Spaceport
To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with the bid for a spaceport to be located in Scotland. (S4O-04174)
The Scottish Government is keen to see the establishment of a spaceport in Scotland. It is for the operators of each site on the shortlist to decide whether to progress a bid. I am aware that the team at Glasgow Prestwick airport is making considerable progress. It has a bid team in place and is working with a range of local and national partners to develop its proposals. In addition, the owners of Campbeltown airbase are also interested in pursuing a bid.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the many attributes of Prestwick airport, which is, uniquely, a large-scale, diversified aerospace and aviation hub. Prestwick is ideally situated for high-inclination polar launches, with its enviable weather record, its long concrete runway, its first-class road and rail links, its local aerospace and maintenance, repair and overhaul hub, and the buy-in from the local community. Does the cabinet secretary agree that its attributes make Prestwick not only the location of choice in Scotland for a spaceport, but the best choice for a spaceport in the United Kingdom?
It will not surprise John Scott to know that I think that the two remaining potential locations in Scotland would be the best in the UK for a spaceport. A lot of work is being done at Prestwick. A bid team is in place and it is carrying out a significant amount of preparatory work so that it can prepare a compelling bid.
As John Scott suggested, the airport is supported by South Ayrshire Council, Ayrshire College, a range of local aerospace businesses, and space experts from Glasgow and Strathclyde universities. I am sure that Glasgow Prestwick has a strong bid, and we await the bid from Campbeltown. I very much hope that the spaceport comes to either of those two locations in Scotland.
I am glad that the minister has recognised the bid from what is rapidly becoming known as Cape Campbeltown. I hope that the Government will find it in itself to encourage Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to support Campbeltown airport in its bid. It does not have the office infrastructure that exists at Prestwick, but it has many advantages that I could set against the advantages of Prestwick, including a longer runway and an untrammelled approach over the sea. I hope that the minister will have an even hand and that HIAL will back the bid from Cape Campbeltown.
Either of the potential Scottish bidders would be an excellent choice. Michael Russell makes a point about the length of the runway at Machrihanish. I understand that it was a stand-by runway for the space shuttle, so that testifies to its length.
Both bids could be very strong. The Scottish Government will give whatever assistance is required to either bid and will work with the enterprise companies and any other partners to make sure that we have the two best bids to take forward to the shortlist and that, ultimately, Scotland succeeds.
Blood Donors (Review of Eligibility)
To ask the Scottish Government when the rules on eligibility of blood donors were last reviewed. (S4O-04175)
I refer the member to his previous question S4W-24292 on the eligibility of blood donors.
When assessing a donor’s eligibility, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service has to take into consideration more than 300 deferral criteria. The guidelines are constantly evolving. For example, in calendar year 2014, SNBTS revised 13 of its donor selection rules and the deferral criteria for 32 countries. Changes in deferral criteria are often complex and sometimes need to be made rapidly, such as in response to changes in the pattern of infectious diseases in other parts of the world.
The combination of assessing each donor clinically at every attendance and testing each donation for markers of infection is essential to maximise donor and recipient safety. Each donor must undergo an assessment that is based on the donor selection guidelines to determine their eligibility to donate. That requires each donor to complete a questionnaire and answer a series of standard questions about their general health, lifestyle, travel history, past medical history and medication.
SNBTS is represented on the expert United Kingdom committees that maintain a watching brief on new and emergent issues that are relevant to donor selection and blood and tissue safety.
I thank the minister for her very comprehensive response. I raise the issue because on occasion there have been blood supply shortages in Scotland, yet in the past six years 225,000 people have been barred from ever giving blood again, because they have received a blood transfusion. I myself received a blood transfusion more than 20 years ago. Despite carrying a blood donor card, I am currently banned for the rest of my life from ever donating blood.
Although I understand the reason for introducing that measure—the risk of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease—surely as time goes by we must review the arrangements, because far too many people who would want to be blood donors are currently excluded. The risk of CJD infection is now so remote, but we are cutting people off and running the risk of having shortages as a result.
Today of all days, the member will realise how important the safety of blood is. Blood supply has to be as safe as possible to reduce the risks of viral transmission. We will talk a lot more about that later today. I am sorry that the member, having had a blood transfusion, is barred, but the safety of blood products is absolutely paramount.
Does the minister agree that the construction of the new national blood centre at Heriot-Watt research park, in my constituency, using £43 million of Scottish Government funding, will help to ensure the continued future supply of blood, tissues and cells and will put Scotland ahead of the rest of the United Kingdom in relation to blood research and testing?
I thank the member for his question, and the answer is yes—it will help with safety, with the supply of blood and tissue and with research.
