SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Environment and Rural Development
Environmental Court
To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications for the environment are of an environmental court. (S2O-1781)
We are considering whether the creation of an environmental court would improve the protection of the environment.
Those considerations are likely to lead the Executive to believe that an environmental court would play quite an important role, particularly in enforcing planning conditions that are designed to protect the environment. Will the minister indicate when he intends to consult on the detailed implementation of that partnership commitment and the likely timeframe thereafter?
I wish that I could provide more detail. As the member will know, we are considering a range of options on the environmental court and will, as they say, make an announcement in due course. The complex inter-portfolio nature of the matter means that all possible approaches must be assessed in the light of all the different factors, and such careful consideration takes time. It is better that we get it right when we make the announcement rather than rush things and get it wrong.
Angling (Research Findings)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will build upon the findings of its research study, "The Economic Impact of Game and Coarse Angling in Scotland". (S2O-1690)
Having received the report, we will now have a period of reflection to allow all those with an interest in game and coarse angling in Scotland to consider the findings. I will speak to a forum of interested groups and individuals on 23 June at the Birnam Institute in Dunkeld, where the next steps will be discussed.
I thank the minister for that detailed reply. Will he acknowledge the excellent work of fisheries boards and riparian managers in conserving migratory fish stocks and bolstering fish populations in Scotland's rivers, as has been demonstrated in the Tweed and other rivers in the east this year? Will he also guarantee that any forthcoming legislation on the subject will help to support the fisheries boards and independent riparian managers who, without any public financial support, continue to ensure the success of Scotland's angling industry?
On the latter point, I am keen to secure and advance the success of the angling industry. As the member will know, the report shows that anglers' annual expenditure in Scotland amounts to around £113 million, which, taking substitution into account, supports around 2,800 full-time equivalent jobs in the sector. From personal experience, I know the contribution that the Tweed makes to that total, as I was able to visit the area last year to discuss these matters. I want the same sort of regime that has been so successful in the Tweed to be rolled out to other parts of Scotland where effectiveness and efficiency are currently much more mixed. We want to maximise the value of the angling industry to Scotland as a whole.
Chardon LL Maize (Cultivation and Use)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Chardon LL maize, when grown under the conditions of the farm-scale evaluations, will have value for cultivation and use. (S2O-1795)
The farm-scale evaluations were designed to measure the comparative environmental impact of genetically modified and conventional varieties. National list assessments for value for cultivation and use are based on results from agronomic trials conducted using standard methods and conditions, according to an agreed technical protocol, and require candidate varieties to achieve performance above published standards.
I thank the deputy minister for that answer and for that brief incursion into the legal requirements of national seed listing, but does he agree that the VCU tests were carried out several years ago under conditions that would be illegal under the proposed consent? Does he further agree that, on the basis of the existing VCU tests, it is doubtful that that crop can legally be added to the United Kingdom national seed list? Finally, does he agree with me and with the Welsh Assembly Government's Minister for Environment, Planning and Countryside that there should be a free vote before GM maize is added to the national seed list?
I am not too sure that the latter point actually reflects the stated opinion of my Welsh counterpart. On the VCU trials, however, candidate varieties are grown in controlled conditions for comparison against existing national list varieties. In addition, the national list requires performance to be above published standards. Chardon LL, as we said in some depth earlier, has met the legal requirement for addition to the UK national list as set out in the national list regulations. In view of the imminent withdrawal of the herbicide used for the conventional variety in the farm-scale evaluations to which Mark Ballard referred, ministers have decided to defer the listing of Chardon LL until such times as the conditions attached to the pre-existing part C consent are amended to place restrictions on the herbicide regime, which may then be applied to the maize so that it complies fully with the regime applied in the farm-scale evaluation.
Could the minister explain in more detail how he intends to develop and progress the co-existence measures that are crucial before any consent is given to the commercialisation of Chardon LL? Could he also provide some detail of how he intends to work up the measures to deal with compensation and liability to ensure that, if they decide to go down that road, farmers will have proper protection backed by the biotech companies?
