SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Environment and Rural Development
Household Waste
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has published guidelines on the maximum length of time between collections of perishable household waste. (S2O-9600)
We have not published guidelines on the issue. However, some of our strategic waste fund awards to local authorities have supported fortnightly collections of residual waste, which might include perishable waste, to allow for separate kerbside collections of recyclable material.
Is the minister aware that because of the recent local government strike, East Ayrshire Council and East Dunbartonshire Council refused to collect perishable waste for a staggering four weeks instead of collecting it fortnightly, which many people already consider too long for health and hygiene reasons? Will the minister meet the leaders of the local authorities that have acted in that irresponsible manner in an effort to ensure that they adopt a more commonsense approach to refuse collection in future? That would address the justifiable hygiene concerns of parents of babies or young children and the most vulnerable in society, including the elderly.
I am always happy to meet authorities if doing so can produce a more sensible arrangement. However, we are conflating two not necessarily related issues. The move towards fortnightly collections seems broadly justifiable on the ground that if we are encouraging householders to separate their domestic waste and place up to 50 per cent of it in a recycling or composting bin, thereby leaving a much smaller amount of residual waste, the need for weekly collections will reduce. However, if there has been a specific problem in which a collection period has lasted longer than that, I or my department will be happy to enter into discussions to resolve it.
Will the minister confirm that as part of East Dunbartonshire Council's bid for money from the strategic waste fund, the condition was set that stakeholders would be consulted before there was a move from weekly to fortnightly collection? However, the Liberal Democrat-run authority appears to be introducing fortnightly collection without consulting the people of East Dunbartonshire. Will the minister take action to deal with that situation? The authority claims that the trigger for its move is a budget reduction of £95,000 that it is expected to make. However, that can be achieved only by breaking contracts, which it is not in a position to do.
There are several issues there. I express my shock and horror in words and by visual expression that any Liberal Democrat administration could possibly not consult its residents. However, we are dealing with a matter of principle and we should be careful about the changes that are required if we are to achieve a satisfactory level of recycling. We do not want to impinge on the need for prior consultation, but there is a genuine need to change the way in which we collect waste and to encourage the ordinary citizen to separate out that waste. If we do that, we will reduce hugely the volume in the residual waste bin. We should not confuse the understandable concern about lack of prior consultation with the sensible and pragmatic arrangement that now exists in many authorities in Scotland to make fortnightly collections from a range of bins.
Poultry and Egg Products
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for discussions with supermarkets and other major retailers in respect of the sales of poultry and egg products. (S2O-9614)
The Scottish Executive has regular discussions with retailers on a wide range of issues. The Scottish Retail Consortium has been represented at stakeholder meetings set up in response to the discovery of H5N1 high pathogenic avian influenza in Scotland and has played a constructive role in discussions with the Executive and other stakeholders.
Does the minister agree that it is high time that supermarkets made a genuine effort to support local primary producers during market fluctuations, particularly by sharing additional costs instead of simply passing them on? Furthermore, will he comment on recent statements that appeared to cast doubt on the quality of Scottish food?
I assume that the member's latter question refers to certain very unfortunate statements made by the Waitrose organisation that might have suggested that it was safe to purchase products from its stores because it did not source anything from Scotland. I should say for the Parliament's benefit that Waitrose has recognised that the statement was loosely worded and has publicly apologised for it. It has also apologised to the president of the National Farmers Union Scotland and my own office for any offence that it might have given.
On the minister's point about the responsibility on supermarkets not to depress the market in this country during, for example, an outbreak of avian influenza, does he share my concern at the news that a number of supermarkets purchased poultry products from European countries with a greater incidence of avian influenza simply because the price was low and, by doing so, displaced products from suppliers in our country? Will the minister pursue that concern with certain supermarkets to ensure that they protect the long-term viability of domestic markets instead of trying to make a quick buck out of a difficult situation?
