SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
The first item of business this afternoon is question time. As usual, I urge members to ensure that supplementary questions are brief and that they relate to the question on the business bulletin.
Drugs Enforcement Agency
To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations have been held and continue to be held with senior police officers over the setting up of the drugs enforcement agency. (S1O-999) The Deputy Minister for Justice (Angus MacKay): The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland and representatives of all the other enforcement agencies operating in this country have been and will continue to be consulted about the establishment of the Scottish drugs enforcement agency.
Is the minister aware of the serious concerns of senior police officers about the establishment of the DEA? One deputy chief constable recently told me that he felt that the money would be better spent on treatment. A chief constable expressed concern about losing senior drugs officers and becoming operationally less effective. How can Mr MacKay allay those concerns, which I am afraid were only increased last week by his statement that the operational objectives of the agency had yet to be decided?
It is right and proper that the new director of the agency, who will take up the post in February, should be the individual with key responsibility for setting up the operational targets for the agency. It is not a matter of proceeding either with investment in enforcement or with investment in rehabilitation and education; it is a matter of doing both appropriately, and that is what the Executive intends to do.
Further to that response, is there any truth
Yes, of course I can give that assurance. It would be inappropriate to denude local forces of experienced officers without suitable replacements coming in, supporting the work of the agency centrally only to see enforcement efforts weakened locally. That is not what the Executive intends and we will certainly not allow that to happen.
M8 (Multi-Modal Study)
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made with its multi-modal study of the M8 to date. (S1O-990)
We advertised in early January for consultants to undertake the preliminary stage of the study, and intend to make an appointment by the end of February.
There is a catchphrase that is much used by members of the minister's party. They talk about such things as joined-up writing, joined-up this, joined-up that and joined-up policy.
Let us have a joined-up question, Mr Paterson.
My question is simply this. Will the minister announce in the lifetime of the Parliament that the M8 will be a joined-up motorway?
I think that if he were to travel between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Mr Paterson would find that he would travel on the same stretch of road. The multi-modal study will enable us to take account of the views of the local authorities and the business community, and to examine the opportunities for improving access between Lanarkshire and the central belt of Glasgow and Edinburgh. It will also enable us to manage our road traffic in the future and to give people the high-quality public transport options that they need.
Does the minister agree that it is only through a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the transport requirements around the M8 corridor that we will arrive at a solution that will address all the needs of the communities of Lanarkshire, including car users, buses, freight carriers and public transport? Does she further agree that the multi-modal study that is currently being undertaken is the best way forward? Will she visit Lanarkshire and meet those who have an interest in the outcome of the study?
I am happy to reassure Karen Whitefield that we will take forward those multimodals. I visited Freightliner before Christmas, and we talked about the major infrastructure issues in the area. I am happy to take up the request to meet people from Lanarkshire in the future.
Telephone Debt Helpline
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will fund a telephone debt helpline. (S1O-985) The Deputy Minister for Communities (Jackie Baillie): As part of our work to address financial exclusion, we are keen to ensure that, throughout Scotland, everyone will have equal access to quality money advice services. Currently, we are discussing with Money Advice Scotland its plans to establish a national money advice and debt counselling telephone hotline.
Is the minister aware of the substantially increased debt problems in the Borders as a direct consequence of the Viasystems closure and the collapse of the textiles and farming industries? Does the minister agree that, given that litany, the least that the Labour-Lib Dem Government can do is provide proper funding for a Borders railway line to regenerate the economy of the area?
This question is about a telephone helpline, not a railway line.
I was going to establish from Christine Grahame whether there was some linkage to the question of a telephone debt helpline.
There is a link.
The Executive is firmly committed to tackling financial exclusion wherever it occurs. I am concerned to hear that there are problems in any area of Scotland. That is why we are keen to examine a helpline that will cover everybody, including those people in rural areas. I hope that Christine Grahame will welcome that.
Will the minister join me in congratulating the Scottish League of Credit Unions, which is a true people's movement and helps to save lives in Scotland, because, as the minister knows, many people are driven to contemplate suicide through debt? Will she ensure that, in future, the Scottish League of Credit Unions will not be excluded from major consultations, as it was by the Treasury? Will the minister assure us that the Scottish League of Credit Unions will be involved in the new social
The member will be pleased to hear that I have met the Association of British Credit Unions Ltd and the Scottish League of Credit Unions on a number of occasions. I understand that the Scottish League of Credit Unions was consulted by the Treasury. As an open and accessible Executive, we will continue to do that.
