Culture, Europe and External Affairs
Good afternoon, everyone. The first item of business today is portfolio questions. In order to get in as many people as possible, I would be grateful for short and succinct questions and answers.
European Union
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding European Union issues. (S4O-04844)
The Scottish Government regularly meets the UK Government to discuss EU issues. The Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, and I met David Lidington, the UK Minister of State for Europe, on 11 November this year for discussions on key elements of the UK Government’s EU renegotiation and the forthcoming referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU. The Scottish Government also attends the quarterly joint ministerial committee on Europe meetings; the next one will be on 7 December.
Can the cabinet secretary—sorry. Can the minister assure me that the Scottish Government will vigorously defend EU environmental legislation as part of the fitness check that the European Commission is conducting and do everything that it can to encourage the UK Government and other devolved Administrations to adopt a consistent approach to this crucial regulation, which is one of the bedrocks of environmental protection?
I thank the member for the promotion, which was very kind.
On the refit, the environmental legislation, the directives and the advice that has been taken, the issue has been raised by a number of stakeholders in Scotland, and I want to thank them. Some elements of that cause us concern and we are listening to those stakeholders. I give the member an absolute assurance that the matter has been raised and that we will continue to raise it. If the member wishes, I will continue to feed back to her how those discussions are going.
Television Companies (Region-specific Programming)
To ask the Scottish Government how it encourages TV companies to provide region-specific programming across Scotland. (S4O-04845)
The Scottish Government believes that broadcasting should be fully devolved as set out in the proposed amendments to the Scotland Bill. However, we are continuing to engage with all our public service broadcasters on the issue and we have made it clear through the charter renewal process that there is a need for increased national representation in TV and radio services that the BBC provides for Scotland.
We acknowledge the important role that local television services play in strengthening public service broadcasting in Scotland, note the success of the STV channels in Edinburgh and Glasgow and welcome the services that are due to launch in Aberdeen, Ayr and Dundee.
STV maintains an appropriately resourced presence in Dundee, delivers a Tayside-specific news slot across the platforms and, as the cabinet secretary knows, is to launch a dedicated STV Dundee channel in early 2017 to serve the wider Tayside area. That resourcing and level of service to the area is in marked contrast with that of the BBC. What influence might the Scottish Government bring to bear to ensure that the city of discovery and the wider region are treated more appropriately by the BBC?
I welcome STV’s commitment to Dundee and Angus. It is interesting to note that Ofcom’s third public service broadcasting review shows that 81 per cent of those who were questioned said that STV’s news programmes provided a wide range of good-quality news about their area. The BBC’s own reports state that under 50 per cent of people in Scotland thought that it was good at representing their life in news and current affairs content.
Clearly, STV has to be established in the area, but the competition from it will put pressure on the BBC. In terms of service provision for Scotland, the more that can be produced in Scotland with a news agenda that reflects Scotland, whether that is on a national basis or locally, the better, and that will benefit the BBC’s audiences. Clearly, there is a new operator in Dundee, and I think that that will create some healthy competition that will benefit audiences and viewership.
The cabinet secretary will know that STV is raising concerns about the accessibility of city TV. Will she make representations to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on reorganising the electronic programme guide?
We are in regular discussions with the DCMS on a number of issues including EPG positioning and the possibility of reconfiguration with some of the other changes that are happening. We are very conscious of that issue. Visibility of local television on the first page or high up on the EPG makes a difference and it is something that we are supportive of.
European Union
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of the European Union and what matters were discussed. (S4O-04846)
Scottish ministers regularly meet representatives of all European Union institutions. For example, the cabinet secretary, Fiona Hyslop was in Brussels yesterday, speaking for the United Kingdom at the culture and audiovisual council, where discussions included how European co-operation can prevent the destruction and illicit trafficking of cultural heritage in conflict areas. A number of ministers meet EU representatives on a wide variety of issues.
The minister will be aware that the European Commission is carrying out a fitness check of the birds and habitats directives that protect a number of areas in my constituency of North East Fife. Can he advise on the Scottish Government’s position in relation to the retention of the directives? Will he commit to pressing the UK Government for early confirmation of its position?
The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform has overseen the Scottish Government’s contribution to the UK Government’s response. The European Commission is in the evidence-gathering phase of the fitness check on the two nature directives to which the member alluded. As he will be aware, the fitness check is part of an established European Commission programme of regulatory fitness and not a change in the scope or objective of European law. The UK Government’s response to the evidence-gathering phase has been published by the Commission on the Europa website and a Commission conference was held last week to consider the emerging findings. The Commission has announced that the final outcome will be known in 2016.