I largely agree with Mr Swinney. Indeed, I have pursued—and am pursuing—that very issue with the Scottish Retail Consortium and two supermarkets. Since the outbreak of avian influenza in the far east, there has been a very substantial reduction in the consumption of these products. For example, in Italy, there has been a 20 or 30 per cent reduction, although worldwide the reduction has been about 8 to 12 per cent. Of course, such a natural economic fluctuation has led to a worldwide price reduction of roughly the same amount. As I have already told a number of organisations, it is in no one's long-term interest for any organisation in this country to exploit such a position, and I plan to pursue the matter through the Scottish Retail Consortium.
Scottish Water (Water Quality)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken by Scottish Water to further improve water quality in Scotland in the next four years. (S2O-9625)
Scottish Water is currently preparing a revised delivery plan for 2006 to 2010, which will outline how it plans to deliver the Executive's objectives within the funds set by the Water Industry Commission for Scotland and will be submitted to ministers for approval. Overseeing the production of a robust delivery plan that commands the support of Scottish Water's regulators is one of the early tasks that ministers have asked Scottish Water's new interim chair, Ronnie Mercer, to undertake.
I thank the minister for her answer and I take the opportunity to welcome Scottish Water's announcement this week of a £100 million investment programme for Edinburgh's public water supply to replace what is, in some cases, Victorian infrastructure.
Clearly, we must be able to ensure that no development is held back. Ministers have given a categorical assurance—indeed, it is a key ministerial objective—that there should be funding to deliver capacity for infrastructure. We need to ensure that there are no development constraints and that plans are made in good time. Scottish Water should have been having discussions with all local authorities about the potential for development. I hope that the City of Edinburgh Council will be able to take forward developments as soon as possible.
In response to the recent events surrounding Scottish Water, does the Scottish Executive plan to review the quality and standards III process in advance of the second phase of quality and standards III in 2010, to ensure that the events of the past few months are not repeated in future?
We have no plans to review that, but we must be able to ensure that we can quickly take forward a revised delivery plan. We have a lot to do. We have to deliver the largest ever investment programme in the United Kingdom water industry, which will improve drinking water quality for customers, create a cleaner water environment and address development constraints. It will also improve customer service and, as Susan Deacon has pointed out in the past, improve odour problems caused by waste water—I understand that she has had concern in the past about Seafield. At the same time, charges over the next four years are expected to rise by less than the rate of inflation. There is now a new interim chair and I am sure that Scottish Water will rise to the new set of challenges that it faces.
Firth of Forth (Oil)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has responded to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's public consultation on the revised oil spill contingency plan and the environmental impact of ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth. (S2O-9654)
The Scottish Executive is still considering its response to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's consultation, which does not close until 11 May. A copy of the eventual reply will be placed in the Scottish Parliament information centre.
I thank the minister for her answer and for agreeing to meet me and other MSPs representing Fife and the Lothians who have raised the matter with her in past months. Does she accept that, under article 6(4) of the European Union habitats directive and regulation 49 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c) Regulations 1994, if a project is likely to have an adverse impact on a European wildlife site, it may be consented to only if there is no alternative and there are
Although I do not have a direct role in the assessment of the proposal, or indeed a power of veto, I have a responsibility, as Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development, to understand whether the proposed operation poses a significant threat to the environment, to understand the nature and scale of any such threat and to ensure that appropriate action is taken to deal with such a threat. As I have said previously, Scottish Natural Heritage will provide ministers with advice on the natural heritage implications of the application in advance of its own response to the MCA consultation. I am aware of the European Court of Justice's 20 October 2005 ruling on the UK's transposition of the habitats directive and I am conscious of our role under that directive. However, I tell Tricia Marwick and other members who have expressed concern about the proposal that we have had a debate on the matter and that I am well aware of the depth of feeling about the proposal. I have agreed to meet members and I assure them that, when I receive the advice from Scottish Natural Heritage, I will consider it closely, as I treat the matter seriously.
Coastal and Marine National Parks
To ask the Scottish Executive what account will be taken of community concerns regarding the designation of any coastal and marine national park. (S2O-9645)
On Tuesday 18 April, I announced plans to launch an Executive consultation on proposals for a coastal and marine national park in early summer. I have asked Scottish Natural Heritage to continue to engage with local communities ahead of the consultation to explain and discuss the proposals. I assure Alasdair Morrison that we will listen to all views and will take them into account before any decision about the designation of a park is made.
