SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Question 1 has been withdrawn.
Asthma
To ask the Scottish Executive what research is being undertaken into the incidence of asthma in Scotland. (S2O-1375)
In 2002, Scotland took part in an international study of asthma and allergies in schoolchildren that suggested that, while the diagnosis of asthma had become more common since 1995, the prevalence of symptoms had declined. The Global Initiative for Asthma has suggested that, of the countries involved in its survey, Scotland has the highest incidence of the symptoms of asthma among 13 to 14-year-olds. Both those studies have yet to be published, but their findings, when available, will inform the policies and clinical practices of NHS Scotland.
I suggest that the minister also considers research into environmental factors, such as damp housing or the wrong kind of central heating, and, more important, into understanding asthma drugs. Many parents do not understand the role of asthma drugs or which inhaler their children should use. People often get a prescription and use their blue inhaler when that does not help to prevent asthma. I suggest that a lot of work needs to be done on the promotion of self-management in relation to asthma. That might help in relation to some of the figures that we are dealing with.
Cathy Peattie made two points. I hesitate to discuss the first when the Minister for Communities, who has responsibility for housing, is sitting on my right. However, I have been aware of the issue since I had that responsibility—which was a long time ago—and the issue bears examination.
According to the National Asthma Campaign, pollution is the biggest concern for people with asthma. Some 70 per cent of sufferers say that traffic fumes make their asthma worse. Will the minister work with his colleagues in other departments and urge them to adopt policies such as the establishment of car-free residential developments, the designation of low-emission zones and the setting of national traffic reduction targets for Scotland?
I hesitate to speculate on all the different factors in the causes of asthma, because I have discussed the matter recently with several clinicians and there seems to be a degree of uncertainty about it. In fact, I was curious to discover last week, when I looked into the matter, that the incidence of asthma is just as high on the island of Skye, for example, as it is in industrial areas. The issue is complex, but I am sure that the objectives that Patrick Harvie flags up are desirable for health in general terms, so to that extent I certainly agree with him.
I would be quite happy for the minister to have a chat with his colleague with responsibility for housing, if he wants to, before he answers this question. Is he aware of the research that was carried out by Stirling Howieson of the University of Strathclyde into ventilation rates, indoor humidity and dust mite allergens, which concluded that the design and use patterns of Scotland's houses are highly likely to be the most significant single driver of the current asthma pandemic in Scotland? Will ministers consider the implications of that research for housing standards in Scotland and the Government's central heating and energy efficiency programmes and report back to the Parliament?
I am certainly aware of that research. I remember that when I was a member of the Health and Community Care Committee I met Stirling Howieson—in fact, I wrote a paper for the committee that included some of his research, but I do not know what happened to it; because I left the committee it seemed to disappear somewhere. I am sure that Margaret Curran is also aware of those issues and that, together, we can explore those important matters.
While I am on my feet, I bring greetings from the Speaker and members of the Legislative Council of the Falkland Islands.
That is certainly something that we will want to look at as we develop the idea of personal health plans more generally. Working in partnership with patients is an important way forward in the management of chronic disease. This week I spoke to the person who is organising the primary care and diabetes collaborative improvement programme. Certainly, the idea of working in partnership with patients, which includes self-management, is an important part of that programme. I am sure that we will look at the issues that relate to schools as part of that work.
Schools (Edinburgh)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received representations about the City of Edinburgh Council's school catchment areas review. (S2O-1366)
We have had four representations from parents.
The minister will be aware of the grave concerns about the Craigmount High School review, particularly from parents in the Gylemuir area. Will the minister confirm whether the Education Department will be called on to look at the matter and whether, in so doing, it will look not only at the review process but at the content of the decision that is being taken? Will he confirm that parental views, parental rights and human rights legislation—among other things—will be recognised in the decision?
The statutory position is that decisions about school catchment areas or school closures are devolved to local authorities. There are, however, provisions for certain decisions to be referred to ministers. Margaret Smith referred to a school that is more than 80 per cent full, in which case the matter would be referred to ministers for their consent before any changes to the boundaries could be made. In that context, it would be quite wrong of me to comment on the specific instance that she raised; if the council concerned decided to change the school boundaries, the case might in fact be referred to me.