As George Lyon knows, we intend to consult on the co-existence regime, which would have to be statutorily underpinned in advance of any consent for the growth of Chardon LL maize in Scotland. As it is a spring-grown crop, the very earliest that that might take place—which is of itself unlikely—would be spring 2005, so it is our intention to have consulted on and drawn up a statutory code of practice for a co-existence regime and to have that in place prior to spring 2005. In addition, because we understand the threat to the economics of the agricultural industry in respect of those organic and conventional producers who may be affected by any cross-contamination caused by GM cultivation, it is our stated intention to ensure that the economic compensation regime that we intend to put in place is fully funded by the industry and is not supported by public cash.
Polluted Beaches (Assistance to Local Authorities)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide assistance to local authorities to clear beaches polluted by debris brought in by the tide. (S2O-1748)
The local government grant distribution formula, developed over many years and agreed with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, takes account of a wide range of factors affecting councils' relative need to spend on services. In 2003-04, £693,000 is being allocated to 14 local authorities for coast protection. That figure rises to £719,000 next year. However, it is for each local authority to decide how best to allocate those resources, based on local needs and priorities.
I thank the minister for his unspecific response. He is talking about a budget for coastal protection. Although I know that in Aberdeenshire there are tremendous problems, with bits of cliffs falling off, bankings falling into the sea and so on, that is a different matter to the one that I am raising.
I hesitate to correct the member, but I was referring to overall allocations to local authorities because—as he will know—local authorities are responsible for litter on amenity beaches, as they are for litter on other publicly accessible land; no distinction is drawn between the two. However, local authorities are not responsible for maintaining the entire coastline. I was drawing that distinction in my earlier reply.
Scottish Water (Efficiencies)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage Scottish Water to become more efficient. (S2O-1751)
We have tasked Scottish Water, over the current review period of 2002-06, with the delivery of significant efficiencies: more than one third in operating costs and one fifth in capital procurement costs. In his "Costs and Performance Report 2002-03" on Scottish Water, the water industry commissioner for Scotland has confirmed that, in 2002-03, Scottish Water delivered 10 per cent operating efficiencies and 5 per cent capital procurement efficiencies.
Does the minister share my concern that my constituents in the Dennistoun area do not appear to have benefited from that efficiency, as they have been waiting for nearly two years for flood prevention measures to be implemented? Will he meet me to discuss the issues with a view to bringing forward capital investment as a matter of urgency?
I would be very pleased to meet the member at the earliest opportunity to discuss whatever concerns he may have that relate to his Glasgow Springburn constituency. Development constraints are a problem that affects many constituencies throughout Scotland. We propose to consult on the next investment programme and ask concerned MSPs and others how they wish that investment programme to address the issue of development constraints over the next investment period.
I refer the minister to the answer that he gave me yesterday to a parliamentary question, S2W-6845, in which I raised the issue of the swingeing water charges on Stowe Amateur Football Club. I note the provisions of the Water and Sewerage Charges Exemption (Scotland) Regulations 2002; nevertheless, does he recognise that, for example, a £1,000 bill for Coldstream Football Club in the East of Scotland League is way beyond its means? Will he revisit the exemption regulations?
I am familiar with the issue, but I am not familiar with the specific circumstances of the football clubs to which the member referred. I would be happy to have a look at the matter.
Recycled Materials (Markets)
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing markets for recycled materials. (S2O-1743)
We have made considerable progress and are working with a number of environmental organisations to increase the size of the market in recycled products in Scotland. We have been particularly successful in respect of compost and glass.
I thank the minister for his reply and particularly commend the work that is being done by the waste and resources action programme. I am sure that he will know that WRAP has recently been working on developing market information for organisations so that people can collect and sell recyclables with up-to-date information via the web.
Yes. As I have already said, in Scotland there are good markets for a number of materials, such as glass and high-quality compost. We will continue to work with WRAP and Remade Scotland to develop those markets further. We are currently preparing a market development plan to focus on what needs to be done in the future, and to ensure that WRAP, Remade Scotland and the enterprise networks continue to work well together so that they can maximise the economic value of that bottom-line product.
I am sure that the minister is aware that one of the most problematic issues has been the financial viability of recycling. To what extent is that dependent on the voluntary sector and social businesses, such as Aye-Can in Dyce in my constituency? Are there any plans to expand those market support provisions?