Inheritance Tax (Increase in Threshold)
To ask the Scottish Government what the financial impact would be in Scotland of an increase in the inheritance tax threshold to £1,000,000. (S4O-04176)
An increase in the inheritance tax threshold to £1 million would serve only to reduce the tax burden on the wealthiest members of our society at a time when there continues to be significant inequality in the distribution of wealth across the United Kingdom.
The report “Wealth and Assets in Scotland 2006 To 2012”, which the Scottish Government published this week, shows that the wealthiest 10 per cent of households owned 44 per cent of all wealth in 2010 to 2012. In contrast, the less wealthy half of households in Scotland owned 9 per cent of total wealth over the same period. That is why we are committed to tackling inequality, which is one of the two overarching priorities in Scotland’s economic strategy—it sits alongside boosting competitiveness. Those mutually reinforcing priorities will help Scotland to become a more productive, cohesive and fairer nation.
Do I take it from that answer—and does the cabinet secretary agree—that such a move would be regressive and that, if we are serious about the redistribution of wealth in society, we should not be relaxing the rules on inheritance tax?
The Government would not support the proposition of increasing the inheritance tax threshold to £1 million that Mr Mason referred to in his question. We believe that the current arrangements are adequate and appropriate for the current financial circumstances.
British Transport Police (Retention of Jobs)
To ask the Scottish Government what assurance it can give to the officers currently employed in the British Transport Police in Scotland that their jobs will be retained under Police Scotland. (S4O-04177)
The good work of British Transport Police officers and staff in Scotland is valued by the Scottish Government and the people of Scotland. Protecting and maintaining their specialist skills and knowledge will be a priority.
The Scottish Government has been consistent in its view on integrating British Transport Police in Scotland with Police Scotland, and that view has been made public since before police reform.
We recognise that any change involves people—officers, staff and rail users. In that regard, the Scottish Government will engage with staff associations and unions representing British Transport Police officers and staff on the implementation of the change. We will continue to engage with all key stakeholders throughout 2015.
The cabinet secretary will be aware of the criticism that has followed the Scottish Government’s announcement that British Transport Police in Scotland is—without consultation—to be amalgamated with and become part of Police Scotland. Is there a specific guarantee that the current British Transport Police stations at our railway stations will be maintained, that the police staffing levels in those stations will be maintained and that the officer numbers will count as additional to those engaged on other Police Scotland duties?
If the member had paid attention to my response to questions on the issue last week, she would know that I made clear the Government’s record on the matter. We set out our position back in 2011, so the Scottish Government’s policy in the area is not new. I cannot comment on British Transport Police’s position on its present police stations—the member would have to take that up with the Secretary of State for Transport, who is responsible for the delivery of the service. I can say that our approach in Scotland will be about protecting and maintaining the specialist functions of British Transport Police officers once they move into Police Scotland, which will of course require adequate facilities within the railway service.
Can the cabinet secretary confirm that the terms and conditions of Police Scotland officers are not under attack, in contrast to the approach that the United Kingdom Government has taken to officers in England?
There are no plans to change terms and conditions for police officers in Scotland. We have been very clear on that issue in recent years. I am aware of significant concerns among police officers south of the border about the Westminster Government’s attacks on their terms and conditions. In Scotland, we have taken a different approach, which I believe is supported by many of the police organisations in Scotland.
Spaceport
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the United Kingdom Government regarding the establishment of a spaceport. (S4O-04178)
The decision on where to locate the spaceport is for the United Kingdom Government. As I said previously, the Scottish Government wants the spaceport to be located in Scotland, and our agencies will provide advice and support to any Scottish airfield that wishes to pursue the spaceport opportunity. At present, Glasgow Prestwick and Campbeltown airports are pursuing the matter.
Does the cabinet secretary share my view that Scotland could become a world leader in satellite technology and could establish the first spaceport of its kind outside the United States? Campbeltown airport ticks all the boxes in relation to runway infrastructure, airspace management and safety. Surely there can be no higher transport aspiration for the Scottish Parliament than to link Scotland with the moon.
I agree with Dave Stewart that Scotland is the ideal location for the spaceport. As I have said, we are taking an airfield-neutral approach.
To go back to Mr Stewart’s initial question, we will meet the UK Department for Transport on 21 April to get a clearer understanding of the bid process that it intends to run and the timings. He is right to say that Campbeltown airport offers distinct advantages, as does Prestwick airport.
I assure the member that, in the process, there has been engagement with space agencies elsewhere to ensure that the best possible information is available when a bid is compiled. Whether Machrihanish at Campbeltown or Glasgow Prestwick is successful, I agree that the spaceport should come to Scotland.
I am sure that the cabinet secretary will join me in welcoming the visit of the deputy director of operations and former chief astronaut of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to Prestwick two weeks ago. Will the cabinet secretary confirm the importance to a spaceport of the close proximity of a college with a strong engineering curriculum, together with robust local engineering infrastructure?
