SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Transport
Ferry Services (Tendering Process)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can provide an update on the Caledonian MacBrayne tendering process. (S2O-9954)
We hope to identify tender lists and to issue invitations to tender for both the tendering exercises shortly. In parallel, good progress is being made with the restructuring of Caledonian MacBrayne to enable the tendering to proceed.
The minister is aware of the desire on South Uist, in my constituency, for a ferry route to be established between Lochboisdale and Mallaig. His predecessor as Minister for Transport—and now boss—Nicol Stephen, is also aware of that. Will the minister do his utmost to ensure that that new route forms part of the tender document that is to be published shortly? I am sure that the minister, along with everyone else in the Parliament, I hope, will have welcomed the historic development last week, when South Uist Estates passed into public ownership. There is no doubt in my mind that having a shorter ferry journey between Lochboisdale and the mainland will greatly benefit islanders and tourism and other businesses. Will the minister agree to meet me, Ronald Mackinnon, who is the councillor for Lochboisdale, and representatives of the now community-owned South Uist Estates, who I am sure will happily reinforce what I have just called for?
Mr Morrison makes a persuasive argument, and I would be delighted to meet him and his colleagues to take those matters forward. As he knows, the consultation on the specification has concluded. Many comments were submitted, including some relating to the particular issue that Mr Morrison is highlighting now. We will make progress on the matter when we produce the final specification. A meeting of the kind that Mr Morrison proposes would be useful in that regard.
Once the Caledonian MacBrayne tendering process has been completed, will the minister produce a comparative report on the various tendering processes, explaining any inconsistencies in the tenders and in the different levels of subsidy or levels of service between the NorthLink, Clyde, west coast and Campbeltown to Ballycastle routes? If not, why will such a report not be forthcoming?
I am not quite clear about what Mr Mather is arguing for. If he is arguing for a comparative breakdown in the costs and subsidies applying to each individual route, he must also, by definition, be moving towards the territory of arguing for the unbundling of the west coast services. I had thought that that was not the Scottish National Party's position. We all know the dangers of such an approach. Mr Mather will need to be cautious. Indeed, he might wish to explain his position to people on the west coast, who have a strong understanding of why the Government listened to the persuasive argument in favour of the complete bundle and argued that case to Europe, ensuring that that is what now applies.
In light of Western Ferries dropping out of the tender process, just as Irish Continental Group withdrew from the northern isles tender last year, does the minister agree that the private sector has lost all faith in the Executive's ability to conduct a fair and transparent tendering process? In the interests of fair competition, will the minister take this opportunity to renounce Nicol Stephen's comments of 10 December 2004? He then said:
No, and no. I will not take one step back from ensuring a very positive tendering exercise. If commercial organisations or businesses decide that they do not wish to be part of the exercise as it moves forward, that is a matter for them. My officials met representatives of Western Ferries recently to consider the issue; lessons can of course be learned on both sides, not just on the side of Government.
Tramline (Funding)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will undertake to underwrite any funding gap in respect of the planned tramline that is integral to the development of the Edinburgh waterfront project. (S2O-9921)
The Scottish Executive will not underwrite any funding gap associated with the proposed Edinburgh tram network. I can confirm that, as I stated to Parliament on 16 March, we have agreed to contribute £375 million plus inflation. I expect that to be a contribution of £450 million to £500 million towards the capital cost of the tramline from Ocean Terminal to Edinburgh airport. Our commitment to funding is dependent on the production of a robust final business case by the City of Edinburgh Council.
I, too, think that a robust business case should be presented to the Executive. Before the minister knocks me back again, I will tell him that I am confident in the council's ability to raise the funds under its own steam. However, given that the tramline is an integral part of a much-needed development, will the Executive agree at this stage not to knock back a request for funding in the contingency that there is a shortfall?
I hope that Margo MacDonald accepts that I have sought to be entirely consistent in my desire to ensure that all our capital transport projects hit their budgets and timescales and that we deliver what we agreed with the promoters. Parliament has scrutinised that in its consideration of private bills. I understand the important arguments that have been made about Granton by Margo MacDonald and others in Parliament and elsewhere. However, we must achieve the project that the Parliament has committed to achieving. There is nothing to prevent future consideration of further stages of a tram network in the city.