Scottish Opera Rescue Package
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-3438 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 11 January 2000, what implications the use of savings from the assisted places scheme for the Scottish Opera rescue package will have for its commitment to reduce class sizes in primary schools. (S1O-960) The Minister for Children and Education (Mr Sam Galbraith): None. The funds to assist Scottish Opera were drawn from additional in-year savings from the assisted places scheme, and not from the resources that were identified to support the programme of reducing class sizes. Our commitment to reduce class sizes, and the resources that are required to do it, are unaffected.
I thank the minister for his reply, but his party's manifesto commitment said that the moneys saved from the assisted places scheme would go to reducing class sizes. Does he agree that given that manifesto commitment to use the funding to reduce class sizes in primary schools, it is entirely wrong of him to rob Scotland's schools of an accelerated rate of reduction in class sizes?
That is completely and utterly wrong, and obviously was thought up before I gave my answer. However, I am grateful to the Conservative party for wasting even more money than we thought on the assisted places scheme, because much more has been available for us to use.
We have heard about possible teacher redundancies in Aberdeenshire and Dunbartonshire, and there are savage cuts to come in Scottish councils, such as £12 million in Perth and Kinross—
No, come on. This question is about Scottish Opera.
I am aware of that, Sir David.
That is the usual sort of whining complaint that we get from the nationalists. Bruce Crawford failed to point out that local authorities are budgeted to increase their expenditure on education by 8 per cent this year. I thought that the SNP would have had more to say about that, rather than its usual whining complaints.
Local Government Act 1986
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a time scale for reviewing appropriate teaching guidelines with regard to section 2A of the Local Government Act 1986. (S1O-1018) The Minister for Children and Education (Mr Sam Galbraith): Presiding Officer, because of the current interest in this matter my answer will take longer than usual. Could I ask your indulgence for that?
Yes.
Reviewing the guidelines is only one element of a package of safeguards that the Executive is putting in place to ensure that existing good practice continues after repeal of section 2A. We are establishing a working group to examine the existing curricular advice and supporting materials used in schools and consider what changes are needed. Its proposals will be available to members before a final vote is taken on the ethical standards in public life bill. The group will also consult widely on any changes or new material that it proposes. That may take some time, but the repeal of section 2A will not come into effect until that work has been concluded.
I thank the minister for that welcome and full response. Does he agree that this
I understand the concerns of parents, being one myself. Given some of the misinformation that has been put about, I understand why they are confused. I hope that my remarks today will reassure them. I stand willing to reassure them at any time in the future.
I welcome the minister's announcement this afternoon in relation to the repeal of section 2A. I am sure that he will welcome the opportunity to address any issue of ambiguity around the guidelines which will be in place after the repeal of section 2A.
I agree with that. I am grateful to Michael Matheson for his constructive comments. I gave the SNP spokesman a copy of my letter earlier today to ensure that she was kept informed.
I welcome the minister's statement. A step back is very welcome. Will he explain why the existing guidelines, which mandate teachers to control bullying and counsel children with problems of sexuality, are inadequate? Given the current high percentage of teenage pregnancies, would he consider it worth while for this review to examine sex education in schools to a fuller extent?
I am grateful to Mr Gallie. This subject goes wider than sex education guidelines. It is also part of environmental studies, five to 14 guidelines, personal and social development guidelines and health guidelines. It is important to keep this in the context of the structural and moral relationships that are put forward in our schools.
Housing
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the legislation regulating houses in multiple occupation. (S1O-988)
We are currently finalising the terms of an order under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 to introduce mandatory licensing for houses in multiple occupation. We hope to lay the order soon and, subject to parliamentary approval, to bring it into operation in the late spring.
Thank you. Does the minister agree that the measure will put an end to unscrupulous landlords and improve conditions in houses in multiple occupation so that the tenants in Sauchiehall Street in my constituency who were reported last week to be living in squalor will no longer be forced to accept Dickensian conditions? Will she confirm that a breach of the proposed order will be a criminal offence?
I am happy to confirm that the mandatory scheme will strengthen the penalties available. There will be additional powers to enter and search properties operating without a licence. It will be a criminal offence and we will raise the penalty to £5,000.
Is the Minister considering the issue of the threshold for the definition of a house in multiple occupancy, with a view to having a common threshold throughout Scotland?