Galleries and Museums (Fife)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers have any plans to visit galleries or museums in Fife. (S2O-1350)
I intend to continue visiting a wide range of arts and cultural venues and locations across Scotland. I look forward to visiting Fife at a future date, diary permitting.
When the minister finally gets to Fife, I am sure that he will be made aware of the many excellent galleries and museums in north-east Fife, including the Scottish Fisheries Museum at Anstruther. I would like to draw his attention in particular to the Crawford Arts Centre and hope that he will accept my invitation to visit the centre to see for himself the excellent work that it does, not only for north-east Fife and St Andrews but for the whole of Fife. Is he aware that the Crawford Arts Centre is the only contemporary visual arts centre—indeed, it is the only visual arts project—in Fife to receive core funding from the Scottish Arts Council and that that funding is now under threat?
I recognise the concern of the member and of those who are involved in the work that is being undertaken by Crawford Arts Centre as the key visual arts centre for the whole of the Fife area; I also recognise the support that it gives to others.
I know that the minister is aware of the work that is going on in my constituency of Kirkcaldy in central Fife to develop a creative arts and cultural strategy. We have seen a decline in manufacturing industry in the area and we are looking to fill the gap. I wrote to the minister to invite him to my constituency. Does he agree that it would be worth while for him to come and look at the partnership work that is going on in Fife?
As I said earlier, I am happy to try to find time, diary permitting, to visit a variety of places in Fife. If that can be done, I would like to facilitate the visits that members have raised today. However, what I can say is that, as a result of informal discussions, I hope that we can highlight some of the effective ways in which we can develop partnership. If we are serious about developing cultural partnerships, we need the involvement of local communities and many other organisations, such as the enterprise network and local authorities. The more that we work in that way, the more likely it is that we will have a sustainable arts future in the long term, not only for Kirkcaldy but for Fife in general.
Is the minister aware that funding for the Crawford Arts Centre has stood still for 10 years? Is he further aware that the arts centre discovered from a press release that there was no guarantee that it would receive funding beyond 2005? It has not yet been given any explanation by the Scottish Arts Council about why it will not receive funding beyond 2005. I hope that the minister visits the Crawford Arts Centre but, before he does so, will he rattle the cage of the Scottish Arts Council and ensure that it is in contact with the arts centre so that it can explain the rationale behind the decisions? That is no way for a public body to act, and the Scottish Arts Council should take far more positive steps to build relationships instead of trying to destroy them.
I assure the member that I have raised the issue of the handling of recent announcements by the Scottish Arts Council directly with its chief executive and chairperson. Decisions about priorities and criteria are assessed by peer groups in the respective art forums—the visual arts forum, in this case. I suggest that we await the outcome of the feasibility study. I hope that there will be synchronicity with the broad direction being taken by the Scottish Arts Council and the Executive, so that the concerns that the member has raised about the longer-term future of the arts centre can be addressed.
I endorse what has been said about the future of the Crawford Arts Centre in St Andrews. I also welcome the fact that Frank McAveety might decide to visit the kingdom of Fife, despite the problems announced by former First Minister Henry McLeish, who appeared to think that everybody from outwith the kingdom of Fife was part of some kind of Labour mafia.
I have a funny feeling from all those requests that I might not get out of Fife—if I ever manage to get there in the first place.
Skiing
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will support the Scottish skiing industry. (S2O-1361)
Promotional support for the industry is provided by VisitScotland. In respect of business development, the enterprise networks will consider business proposals put to them that aim to provide a sustainable future for the Scottish skiing industry.
While I fully understand the fact that the Executive cannot bail out an ailing company, such as that at Glenshee, it can support a new buyer who is willing to invest in a diversified venture. Will the minister do all he can to ensure that such support is forthcoming to any potential buyer? Not only is the skiing industry important to Scotland, but it provides a much needed economic stimulus to remote communities such as Braemar in my constituency.