Modern Apprenticeships
To ask the Scottish Executive how it supports young people in finding modern apprenticeship places. (S2O-9982)
As all modern apprentices are employed from the start of their training, the Scottish Executive supports young people in finding an MA place through the information, advice and guidance that are offered by Careers Scotland. There are 34,263 MAs in training, which is well over our partnership commitment to have 30,000 by 2006, which we achieved two years ahead of schedule.
Obviously, I am delighted about the figures that the minister gave. However, I draw to his attention the experience of one of my 16-year-old constituents, who has applied to 450 employers for a post—he had a college place but could not take up his apprenticeship without finding an employer. One of the arguments that his family put to me was that there had been an influx of skilled workers from eastern Europe, who I believe have a very good reputation for construction work. There might a problem—at least locally—in that the short-term needs of the construction industry are being met by firms employing those workers rather than taking on apprentices. In the medium to long term, a problem might arise with that skills bloc. Will the minister give me an assurance that he will look into the matter to see whether there is a wider problem?
I am pleased to give the member that assurance. First, I commend her constituent on his effort and ingenuity in contacting so many employers. I genuinely hope that he will be successful in his search.
Bus Transport (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are being taken to improve bus transport in Glasgow. (S2O-9946)
At national level, this devolved Government provides substantial resources to support bus services. In particular, we will pay some £55 million this year directly to bus operators in Scotland through the bus service operator grant. We also resource local government to support bus services. This year, Glasgow's allocation through the local government settlement to support local bus services is over £3 million. The bus regime frees up bus operators to use their commercial judgment in planning bus services and, for Glasgow, it imposes a duty on Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to ensure that bus services meet local needs.
I remind the minister that, under the current non-regulatory scheme, we do not meet local needs. Will he consider some form of regulation similar to that which is in place in the London transport system and consider funding some form of community transport, which I understand has been adopted in other parts of the United Kingdom, to ensure that we deliver a local service and avoid the cherry picking of routes that takes place in Glasgow and the rest of Scotland?
I understand Paul Martin's concerns with regard to the withdrawal of services, particularly at times that might loosely be described as off-peak but which are pretty important to people in various parts of the area that he represents.
Environmental Sustainability
To ask the Scottish Executive how its Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department works to encourage environmentally sustainable practices among businesses. (S2O-9990)
The Executive funds the Carbon Trust and the Energy Saving Trust in Scotland to provide advice and support to businesses to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Our green jobs strategy emphasises the substantial business and employment opportunities that can be secured by taking a more sustainable and environmental approach.
Energy efficiency must be a major component of energy policy. Does the minister agree that all buildings, including business premises, should be properly insulated to prevent heat loss? Further, as the built estate is replaced at roughly 1 per cent a year, does the minister agree that there is a huge business opportunity in the retrofitting of insulation in existing buildings? Will he consider how he can encourage businesses to develop the technology and skills to meet that market in order to deliver the win-win outcome of more green jobs and less wasted energy?
I agree with the member. As well as the action that I announced this week to put further investment behind renewables in Scotland and to shift from generating electricity from fossil fuels to generating electricity from wind, wave and other clean energy sources, we have to do more on energy efficiency. We should not focus solely on the homes of individuals as there is a large wastage of energy in business and industry. Action in those areas could save millions of pounds and create clean, green jobs for the future. The greater the extent to which Scottish business gets involved in that—taking advantage of the opportunities in the United Kingdom as well as the many opportunities around the world—the more the Scottish economy will benefit and the more Scotland will stand out as a nation that is putting sustainability and the environment at the forefront of all of its policies.
Will the minister investigate the issue of the grants that the Scottish Executive awards? Yesterday, I heard from a constituent who wants to install loft insulation. She wanted to use a recycled product but, unfortunately, that is not supported by the relevant Scottish Executive grant scheme, whereas the more traditional fibreglass option is. My constituent has been left without a real choice because, faced with a bill of either £300 or £600, she knows which one she is going to go for. Can the Executive investigate the matter and do a bit of joined-up thinking by linking the issue of waste and recycling with that of energy efficiency?
