Plenary,

Meeting date: Thursday, May 25, 2000

Official Report 664KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Modernising Government Fund (Bids)

To ask the Scottish Executive when it intends to announce which of the initial bids for support from the modernising government fund have been successful at the initial stage of the process. (S1O-1806)

There have been more than 100 bids, which reflects a clear desire across the public sector in Scotland to modernise and improve the way we work together. An announcement of the bids that have been successful at the initial stage will be made before the summer recess.

Does the minister agree that this scheme has a role to play in achieving the aims of the social inclusion agenda? Moreover, is he aware of the dramatic increase in the uptake of free school meals since the piloting of smart card technology at two secondary schools in the city of Aberdeen? Does he further agree that that sort of project deserves and will benefit from support under the modernising government fund?

Aberdeen City Council has been very innovative with that particular scheme, which has made a real difference not just to the provision of free school meals but to other social inclusion objectives in Aberdeen. It is an example that could be taken up elsewhere. However, whether it will get support from the fund is a matter that we will have to consider in the weeks ahead.

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Councils for Voluntary Service

To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans now are for the future funding of councils for voluntary service. (S1O-1795)

We have consulted on the findings of the review of the councils for voluntary service but have not yet issued our formal response. Discussions are taking place with the network to find the best way forward to develop the CVS network and to help it to contribute to our shared objectives.

I was hoping for a longer answer.

Is the minister aware of the concerns of CVS services in rural areas that the new shared funding model will lead to a reduction in rural areas as it is based on population size? How will she attempt to rectify that problem?

Although I was trying, in Duncan Hamilton's interests, to speak extraordinarily slowly, I take the point that there needs to be a balance between a minister having very long answers and the time needed to catch one's breath.

I am very aware of the concerns of rural CVS services; in fact, I am meeting Highland CVS to discuss those points. We are taking some time to consider the findings, because we want the right answer, not necessarily a quick one.

Does the minister agree that it is the Scottish Executive and Labour councils that are truly interested in furthering the needs of the voluntary sector? Does she further agree that local councils for voluntary service such as the Monklands Association of Voluntary Services and the Community and Voluntary Organisations Council (Motherwell District) in Lanarkshire respond to the training, support and development needs of local voluntary and community organisations?

I must ask members to speak into the microphone, because it is impossible to hear.

Perhaps you caught the question, minister.

I caught most of it. I agree that CVSs have a crucial role to play at a local level in supporting and developing the voluntary sector and in working within the partnership arrangements that we have with local authorities, health boards, trusts and the voluntary sector.

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Education

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to ensure that all Scots achieve an acceptable minimum level of literacy and numeracy. (S1O-1783)

I announced on 15 May that we intend to establish a task group to identify the extent and nature of literacy and numeracy problems amongst adults. We shall then implement a programme of action to improve the situation.

Does the minister agree that if we are to ensure that we have a truly inclusive society, we must ensure that this issue is tackled at all levels and that a joined-up approach by all the agencies involved is the way forward?

I whole-heartedly endorse Marilyn Livingstone's comments. This is a serious issue, but one that has been left off the political agenda for two or three decades—that is a scandal. The Executive wants to establish the issue as an important one. It is important not only for social inclusion, which is vital, but for the Scottish economy. We cannot afford to have a large number of adults in Scotland who do not have the basic levels of numeracy and literacy that will allow them to function in a modern society. It is a huge challenge and we intend to pursue it.

Can the minister tell me who will define what the acceptable minimum level of literacy and numeracy is? Will any consideration be given to the attitude of employers?

I welcome Annabel Goldie's comments. The issue affects adults and can be tackled through the workplace. I would like to think that employers and trade unions would be involved in our discussions. The key issue is that we must overcome the embarrassment and lack of confidence that many people without those skills feel. Employers have a vital role to play in that.

Does the minister agree that the figures highlighted last week, which showed that up to a quarter of the Scottish adult population is not literate, are a matter of huge concern? Does he also agree that, since those figures were based on English research, there is a need for Scottish research to assess the extent of the problem in Scotland?

Does the minister further agree that the problem must be tackled in the early years of primary school and that one of the biggest barriers to that is an overcrowded curriculum? Will he try to persuade his colleague the Minister for Children and Education to secure a rebalancing of the curriculum in the early years of primary school to ensure that teachers get ample opportunity to teach young children the basic skills of reading and writing?