I believe, as does the Executive collectively, that the community sector makes a vital contribution to recycling as a whole. As we develop our recycling and reuse strategy over the period of the national waste plan, it is inevitable that there will be bigger players in the recycling market. That market will grow, and there will be increased businesses opportunities for recycled products. However, that will not negate the contribution that community recycling can make to the smaller-scale recycling market in individual communities. That is why we support community recycling, and will continue to do so, while we invest heavily in large-scale recycling and reuse facilities.
Shellfish (Polluted Beaches)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will raise awareness of any problems associated with collecting shellfish from polluted beaches. (S2O-1715)
I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that when it becomes aware of potential public health problems associated with the collection of shellfish, action to raise awareness of potential risks is co-ordinated via the appropriate local authority. In recognised, classified shellfish harvesting areas, that is in the form of a temporary prohibition order, which may be supported by a press release. In addition, and in areas that are not classified but which may be subject to gathering by the general public—which may occur in Jackie Baillie's constituency—warning notices are erected in the affected area.
I thank the minister for that comprehensive response.
I will be happy to do that. I will expand on the process, for the benefit of Jackie Baillie. SEPA is responsible for monitoring the shellfish waters directive, which is concerned with the environmental conditions that are required to protect shellfish populations or stocks. If a major pollution event was recorded by SEPA at a site that was known to contain a threat, it would report its findings to the FSA and the Scottish centre for infection and environmental health. Subsequently, any closure or other control measure in respect of the contaminated area would be the responsibility of those agencies, working together with the local authority.
Is the minister aware of the report by the House of Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee that suggests that the conclusions of the FSA on shellfish contain many inaccuracies? If he is aware of that report, will he say whether it has any implications for the statutory instruments on scallops that are in force?
I understand that the FSA is responsible for the public health controls on commercial harvesting and the collection of shellfish, including scallops, for human consumption. As I said to Jackie Baillie, the FSA acts in liaison with the relevant local authorities. Where there is evidence of contaminants in the environment and in sampled shellfish, including scallops, and where they exceed statutory levels and present a threat to human health, the FSA will take action to withdraw such products from the food chain.
Aucheninnes Landfill Site
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to the impact of the extended development of Aucheninnes landfill site near Dalbeattie on the biodiversity of the immediate area. (S2O-1749)
The Scottish ministers gave careful consideration to the planning application for the Aucheninnes landfill site before taking the decision that there were insufficient grounds to justify intervention in Dumfries and Galloway Council's handling of the case. In reaching that decision, ministers took account of advice from Scottish Natural Heritage on the proposal's ecological aspects. The decision on the planning consent was the responsibility of the local authority. In addition to the planning application, it is a requirement of the Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003 that the location of a landfill must take into consideration the protection of natural heritage in the area. That factor must be considered by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency before the necessary permit is issued.
In the minister's reply to Chris Ballance's question on the issue last week, and again today, he referred to SNH's advice as highly significant in the Scottish Executive's decision-making process. Given that the Executive ignored the advice of SNH on the Robin rigg offshore wind farm development, will the minister counter what is clearly a politically motivated policy of selectivity and review the part of Dumfries and Galloway Council's waste plan that affects Aucheninnes moss, in the light of the fact that a significant number of recognised experts increasingly question the bog's environmental status?
As Alex Fergusson knows, the fundamental responsibility for dealing with planning applications and general planning matters rests with the planning authority, which in this case is Dumfries and Galloway Council. The Scottish ministers seek to intervene in the planning process in only the most exceptional circumstances. I have explained today and last week that ministers took account of the facts that Aucheninnes is an existing landfill site; that it forms part of the area waste plan for Dumfries and Galloway; and that it will continue to be regulated throughout by the independent Scottish Environment Protection Agency. There is no question of political interference or judgment skewing that process.
Health and Community Care
Health Inequalities
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce inequalities in health. (S2O-1736)
Continuing action to improve health and reduce inequalities is at the heart of the partnership agreement. With our partners in local authorities, the voluntary sector and the national health service, we are determined to make a difference to the unacceptable health gap between the most and least affluent in our country. That is why I am delighted to announce that we will be investing £1 million a year to develop the Glasgow centre for population health. That partnership agreement commitment will bring new insights and focus to work on tackling social and health inequalities.