I will look further into the matter that Sarah Boyack has raised. As she knows, grant funding is available for a range of energy efficiency initiatives. For example, in the north-east of Scotland, the appropriately named SCARF—save cash and reduce fuel—does a lot of good work in exactly the kind of scheme that she has highlighted, providing advice to householders on greater energy efficiency and on how to reduce levels of electricity use and, indeed, bills. After all, energy efficiency makes a big impact on household bills and helps to keep old people, in particular, warm throughout the winter. Such local initiatives are vital.
Scottish Enterprise recently pulled out of its promised financial contribution to a waste water handling plant at a shellfish factory in Galloway. I do not expect the minister to know about that incident, but does he have any idea about the number of environmental projects in rural areas that are at risk because of Scottish Enterprise's funding crisis?
I am happy to try to provide that information to Alasdair Morgan through Scottish Enterprise. However, at the moment, I am not aware of any projects that are at risk.
Life Sciences (Inverness)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to encourage increased investment and employment in the life sciences sector in Inverness. (S2O-9916)
Highlands and Islands Enterprise is already investing substantially in life sciences projects in Inverness. For example, it has proposed to invest £15.7 million in the development of the centre for health sciences. In addition, Scottish Development International is discussing with HIE how to increase international activity and stimulate more inward investment in the area.
I welcome the minister's response. Given that notice of my supplementary question was given to his office by me yesterday and by The Press and Journal this morning, he will be aware that Lifescan Scotland Ltd, formerly Inverness Medical Ltd, is the biggest private sector employer in the Highlands. At the moment, it employs 1,500 people with plans to employ another 150, many of whom would be at the leading edge of research and development.
Yes, I am prepared to make representations to United Kingdom ministers. The Scottish Executive must do what it can to support Scottish companies and jobs. I should point out that the document on the new financial arrangements for the provision of, among other things, chemical reagents for primary care is still out for consultation. As Fergus Ewing knows, it was published on 8 May and the closing date for the consultation is 6 June.
Road Safety (A82)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will improve road safety on the A82. (S2O-9928)
On 19 April, I announced a number of initiatives on the A82 following the completion of the A82 route action plan review. The plan proposes £90 million of improvement works from Tarbet to Fort William over the next 10 years, and Transport Scotland is taking forward the most pressing works.
I thank the minister for that response and for the welcome work on the route accident reduction plan. There is a specific problem, though, for constituents of mine accessing the A82 from Barnhill, due to the volume and speed of traffic on the road. I would be grateful if the minister would agree to a meeting between me and Transport Scotland at the location to consider possible solutions. Will he also ensure that the A82, Scotland's main tourist route, remains a top priority for improvement in the national transport strategy and in the investment framework for trunk roads?
I would be happy to ensure that Transport Scotland undertakes to meet Jackie Baillie to discuss that roundabout and to ensure that remedial work is considered closely to solve the problems that she has identified. I assure her that the A82 overall is an important part of the strategic projects review, which will flow from the national transport strategy. There is now an opportunity, through that consultation, to make the appropriate arguments for longer-term measures that would be beneficial to the route that she describes.
Justice and Law Officers
Tayside Police (Retirals)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers are expected to retire from Tayside police in each of the next five years. (S2O-9974)
One hundred and eighty police officers are expected to retire from Tayside police over the next five years—an average of 36 in each year. Tayside has been allocated £375,000 over the next two years specifically for the recruitment of officers to replace those who are retiring.
What specific assurances can the Executive give the people of Angus and Scotland that a fully worked out and costed plan is in place to ensure that the expected retirement of police officers is fully met through recruitment, training and retention of replacement police officers? Can she put numbers and a timetable to the plan for remedying the inevitable experience and expertise gaps, to reassure the law-abiding majority of the public that there will be visible and local police officers where they want them?
It is for chief constables to take appropriate action in the various areas. Of course, we have seen an overall increase in the number of police officers and support staff, not just in Tayside but throughout Scotland. As I indicated in my original answer, and as I have said in the chamber and in answer to questions before, we have put in place a plan and allocated the money and it is now down to the forces responsible to ensure that people are brought into those posts.