So that I do not step into territory that is not my responsibility, I will restrict myself to answering Nicola Sturgeon's first two points, with which I agree entirely. Although the figures were collected on a UK basis, part of the survey included Scotland. We have seen the Moser report, the figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the work that has been done by Glasgow Development Agency. However, we need our own figures. One of the first objectives of the task group will be to set in train original research that will ensure that we find not only the extent of the problem but also its nature. I hope that all parties will unite on this matter. It is a major campaign that is in the interests of Scotland.

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Roads (A76)

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the A76 road from Kilmarnock to Dumfries. (S1O-1793)

My spending proposals for the next two years include the construction of two road improvement schemes, at Crossroads and Gateside, and the replacement of Afton bridge at an overall cost of £2.3 million.

The minister will be aware of the disdain with which the route action plan for the A76 and the A75 has been greeted in Dumfries and Galloway. Is she also aware of the considerable local concern about the effect that the welcome upgrade of the A77 to motorway standards will have on the A76, an already heavily used road? If she is, why are there no greater plans to upgrade that road, and if she is not, why not?

There is a route accident reduction plan for the A76 and the schemes that I announced are a key part of that. Clearly, there are other schemes that can be pursued as part of the A76 improvement and they will be programmed for the future. We have invested £3 million in the route already and the extra money that was allocated this year will bring further improvements.

This is a road with which I am extremely familiar, and I am aware of the announcements that the minister made in March about the new projects. Will the minister tell us whether other projects are planned for future years, especially on the section between New Cumnock and Dumfries, which is particularly hazardous?

The Afton bridge is at New Cumnock, and that is a welcome improvement. There are four improvement schemes that have not been programmed yet, which will have to be considered in a future review of investment in our trunk roads. The schemes are clearly important, and come on the back of work that has already been done. However, those outstanding schemes will have to be considered in our forthcoming review of investment in route action plan schemes.

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Regional Selective Assistance

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer by Henry McLeish to question S1W-5907 on 2 May 2000, how much of the £4 million in regional selective assistance given to Kvaerner Energy Ltd since 1 April 1989 was awarded in connection with its operation in Clydebank. (S1O-1791)

Kvaerner in Clydebank has received two awards of regional selective assistance since 1989, totalling £760,000.

As the minister knows, the trade unions are in negotiation with the employers. Bearing in mind the current high level of unemployment in Clydebank, will the minister do all that he can to ensure the retention of manufacturing jobs and work with the various agencies to bring additional jobs to the town?

We are working hard to achieve those objectives. The new products and services divisions of Kvaerner Energy Ltd in Clydebank have been bought by GE Caledonian, which is a huge success story. The manufacturing group has a preferred bidder in the Texaco Group plc, which is also encouraging. Although we understand the frustrations of the work force, I am sure that there will be a successful outcome.

Unemployment in Clydebank and Milngavie has fallen by 240 in the past year. That is encouraging. However, 1,790 people are still unemployed, and that is far too many. That is one reason why I am going to visit the area on 14 June to discuss with Des McNulty, who has done a tremendous job in bringing these matters to my attention, what else can be done to ensure that Clydebank shares the prosperity that is developing throughout Scotland.

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Genetically Modified Organisms

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the guidelines for genetically modified crop trial sites and in particular the exclusion distance between genetically modified and conventional crops. (S1O-1774)

Separation distances are designed to minimise the extent of cross-pollination and are kept under continuous review to take account of the best available scientific evidence. If the information that the rural affairs department is seeking on the precise circumstances of the contamination that arose in Canada provides new evidence, that will be reflected in revised guidelines.

Would the minister care to comment on where the power seems to lie with regard to the recent scandal involving Advanta? It would appear that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was told about the contamination on 17 April, but that information was not transmitted to the Minister for Rural Affairs until 15 May. When did the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food find out from Advanta, when did he tell the Minister for Rural Affairs and when were the rest of the members of the Scottish Parliament advised?

Is it not the case that, in areas in which power is devolved, this Parliament should know contemporaneously with Westminster, and that it is not up to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food south of the border to decide when, on a whim of fancy, he will tell us?

Order. Questions must not contain statements of opinion. They are meant to be questions to the minister.

Advanta was aware of the contamination on 3 April. That information became known to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 17 April. The Scottish Executive became aware of the problem on 15 May, as did other offices such as the Wales Office.

I want to make clear two points in relation to this matter. First, the fact that Advanta knew about the contamination on 3 April, before the Scottish sowing season had started, but did not release that information is a matter that we are examining with law officers. Secondly, I make no attempt to hide my deep anger and annoyance at the failure to transmit that information to us and to other agriculture departments. That is not acceptable.