I am sure that the minister is aware of the challenges that face the delivery of equality of health in rural areas. Is he aware of the concerns of kidney patients in the Lochaber area, who at present travel up to three times a week for dialysis to Inverness and who fear that Highland NHS Board will reluctantly decide not to fund the capital cost of a dialysis unit at the Belford hospital this year? Is he further aware that one of the reasons given for the uncertainty on the issue is that insufficient money has been allocated to the board for the implementation of the new general medical services and consultants' contracts? Will he examine that funding and, if necessary, increase it to ensure that projects such as the badly needed dialysis unit at the Belford hospital in Fort William have a better chance of being implemented?
The health inequalities agenda has a service dimension and a health improvement dimension. My initial answer focused on the latter dimension, on which I am sure there will be further questions for Tom McCabe and me in a moment.
Health Inequalities
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to address the health inequalities shown in the recent statistical survey conducted by NHS Health Scotland. (S2O-1688)
We are doing a great deal. Recognising the link between poverty and ill health is at the heart of the partnership agreement, and all departments of the Executive, not just the Health Department, are determined to make a difference to the unacceptable health gap between the most and least affluent communities in Scotland. That is why there is a range of activity under way across Scotland on seven special programmes, focusing on: physical activity; healthy eating; smoking; alcohol; mental health and well-being; health and homelessness; and sexual health. In addition, Malcolm Chisholm has today announced our support for the development of the Glasgow centre for population health. However, we should recognise that the overall message from the constituency health and well-being profiles is positive. Life expectancy in Scotland is going up, with fewer deaths from cancer, stroke and heart disease. We are making progress but we need to do more to reduce inequalities and we are totally committed to doing so.
As the survey simply reinforces previous evidence about the correlation between poverty and poor health, will the Scottish Executive give more priority to the eradication of poverty and to ending the national scandal whereby male life expectancy in Scotland is the second lowest in western Europe?
There are a number of points to be considered in response to that question. First, it is important to say that life expectancy among men in Scotland has risen by 2.4 years over the period concerned. It is also important to say that the figures that were announced just a few weeks ago are based on data that were accumulated in 2001 and that a great deal has been done by the Scottish Executive since.
In communities such as mine that suffer from poor public health, many older people with respiratory problems are dependent on oxygen therapy dispensed through large, non-portable cylinders that restrict their mobility and reduce their quality of life. The Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care originally said that portable cylinders would be available on prescription by the end of last summer. In October, however, he said that that would happen in April. With that month only a matter of days away, can he confirm at long last that that implementation date will be met?
I am happy to confirm that no information has been given to me to suggest anything other than the implementation of the date alluded to by Duncan McNeil. Movement on this extremely important issue has taken some time because of the safety issues concerning the storage of the cylinders in community pharmacies and in patients' homes. In addition to the issue of portable cylinders, other important work is going on with regard to constrictors that would conserve the amount of oxygen used and make the equipment far more user friendly.
The Executive announced that consultation on smoking would take place in the summer. One of the reasons for that consultation was to find out public opinion on the issue. In light of the recent statistical survey that showed that smoking and passive smoking are among the most prominent factors affecting health in Scotland and the BBC's survey, which was published yesterday, that showed that 77 per cent of people in Scotland support a ban on smoking in public places, does the minister agree that the public have already made up their minds and made their opinions clear? Does he further agree that it is time that the Scottish Executive came off the fence and backed the view held by more than three quarters of the Scottish population by supporting legislation to ban smoking in public places?
Members will be aware that we have the greatest respect for the BBC, but it would be inappropriate to allow it to make public policy. It is important for us to be informed by the work that the BBC does. I was heartened to see the outcome of the survey with regard not only to smoking in public places but to the fact that people throughout the United Kingdom endorse the actions that have been taken by the coalition Executive on free personal and nursing care.
Dental Services
To ask the Scottish Executive what its objectives are for national health service dental services in 2004-05. (S2O-1811)
The Executive is keen to ensure the provision of NHS general dental services for all those who wish to use them in Scotland. On 20 November 2003, I announced a wide-ranging consultation on modernising NHS dental services and responses have been sought by 2 April 2004. Thereafter, we will analyse the responses and provide our views on the way forward.
I note the end date of the consultation and that £4.5 million was announced three days ago for supporting access to dental services—unfortunately, of course, that means ramps and things like that, rather than the provision of services.