Rape (Conviction Rate)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it plans to take to address the low conviction rate for rape. (S2O-9987)
The legal framework must provide robust protection and reflect the values of modern society. The Executive has asked the Scottish Law Commission to undertake the most comprehensive review ever of rape and other sexual offences. The commission has now consulted on its discussion paper and will report with legislative recommendations in 2007. In October 2004, I asked the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to carry out a thorough review of the investigation and prosecution of rape and sexual offences. The report of that wide-ranging review will be published imminently. It will define clearly best practice in the prosecution of rape and sexual offences.
Scotland has one of the worst rape conviction rates in Europe, so we need to take action now. Is Mrs Angiolini prepared to consider setting up specialist courts to deal with rape as of now?
Mr Arbuckle will obviously look forward to reading the report of the review, which is about to be published and which gives detailed and careful consideration to the anecdotal information suggesting that we have the lowest conviction rate for rape. He will find, I think, that that statement is subject to variables that mean that it may be inaccurate. As I have told Parliament before, rape is narrowly defined in the Scottish jurisdiction and covers a narrow area of sexual criminality, whereas in other jurisdictions it embraces a huge range of sexual offending, which we are successful at prosecuting in the Scottish courts. It is vital that we take action now. That is precisely what the review aimed to do and I hope that Mr Arbuckle will be pleased with the results and will see that the action that we propose to take is profound.
Mesothelioma (Legislation)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether legislation will be forthcoming in this parliamentary session in response to the concerns raised by mesothelioma victims and Clydeside Action on Asbestos. (S2O-9952)
Ministers have profound sympathy for people suffering from asbestos-related illness and for their families. I have met asbestos groups, trade union representatives and Des McNulty to discuss their concerns. They have made a compelling case for change to section 1(2) of the Damages (Scotland) Act 1976. The Executive accepts that legislation is needed to deal with the problem. Although I cannot at this stage give a firm commitment on timing, I assure members that every effort is being made to find a prompt and effective solution.
I thank the minister for his positive answer on this very important issue. He will be aware of the recent decision of the House of Lords, which would seem to change the position of asbestos victims under Scots law. It would seem that they may have to pursue all their past employers, whereas up until now they have had to pursue only one jointly and severally. Given that we could pursue several options, will the minister indicate whether that particular issue will be addressed in this session of Parliament?
I will answer the last point first. I have discussed with the Minister for Parliamentary Business and ministerial colleagues how we can best take the matter forward. That will entail making some difficult decisions about a very full legislative programme, but no one could fail to be moved by the plight of those families. The groups that represent them have made the case very well. There is an understanding within the Executive of the problem and a commitment to try to do something about it. We will continue to reflect on what we can do. Obviously, Des McNulty will pursue his bill with the parliamentary authorities and we will see what comes from those discussions.
Knife Crime
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to reduce the incidence of young people carrying machetes and other weapons. (S2O-9955)
It is clear that far too many people—particularly young men—view the carrying of knives as acceptable: it is not.
I welcome the various initiatives that are under way, including those that the minister has announced and those contained in the bill that Parliament is considering today.
It is, of course, for the courts to consider what is an appropriate sentence in particular circumstances, but the Executive has made a commitment that we want to see a reduction in the number of the types of weapons that Mr Muldoon mentions that make their way on to our streets. We are considering the results of a consultation exercise on how best to tackle the problem of the sale of such weapons.
Dundee Families Project
To ask the Scottish Executive what contribution the Dundee families project has made to reducing incidents of antisocial behaviour. (S2O-9959)
The evaluation of the Dundee families project reported improvements in the behaviour and life skills of three out of five of the particularly troubled and troublesome families that the project actively worked with. The evaluation also identified considerable cost savings because of reduced evictions and homelessness.
I understand that there is to be a similar project in Falkirk. I welcome that, but will the minister ensure that health, housing and social work services and the voluntary sector work together to make the project a success? What monitoring will be done to ensure that it meets its targets and its aim of reducing the number of young people who participate in antisocial behaviour?
I look forward to the project in Falkirk making the same significant and positive contribution to the quality of life in the Falkirk area as the Dundee project made for people in Dundee. Cathy Peattie is right to suggest that integrated working by professional staff with different skills is necessary if the project is to give the relevant support. We need to break down barriers and ensure that everyone pitches in as part of a team effort to support the families.
