SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Sex Education
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the promotion in schools of the Billings ovulation method of family planning is consistent with the aims of its sexual health and relationships strategy. (S2O-8232)
The Executive has no evidence that the Billings method of family planning is being promoted in schools.
I am glad that there is no evidence, but I asked whether promotion of the method would be consistent with the strategy. I will assume that the minister would say that it is not. Will he go further and say that much of the information—I use the word advisedly—that is provided by the organisations that promote the Billings ovulation method in appropriate environments is highly inappropriate in schools, because it leads young people to assume that condoms are an unreliable method of protection, when in fact they protect not only against pregnancy but against sexually transmitted infections, which Billings and similar methods do not?
The organisation concerned acknowledges that it does not consider the method to be suitable for teenagers. Therefore, I suspect that the question is based on a wholly inaccurate report in one of our Sunday newspapers. I reassure Patrick Harvie that there is no evidence that the Billings method is being promoted in schools. His question was based on a false premise.
European Union Legislation
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the European Commission regarding the commission's plans to simplify existing and forthcoming EU legislation. (S2O-8175)
Scottish Executive ministers and officials have regular meetings with their counterparts in the European Commission during which the better regulation agenda is one of the many issues that are discussed. The Executive whole-heartedly supports the Commission in its efforts to simplify existing and forthcoming legislation.
Does the minister agree that, as a Parliament that must deliver much European legislation, our involvement in the process is vital? Does he agree that we must move forward on the basis of the conference of European regions with legislative power declaration in Munich this week, that the European Commission should consult regions and nations that have legislative power when it proposes new laws that would have been delivered by the constitutional treaty? What is the Executive doing to pursue that at Europe and Westminster levels?
We very much agree that regions that have legislative powers should have far greater input to development of legislation in the European Union. Nora Radcliffe is right to say that, had the constitutional treaty gone through, that would have been important to us. However, as we have said before, there is no reason why that part of the agenda cannot be taken forward even though the constitution is on hold at the moment. We liaise regularly with United Kingdom representation in Brussels on that and on the better regulation agenda, and we attend working groups there. The issue is important for us; the First Minister has had discussions on it with senior representatives in Brussels. We will continue to pay considerable attention to it as we try to improve the business environment and lift the burden of regulation where appropriate.
Is the minister satisfied that all the Scottish Executive's concerns in relation to the transposition of EU legislation and EU regulation into domestic law in connection with the single farm payment scheme have been addressed? Does the Executive have any remaining concerns about how it is interpreting the detail of the single farm payment scheme as it applies to farmers in this country?
I have to confirm that I do not—given that I have something of a life—carry that kind of detail around with me, but I am more than happy to respond to John Swinney in writing as soon as possible.
Does the minister welcome the First Minister's comments in the Regleg meeting to which Nora Radcliffe referred—his comments underlined a point that I have made all along—that there was no need for us to sign up to the constitutional treaty for the Parliament to have a voice in European affairs?
On the contrary, the Commission has committed itself to a three-year programme and is determined to reduce wherever possible the burden of regulation on business and on the public sector. A very robust programme is taking a backward look at the impact of legislation that is already in place. There are high hopes—that come from the revamped Lisbon agenda—that that work can make a substantial difference.
Does the minister agree that, in addition to better regulation and simplification of the European Union's legislative process, greater transparency would be welcomed by Europe's citizens? For example, does he believe that when the Council of Ministers is in legislative session, its meetings should be open? Will he ensure in discussions with United Kingdom colleagues that there is a commitment to bringing into the legislative process greater openness and transparency in that way? Albeit that the UK submitted the proposal during the process on reform of the treaty, will he ensure that the issue remains on the agenda in order that the Commission can engage better with Europe's citizens?
I confirm that the Scottish Executive is determined wherever possible to promote transparency. At the meetings that we attend—including the joint ministerial committee on Europe—we will continue to make such points.
Question 3 was not lodged.
Schools (Bullying)
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to tackle bullying in schools. (S2O-8216)
The Executive supports a range of initiatives to combat bullying as we regard any bullying to be unacceptable in our schools.
Is the minister aware that sometimes, for what schools believe to be good reasons in respect of personal safety, victims of bullying are sent home, kept in at breaks and taken out of classes? Does he agree that segregation of innocent parties sends out the wrong message and contributes to the emotional distress of young people who suffer from bullying? Will he give an assurance today that he will, in discussion with local authorities and head teachers, consider how we can ensure that the perpetrators rather than the victims are isolated and singled out?
I agree with the sentiment that Irene Oldfather expresses. New policies and new approaches, which build on good practice that we know works, are constantly being developed to deal with bullying. The intention of the policies is very much to focus on the perpetrators and to support the victims. The aim is also to ensure that the perpetrators face up to what they have done and that they try, wherever possible, to make reparation to their victims. Sophisticated schemes that are now in operation in schools use restorative practices to allow a better transition back into school for the perpetrator so that he or she can continue their education, while also ensuring that the needs of the victim are taken into account. If there is a need to reinforce that point, I am more than happy to do so.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (Byelaws)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make a decision on the proposed byelaws for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park. (S2O-8186)
The period of public consultation on the draft byelaws that have been proposed by Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority ended on 28 October. The park authority will need to consider the issues that are raised by the consultation before it submits draft byelaws for consideration by Scottish ministers.