I know that Mr Stevenson is a member who likes to get his facts and figures right, so it is unfortunate that I will have to correct him on this occasion. We made available £3 million for practice improvements and £1.5 million for the general dental practice allowance, which is focused on training in dental practices.
Human Tissue (Legislative Plans)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce legislation similar to the Human Tissue Bill in Westminster. (S2O-1739)
We expect to introduce legislation on human tissue when a suitable opportunity becomes available.
I would like to push the minister a bit further, because the matter is of growing concern in Scotland; there have been a number of campaigns about it during the past two or three years. People are concerned about the permission system and about occasional alleged abuses, when permission has not been given. When does the minister suggest would be an appropriate date, and what will he do to ensure that we have enough organ donations to carry out transplants and research and development?
The Human Tissue Bill at Westminster covers two areas: organ retention and organ donation. We issued a consultation paper on organ donation recently, and we issued a consultation paper on hospital post mortem examinations some months ago. The fact that we have issued those consultation documents indicates that we take seriously the matter of legislation on the subject.
General Practitioner and Consultant Contracts
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that the new contracts for general practitioners and consultants deliver benefits for the quality and provision of health care. (S2O-1728)
The consultant contract job-planning process allows managers, for the first time, to examine critically and to timetable transparently all a consultant's activities, and to agree with consultants how their working commitments and practices should be managed in a way that best contributes to improved patient care. The new general medical services contract has a quality and outcomes framework that will incentivise GPs and their staff to maximise the volume and quality of services to patients. Payments will be made for achievement against a series of clinical, practice-management and patient-experience indicators.
The minister will be as aware as I am of the anomalies and areas for work in the recent statistical survey. What steps will he take to ensure that the new contracts provide for those who do not use the health service as often as is needed to meet health improvement targets—such as young men—to be encouraged to seek and use help and advice on attaining better health?
The contracts, particularly the GMS contract, will be helpful in that because one of their major effects will be delivery of more services within primary care. A series of other initiatives will contribute to the objectives that Christine May supports in her question. We recently announced a significant sum of money—£4 million—for pilots for well-man clinics, which is an important way of improving access to the client group to which Christine May referred. I was pleased to see an excellent example of that in Camelon a few months ago. We also have the changing children's services fund and the walk the talk initiative, which focuses specifically on teenage health. Those initiatives will complement the boost that the new GMS contract will give.
Is the minister aware—as I have been made aware—that responding to the new doctors contract will put Greater Glasgow NHS Board an estimated £70 million in debt? Is he also aware that the casualty ward at Stobhill hospital may not be allowed to be kept open because it will not be able to pay for consultants' rotation? Stobhill has managed to get junior doctors on rotation to keep the casualty ward open, but it needs consultants to be on rotation to keep the hospital and casualty ward alive.
Greater Glasgow NHS Board has had a generous uplift. We distributed over £5 million extra to Glasgow and an equivalent amount, in accordance with the Arbuthnott formula, to other NHS boards yesterday.
Is the minister aware of the concerns of the community of Applecross in Wester Ross about the future provision of out-of-hours health cover? Is he aware that the high road to the area is often blocked by snow and that it is therefore vital that out-of-hours cover remain in the area?
A great deal of work is being done on out-of-hours services and the other aspects of the GMS contract through various national working groups. I know that out-of-hours cover is the aspect that gives concern to various people, but a lot of money is going into it and a lot of initiatives are under way to redesign services and to ensure that the whole health care team has a role. I spoke recently to the chairman of Highland NHS Board about that; I know that that board has plans to provide GPs appropriately in all parts of the Highlands. I understand Jamie McGrigor's concerns, but I believe that Highland NHS Board is addressing them adequately.
Under-age Drinking (Highlands)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the health implications of under-age drinking in the Highlands. (S2O-1731)
Highland drug and alcohol action team's three-year local action plan, which was published in March 2003, identifies a wide range of preventive, educational and other measures to address harmful drinking by children and young people. To support the implementation of that local action plan, the Executive announced the allocation to Highland NHS Board of £374,000 of new specific funding for the next two financial years.
I am sure that the minister is aware of the findings of the NHS survey that was published recently, which showed a disturbing level of alcohol abuse among young people in the Highlands. Does he agree that the root of the problem is often a lack of suitable alternative activities for young people? Will he ensure that the Executive takes into account the issues that face rural authorities in providing appropriate diversionary activities to reduce the number of young people who abuse alcohol?