I am very conscious of the importance of industries such as the skiing industry in places such as Braemar; indeed, I recognise the representations that Mr Rumbles and Mr Swinney have made on that issue—a subsidiary of the company concerned has a golf complex in Mr Swinney's constituency. I can assure Mr Rumbles that, once a preferred bidder has been identified, Scottish Enterprise Grampian and Lochaber Enterprise—within whose area lies the Glencoe ski resort, which is owned by the same company—will be willing to discuss detailed options for assistance. They will have my full support and encouragement in that.
I reinforce Mr Rumbles's comments. The Glenshee Chairlift Company, which is in some jeopardy at the moment, makes a serious economic contribution in my constituency. The lesson that the Executive must take from the whole debate about public support, including investment support, for the skiing industry is that an overall strategic approach must be taken throughout Scotland to guarantee that individual centres are not jeopardised. Allocating public expenditure to one particular venture in the country, rather than spreading it strategically across ventures, puts into jeopardy local economies such as that in my constituency.
I certainly hear the point that Mr Swinney makes. With regard to present situation, I am assured that both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise have been in discussions with the Glenshee Chairlift Company about its difficulties. In looking to the future, it is important for us to continue to try to identify what support might be available if a possible new buyer is identified. It is also important for us to give general support to the skiing industry in Scotland, which, as Mr Swinney and Mr Rumbles rightly point out, brings useful employment to areas where it is difficult to identify other sources of employment.
Although I add my support to both my colleagues who mentioned the importance of the Glenshee resort, will the minister also recognise the vital role that is played by Glencoe in skiing in Scotland and the importance of Cairngorm, which is also in my constituency? The funicular railway there is an excellent facility that is able to operate all year round. If the building at the bottom of the Canongate is not ready by July, would the top station of the funicular be an appropriate place where we could meet for our deliberations?
Mr Ewing will recognise that I have already referred to the Glencoe resort and to the fact that Lochaber Enterprise is keen to work alongside the company with regard to future developments there. It is right to make the point that one of Cairngorm's advantages is that it has opportunities for activities all year round. Without trying to speculate on what might happen at Glenshee or Glencoe, it may well be that as we look to the future we do not consider only skiing. However, that is a matter for potential buyers to consider as matters progress in the area.
European Year of Education Through Sport
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to promote and encourage participation in the European year of education through sport. (S2O-1354)
I was delighted to help with the Scottish launch of the European year of education through sport at Hyndland Secondary School in Glasgow earlier this month. The roll-out of our active schools programme, in which we are investing £24 million, is a fitting way to mark the initiative. Sportscotland, on behalf of the Executive, is working with the Youth Sport Trust, the United Kingdom co-ordinating body, on taking forward activity during the year.
No doubt the minister is aware that the campaign's slogan is, "Move your body, stretch your mind". Perhaps he intends to lead by example on that.
I am willing to pursue that and to ensure that young people benefit from awareness of the programme. Access to languages is obviously a key element as we move into a wider market for sporting activity and opportunity. I give the member an assurance that we want to work with sporting bodies and their representatives. I have already met representatives of the Scottish Professional Footballers Association to consider ways in which players can have a learning package that is much more flexible than the singular package that has sometimes been their experience at club level. Perhaps languages can be one way of doing that and of encouraging players when they get the European contracts that they are interested in.
Schools (Sustainable Energy)
To ask the Scottish Executive what public investment the commitment to build 300 new schools by 2009 represents and what possibilities such investment offers in respect of sustainable energy. (S2O-1369)
The current approved commitment to spending on the school estate represents some £2,000 million of new investment. Under the partnership agreement, new schools should demonstrate commitment to the highest design and environmental standards.
Will the minister tell me whether the public-private partnerships that are building the schools can make use of Executive grants, such as those that are given by the Energy Saving Trust and the Scottish community and householder renewables initiative, to cover the higher capital costs of installing renewable energy options such as wood-fired heating systems? Parents who are involved with a particular PPP scheme near Aberfeldy are keen to have such systems installed in their school.