I think that that makes it two-all, Presiding Officer. I agree that there are distinct advantages at Prestwick, as there are at Campbeltown. The surrounding activities at Prestwick are part of the strength of that bid.
As I have said, the Scottish Government will provide whatever support we can and, once we have met the DFT on 21 April, we will feed back the intelligence to those who continue to bid. Ultimately, we all want the spaceport to come to Scotland.
Thank you, cabinet secretary, for recognising my even-handedness in the matter.
St John’s Hospital (Perinatal Ward)
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on the report by Fiona McKenzie for NHS Lothian regarding concerns about the perinatal ward at St John’s hospital. (S4O-04179)
The report relates to an investigation that NHS Lothian commissioned in response to a complaint from a member of staff about the conduct of other staff in the health board. The report and the response are therefore matters for NHS Lothian to consider and act on.
Dr Jane Hamilton is a highly respected psychologist who raised concerns about the safety of patients in the perinatal ward at St John’s hospital. Her reward for showing concern about her patients was to be suspended and then relieved of her duties. Why does the national health service in Scotland deal so abysmally with whistleblowers, whose only crime is to care and show compassion for their patients? Will the cabinet secretary instruct NHS Lothian and the Scottish Government to release all papers and reports relating to the case?
First, I say to Neil Findlay that issues relating to the quality of care and patient safety in the perinatal psychiatry service were thoroughly investigated in 2012 by a review group that was independent of NHS Lothian and the Scottish Government. That independent group of experts noted its satisfaction with the level of specialist knowledge and the skills of clinicians in the unit and with the standard and quality of care provided to mothers. Those findings were further supported when the unit became one of only two in the United Kingdom to be awarded a rating of excellence by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, in January 2013. I hope that Neil Findlay recognises that.
It would not be appropriate for me to discuss matters pertaining to an individual member of staff, which are for NHS Lothian to deal with. It has certainly taken the matter forward, and I know that it is continuing dialogue with the staff member concerned.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and what issues were discussed. (S4O-04180)
Ministers and Government officials regularly meet representatives of all health boards, including NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to discuss matters of importance to local people.
Recently, parents in Paisley were overjoyed by the news on the front page of the Paisley Daily Express that the children’s ward at the Royal Alexandra hospital will remain open. The cabinet secretary will be aware that, in a letter to local MP Douglas Alexander, she said:
“there are no proposals to change the paediatric services delivered from ward 15 at the RAH.”
The health board is due to meet next in June. Will she repeat in the chamber her assurance that the children’s ward is indeed safe and confirm that absolutely no proposals are on the table for its downgrading or closure?
No proposals are on the table, as was already said in the letter that Neil Bibby referred to.
Perhaps I can take the opportunity to congratulate the staff at the RAH on the great work that they have done, particularly to improve the accident and emergency performance at the hospital, which has gone from a very challenging 75 per cent of people being seen within four hours on 22 February to more than 88 per cent being seen in the latest figures that have been released. That is because of hard work and efforts by staff, and I would have thought that Neil Bibby and others would welcome that.
Working Dogs (Tail Injuries)
To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take following the publication in March 2014 of research into tail injuries to working dogs that it commissioned from the University of Glasgow. (S4O-04181)
Since the publication of the research on the impact of tail injuries to working dogs, the Scottish Government has held a range of discussions with stakeholders on its findings. The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment has asked the chief veterinary officer for Scotland to look further at how exemptions have worked in practice in other parts of the United Kingdom and at how any exemptions in Scotland might be restricted to genuine working dogs. The Government is considering all the findings and the views that have been expressed and we hope to make an announcement shortly on our proposed way forward.
The minister may or may not be aware that the research was based on a survey of more than 1,000 owners of working dogs and found that more than half the dogs that were undocked sustained tail injuries during the preceding shooting season. As the minister said, a year ago, the cabinet secretary invited interested parties to consider the research and comment on the possibility of an exemption. We now have another shooting season behind us, during which many dogs will have suffered considerable pain because of preventable tail injuries. I urge the cabinet secretary and the Government to act rapidly on the findings of the research to help to bring about an end to this needless suffering.
Tail docking of working dogs is a controversial and difficult issue. Strong views are held by those on both sides of the debate, and all parties articulate their positions with the welfare of dogs in mind. It is therefore important that we consider all those views carefully.
I understand that discussions took place with stakeholders last autumn and that further information was requested from key stakeholders in December. We need to consider that evidence carefully. As I said, the cabinet secretary expects to make an announcement soon.
Before we move to the next item of business, members will wish to join me in welcoming to the gallery Her Excellency Ms Mona Juul, the ambassador of Norway to the United Kingdom. [Applause.]