My priority has been to try to establish the facts so that we can give advice on aspects of human health, the impact on the food chain, the risks to the environment and on the question of compensation to our farmers, who would have expected to receive recompense in relation to integrated administration and control systems claims and for the sale of the crop. We are trying to establish those facts as quickly as possible in order to give proper advice.

On a very practical point, if alternative advice is received on minimum separation distances and if farmers who fall within the new minimum separation distances for the crop trials being conducted in Scotland are affected, will the Executive be able to compensate them in any way?

That question would arise if the issue of compensation actually arose. If the evidence in relation to the current incident shows that there is a need for new guidelines, we will introduce them. The implications for crop trials would be a separate matter. Since they are trials, the question of commercial return on them is difficult and I do not want to anticipate the issue of compensation. However, I want to make clear that if the evidence calls for new buffer zones, we will implement such zones.

In view of the procrastination by Westminster that has been revealed by the minister, will he insist that immediate compensation to farmers to enable them to take up and destroy the planted Advanta seed in Scotland comes out of the Westminster budget, and as soon as possible?

I have indicated my serious concerns about the way that MAFF has handled the matter, but it would be a mistake for us simply to exonerate Advanta. That seems to me an extraordinary proposition. It was Advanta that became aware of the problem on 3 April; it was Advanta that failed to notify those to whom it had distributed the seed; and it was Advanta that permitted farmers in Scotland to sow the crops without reviewing that information. I am not about to give that kind of advice to farmers until we are in possession of all the facts.

The crop trial on oil-seed rape in Scotland is in my constituency. Can the minister confirm whether, as part of that crop trial, pollination distances are being measured and that that will be a useful addition to the knowledge of that aspect of genetically modified crops?

That takes me back to my earlier answer. I am very concerned that the current advice from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment gives us certain assurances on seed purity and that, as a consequence of that, it sets the perimeters for the buffer zones. At first sight the information from Canada suggests that they will have to be reviewed. I repeat the undertaking that if that scientific advice shows that the buffer zones need to be reviewed, the Scottish Executive will act immediately.

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Social Inclusion Partnerships

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to monitor the role of social inclusion partnerships in meeting the needs and priorities of women. (S1O-1796)

Arrangements for monitoring the performance of social inclusion partnerships were set out in the monitoring framework, published in December 1999. The framework requires partnerships to monitor their progress according to a number of key measures. Specifically, partnerships have been asked to disaggregate all information by gender so that the impact of their regeneration strategies on the quality of life of women in target areas can be assessed.

Does the deputy minister agree that there is a general issue about monitoring and re-evaluating the work of local SIPs and that it is important that communities are reassured that the process is rigorous and transparent? Will she ensure that, in the evaluation process, local SIPs take on the recommendations about working with women and identifying their needs and priorities, and does she agree that SIPs should be in real dialogue with women, given the crucial role that women often play in holding families and communities together in difficult circumstances?

That is why we introduced the monitoring framework. In addition to that, the Scottish Executive has an annual appraisal of all SIPs in which we can take on board those points. I entirely accept the need for dialogue with all communities that social inclusion partnerships represent and with the women who form the backbone of a substantial number of community organisations and regeneration initiatives.

Does the minister agree that women in the SIP areas are particularly vulnerable, and that they will be concerned about stories in today's press that the Scottish Executive will renege on its commitment to introduce anti-rape laws?

I am not aware of the article to which Mr Paterson refers, but I shall address his point about women in social inclusion partnership areas. Communities in SIP areas have a significant number of problems. Through a process of dialogue and consultation, we aim to arrive at strategies and projects to address them. In the Glasgow area, for example, funding has been given to the greater Easterhouse child care project and mobile crèche, to Drumchapel Women's Aid and to the greater Pollok out-of-school care consortium. That is making a real difference to the lives of women on the ground in social inclusion partnership areas.

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Modernising Government

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making with the modernisation of government in Scotland. (S1O-1804)

In recent months, we have held two successful workshops involving public, private and voluntary sector leaders and have received a large number of bids for the modernising government fund. We have bid for Cabinet Office funding for civil service reform, set electronic Government targets to be achieved by 2005, launched a review of public appointments and awarded pump-priming funding to the Scottish Civic Forum. We will publish a fuller action plan in the summer.

What progress has been made in delivering e-services, and are there any plans to extend such provision into local government?