I am happy to write to Mr Ruskell about the details of what can and cannot be accessed by way of funds. Generally speaking, we are seeing extremely innovative design in PPP projects in Scotland, whether or not they have access to those funds. They are using new energy-efficient techniques, new insulation techniques and new heating systems, and are trying to do that work in an imaginative and modern way to improve the design of schools in their own environment.
I welcome the minister's positive response. I suggest that guidance could set standards for the whole of Scotland, requiring every education authority to consider the opportunities that renewable energy presents, for example. That would embed renewable energy in all school projects at the start and would mean that the 30-year life cycle analyses would begin to generate the projects. That would happen only if the Executive required all local authorities to consider such matters in progressing that massive programme of public expenditure throughout Scotland.
I am happy to keep the guidelines under review and to consider incorporating whatever practices would benefit not only schools, but their surrounding environment and the more general environment. An unprecedented opportunity is available, because investment at the current level will not occur again for the best part of a century. We must take the opportunities to make advances now, because we will not have them again. I am keen to do whatever I can to support the actions that Sarah Boyack and Mr Ruskell said that they want to be pursued. I would be happy to hear from either of them about what they would like to be included in guidance.
Area Tourist Boards Review
To ask the Scottish Executive on what date it will publish the review of area tourist boards. (S2O-1347)
We need to ensure that the area support structure for Scottish tourism meets the needs of the rapidly changing tourism market. The ad hoc ministerial group on tourism is presenting its report to the Cabinet. That report will cover the area tourist board review in the context of wider Scottish tourism issues. An announcement will be made in Parliament as soon as the report has been agreed.
I thank the minister for his answer, but we were promised an announcement before the 2003 election. As tourism is Scotland's biggest industry and brings in billions of pounds, why is it still waiting for the results of a major review of its structure? The result of that review has been delayed time and again and the new tourism season is almost upon us.
I give the assurance that the Executive considers tourism to be a key element of economic growth and development, which is why we have had for the first time a series of discussions with ministers with different portfolios about presenting to Cabinet in the near future ways in which we can ensure that we address the wider issues, not just the structures.
Question 9 has been withdrawn.
Skin Cancer (Surgery)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the role is of Mohs micrographic surgery in the management of skin cancer in the national health service. (S2O-1334)
Mohs surgery is used to treat some skin cancers, such as cancers with a high recurrence rate or cancers on the face.
Is the minister aware of the benefits of Mohs techniques, in particular for cancer patients who face invasive and potentially disfiguring surgery around the eyes, nose or ears? Is he aware that, unlike the United States or even England and Wales, which have 27 Mohs specialist consultants, Scotland has no nationally available Mohs service, although the surgical procedure is long established and effective? Will he investigate the work of Dr Robert Herd and Dr Colin Fleming in Glasgow, Perth and Dundee, to see whether their efforts to deliver one Mohs session a month might be expanded to make Mohs surgery available to patients throughout Scotland?
I agree that we need to make more Mohs surgery available, but I am advised that it will remain a fairly low-volume procedure throughout Scotland. The national service advisory group concluded that Mohs surgery was best organised regionally. It has asked the regional planning groups to take the issue on board and I will ensure that that happens. It is thought appropriate to organise the treatment regionally, given that it is a low-cost, low-volume procedure.
Road Traffic (Targets)
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to setting interim targets as part of its policy to stabilise road traffic at 2001 levels by 2021. (S2O-1370)
We have considered interim targets, but our clear priority is to deliver a major programme of investment in public transport improvements. Spending on public transport will increase by 70 per cent from 2002-03 to 2005-06.
Given that other ministers, such as the Minister for Communities, set targets—for example, for fuel poverty—including interim targets based on the latest data and a requirement to report, and given that traffic levels are continuing to rise, does the minister not think that it is necessary to turn a pledge into a policy by reporting regularly to the Parliament on interim targets?