I am grateful to the minister for that clear and unambiguous response. Does he agree with me, the Western Isles Fishermen's Association, the convener of Western Isles Council and the chair of the sustainable development committee of the council, Archie Campbell, that it is imperative that we allow the regional fisheries management committee that the minister recently helped to establish a period of at least three to four years' operation before any decision is made on the inclusion of the Western Isles in the proposed marine national park? Given the articulation of concerns about duplication and other matters, will he help us to ensure that all areas that relate to the Western Isles are withdrawn from the proposed marine national park?
I would be reluctant to go as far as that. We must bear some responsibility for the great degree of confusion that has arisen between the purpose and effect of a marine and coastal national park and the purpose and effect of, for example, a marine protected area. The designation of a marine protected area clearly places new and different conservation obligations on an area. The idea of a marine and coastal national park is to put together an area in Scotland that exhibits some of the best qualities of our natural heritage and try to improve the way in which we manage that, but it is not intended to stop economic activity. There is no proposal that would necessarily interfere with the inshore fisheries group continuing to operate within the ambit of a marine national park. It is the same as with the terrestrial parks, where we do not stop every farmer farming; we continue to permit economic activity, but we put it in the framework of presenting an area of outstanding excellence in conservation and public access domestically and internationally.
Questions 6 and 7 have been withdrawn.
Buildings (Energy Performance)
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment the Environment and Rural Affairs Department has made of the environmental impact of European directive 2002/91/EC. (S2O-9617)
No environmental impact assessment has been carried out. Promoting improvement of the energy performance of buildings is wholly consistent with environmental issues. Responsibility for the implementation of the European Union directive on the energy performance of buildings, to which Margo MacDonald refers, lies with the Scottish Building Standards Agency. The agency has implemented a large part of the directive but is seeking derogation, as allowed under the directive, on certain articles in line with the rest of the United Kingdom. It is intended that consultation documentation on those remaining articles will be available on the SBSA's website from May.
Is the minister satisfied that, after three years' notice of the directive, we are still only at the consultation stage? Why is it that the Executive, having put so much energy into promoting energy saving, is failing to take the advantage that the Parliament has of displaying a certificate of energy efficiency? That would lead the way and perhaps show that the Parliament is fulfilling the European directive's intention of making a 25 per cent energy saving.
I am certainly not satisfied that we are necessarily implementing the directive's provisions on energy saving as swiftly as they might be implemented, although, for the reasons that I have given, the Scottish Building Standards Agency has implemented a substantial amount of the directive.
We move on to questions on health and community care.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. We have not had our appointed 20 minutes yet. The clock says only 14:34:40 and we usually move on at 14:35.
Yes but, in my judgment, it will be impossible to deal with the next question in the first theme in 20 seconds and I am therefore proceeding to the second theme.
Health and Community Care
Beauly to Denny Transmission Line
To ask the Scottish Executive what input the Minister for Health and Community Care has had to Cabinet discussions about the health implications of the proposed Beauly to Denny transmission line. (S2O-9604)
Cabinet regularly discusses issues related to health. However, Scottish ministers operate on the basis of collective responsibility and do not disclose details of private deliberations.
That is a rather disappointing response. New concerns are being expressed about the health implications of overhead power lines, which were made public only yesterday and of which I hope the minister is aware, and the likely recommendation of the stakeholder advisory group on extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields, which advises the United Kingdom Government, is that planning guidelines be changed to ensure that domestic residences are not built within 230ft of power lines or in locations where inhabitants would be exposed to certain strengths of electromagnetic fields—I hope that the equivalent position would apply when a new line is being proposed. In light of those developments, will the Minister for Health and Community Care now make clear his own position on the proposed Beauly to Denny power line, particularly in connection with its route and the possible health implications for nearby communities, especially where there are children?
My first answer related to the fact that we do not discuss in public matters that go on at Cabinet. However, I can advise the member that I am of course aware of recent reports on the subject. The scientific community remains uncertain about the issue, so it has of course recommended that the precautionary principle should apply. Under the planning process, any concerns that are raised with Scottish ministers in environmental impact assessments and in responses from statutory consultees or any other bodies or individuals will be fully considered. That allows us to take in recent reports as part of our consideration.