Early in April, the First Minister endorsed the new target set by the Prime Minister to have all public services run by Government in the UK available online by 2005. Tomorrow, Peter Peacock, Frank McAveety and I will meet leaders and chief executives of Scotland's 32 councils to discuss how the local authorities, which run most government services, can help to achieve that target. We look forward to positive discussions and are determined to take strides to ensure that Scotland leads the world in that area.

What consideration has been given to the significance of the location of Government departments in the quest to modernise government? In the spirit of the comments from Allan Wilson about e-services, would not there have been an opportunity for the Government to locate the Scottish university for industry in a location outwith the central belt, given its dependence on information technology?

I see by the expression on your face, Presiding Officer, that you are questioning the appropriateness of Mr Swinney's follow-up question, but I am happy to answer it.

The Scottish Executive has a good firm policy on the relocation of departments. We will positively consider every available opportunity for new agencies or departments, or for those agencies and departments whose leases on their buildings are coming to an end, to be relocated outwith Edinburgh. In the case of the university for industry, I am sure that Mr McLeish considered all the available options.

As we are here in Glasgow, given the nature of the university for industry, the industrial history and current position of the west of Scotland and the need for higher education facilities for adult returners and those requiring lifelong learning in Glasgow and the west of Scotland, I am proud to stand by Mr McLeish's decision. It is exactly right for Glasgow and for the whole of Scotland.

I was listening carefully to the question, which was in order.

Does the minister agree that in a modern Scotland, which has been transformed by a revolution in information technology, there is no longer any need for the civil service to be in the same physical location as the Government or the Parliament? Although I hear what he said in response to Mr Swinney about moving civil service jobs out of Edinburgh, they should also be moved out of the axis between Edinburgh and Glasgow. The net economic impact will include an evaluation of any displacement effect that the project might have on other traders in the area. Some of us believe that no progress will be made in modernising government in Scotland until we see cities like Dundee getting their fair share.

I agree with much of what Mr McAllion says. Scotland is changing—not only do we have electronic communications, but there is a process of devolution that goes beyond Parliament. In such a Scotland it is right and proper that we should spread jobs and give opportunities to people to hold stable civil service jobs away from the Glasgow-Edinburgh axis. It is appropriate that we do that—

Name one.

I can. The Food Standards Agency is based in Aberdeen. Members from Aberdeen campaigned very well for that and they were absolutely right to do so. If the members on the nationalist benches would acknowledge that, they would do themselves some honour.

It is right and proper that we examine all cases on their own merits. We will do that and jobs will be dispersed when the circumstances dictate that that is right.

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Draft Transport Bill

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is committed to reducing traffic growth and whether that will be a key objective of its draft transport bill. (S1O-1768)

We are committed to reducing traffic growth whenever and wherever appropriate as part of our vision of a sustainable, effective and integrated transport system that addresses the needs of everybody in our society. The bill will provide tools to progress that strategy.

I thank the minister for that answer. Does she agree that improved public transport is one of the keys to achieving that aim? Will the bill facilitate early realisation of the Glasgow airport rail link and cross-Glasgow rail links, which are so essential to the improvement of public transport in the Glasgow metropolis?

I agree that the bill must set a framework for the improvement of public transport services. One of the key elements of the bill, to which I would draw Robert Brown's attention, is its provision for regional transport partnerships. Those will be able to build on the excellent work that Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive has done and will be able to focus on issues such as commuting and some of the major reasons for congestion in our major cities. Partnerships will also be able to identify forums on which local authorities can work with transport operators and key business groups to identify the best ways in which to develop improvements to the public transport network.

Can the minister commit to offering new money to local authorities to provide viable alternatives to the car—alternatives such as accessible, efficient and safe park-and-ride facilities—rather than achieving the desired traffic reduction by hammering motorists again?

I want to make it absolutely clear that it is not the Executive's intention to force people not to use their cars. We want to give people choice—all members in the chamber can sign up to that. We are putting new money into public transport. Our £90 million public transport fund for the next three years will provide for facilities such as those which Linda Fabiani requests. Park-and-ride facilities enable people to use their cars for part of the journey and to use high-quality bus and rail facilities for the rest of the journey.

We are also committed to providing opportunities that give parents an alternative to taking their children to school by making options such as walking, cycling or using public transport safer. That is why this morning I announced £5.2 million of new investment for local authorities.

Does the minister agree that one way to cut traffic growth on the M8 would be to support the extension to Airdrie of the successful Bathgate-to-Edinburgh rail line?