I could spend time reporting regularly on interim targets or I could get on with the programme of work that I believe is vital if we are to deliver improvements. This week I was present when work started on the Larkhall to Milngavie rail line—the first branch line to be reopened in Scotland in the past 25 years. The previous such line was reopened in 1979. We have many other ambitious projects: the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line and the Borders rail link, bills for which are already before the Parliament; the Edinburgh tram projects; the Airdrie to Bathgate line; the Glasgow crossrail project; the Aberdeen crossrail project; and the Invernet project. This is one of the most ambitious programmes of investment in public transport that there has ever been in Scotland and we are determined to deliver on it. That is the way to get passenger numbers to increase, to make the shift to public transport and to deliver on a real commitment.
Council Tax (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will discuss with Glasgow City Council the council's level of uncollected council tax. (S2O-1341)
I meet Glasgow City Council regularly. I have encouraged all councils, including Glasgow, to keep up the year-on-year improvement in council tax collection levels.
The minister will be aware that Glasgow's record in this respect has not been good. Far from improving, the council tax collection level in Glasgow is now something like 8 per cent lower than the Scottish average, resulting in £23,326,538 not being collected in the previous full financial year. Given that that uncollected tax results in the average band D council tax payer in Glasgow having to pay an additional £123, does the minister not think that his discussions with Glasgow City Council should take on a somewhat more urgent tone?
I am sure that the member will be aware that the Tories' poll tax made it acceptable not to pay council tax in many communities. I point out that £126 million of the £281 million debt in Glasgow is a direct result of the Tories' poll tax. The Tories are culpable in the matter of collection rates. Since reorganisation, the increase in Glasgow City Council's council tax collection rates has been above average. In fact, since reorganisation, it has collected 10 per cent more and the collection rate has now reached 83 per cent. That is not enough and we want councils to do more. I want to work with the Labour-led council in Glasgow, which in the past three years has delivered below-inflation increases in council tax and will continue to do so next year. I also support the pay up for Glasgow campaign.
National Health Service (Patient Transfer)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many patients are currently awaiting transfer from NHS hospitals to care homes. (S2O-1352)
Information on patients whose discharge from hospital is delayed for reasons other than clinical need is collected nationally by means of a quarterly census. The latest published information, from the October 2003 census, showed that 581 people in NHS hospitals were awaiting transfer to care homes, of whom 418 had been delayed outwith the six-week discharge planning period.
Although I do not contest what the Scottish Executive is trying to do, I have recently had several examples of patients who seem to be stuck in their hospital beds for rather longer than they would like. I will not give their names and details right now because it would not be appropriate, but I would be grateful if the minister could consider what is happening in the far north of Scotland. I do not for one minute suggest that NHS Highland is not doing its best, but a problem appears to have reared its head.
We have established the process of delayed discharge as an absolute priority within the Executive. During the past few months, we have made substantial new investments to our local government and health service partners that are to be applied to the delayed discharge process. We have engaged in intensive dialogue with our partners in local government and the health boards. We intend to visit each delayed discharge partnership during the coming months.
I refer the minister to his consultation document "Proposals for Maximum Fees to be set by Scottish Ministers for 2004-05" for the care commission. Under the heading "Unintended consequences", it says:
I do not necessarily accept that the question and the way in which it was put are directly related to delayed discharge. The Executive's position is that there is a market, and some people will make market decisions for a variety of reasons. For example, in cities such as Edinburgh, where property prices are spiralling so high, there are occasions when a provider might decide to realise an asset rather than carry on their business. That is a commercial decision for the operator and they are perfectly entitled to make such a decision.
I am delighted that this issue is now being addressed. The Executive tells us that enough money is being allocated to care in the community and I have no reason to doubt that. However, NHS Highland, the Highland social work department and the local health board all say that they do not have enough money. Jamie Stone is referring to the cases in Caithness, where there are eight free beds in Seafield House and patients lying in the county hospital who cannot get out because the social work department says that it has no money. Will the minister address that specific issue? I would be happy to put him in contact with the families who have written to me, as, I am sure, would Jamie Stone.
I mentioned earlier that we intend to meet each delayed discharge partnership in Scotland. The partnership that the member mentions is obviously one of those and I will take on board the points that are made then. I assure the member that there will be an objective consideration of any claims of underfunding. If there is to be underfunding, we are under an obligation to take it on board. However, through our discussions with health boards and local government, we are confident that the amount of money that has been made available is sufficient. In some instances, there might be different local circumstances and we are more than willing to examine those when we meet each partnership.
