £320 million, the national indoor sports arena in Glasgow and the Southern general hospital, not to mention the significant transport improvements on the rail network including the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail improvement programme. In addition, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning has announced £300 million of support through the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council for the Glasgow city centre colleges.
Local Government Grant Distribution Review
To ask the Scottish Executive when and how it will report on the conclusions of its review of the local government grant distribution process. (S3O-7951)
I have just received the joint review group's final report and I am considering the recommendations. An announcement on the way forward will be made in due course.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that the gap between the most poorly resourced and the best-resourced councils is too great? Will he commit to meeting the five councils that receive less than 90 per cent per capita allocations with a view to exploring the introduction of a floor below which local authority funding to each council will not fall?
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