We are examining, in our multi-modal studies of the M8 and M80, what the key investments should be for the future in terms of providing for modal shift where opportunities exist for that. I expect that those studies will examine closely all such schemes as the one that Mrs Mulligan mentioned.

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Glencoe Visitor Centre

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the extent to which any public funding should be provided for the National Trust for Scotland's plans for the Glencoe visitor centre and Glencoe itself, and in particular for the trust's planned 66-seat restaurant and shops, and what assessment has been made of any effect that initiative might have on existing businesses in Glencoe and Ballachulish. (S1O-1778)

Lochaber Ltd is in the process of assessing an application for financial assistance that it has received from the National Trust for Scotland in respect of the trust's visitor centre and other proposed developments in Glencoe. That assessment will address the funding requirement, additionality and the net economic impact.

I give a guarded welcome to that answer.

Does the minister share my surprise this week on reading the remarks of the new chairman of the National Trust for Scotland, Roger Wheater, who chose to compare the effect that the new commercial centre at Glencoe would have on local businesses to that of a Safeway on the pre-existing small shops in an area—which, presumably, go out of business? Does he agree that such a comparison is inappropriate, not least because Safeway does not receive grants of up to £400,000 when creating a new supermarket? Does he share my concern that people in the Highlands and Islands are worried that bodies such as the National Trust for Scotland, while performing many good works, seem on occasion to be treated in a preferential fashion?

I note very carefully the issues highlighted by Fergus Ewing. I assure Mr Ewing that every application for financial assistance through the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network—in this instance, through Lochaber Ltd—is given careful consideration. It is appraised in terms of viability, additionality and displacement. Surely Mr Ewing must agree that these decisions are best taken locally rather than centrally.

Will the minister confirm whether the National Trust's remit has changed from that of guardian of our culture and heritage to that of a profit-making organisation with an economic advantage, capable of putting local people out of business?

That is a highly irresponsible and reckless question. I want to reaffirm the position set out in our tourism strategy, which concluded, among other things, that any business must invest and modernise if it is to remain competitive. The investment in the upgrading of the National Trust centre in Glencoe reflects the need to enhance businesses and visitor centres if we are to remain competitive in the global market.

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Fishing (Fleet Reduction)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any new proposals by the European Commission to reduce the size of the fishing fleet. (S1O-1758)

On 10 May, the Commission announced proposals for further cuts in fishing fleet capacity across Europe in the context of its report on the mid-term review of multi-annual guidance programme IV. The proposals are in our view unacceptable and we will convey that view to the European Commission when I attend the next Fisheries Council on 16 June with my colleague from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

I welcome the minister's comments. As he will be aware, the fishing industry in Scotland is working on technical conservation measures, so when the idea was mooted that officials in the European Commission might be making proposals to reduce further the size of the Scottish fishing fleet, it was met with absolute fury. Will the minister confirm that it is his policy to oppose cuts in the Scottish fishing fleet not just at the Fisheries Council in June, but at any future Fisheries Council?

We support the principle of sustainable fisheries, which means keeping fleet capacity and fishing capacity in line with the available stocks of fish in the sea. Those stocks can change and we must take account of such changes in the future. There may be problems of excess capacity in other European fishing fleets, but I am satisfied that we in Scotland and the United Kingdom are fulfilling our obligations by means of effort control, as well as capacity constraints. For that reason, there is no possible justification at this stage for this peculiarly timed proposal from the Commission to cut back our pelagic fleet by 14,000 tonnes. That is why my MAFF colleague and I intend to take a very robust line on the proposal at the Luxembourg Council on 16 June. We may need to reconsider it in future.

Does the minister share, as I do, the real concerns in the white fish sector about the supply of fish? Does that not illustrate the need for a co-ordinated examination of the scientific work that is being done in this area by the Government and by institutions such as the North Atlantic Fisheries College? Does he believe, as I do, that we need science that is believed by fishermen to underpin the decision on future catching effort?

I am aware of the excellent work that is being done at the North Atlantic Fisheries Colleague in Scalloway. When seeking to manage stocks properly, there is no substitute for good, sound science and information. One ought to take account of that information when making decisions about the size of the fleet and effort control in the future, and that is what we intend to do.

Does the minister accept that the Scottish fleet has been reduced sufficiently? Will he endeavour to induce a change of policy in the common fisheries policy whereby an element of local conservation input and control is injected into each identifiable fishery area?