What role will the minister play in the EU discussions about security following the recent events in Europe?
After the incidents that took place in Paris, it is fair to say that the working between the Scottish Government, the UK Government and our wider European partners has been strong. We have a link between the justice secretary and the Home Secretary and we are constantly updated through being involved with COBRA meetings and other resilience discussions. I can give the member the strongest assurances that co-operation in these islands and across the continent means that the security and safety of our citizens is our number 1 priority.
Does the minister agree with the principle of devolution of power? If so, does he agree that the Scottish Parliament should support the UK Government in its pursuit of renegotiations to achieve a leaner and more competitive EU, with the UK at its heart?
I believe in all devolution of power, which will not be a surprise to the member. When it comes to EU reform, we have made our case. We have a 28-page document—if the member has not read it, I will happily pass it on to him—and we believe that EU reform should be sought in a positive manner rather than by threatening a referendum. We have made our case for reform and the UK Government has made its case, and we agree with it on giving national and devolved Parliaments more say over issues in Europe. However, we do have some disagreements and those will come to the fore as and when the EU referendum is announced and the campaign begins in earnest.
Gender Equality in the Arts
To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes gender equality in the arts. (S4O-04847)
The Scottish Government supports the arts primarily through Creative Scotland. As part of its on-going equalities, diversity and inclusion review, it is improving equalities monitoring, data collection and analysis across all protected characteristics. It is gathering more sophisticated data on employment, progression and the representation of women in the arts. Creative Scotland’s “Equalities, Diversity and Inclusion Report 2015” was published on 30 April 2015. In the arts bodies that Creative Scotland funded in 2013-14, women made up 58 per cent of the workforce, and 65 per cent of operational management. Creative Scotland was the first public body to meet the First Minister’s 50:50 by 2020 equality target for its board earlier this year.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of concerns about the underrepresentation of women in creative roles. Although Creative Scotland is collecting data from the organisations that it funds, it is only collecting employee workforce data, which excludes freelance or other contracts that relate directly to creative roles such as actors or directors. I hope that the cabinet secretary will agree that, if we are to address gender equality in creative roles, we need the proper information to direct a policy. Will she commit to raising the matter with Creative Scotland?
Yes, I am happy to do so. I have long had concerns about the issue and it would be a great shared endeavour if we could make that one of our priorities across all parties, so that we can ensure that women are represented at all levels of our publicly funded organisations and the culture of our country, particularly in creative direction and in freelancing, although it might not be so easy to get reports on that. I am happy to share that endeavour.
Film Production
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage films to be made in Scotland to boost local economies. (S4O-04848)
We support and work with Creative Scotland to champion Scotland as a premier location to create high-quality productions for both the large and the small screen.
Creative Scotland’s location service works closely with regional offices across Scotland to bring productions to local areas and benefit from Scotland’s superb locations and highly trained crews. “Sunset Song”, which had scenes filmed across various locations in Aberdeenshire in the Mearns region, brought a boost to the local economy during filming. Fans of Grassic Gibbon’s novel can avail themselves of a VisitScotland interactive map that highlights the various locations used, including Fettercairn, Glen Tanar estate and Arbuthnott church.
The cabinet secretary has astutely pre-empted my question. I had planned to ask her to join me in congratulating VisitScotland and its partner organisations on the production of the film map of the sites in Aberdeenshire where “Sunset Song” was shot. The film has been critically acclaimed—
What is the question?
What further action will be taken by the Scottish Government, and indeed by VisitScotland and other agencies that are involved in boosting local economies, to ensure that more films are shot in those areas with, we hope, a similar impact on those local economies?
The member may be aware of recent development funding and also production funds that have been made available from Creative Scotland to encourage more filming in Scotland.
In terms of the local economic reach, the proposal that showing films will promote the area is a very strong one. A number of people come to Scotland precisely because they have seen the scenery in films. There are initiatives from VisitScotland and others to promote the location of Scotland, our cities and our wonderful scenery.
A number of films that are still being filmed have yet to hit our screens. They will further promote Scotland in the future.
Like Richard Baker, I very much enjoyed “Sunset Song”. The première will be on 4 December.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that locating the Scottish film studio in the north-east would be fantastic? Dundee, the city of discovery, could encourage film-makers in the north-east to stay and work here, while international film-makers could be encouraged to discover the best that Scotland has, both visually and creatively.
As the member may be aware, we are at a critical stage in commercially confidential negotiations for a new film studio in Scotland. He should also be aware that we cannot progress film studio proposals that require 100 per cent public funding. A private sector partner is required. We have not been approached by any private sector partner in the north-east. That might come as some disappointment but obviously there are opportunities for private sector partners across Scotland, seeing the talent and the opportunities that we have, to come forward with proposals.