Domestic Abuse
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that domestic abuse is fully taken into account when action is being taken against violent crime. (S2O-9960)
All violence is unacceptable, including domestic violence. Domestic abuse is fully taken into account in the work that is undertaken jointly by the violence reduction unit, the Executive and its partners to reduce violence more generally.
Given that research suggests that domestic abuse accounts for 16 per cent of all violent crime and that 45 per cent of female homicide victims are killed by present or former male partners, does the minister agree that, when granting bail or sentencing in cases involving violence, the courts must do more to identify whether domestic abuse is an issue and take steps to safeguard the well-being and safety of the women, children and young people who are affected?
Elaine Smith raises a serious issue. We are well aware of the problems of domestic abuse, particularly where there has been a pattern of offending. That is why a joint protocol has been developed between the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, under which prosecutors seek to have a remand in custody pending trial where appropriate. Where they cannot justify a remand, they seek special conditions of bail, which might include a condition that the accused person does not reside in the marital home. Prosecutors also seek early diets and ensure that the appropriate support is in place for victims.
Football Fans (Behaviour)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to help police and major football clubs to co-operate to achieve the same improved level of behaviour by fans at away matches as is usually achieved at home games. (S2O-9980)
I want to ensure that football fans can enjoy both home and away matches without rivalry spilling over into bigoted abuse or violence. By working in partnership with the police, we have developed football banning orders, which can be imposed for sectarian offences as well as for other forms of violent and abusive behaviour.
The top people in the police and the major football clubs agree that away matches are now the greater problem. Getting improvement there demands co-operation between the away team's management, the home team's management, the police in the home area and the police in the area from which the visiting club comes. Will the minister use her good offices to ensure that they all co-operate and operate a standard and effective policy to reduce this scourge?
As I said, it is important that people are able to enjoy football matches. Rivalry can be friendly, as I experienced most recently last weekend, when Auchinleck Talbot played Bathgate Thistle in my area—I should declare an interest. Everyone enjoyed the match and co-operated with the police.
Knife Crime
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to reduce the misuse of knives. (S2O-9930)
As I indicated in an earlier answer, I am extremely concerned about the level of knife crime, which is why we have introduced new legislation—in the Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill—the knife amnesty that began yesterday and the measures that the Lord Advocate outlined on Monday.
Given that between June 2000 and June 2005 more than 400 eight to 15-year-olds in Grampian were charged with possession of an offensive weapon, will the minister reassure me that Grampian police will receive an adequate number of metal detectors to screen for knives? Although today's measures are very welcome, will she assure me that education measures and a licensing scheme are being given careful consideration, so that we may address the dangerous culture of carrying knives and other offensive weapons?
I give Richard Baker the assurance that a licensing scheme is being considered. We are examining such proposals actively at the moment. I want metal detectors to be used in the areas that have had the worst incidence of knife crime. The violence reduction unit and the police assure me that this weekend, which is the first weekend of the knife amnesty, they will be out and about trying to get across the message that people now have an opportunity to bin the blades and that there will be a period of crackdown when the amnesty has concluded.
Substance Abusers (Contraception)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps its Justice Department is taking to meet its commitment in "Hidden Harm—Next Steps: Supporting Children—Working with Parents" to enable substance abusers, including those in custody, to access contraception and family planning services. (S2O-9996)
The Justice Department is working closely with colleagues in the Health Department to take such work forward. National health service boards are being asked to provide details on the implementation of the national sexual health strategy, including on how substance misusers are able to access contraception and family planning advice. The information will form part of the first annual report on the implementation of strategy.
Does the minister agree that Duncan McNeil's recent proposal to lace methadone with contraceptives would make drug users who access services through the justice system less likely to trust those services or to continue to access them?
I believe that Duncan McNeil cares strongly about this issue. There is no doubt that he, like many of us, has seen at first hand the real problems that arise from drug misuse. It was important that, during the debate in the chamber on "Hidden Harm—Next Steps: Supporting Children—Working with Parents", we heard a range of views and opinions from Duncan McNeil, Susan Deacon and others who wanted to consider seriously how we can ensure that people get access to appropriate services. I am committed to ensuring that when people come into contact with the justice system, we use every opportunity we can find to get them into the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation and to provide the services that they need. We should also make it clear that we expect people to take their responsibilities seriously and to participate in programmes where they are offered.
Question 10 is not lodged.
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