We are currently preparing the order. We have been in discussion with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. As suggested, one of the unsatisfactory aspects of the current voluntary scheme is the variation in thresholds across Scotland. The scheme we will introduce will set thresholds for all Scotland, progressively reducing from a larger to a very small number and will cover, for example, the cases in her constituency that led to the action in the first place.
Healthy Gay Scotland
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the organisation Healthy Gay Scotland receives any public funding and, if so, how much; what the structure of this organisation is and to whom it reports. (S1O-975) The Deputy Minister for Community Care (Iain Gray): The National Aids Trust has been offered funding of up to £150,000 in the current financial year in support of the Healthy Gay Scotland campaign, as part of the Executive's effort to prevent the transmission of HIV.
The Deputy Minister for Community Care will be aware of the nature of the graphic images of homosexual intercourse on the
I certainly agree that the use of public funds to promote pornography is inappropriate; it is also illegal.
I ask the deputy minister to examine the photographs on that web page and then reply in writing to tell me that the use of public money is appropriate in publishing that sort of photograph on a website.
I have examined the material and it is clear to me that it is aimed, in language that is accessible, at adult gay men who are seeking clear information about health risks and sexual practices. That is my view. I am happy to confirm it to Mr Johnston in writing.
Millennium Arrangements
To ask the Scottish Executive what reports have been received from the police and fire services regarding arrangements for the millennium and what lessons may be learned. (S1O-981) The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice (Mr Jim Wallace): Status reports for police and fire services showed a high level of preparedness and no operational problems on the day. While the main lesson learned is that thorough planning and preparation pay off, we are participating with the Cabinet Office in a review of the lessons learned and the benefits of the work across the whole Scottish infrastructure.
I thank the minister for his reply. I welcome the fact that there will be a review of the services, but will the review contain information on, for example, drug-related crime over the millennium period and the deaths and injuries caused by fireworks? Will the review cover potential problems with future date changes such as 29 February?
I can assure Mr McMahon that, notwithstanding the review, the emergency services are expected to show vigilance with regard to future date changes such as the leap year day. I am sure that they will do so.
Fatal Road Accidents (Highlands)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to address the high rate of fatal road accidents in the Highlands.(S1O979) The Minister for Transport and the Environment (Sarah Boyack): The Scottish Executive is responsible for safety on trunk roads. We review and monitor the routes constantly to identify and implement the appropriate accident investigation and prevention measures and minor improvement schemes. Road safety measures on local roads in the Highlands are the responsibility of Highland Council.
I thank the minister for her answer. As many accidents in the Highlands are caused by driver frustration and speed, does the minister agree that one way forward would be for the Scottish Executive to consider the potential of targeted defensive driving and road hazard analysis campaigns?
Mr Stone's point about the need to carry out research is absolutely correct. I know that Highland Council is reviewing its local roads and considering the measures that might be taken on them. Through our route accident reduction plans, we monitor regularly the state of the roads and identify improvements, which might be minor but which can make changes for the better in regard to both speed and safety.
I agree that many accidents are caused by foreign drivers driving on the wrong side of the road. They are also caused by young people who lack driving
Yes. We will consider any measures that help us to promote driver safety and safety on our roads. The measures mentioned by Rhoda Grant are precisely the sort of things that need to be done in addition to road accident reduction measures. It is important that we tackle both driver safety and the condition of our roads.
Does the Executive intend to vary the criteria for allocating grant-aided expenditure to local authorities to ensure that rural councils such as Highland Council, which has no realistic prospect of ever raising significant sums of money from congestion or parking charges, are given additional resources to assist them with safety measures, including the road improvement schemes mentioned by the minister in her first answer and public transport initiatives?
It is up to local authorities to identify appropriate levels of expenditure on all services. The Executive remains fully committed to ensuring that our expenditure on the trunk roads for which we are responsible leads to the highest possible standards on roads throughout Scotland, in particular in the Highlands.
Pig Industry
To ask the Scottish Executive how many meetings it has had with European agriculture commissioner Franz Fischler to discuss the problems in the pig industry in Scotland. (S1O995) The Minister for Rural Affairs (Ross Finnie): Commissioner Fischler understands fully the difficulties that affect the pig sector in the United Kingdom, and indeed in Scotland. Those difficulties have been raised at the Commission's pig management committee, in which Scottish Executive officials play their part, at every meeting since September 1998. There have also been discussions with the Commission about the scope for assistance to the industry. The most recent discussion with Commissioner Fischler took place on Monday this week.