It is clear that “Sunset Song” will do a great deal for the Scottish film industry. I would encourage those who do not have a ticket to see one of the early premières on 30 November to get one. It is a fantastic film in many different ways; it is very emotionally charged as well as visually beautiful.
Historic Built Environment (Conservation)
To ask—
Can we have the microphone for Mr Crawford, please?
It has blinked at me, Presiding Officer. I guess that means that it is working.
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making in relation to the conservation of the historic built environment. (S4O-04849)
The Scottish Government has established our newest non-departmental public body, Historic Environment Scotland, to provide strong and effective leadership to the sector to ensure that our unique heritage is enjoyed for years to come. The new body, which came into existence on 1 October 2015, will lead on the delivery of Scotland’s first-ever historic environment strategy, “Our Place in Time”.
The strategy was developed in collaboration with partners from across the sector. A recent very successful conference, which was held in Dundee, drew together a wide range of heritage bodies to explore the many ways in which the strategy is being delivered, as well as looking at how best to ensure delivery of our shared ambition for Scotland’s historic environment.
When is the national conservation centre in Stirling, located at the engine shed, Forthside, expected to be open for business? What will its primary purpose be? What benefits will flow from its activities, both for conservation in Scotland and—as members might expect me to ask—for employment and the economy in my Stirling constituency? Incidentally, the Forthside area would make a fantastic location for Scotland’s new film studio.
I am pleased to confirm that the engine shed, Historic Environment Scotland’s ambitious project to create Scotland’s first national centre dedicated to building conservation, is on schedule to open at Forthside in summer 2016. It is yet another boost for Stirling’s profile in heritage. The project will focus on raising standards and awareness. It will provide education and training opportunities and research in different areas, such as digital documentation and climate change adaptation for the built environment.
The engine shed is already attracting significant international interest. There are great global opportunities for Scottish expertise to be showcased there, as well as for the project to be a boost for Stirling.
Culture (West Scotland)
I call question 7, Neil Bibby. [Interruption.] Can we have the microphone for Mr Bibby, please?
7.
To ask—[Interruption.] That is Johann Lamont’s microphone.
Your microphone is on now, Mr Bibby.
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to promote culture in West Scotland. (S4O-04850)
In 2014-15, Creative Scotland invested more than £2.6 million through 50 awards to individuals and organisations based in the West Scotland region. In 2015-16, it is investing more than £1.2 million in the six local authorities that make up the West Scotland parliamentary region through the youth music initiative’s school-based music making fund. Three regularly funded organisations—Cove Park, the Beacon arts centre and Hands Up For Trad—are being supported in the west of Scotland with Creative Scotland investment of £1.4 million between 2015-16 and 2017-18.
The cabinet secretary will be aware that Paisley has recently launched a bid to become the United Kingdom city of culture in 2021. Paisley has a rich cultural heritage and has produced many famous music artists, actors and poets. The bid would act as a catalyst for job creation and regeneration, with a multimillion pound facelift for Paisley museum as part of the project.
Does the cabinet secretary agree that Paisley has a strong bid to be the UK city of culture in 2021? Given the fact that, to date, there has never been a Scottish host, what will she will do to help it in the bidding process?
I am very aware of Paisley’s 2021 bid. I met Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan, the chief executive and the bid director on 27 October to hear more about their ambitious plans.
Other bids might come from Scotland, but Neil Bibby is right to identify that there is a strong case for having a Scottish host. We can learn from the experience of Dundee, which performed extremely well but did not secure the bid in the final regard. The UK city of culture is an opportunity to showcase culture and heritage. Neil Bibby is right that Paisley has a rich heritage in many different respects—contemporary music and wider heritage, not least textiles and design. It is putting in a strong bid but, as he might appreciate, other bids from Scotland might be made.
Local Newspaper and Magazine Industry
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support and promote the local newspaper and magazine industry. (S4O-04851)
Local newspapers and magazines are a vital part of a healthy democracy. The industry benefits from our business rates policies, which include our decision to cap the business rates poundage below inflation this year and our small business bonus scheme. The small business bonus scheme alone removes or reduces the rates for more than 99,000 properties, which is the equivalent of two in every five. That provides much-welcomed support to small firms, such as some local newspapers and the magazine industry.
In addition, the Scottish Government and public bodies use local media, including newspapers, to advertise campaigns in areas such as preventative health and road safety.
As the cabinet secretary rightly says, local newspapers are and will remain an important part of our culture and a vital source of information for communities, particularly rural communities such as mine in Galloway and West Dumfries—which, I add, would make an excellent base for Scotland’s fledgling film industry.