We recognise fully the need for a range of measures to tackle this serious problem among young people. Diversionary activities are an important part of that. The action plan that has been published for the Highlands contains several measures, including a programme of preventive work using media campaigns, distribution of the recently launched parental guides and development of a discussion pack for use with teenage girls, which is—given some of the statistics—an important aspect. As a critical complement to those measures and other diversionary initiatives, the appointment of a clinical nurse specialist in drug and alcohol misuse among young people is proposed.
General Questions
District Courts (West of Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many criminal cases were processed by district courts in the west of Scotland in each of the last three years, broken down by parliamentary constituency. (S2O-1771)
As the question asks for detailed figures, I will write to the member with a table showing the information that is available and I will place a copy of that letter in the Scottish Parliament information centre.
I am unaccustomed to receiving unqualified comfort from the minister, but I regard that as half comfort. Does the minister agree that—as we approach this afternoon's debate and enter an important consultation period for summary justice—precisely such information would be extremely helpful to everybody who wants to proceed with the debate? Is she prepared to produce such information for the rest of Scotland, if doing so is within her competence?
I am always pleased to try to provide factual information when people request it. I will ensure that the letter that I have promised Miss Goldie is issued this afternoon. I must, however, attach a caveat on the way the information is collected. The district court figures are collected on the basis of district court areas, which do not correspond directly with parliamentary constituencies. However, I am happy to make available the general information.
Aberdeen City Council (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met Aberdeen City Council, whether the council's budget was discussed and what the outcome of the meeting was. (S2O-1686)
I met Aberdeen City Council on 18 February 2004, when the council advised me of its funding concerns. I asked the council to write to the Executive to detail its concerns and we received a written submission yesterday, which is being considered.
Is the minister aware of Aberdeen City Council's funding gap, in respect of children's services in social work, between the £8.9 million of grant-aided expenditure and the £19.4 million of actual expenditure? Is he aware that some of those costs are outwith the council's control because it must use high-cost external services? Does he plan to increase local authority funding for child protection services to reflect actual costs?
Given his former life, Mr Adam is acutely aware of how the GAE system operates. He will be reassured to know that the submission that we received yesterday was on the point that he makes about children's services. He will also be interested to know that Executive officials and Aberdeen City Council officials will meet next week to discuss that matter and to consider issues such as the £2 million that has been allocated from the changing children's services fund over and above the council's grant settlement, and the £20.6 million above-inflation increase that the council received in 2003-04. The issues that must be addressed are serious, which is why officials will get down to them next week.
Secure Accommodation
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on increasing the number of secure accommodation places. (S2O-1774)
Work is under way on five secure redevelopments, which will provide 29 additional places.
The minister will appreciate that members are genuinely concerned that under-16s continue to be held in prison. I therefore welcome the progress that has been made. Has there been any review of those who are currently in secure accommodation places in order to ensure that they are appropriately placed and to determine whether there are more appropriate places in which they could be held, with appropriate support?
The issue that Karen Gillon raises works two ways. Of course I am keen to ensure that any young person under the age of 16 is not held inappropriately in a young offenders institution. That is why I have asked for further research to be done to consider instances in which unruly certificates have been used to hold young people in those institutions. I have continued to monitor closely the situation of young people in secure accommodation who have been sentenced and who will at some stage move into young offenders institutions or, indeed, adult prisons.
I remind the minister that the previous session's Justice 1 Committee recommended that the distinction between secure units in the remit of social work and secure units in the remit of justice was not helpful and that funding for both classes—if I may call them that—of secure unit should be streamed through the justice budget. Has there been any progress on that unanimous recommendation?
I remind the member of what was probably said to her at the time. There are not two classes of secure accommodation. There are provisions that are primarily child care provisions; they continue to be so. Of course some young people are sent to such accommodation for their care and protection, and there are young people who have been sentenced. The current redevelopments will aim to ensure that there will be the best quality programmes to address the needs of all young people in secure accommodation. That is what is important, rather than focusing solely on which budget line the money should sit in.