Given the scientific uncertainty, would the Executive be prepared to release information about the position that the Scottish Executive has been taking with respect to SAGE, on which it has a representative? In particular, has work been done in Scotland by the Executive's representative to examine precautionary distances between power lines and housing that apply in other countries?
The Executive officer who participates in SAGE reports back to us regularly. We should ensure that we take the findings of any study in the round. Research has found a statistical association but has not established a causal link. Other scientists remain unconvinced. We are constantly aware of the work of the National Radiological Protection Board and other organisations that give us advice on these matters, and our decisions will always be taken in the best interests of the health of the people of Scotland.
Does the minister consider it acceptable that Scottish and Southern Energy has not given any consideration to health issues when considering the route of the proposed new power line? Given that there is, at best, a reasonable doubt about the impact of electricity lines on health, should that not be a material factor in the determination of the application?
As I have said previously, we will consider all aspects of the matter as and when Scottish ministers have to make their judgments. In responding to members' questions, I am simply trying to find a balance in relation to the scientific findings. No definite causal association between childhood leukaemia and exposure to EMFs and power lines has been made. There are differences of opinion. The job of the Scottish Executive is to examine all the available current research and to take its decision based on that. I repeat that this is about adopting a precautionary principle, ensuring that we do not endanger Scotland's population.
Breastfeeding
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is promoting breastfeeding to new mothers. (S2O-9650)
The Scottish Executive is committed to giving Scottish babies the best possible start in life. The Executive works with stakeholders, including breastfeeding co-ordinators in each of the 14 national health service board areas, to promote breastfeeding. The Executive also works with NHS Health Scotland, which supports a range of promotional, research and best practice activity at a national level. The Executive continues to progress a range of innovative policy and legislative approaches to encouraging breastfeeding.
I welcome all of that, but does the minister agree that low breastfeeding rates are often linked with deprivation and poverty, and that women opt to leave hospital very quickly, sometimes just hours after they have had their baby, before there is an opportunity to establish breastfeeding? Does he agree that there is a need for more work to be done in hospitals and in aftercare to ensure that mothers who start to breastfeed their babies are supported to continue doing so?
I absolutely share Cathy Peattie's concern and point of view. Although Scottish breastfeeding rates have increased steadily, they have not increased fast enough, although Scotland was the first nation in the United Kingdom to set a breastfeeding target, which is reassuring.
Will the minister take this opportunity to provide the Executive's response to the revised World Health Organisation charts on ideal birth weights for breastfed babies, bearing in mind that the historic overestimate can lead to unnecessary supplements of formula milk for breastfed babies, which can lead to later obesity and might cause some mothers to stop breastfeeding because of worries about low birth weights? Will he also reassure us that he will prioritise replacing the current charts in child development books at the earliest opportunity?
We are considering those matters and will respond to the member in due course. We need constantly to update our information with regard to advice to mothers. We need to understand that mothers who cannot breastfeed, or who find breastfeeding extremely difficult, also need support in relation to how best to bottle feed babies. The Executive has an absolute drive to support breastfeeding, but mothers who bottle feed also need advice and support, as the member indicated.
The minister will be aware that the legislative protection provided by the Breastfeeding etc (Scotland) Act 2005 is currently being promoted at antenatal level by the health service. Does he agree that there are benefits to be gained from promoting awareness of the new legislation among the wider population? Does he further agree that the failure to integrate the message into the national campaign for breastfeeding awareness week last year was a missed opportunity? Will he take action to ensure that the opportunity is exploited fully this year?
I want to exploit such possibilities fully. Our infant feeding strategy, which we are currently discussing with mothers, the community and health care workers, will be part of that process. I return to the essential point. This Executive and NHS Scotland are doing their utmost to support mothers in our community. The initiatives in which staff are involved are extremely successful, albeit that they are run in a challenging environment. We also want to reflect our support for volunteers who assist breastfeeding mothers. I will look to ensure that we exploit every opportunity to promote the strategy adequately.
Question 3 has been withdrawn.