Is the minister aware that delayed discharges are a particular problem in Falkirk? Recently, the situation seems to have become worse instead of better, despite the targets set by the Scottish Executive. Will the minister make urgent contact with Forth Valley NHS Board and Falkirk Council to identify the root cause of the problem and, I hope, expedite a solution?
As I have indicated, part of our programme of action is to meet each delayed discharge partnership. I will consider giving some priority to the order of those meetings if Mr Canavan is suggesting that there is a particular difficulty in that area.
Mobile Phone Theft
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will liaise with mobile phone operators to promote greater awareness of mobile phone theft. (S2O-1372)
We gave our support to the Virgin Mobile personal and phone safety campaign that ran over the Christmas period in 2003. We also provide Scottish police forces with "Protect your PHONE" information leaflets, which are also available to the public from the major mobile phone retailers in Scotland.
As a recent victim of mobile phone theft, I have become acutely aware of the scale of the problem, especially among younger people. I place on record my thanks to the Dalkeith police for their speedy return of my phone. Does the minister agree that local police forces have enough to do without having to deal with mobile phone theft and that mobile phone operators have a responsibility to ensure that opportunities for mobile phone theft are kept to a minimum?
I encourage the mobile phone operators to do everything in their power to minimise the amount of mobile phone theft. However, equally, I would not hold the mobile phone operators responsible for those who are intent on theft. A partnership is required. The police have a job to do and we need to create better awareness. Rhona Brankin is absolutely right to say that we need to do more with the mobile phone operators. An initiative exists between the Home Office and the mobile phone operators. The central equipment identity register is a mobile phone database that can prevent stolen mobile phones from being used on any United Kingdom mobile network, thereby reducing the attractiveness of mobile phones to thieves. There is a facility to report the international mobile equipment identity number of the stolen phone to either the network operator or a general number to enable it to be cancelled. Those are things that the mobile phone operators are doing; nevertheless, we should all remain vigilant.
Question 15 has been withdrawn.
National Health Service (Prescription Charges)
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in its review of NHS prescription charges. (S2O-1340)
Proposals for the review have been drawn up and are currently under consideration by ministers. Although the detailed arrangements for the review are not yet finally determined, I can say that it is our firm intention to consult widely with patient interest groups, national health service professionals and other key stakeholders. That will ensure that all the interests and concerns that are expressed are taken into account.
I am sure that the minister realises that I am not entirely happy with that answer. In July, he sent me a letter in which he said:
I am glad that the member recognises that there is a full agenda in health. The Executive is interested in completing the review as part of that agenda and not in undue haste. I want to ensure that, when the review starts, the preparatory work has been done properly, with the result that the review produces the most comprehensive analysis possible, thereby giving assistance to the highest possible number of patients. That is the approach that we are taking and that is why we are spending time ensuring that our preparation is comprehensive. We want the result to be equally comprehensive.
The minister may be aware that my proposal to abolish prescription charges in Scotland is about to go out to consultation. Just 6 per cent of the NHS's drugs bill in Scotland of some £733 million is recovered from charges, yet tens of thousands of patients are deterred by the cost of £6.30. Can the minister tell us whether the review considered the outright abolition of those charges as one of its options?
Ninety per cent of prescriptions that are administered in Scotland are administered free of charge. The figures that Mr Fox cites may be correct, but there is a range of difficult choices within health. We are still talking about a considerable sum of money and it would be harsh indeed to have to consider which services had to suffer from the complete abolition of NHS prescription charges. I do not expect that complete abolition will be considered as an option in the consultation.
We have been waiting 36 years for this review, especially under Governments of Nanette Milne's party. Should we not wait a little bit longer just to get things absolutely right? I know that 36 years is a long time to wait, but surely a few weeks more will not matter.
Not for the first time, I am forced to agree with Mr Rumbles. His approach is eminently sensible.
On that note, we conclude question time.