Will the minister confirm and assure me that electronic tagging is not being introduced to deal with the inadequate number of secure accommodation places that are currently available for under-16s, especially in the light of the fact that it is now 18 months since the Executive first announced its intention to provide the additional places?
I am sure that Margaret Mitchell would want to be assured that the new places that will be provided will meet the needs of the young people for whom we require to provide those places. In the discussions that have taken place on electronic tagging of under-16s, she will be aware that it has been made clear that tagging will be used when young people are a danger to themselves or to others in their communities. Those are the same criteria that are used in respect of secure accommodation.
Question 4 has been withdrawn.
Craft Industries (Highlands and Islands)
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will give to the maintenance and development of skilled craft industries in the Highlands and Islands. (S2O-1766)
Highlands and Islands Enterprise and its local enterprise companies support the development of skilled craft industries and other manufacturing in the Highlands and Islands. A range of assistance is available including advice, training and support for capital investment to improve productivity and efficiency.
It will come as absolutely no surprise to the minister that I asked the question as a result of the situation of Caithness Glass Ltd. There may be a rescue package, but it appears that it does not include employees in Caithness, although there are skills there. Tomorrow, I will meet representatives of the work force. I cannot second guess what will come out of the meeting, but will the minister assure me that I have his personal support and that of the Scottish Executive for whatever we can put together in trying to ensure some kind of a future for those important people?
I am aware of the situation of Caithness Glass and of the meeting that Jamie Stone will attend. I have spoken to the GMB, which represents staff in the Wick and Perth outlets of Caithness Glass, and I am aware of the discussions that the member alluded to regarding possible outcomes that will maintain at least part of the company in being.
In view of the increasing age of workers in the Harris tweed industry, will the Executive provide training initiatives to ensure that the skills of that indigenous industry are not lost?
The Harris tweed industry has worked closely with Western Isles Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise on skills, among other issues. Highlands and Islands Enterprise is focused on the importance of that industry and I expect that to continue.
If the Scottish Executive is considering the support that it might give to skilled craft industries in the Highlands and Islands, which is welcome, does the minister agree that the predicament of workers in Ayrshire Metal Products in Irvine should receive urgent attention from the Executive because they are currently in dispute with management who have refused to—
That question is not relevant to the lead question, so it is unreasonable to proceed.
Association of Scottish Prisoners
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it would support the creation of an association of Scottish prisoners. (S2O-1794)
No.
Will the minister expand on that answer when she answers my supplementary question? Does she agree that if practical problems could be overcome, such an association could be of benefit? Does she also agree that it would give to prisoners a voice that would be expressed democratically rather than—in extreme cases—through rooftop protests, and that it would encourage prisoners to engage with authority constructively and as members of society?
I am tempted to answer "No," and "No," but I will respond. I am not sure whether Patrick Harvie is suggesting that the Executive should grant collective bargaining rights to the offenders who have damaged our communities. That is not a priority for the Executive's justice programme.
If the minister were to have considered the idea for a couple of minutes, she might have thought that such an organisation could have been called the confederation of nefarious scoundrels, or CONS for short. Thankfully, she is not prepared to do that. Will she give Parliament the absolute assurance that she will not under any circumstances allow the transportation of murderers or drug dealers to trades union meetings of prisoners?
I made that very clear in my previous answer.
Does the minister accept that prisons should be run by prison officers and not by prisoners?
Yes.
Modern Apprentices
To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for the modern apprenticeship scheme. (S2O-1721)
We will increase the number of modern apprentices in training to 30,000 a year by 2006, as outlined in the partnership agreement. We published research on modern apprenticeship completion rates yesterday and outlined how, with our delivery partners, we will further strengthen the programme by focusing on the quality of outputs as well as on the numbers in training.
In the latest available figures, the completion rate is running at approximately 52 per cent. Does the Executive have a target for the completion rate and what is it? What plans are in place to increase the completion rate from 52 per cent?
We do not have a completion rate target at present, but we are talking to the enterprise networks about putting one in place. The research that was published yesterday highlighted several areas in which we can address the issue. It is important to say that although Alex Neil is quite right about the figure of 52 per cent for modern apprenticeship completions, many of those who leave their apprenticeships before they have completed them do so in order to go into further or higher education or into full-time employment of another kind. The modern apprenticeship is designed to provide transferable skills. Of course we want the highest possible completion rates, but there are other issues to be considered.