Delivering for Health
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made on the implementation of the delivering for health agenda. (S2O-9631)
Guidance on the implementation of delivering for health was issued to NHS boards in the form of a Health Department letter on 28 February 2006. That guidance describes what needs to be done, by whom and by when. It defines the responsibilities for the tasks contained in delivering for health and describes how NHS board accountability arrangements will be used to maintain momentum. NHS boards and regional planning groups have already started work on the recommendations that have been earmarked for them. A project team has been established within the Health Department and a delivering for health implementation board is being formed to oversee progress. NHS board annual reviews will also be used to ensure that boards are meeting their obligations.
I am heartened to hear that such progress is being made. I am sure that the minister will agree that it is crucial that we work to deliver the highest quality accident and emergency services in the national health service. He might be aware of assurances given during the acute services review in Glasgow that there would be a paramedic on board each ambulance before the proposed changes in accident and emergency provision take place. Will he outline what progress is being made in that regard?
I understand that there is a paramedic workforce in Glasgow of more than 140, but I am unsure whether the objective on the presence of paramedics in ambulances has been attained. I will come back to the member on that point.
Does the minister think that his job of selling the delivering for health agenda is made easier or harder by the interventions of Ms Whitefield, Mr Reid and other Labour colleagues of his in campaigns against changes to accident and emergency services? I have sympathy with the views of his colleagues. Why should the public be persuaded by his strategy, given that so many of his Labour colleagues are not persuaded by it?
I make no comment on current proposals by NHS Lanarkshire on the reconfiguration of services.
National Health Service Dentists (West Lothian)
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by NHS Lothian in ensuring the provision of national health service dentistry in West Lothian. (S2O-9646)
A number of dental practices in West Lothian continue to take on new NHS patients. NHS Lothian has no plans to expand services in the area but has the authority to appoint salaried dentists as required.
I am told by NHS Lothian that around 92,000 people are registered with NHS dentists in West Lothian, which equates to about 56 per cent of the population. Does the minister agree that the figure should rise substantially? The filling of existing vacancies in West Lothian will not lead to a substantial rise in the figure, so will he use his position to encourage NHS Lothian to expand capacity in NHS dentistry through existing practices or the establishment of salaried dental practices?
I will seek to ensure that the health board uses both mechanisms that the member mentioned. Nine dental practices in West Lothian are currently taking on new NHS patients. On 17 March 2005, we announced the investment of substantial additional resources in dentistry and we want to work with dentists who are currently working in the NHS and to identify possibilities of using NHS salaried dentists, who are making a significant impact throughout Scotland. In addition, we increased the number of dentists in training and we are developing dental hygienists and other allied dental professionals, who will also make a significant contribution to ensuring that the figure that Bristow Muldoon mentioned improves during the coming years.
Health Improvement (Deprived Areas)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve health in areas of deprivation. (S2O-9639)
"Delivering for Health", which was published in October, set out my plans for the national health service during the next decade and made it clear that reducing health inequalities is a key priority. Through the prevention 2010 programme, enhanced primary care teams will identify at-risk populations and provide early access to effective treatments and services. The new anticipatory care approach is being tested in five of the most deprived areas in Scotland this year and pilots will come on stream around September. I plan a further wave of pilots next year, before the more general application of the approach throughout NHS Scotland.
I welcome the minister's recent announcement of £27 million of funding to assist in the development of primary and community care premises. Given the health statistics in constituencies such as Glasgow Shettleston, will he say whether funding might be available in future to improve the quality of primary care services in such constituencies?
I reassure the member that communities such as the one that he represents are the focus of the prevention 2010 programme. I understand that much of Shettleston will be covered by the prevention 2010 investment. We need to ensure that we transform our health services so that they can deliver more in communities, shift the balance of care towards anticipatory and preventive care and focus on areas that are most in need. Prevention 2010 demonstrates our commitment to those objectives.