I have already said that I am satisfied that we are fulfilling our obligations under MAGP IV. We will continue to do that, as a responsible Government that intends to look after fishing stocks in our seas. Phil Gallie's point about local management and control is in tune with what the Executive is attempting to do. As he will be aware, we have already taken forward the Shetland Islands Regulated Fishery (Scotland) Order 1999. We are seeking to encourage other forms of local management of fisheries.

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Roads (A1 and A720)

To ask the Scottish Executive what the most up-to-date plans are for upgrading the A1 and the Edinburgh city bypass. (S1O-01755)

My spending proposals for the next two years include the construction of new sections of dual carriageway on the A1 between Haddington and Dunbar and at Houndwood.

On the A720, work is presently under way to strengthen the road between Dreghorn and the Water of Leith bridge, and to add hard shoulders.

While I welcome the minister's response, does she agree that the Borders, the south-east and Edinburgh rely heavily on the road network for employment, commerce and tourism and that every effort should be made urgently to upgrade the A1 and to improve the outer city bypass as quickly as possible, to make them safer and better equipped to serve people who live in those areas?

I am happy to agree with Lord James that we need to tackle safety issues and that we need to ensure that we tackle the issue of improving the A1. That is precisely what our schemes are intended to do. I am aware that a public exhibition is currently being held on this matter and that John Home Robertson was there yesterday. There was great public interest in the expressway scheme on the A1. The work that is currently in progress on the A720 will bring relief from some of the main problems.

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Health Department

To ask the Scottish Executive what the explanation is for the time taken by the health service funding authority and its health gains division to give notification of 2000-01 budgets for health councils. (S1O-01762)

Health council chief officers were advised last year that in future their budgets would roll forward and be uprated by a percentage similar to that applied to health board budgets.

The minister will be aware that there was a delay in the announcement of funding to Tayside health council that resulted in its not knowing whether it could produce and distribute its regular newsletter. Does the minister agree that health councils are the patients' voice in the health service and that funding should have been sorted out in early April? Can she assure me that there will not be the same delay next year?

A change has been made to the arrangements for funding health councils to provide greater stability and financial security for the future and to enable them to plan more effectively. As I said, chief officers were advised of the changes last year.

I gladly agree with Shona Robison about the importance of local health councils. The funding arrangements that have been put in place represent a 5 per cent increase on last year, which is an increase of £88,000 in the distribution to health councils. The Scottish Executive is also funding two development officer posts—one for training, the other for public involvement—to ensure that health councils can be effectively developed and play a key role in the health service.

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Enterprise and Lifelong Learning

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in increasing employment opportunities for disabled people. (S1O-01770)

A comprehensive range of policy measures is in place to ensure that those with disabilities or other special needs can play an effective part in Scotland's economic future and gain access to education and lifelong learning to improve their employability.

We are committed to widening access to further and higher education. The needs of people with disabilities will be a key element in taking forward our response to the Beattie committee report, our current consultation on student support and our commitment to targeting resources on the most disadvantaged students and unemployed people.

I thank the minister for his answer and welcome the things he mentions, but what assurances can the Scottish Executive give groups such as Gordon Disability Action in Inverurie, whose core funding has been cut and whose lottery funding will run out in July, that they will be able to continue their valuable work in promoting opportunities for disabled people? Does the Scottish Executive agree that more incentives and more stability of funding is needed for Gordon Disability Action and other similar innovative and user-led organisations?

I am aware of Gordon Disability Action and the good work it does; I am not aware of the details of its funding. Voluntary organisations have a vital role to play in such work. I realise the importance of stable, longer-term funding to many such organisations. Having to fund on a project-by-project basis can create unfortunate uncertainty.

The Executive is making additional funding available for disabled people in a variety of ways. In our response to the Beattie committee report, funding and the role of voluntary organisations will be key issues.

Is the minister aware that the therapeutic earnings regulations on benefits cause difficulty for disabled people in gaining employment—especially for disabled people who live in supported accommodation—as they restrict the amount of time people can work and the level of wage they may earn?

In his commitment to ensure that disabled people have an opportunity to be involved in the employment market, will the minister make representations to social security ministers to have those regulations either relaxed or removed so that disabled people will have full opportunities to gain purposeful employment?

I am aware of the importance of the benefits issue. Again, I am not aware of details of the particular example Mr Matheson gives, but one of the benefits of the joint ministerial committees is the opportunity for the Scottish Executive to work together with the United Kingdom Government on such issues and to make appropriate representations.