My question relates to people who drop out of modern apprenticeships or who cannot enter them without pre-vocational training. What steps are being taken to allow people to have pre-vocational training that would allow them to progress to modern apprenticeships?
Marilyn Livingstone raises two issues. First, many of those who withdraw from modern apprenticeship programmes do so to pursue other forms of learning. We want to find out why others drop out and do not complete programmes, so we have asked the enterprise networks and the modern apprenticeship implementation group to consider that and to do more work—on the back of the research that was published yesterday—to get to the bottom of the matter so that we can address it.
What success has there been in broadening the scope of the apprenticeship scheme? In particular, I mean improvement of uptake of the scheme by young women. To what extent are young women being attracted to apprenticeships in what might be called the less traditionally female sectors, such as the construction industry?
The proportion of women in modern apprenticeships is increasing. It is beginning to increase in sectors such as construction, automotive skills and other less traditionally female occupations. Clearly, there is a long way to go. It is very encouraging that the sector skills council for the construction industry has set as one of its key objectives the attraction of more women into the craft and technical aspects of the industry. We are keen to encourage the council to do that. There is a majority of women in certain construction trades, such as painting and decorating, in one or two countries in the European Union. There is no reason why we cannot increase the proportion of women in those trades. Glasgow and all the other cities in Scotland require more skilled craftspeople in construction. Clearly, having more women join the industry would help us to achieve that end.
In the main, training in modern apprenticeships is delivered by further education colleges, but the schemes are administered by Scottish Enterprise. Would not it make more sense—and save money—if the administration of, and responsibility for, apprenticeships were passed down directly to the colleges, and Scottish Enterprise were removed altogether from the scheme?
I am surprised to hear Murdo Fraser suggest that. We include the enterprise networks in the design and management of apprenticeships precisely because of their understanding of the industrial sectors for which we are training people. All of us who believe that business should influence the training of apprentices, and that such training should meet the needs of the real economy, want to see a continued link between the enterprise networks, the private sector and further education colleges in the delivery of apprenticeship training.
The dearth of large employers and the predominance of smaller companies in Dunbartonshire seems to act as a barrier to modern apprenticeships in the area that I represent, largely because smaller companies are reluctant to commit themselves to employees for periods that they cannot foresee, but also because of the bureaucracy—filling in forms and so on—that is associated with the scheme. Is there a way in which organisations such as further education colleges or the Scottish Enterprise companies could remove some of the burden of bureaucracy from companies that are entering the apprenticeship scheme? Alternatively, could companies themselves enter into contracts with apprentices, so that they are not exposed in the way that I have described? That could serve to expand the number of apprenticeships that are available.
The number of modern apprenticeships in the small business sector, as elsewhere, is on the increase, which is encouraging. However, I acknowledge the points that Des McNulty makes and I encourage him to encourage businesses in his constituency to make connections with the sector skills councils for their industries. By those means, as well as through the enterprise networks, employers can influence the shape of apprenticeships and can input their views on the issues that the member highlighted. We support anything that can be done to reduce bureaucracy and enable smaller firms to take advantage of the modern apprenticeship scheme.
We started late because of the point of order, so I will allow question 8 from Christine Grahame.
Rural Schools (Support)
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to support rural schools. (S2O-1704)
All our policies for schools are directed towards ensuring that all children, including children in rural areas, benefit from education provision of the highest quality.
Will the minister explain why the proposed code of guidance on school closures from the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities was postponed by the Executive until after publication of its "Building our Future: Scotland's School Estate" review in February 2003 and why it is still postponed, so that there is no updated guidance to authorities, such as Scottish Borders Council, that are in sore need of it?
That appears to be a matter for COSLA.
It is not—the Executive postponed it.
The minister will be aware of Midlothian Council's plans to upgrade its school estate. Many of its proposals for new schools and modernisation are to be welcomed. However, the minister will also be aware of the grave concerns of the parents of children in rural schools that are threatened with closure. Does he accept that a 28-day consultation period is very short and that local authorities need to be aware of Scottish Executive policies on sustainable rural communities? Will he meet me to discuss the possible updating of the legislation?
I will be happy to meet the member. We have no current plans to change the rules to which she refers. However, we might in due course issue guidelines to clarify those rules for local authorities.
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