As I am sure the cabinet secretary is aware, the United Kingdom Government is undertaking a complete review of business rates for weekly titles, which is expected to consider whether newspapers might have partial exemption from rates.
Question!
Despite the measures that the cabinet secretary has already indicated, will she support a review of business rates for local newspapers?
The Scottish Government’s small business bonus scheme is certainly a leader in helping small businesses, so Scotland probably has competitive benefit over the rest of the UK in that regard. We look forward to hearing the recommendations of the review that Alex Fergusson mentions. Obviously, we have yet to hear of any initiatives that might come on the back of it, but we will examine them when they are introduced.
Infrastructure, Investment and Cities
Cities (Growth and Investment)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to encourage partnership working to secure growth and investment for cities. (S4O-04854)
Cities and their regions play a central role in driving economic growth. The Scottish Government is committed to working individually and collectively with Scotland’s cities to optimise that growth for the benefit of the whole of Scotland. The Scottish cities alliance fosters partnership working between our cities and the Scottish Government to secure growth and investment. In addition, our support of city deals in Scotland is predicated on strong regional partnerships that include the wider public sector.
Will the minister join me in welcoming recent news that the number of new business start-ups has surged in Glasgow, including in my constituency of Glasgow Cathcart, over the past year?
Of course I welcome that news and the positive national picture as well. The number of businesses in Scotland as a whole is at a record level of 361,345 as at March 2015, which is an increase of 7.8 per cent since 2014. That underlines our commitment to ensuring a supportive business environment. In partnership with local authorities through the business gateway initiative, we are working to secure businesses, including new businesses, across the country.
Question 2, in the name of Neil Findlay, has not been lodged. A satisfactory explanation has been provided.
Trains (Discharge of Effluent)
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making toward ending the practice of trains discharging effluent on to lines. (S4O-04856)
Working with ScotRail, Transport Scotland has agreed a programme of works to install collection tanks on the only remaining trains operated by ScotRail that still discharge effluent on to the tracks. That programme has commenced at the Knorr-Bremse workshops in Springburn, Glasgow, with the first trains being fitted with tanks and returned to service. The target completion date for those trains to be fitted is 31 December 2017, which is three years earlier than planned.
I say just that I am very grateful to the minister for that reply. It seems to be ancient technology to spread effluent on to lines so I am grateful for that reply.
Will the minister confirm that that means that the only trains that will continue to discharge effluent on to lines after that date will be trains that sneak across the border from England? Will he further confirm that, with the replacement programme on those lines, that situation will end in 2018?
For the trains that I am responsible for as transport minister through ScotRail and other franchises, I have accelerated the programme. I pay credit to the trade unions, which campaigned on the issue and worked with me. We went through the programme to accelerate it and to ensure that the appropriate tanks were fitted. Of course, the practice is messy for the staff and unpleasant for everyone working on the railway lines.
As regards the trains that I am directly responsible for, yes, those lines will be clear and those tanks will be installed. Some trains that are the responsibility of the Department for Transport, where the programme has not been accelerated, may still be discharging on to Scotland’s railways. I know that the DFT is still looking at the matter, but I am happy with the actions that this Government has taken.
High Speed 2 (Extension to Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding the high speed 2 rail project coming to Scotland. (S4O-04857)
The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities met the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin, in June this year to discuss the on-going study by HS2 Ltd—which was jointly commissioned by the UK and Scottish Governments—into the broad options for extending high-speed railways to the north of England and Scotland to achieve a journey time of not more than three hours between London and Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The cabinet secretary also met Robert Goodwill MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, earlier this month at the HS2 Ltd supply chain conference in Edinburgh.
There are unconfirmed reports that costs for the HS2 project have increased by 30 per cent to £30 billion. If that is the case, can the minister indicate how such a rise in cost is likely to affect Scotland’s transport budget and the overall viability of the project?
The difference in cost is, as I understand it, down to the difference between the projected costs at 2011 prices and the actual costs, which the Department for Transport is monitoring.
The current expenditure to date has been built into the Barnett formula. If that precedent continues, there should be no impact on our transport budget, although we are keeping a close eye on that. It is worth reminding members that we support the extension of high-speed rail to Scotland so that we enjoy the benefits, rather than high-speed rail simply making it easier to travel more quickly from London to the north of England. We are keeping a close eye on costs and the necessary expenditure for Scotland.
New Railway Stations (Average Cost)
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has carried out an assessment to determine the average cost of building new railway stations. (S4O-04858)
There has been no assessment carried out to determine the average cost of building a new railway station. Many variable factors, such as the size and location of the proposed station, associated ground works and the requirement for additional infrastructure, can impact on the cost.