The minister will be aware that my view, whatever byelaws are ultimately agreed, is that the key issues will be enforcement and the need to ensure that a robust regime is in place. I am grateful to the minister for the additional £30,000 for additional enforcement, but will she agree to continue that funding beyond 31 March and to meet Sylvia Jackson and me to discuss the proposed byelaws?
Jackie Baillie will be aware that additional funding is already in place to increase the ranger presence on Loch Lomond during the summer months. Indeed, there is also additional funding for additional legal support.
I give my whole-hearted support to Jackie Baillie's point. My question is about the possible need for agreement between water users to ensure that events such as regattas can still take place at agreed times. Such agreements may be necessary, depending on the final zoning arrangements that are to be agreed by the national park board. Will the minister agree to meet Jackie Baillie and me at the appropriate time to discuss such issues?
Yes. I am happy to meet members. Ministers have not yet had the draft byelaws submitted to them, so I assume that Sylvia Jackson is making her point to the national park authority. However, I am happy to meet her.
Sportscotland (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent meetings have taken place between it and sportscotland in respect of promoting sport and physical education. (S2O-8147)
Regular meetings and discussions take place between the Executive and sportscotland on a range of issues connected with promotion and development of sport.
I thank the minister for her response. I hope that in the course of those meetings, the minister has an opportunity to mention the failure of sportscotland to meet several of its key sport 21 objectives, on some of which there has been a lack of progress, while others are in reverse.
Unfortunately, Mr Matheson has started off under a bit of a misapprehension about sport 21. Sport 21 is not only sportscotland's responsibility; its implementation is the responsibility of a range of partners.
Does the minister agree that it is imperative that the governing bodies of sport be consulted on how best to promote lifelong participation in sport and physical activity at grass-roots level? Will she undertake to ensure that the Scottish Executive sports division works together with sportscotland and the Scottish Sports Association in particular to ensure that the momentum that has been created by the 2012 Olympics is maintained?
I find myself in a very interesting position: I do not disagree with a word that Jamie McGrigor said.
I welcome the minister's responses to the questions. If we are serious about tackling some of our worst health statistics through sport and physical education, the strongest message that we could send would be through determining that the headquarters of our national sports quango be located with the national sports arena in the east end of Glasgow. When will a recommendation be made on the location of sportscotland?
I am grateful to Mr McAveety for his interest. I know that he has a particular interest in the location that he mentioned and I am not at all surprised that he has asked that question.
National Health Service (Missed Appointments)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reduce the number of appointments missed by patients at NHS hospitals and general practitioner surgeries. (S2O-8208)
Our patient leaflet entitled "The NHS and You" outlines what people can expect from the national health service and what the NHS expects from patients, which is important. Keeping appointments and advising of cancellations is a key aspect of patients' responsibilities. We are working hard with hospitals and general practices throughout the country to ensure that people make appointments at times and locations that are convenient for them. We will continue that work.
The minister will be keen to ensure that people who seek and receive appointments in GPs' surgeries in the NHS keep those appointments. Does he agree with a constituent of mine—Mr Bettley of Bellshill—that it is totally unacceptable that he must wait for three weeks for an appointment with his GP in the knowledge that dozens of appointments have not been kept in that practice? Does he agree that there may be merit in a three-strikes-and-you're-out approach, which would encourage people to keep GP appointments?
I would be happy to discuss those issues with Mr McMahon. There have certainly been good innovations in the NHS in Scotland; there is the patient-focused booking system in our hospitals, for example, which is now working effectively and is reducing the number of cancelled appointments. That means that health service resources will be used better and that there will be improvements for all other patients. A GP practice in the west of Scotland has, through innovations, achieved an 84 per cent reduction in the number of patients who miss appointments. Non-attendance at appointments is always a tragedy for the NHS and I am happy to consider how we can ensure that we make patients more responsible for their actions.
I am happy that the minister has said that doing anything that would put people off accessing NHS facilities would probably be a retrograde step, but will he take on board a practical suggestion? Many doctors in the private sector have administrative staff who ring up their patients in advance to ensure that their appointments are kept.
I reassure the member that the best examples—including the GP practice that I mentioned in the west of Scotland that has achieved an 84 per cent reduction in the number of patients who miss appointments—do exactly that. Patients are contacted by e-mail, by text messages and by phone calls to remind them of their appointments. Such innovations will continue to be used in the best interests of the service and patients.
Fresh Talent Initiative
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the same criteria apply to applications under the fresh talent initiative from Africans as to applications from Canadians. (S2O-8168)
The same criteria apply to people from Africa who apply to the fresh talent working in Scotland scheme as apply to applicants from Canada.
I am sure that the minister will agree that it is in our best interests to welcome hundreds and thousands of people to Scotland—indeed, the First Minister recently visited Canada in order to do just that. Does he agree that it would make sense to tap into the talents of our new citizens—asylum seekers? Some 30 countries are represented in Glasgow alone, including people from Africa, Iraq, Iran and so on. Does he agree that a policy that actively excludes those extremely skilled people smacks of racism? Is the Executive capable of prising Westminster's foot from its neck in order to secure the future of vulnerable people and the future of our vulnerable economy?
I agree with the first sentiments that Rosie Kane expressed. We are keen to attract as many people as possible to live, work and study in Scotland, thereby enhancing our society and making a vital contribution to our economy.