Picture Archiving Computer System
To ask the Scottish Executive how the new picture archiving computer system—PACS—will assist the sharing of diagnostic information. (S2O-9634)
I had the great pleasure of meeting radiologists and senior managers of Kodak at the Southern general hospital last week to sign the contract for the roll-out of PACS during the coming two years. I was greatly impressed with the high quality of the digital images, which in this case were of skull X-rays. Such images will be available to clinical staff to share in their hospital and, through a central archive, throughout Scotland. Patients will benefit from better clinical care as a result of better image quality and from the facility for clinicians to share their knowledge in diagnosis and treatment. There will also be fewer exposures to radiation because of the better quality and reduced loss of films, and an ability to retain and locate old images more effectively.
The minister is aware of the cutting-edge work in the field that has been done and is taking place at Forth Park hospital in my constituency. The development of the system at Forth Park has involved clinicians, patients and local industry and has allowed the development of networking and telemedicine. The system provides benefits for Fife patients. Will he assure me that any national system will take cognisance of the best practice that has been developed in partnership at Forth Park?
I acknowledge the work that has been done in partnership at Forth Park and throughout Scotland by clinicians, the national health service team and the Scottish Executive Health Department. We work to innovate and to inspire NHS staff. As the results of their hard efforts become national benchmarks for best practice, and as we take the work from Forth Park throughout Scotland, that will be good not only for patients, but for staff, because it will allow them to contribute to NHS Scotland's success and to enhance their jobs, and their job satisfaction.
Question 8 has been withdrawn.
NHS 24
To ask the Scottish Executive what improvements have been achieved in the performance of NHS 24. (S2O-9648)
Last year's independent report on NHS 24 contained a number of recommendations on improving the organisation's performance. Two of the main areas were improving access to the service and reducing call-back. In February 2005, NHS 24 answered 73 per cent of its calls within 30 seconds of the end of the welcome message. In February this year, the figure had risen to 99 per cent of calls being answered within 30 seconds, and the average time taken to answer a call was 3 seconds, compared with 52 seconds in February the previous year. In February this year, call-back was used for only 13 per cent of calls, compared with 46 per cent in February 2005. As a result of those changes, 93 per cent of serious and urgent calls were dealt with within 20 minutes and 97 per cent of non-urgent calls were dealt with within 60 minutes. However, none of us is complacent about the performance of NHS 24, which we continue to monitor to ensure that the improved levels are sustainable and maintained.
I am sure that everybody is pleased about the improved performance, but does the minister agree that that owes much to the devolution of services to local call centres, such as that in Dumfries and Galloway royal infirmary, at times of high demand? Will he reassure the Parliament that the use of local call centres will continue and that NHS 24 will not follow the similar organisation south of the border, NHS Direct, in centralising the nurse adviser system?
In Scotland, NHS 24 has become a successful model. It has had its challenges and problems, and strategic mistakes were made during the formation of the organisation, but we have learned the lessons and the organisation's performance has improved dramatically. That is not only down to NHS 24's staff and management—whom I commend for their hard work and efforts—but to the national health service, which provides support for out-of-hours services, and to the Scottish Ambulance Service, which has linkages with NHS 24. The satellite activity that the member describes has been a crucial and beneficial part of the transformation of the organisation, which has given patients much greater confidence in a much-needed part of the NHS.
NHS Western Isles (Inspection)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to carry out the annual inspection of NHS Western Isles. (S2O-9593)
I plan to conduct this year's annual review of NHS Western Isles on 11 September in Stornoway. The precise arrangements will be announced nearer the time. I expect to focus on the board's progress in achieving financial balance and delivering safe, sustainable and quality services to patients.
I welcome those commitments to improve services in the Western Isles.
As I have said on many occasions, those matters are best dealt with—and can only be dealt with—through local partnership, with the engagement of the trade unions, the clinicians and the local management of the board. Such matters are not resolved by ministers flying in and saying, "You must fix this." I remain concerned about some of the issues that have been raised with me, but progress has been made locally. People are sitting down and talking maturely about the challenges that are being faced. I look forward to learning the results of that mature discussion on my visit to the islands.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Will you make a ruling on whether it is in order for Ms Robison to use question time to misrepresent the views of Lanarkshire Labour members, who are not against any change that would improve the health of their constituents but who are contributing legitimately to the consultation process that is being carried out by the board of NHS Lanarkshire?
I am afraid that there is nothing in the standing orders to prevent members from scoring partisan political points. That is probably just as well.
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