I will take that as a no.
I must explain to Mr Lochhead that the solution to the present crisis in the pig industry does not lie in the number of times I doorstep Commissioner Franz Fischler in Brussels.
That is the question that I will come to answer, so allow me to make that response. This is about teasing out how we can overcome the problems that arise in relation to state aid. Everyone in the chamber has had either one of the two most recent letters from Franz Fischler, in which he makes it clear that the Commission would be against state aid if we were to do anything against the law laid down by the member states. That relates to the stall and tether ban, about which the industry is particularly concerned. He goes on to explain that the BSE crisis may not now be a sufficient reason. We have to find a reason within that. He talks about the fact that the general state of the pig sector or the strength of sterling would not be sufficient.
Given that state aid has not been ruled out, will the minister answer the industry's appeal with the positive response that he will have a face-to-face meeting with the European Union commissioner?
I can only repeat that it is not a question of having a face-to-face meeting. We have to find a way to overcome—
The member is the Minister for Rural Affairs of the Scottish Parliament.
If Mr Swinney wants to indulge in gesture politics, he can do so.
Because of the concern that has been expressed over the pig industry, particularly in my constituency, I ask the minister whether there is any information, additional to what has been given today, which he could give to me in writing, so that I can pass it on to my constituents.
I would be most delighted to do so.
Manufacturing Industry
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland's manufacturing industry is in a competitive position in relation to its domestic and main export markets. (S1O-989) The Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning (Henry McLeish): Overall, manufacturing industry in Scotland is in a similar position to the rest of the United Kingdom in regard to global competitiveness. The latest available data show increases in manufacturing output and exports, and that conditions in the manufacturing sector continue to improve.
Will the minister confirm that Scottish manufacturing is a success story? Does he agree that the shipbuilding and electronics industries that are important to the local economy of my constituency—and indeed to the whole of Scotland—need our support, and that the greetin and the girnin that comes from sections of the chamber only serve to undermine that success?
I would certainly endorse the sentiment that the Parliament and all its political parties should be talking up real achievements in the economy of Scotland, which will lead to improvements in productivity, competitiveness, exports and investment in research and development.
As the minister recognises the challenges that face the manufacturing sector, will he share with the Parliament the strategic guidance that he has given to his officials in carrying out the review of Scottish Enterprise? What measures can be taken, what initiatives can be designed, what approaches are correct and, most important, what structures will provide the optimum value to deliver competitive improvements for the manufacturing sector in Scotland?
I agree with John Swinney's point about the competitive nature of the Scottish manufacturing industry. We share the view that it must be improved.
Rough Sleepers Initiative
To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures and checks and balances are in place to ensure that it has confidence in the accuracy of content in applications for challenge funding for the rough sleepers initiative. (S1O-983) The Deputy Minister for Communities (Jackie Baillie): Scottish Executive ministers are advised by members of the rough sleepers advisory group, which considers each application for funding on its merits. Bids for rough sleepers initiative funding are supported by information from a range of sources, including street counts and user questionnaires.
Is the minister aware that the report used in the construction of West Dunbartonshire Council's bid for RSI money was later discredited by the council as being "inaccurate and unsubstantiated"? What measures will she take to ensure that information for future bids is accurate?
Mr Quinan is well aware that RSI applications are considered by an external panel, which assesses the validity and robustness of bids. It is incumbent on members to be accurate about statements made to the Parliament and I would be grateful if Mr Quinan showed some responsibility in that respect.
Bearing in mind the council's admitted inaccuracy, will the minister comment on the procedure for West Dunbartonshire Council's application for RSI funding and whether it will be required to resubmit and substantiate that application?
Perhaps Mr Quinan should have contacted West Dunbartonshire Council to ascertain accurate information before taking part in the debate on housing at the beginning of January. I would like to correct one of his inaccuracies. He was wrong in asserting that I appointed one of the members of the rough sleepers advisory group. I remind Mr Quinan that that appointment was made in February 1997 and that the Scottish Parliament elections took place in May 1999. I regret that I do not have that degree of influence.
Does the minister agree that the fact that, in the past year, 11 people have died in the streets of Edinburgh as a result of homelessness and rough sleeping, is a damning indictment of Labour's failure to respond to the problem? When considering the next bids for RSI funding, will she undertake to give priority to putting people into medium-term accommodation, rather than sweeping them into hostels, out of public sight?