One of the key criteria for applying to the Scottish stations fund is access to third-party funding. The eligibility guidance for the fund states:
“promoters must be able to demonstrate that alternative funding sources for the proposed improvements have been exhausted.”
At a time when budgets are tight for local authorities, does the minister believe that scouting for private funding is the best use of council resources?
Sometimes there may be useful and necessary interventions from the private sector through planning obligations and so on. That may be appropriate in helping to contribute to infrastructure so that transport improvements pay their way. There are a number of examples that showcase how that can be done.
In partnership, we should continue to focus on investment in the railways, to which the Government has committed some £5 billion. Of course, if we can lever in other sources of funding, we can do even more for the railways in Scotland.
A9 (Upgrades North of Inverness)
To ask the Scottish Government what upgrades are planned for the A9 north of Inverness. (S4O-04859)
We want the very best for communities and road users of the A9, which is why we will continue to improve transport infrastructure in the north. Since 2007, on the A9 north of Inverness, the Government has invested £5.5 million in phase 2 of the A9 Helmsdale to Ord of Caithness improvements scheme and £13.3 million in the refurbishment programme for the Kessock bridge to deliver a reliable crossing for road users for the next 30 years, in addition to routine maintenance.
An improvement scheme to remove the hairpin bend on the A9 at Berriedale braes is also in preparation. In addition to routine maintenance activities, more than £1 million of resurfacing is planned over the next three years for the A9 north of Inverness.
What is the likely timescale for the public local inquiry on the Berriedale braes scheme? The minister ought to know that the travelling public and developers, who need changes that will help larger vehicles to get up the road, want some certainty about when we are likely to get a decision on the matter and when the development at Berriedale braes will begin to take place.
I understand the demands for the work at Berriedale braes—I really do—but the timescale is independent of Government and rests with the directorate for planning and environmental appeals. I remember the matter well from my previous brief in planning.
A pre-inquiry meeting is scheduled to take place on 2 December, at which the date and duration of the inquiry will be discussed. I say again that I understand the local demands for that improvement project.
A number of Highland farmers have approached me about the lack of lay-bys for farm vehicles and other slow-moving vehicles on the A9 north. Does the minister accept that allowing slow-moving vehicles the opportunity to pull over is a major contributor to road safety? Will he look again at the problem?
We are delivering the dualling of the A9 and will look further at spending plans to see what else can be done in road infrastructure improvement. I am mindful of road safety issues, and we will keep the matter in mind, but we must balance that with our spending commitments and the availability of spending, which is being discussed right now in the House of Commons as we find out what the spending review will mean for Scotland.
Low-emission Zones
To ask the Scottish Government what action the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities will take to facilitate the creation of low-emission zones in Scotland’s major cities. (S4O-04860)
We have a vision, which we set out in our cleaner air for Scotland strategy, for Scotland to have the cleanest air in Europe, and low-emission zones are a key part of that strategy. Over the next year, we will develop guidance and a new framework to enable local authorities and their partner organisations to work together to deliver the best measures, including low-emission zones, for their air quality management areas.
The minister will remember that in last week’s debate on air pollution I highlighted the problems of air pollution in parts of my constituency. Will the Government commit to introducing low-emission zones in key cities with air pollution problems by 2018 and, crucially, will it commit to supporting local authorities’ implementation of low-emission zones through full funding?
We will certainly be supportive by way of policy and interventions and in relation to the funding package that exists. Of course, there are necessary arrangements to be put in place in terms of guidelines and monitoring as we go through the programme to 2018. The current programme is described as ambitious, but we will be as supportive as we can of local authorities as we tackle air quality in partnership.
Maybole Bypass
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it has made in ensuring that a Maybole bypass achieves the status of a shovel-ready project. (S4O-04861)
Following consideration of a public local inquiry reporter’s recommendations for the A77 Maybole bypass, the Scottish ministers have decided that orders should be made without modification. We are now progressing the design work for that important scheme with a view to publishing made orders early next year, which, subject to there being no legal challenge, will complete the statutory process.
That is good news. Can we now expect a financial commitment for the project from the minister, and when might that be forthcoming?
The Scottish Government remains committed to commencing construction of the A77 Maybole bypass at the earliest possible opportunity, subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory process and allocation of funding from future spending reviews, which will be informed by today’s announcement.
I call Jim Hume to ask question 9.
Regrettably, Jim Hume is not in the chamber.
Question 10 has been withdrawn and a satisfactory explanation on Bob Doris’s behalf has been provided, so that concludes question time.