We deeply regret the fact that people died over the winter as a result of rough sleeping. For that reason, the Scottish Executive is committed, as part of the programme for government, to end rough sleeping by 2003. To reinforce that commitment, and to ensure that we deliver on it, we have increased that budget by 40 per cent.
Sea Fisheries (Safety)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a statement on the proposed Scottish sea fisheries safety scheme. (S1O-1003) The Deputy Minister for Rural Affairs (Mr John Home Robertson): I announced plans for a new Scottish sea fisheries safety grant scheme on 8 December. Officials have since opened discussions with industry representatives about the scheme and about arrangements for its future development. It remains my intention to introduce the new safety scheme during the next financial year.
Does the minister recognise that fishing remains one of the most hazardous of all occupations, as we have all been reminded in recent weeks? Will he assure Parliament that the new scheme will go beyond technical safety measures and provide the kind of safety, training and support that most people working in land- based industries take for granted?
My friend from Aberdeen Central makes a very important point in a fortnight that has seen the loss of the Astra from Mallaig, the fire on the Be Ready from Lerwick, and—worst of all—the tragic loss of the Solway Harvester from Kirkcudbright. It would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of any of those incidents, but I intend to do everything I can to help the industry reduce the risks seafarers face. We are consulting the Scottish Fishermen's Federation about the terms of the new safety scheme. I intend that the scheme should cover all relevant issues, including equipment and training.
Will the minister join me in congratulating the Manx Government on its decision to underwrite the cost of raising the Solway Harvester? Will he study that decision carefully, with a view to influencing any future decisions of the Scottish Executive or the United Kingdom Government should such a tragedy occur in Scottish waters?
As Mr Morgan is aware, marine safety is the responsibility of the UK Government. However, I join him in thanking the Isle of Man Government for the very helpful and sensitive way in which it has dealt with this matter. I have been in almost daily telephone contact with Alex Downie, the Manx fisheries minister. The approach of the Isle of Man Government is very much appreciated and I hope that its efforts to recover the bodies will be successful. I fully understand the views of the families involved, and I am sure that everyone in the chamber will sympathise with them.
Caledonian MacBrayne
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in his previous post, the new Caledonian MacBrayne chairman Harold Mills ever gave advice to ministers regarding the possible privatisation of Caledonian MacBrayne and, if so, what that advice was. (S1O997) The Minister for Transport and the Environment (Sarah Boyack): No. The previous Government's decision not to privatise Caledonian MacBrayne was taken in 1994. It predated the transfer of transport responsibilities to the Scottish Office development department, of which Mr Mills was then head.
In his former position, did the new chairman of Caledonian MacBrayne ever give previous Administrations advice on the setting up of the Campbeltown-Ballycastle service?
The decision to sell off the CalMac vessel to Sea Containers was taken by the then Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Forsyth. Uniquely, a direction was sent to CalMac to force it to sell the vessel. It is not normal practice to give out information on any advice that officials give to ministers, because any such disclosure would harm the long-term future of the candour of the advice that they would feel able to give to the Government of the day.
I had the opportunity to work with Harold Mills for many years in connection with CalMac. To be fair to him, does the minister accept that at all times he supported CalMac's lifeline services and that calls for privatisation did not come from either him or me, but come from the Treasury in Whitehall, whose blandishments did not prevail?
That question has given a lot of information to all members of this chamber, and I am deeply grateful to Lord James. This Government's commitment is to retain CalMac's lifeline services. We have provided the highest ever levels of investment in CalMac. Two new vessels have been commissioned and will be built in Scottish yards. That is a record of which this Executive and this Parliament should be proud.
Will the minister comment on press speculation that the Executive has come under severe pressure from the European Commission competition department to privatise CalMac? Furthermore, will she recognise the core commitment of people throughout the Highlands and Islands to the public ownership of CalMac and the vital service it provides?
I absolutely recognise the commitment in the Highlands and Islands and off the west coast of Scotland to ensuring that CalMac provides the best possible services. We have absolutely no intention of privatising CalMac. However, we have to comply with European state aid rules and I have asked my officials to examine the matter urgently. Other European countries have had to investigate the issue of ferries and state aid and we will do that as soon as possible to ensure that we retain our lifeline services and that CalMac operates to the highest possible standards.
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