SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes
I add my support to what the First Minister said.
Following the Finance Committee's approval of the granting of indemnities to the trustees of the pension schemes, the wind-up of the fund is now proceeding. The Scottish Executive is finalising the detail on the basis of a fair and equitable distribution to eligible STG pension scheme members. We will provide details of our proposals when the Executive brings forward the STG dissolution order for consideration by the Scottish Parliament.
Does the minister recall that, during the Falkirk West by-election, Henry McLeish and Gordon Brown announced ex gratia payments that totalled £100 million? Since then, it has been revealed that the total gross surplus is about £250 million. An overwhelming majority of members of the Scottish Parliament supported my motion that called for the STG pension scheme surplus to be used for the maximum benefit of the members of that scheme. Will the Executive implement the will of the Parliament by handing over to the pension scheme members every penny of the £250 million, instead of allowing HM Treasury to pillage 60 per cent of it?
I understand the sentiment that Mr Canavan brings to the chamber and I know that the pension scheme is unfinished pre-devolution business. We inherited the situation from the previous Westminster Government. The Scottish Transport Group (Pension Schemes) Order 1996, which was passed in Westminster, provided for the surplus money to go back to Westminster.
As the minister knows, the majority of members of the STG pension scheme were members of the Transport and General Workers Union. Like its members, the union is concerned about a number of issues. It is concerned about the amount of money that is to be paid out; the amount of tax being paid on the surplus fund, including the ex gratia payment; how individual payments will be calculated; when the ex gratia payments will be paid and the possibility of interim payments; and how the claims are to be processed.
I have been in touch with the TGWU. We are keen that the TGWU and other relevant trade unions be involved in discussions with my officials to ensure that their members' concerns are put to us. However, ensuring that we get a fair scheme in which individual pensioners receive the right sums of money is a complex procedure. I have asked the TGWU and other relevant unions to meet my officials to ensure that we have those discussions soon. When they are concluded and the scheme has been set up, we will introduce the dissolution order to Parliament.
I appreciate that the minister has been candid enough to admit that there has been an inordinate delay in dealing with the matter. Of the 12,000 workers who have been waiting for their pensions, how many have died without receiving a penny piece? Will the surviving spouse—or dependant—in each case receive the full amount or less? If they will receive less, how much less will they receive than they would have received had their partners survived to receive the payments to which we all believe they were entitled?
I understand the point that Fergus Ewing makes. We must get on and consider the detail of the scheme to ensure that people get fair payments. I know that pensioners are extremely anxious that we get on with it. We need to talk to 14,000 potential pensioners. We have already sent forms out to ensure that people send us up-to-date details. As soon as Parliament has passed the dissolution order, all those forms will automatically go to the Scottish Public Pensions Agency. At that point, we will issue the widest possible publicity to ensure that every eligible pensioner knows about the scheme and to ensure that they get their details to us so that they are included in the pay-out.
Water Authority
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is currently making in the establishment of the new single water authority. (S1O-3863)
I answer on behalf of the Minister for Environment and Rural Development. A transitional planning team is in place. The prospective chair and chief executive have been identified and we have advertised for prospective board members to ensure that Scottish water can be established quickly if Parliament approves the Water Industry (Scotland) Bill, which was made available today to members of the Parliament.
I understand that Ross Finnie is in Austria today—the day on which his bill is published.
Ross Finnie is focused on the fact that we need to ensure that the needs of the employees and customers of our water companies are taken into account throughout the process. I will mention the response to Bruce Crawford's letter to Ross Finnie and ensure that that is expedited.
Does the minister agree with the water commissioner, Alan Sutherland, that the establishment of a new single water authority should not necessarily mean the centralisation of services in Edinburgh and Glasgow and that centralisation does not necessarily equate with efficiency?
I agree that the creation of a single water authority does not automatically mean the centralisation of the delivery of the water authority's services. I know that Ross Finnie is keen to ensure that we have the highest quality water standards throughout Scotland. That is why we have already appointed the water industry commissioner, who is also examining issues such as efficiency and value for money for customers. Ross Finnie's driving desires in creating a single water authority are to ensure that customers' needs throughout Scotland are recognised, that our massive £1.8 billion investment programme progresses efficiently and effectively and that people throughout Scotland benefit from the higher water quality standards that the new investment and new water board will provide.
Will the minister assure members that the prices that Scottish consumers will have to pay over the next four years after the introduction of the new authority will not be higher than those paid by consumers in England and Wales?
I will certainly not go beyond my brief and answer questions that Ross Finnie has not enabled me to answer. As the minister has said, the driving force behind the creation of the single water authority is the creation of an efficient water industry that deals effectively with competition to ensure efficient prices throughout Scotland. One of the core objectives behind the appointment of the water industry commissioner is the provision of an independent and objective system that will ensure that the current water boards and the delivery of the investment programme are managed in the best possible way, and that they are managed in the interests of individual domestic customers and the business community.
The next question was to have been asked by Mary Scanlon. It has been withdrawn, and I am sure that all members wish to extend their good wishes to her for a speedy recovery following her car accident.
Telecommunications Masts
To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of a completed telecommunications mast. (S1O-3837)
The interpretation of statute is a matter for the courts, not for the Executive. However, I have written to the convener of the Transport and the Environment Committee on the issue and committee members had my letter before them when they debated the matter yesterday.
Rather than providing the definition that I am seeking for the fourth time, is the minister seriously suggesting that he is abrogating responsibility for his legislation and leaving local councils to face the financial might of the telecommunications companies through the courts?
I am suggesting that most members in the chamber understand that complete means complete; if a party in a dispute says that a mast is not complete, perhaps it is choosing not to recognise the fact. I would suggest to a telecommunications company or a planning authority that is failing to take a commonsense approach to the question that it ought to do so, and that if issues remain to be resolved, it should sit down with the other party and try to reach a conclusion.
While avoiding the displeasure of judges—some of whom might be visiting the chamber today—will the minister reflect on the real concerns about the possible health risks and planning blight of telecommunications masts, not least those concerns that have been expressed by some of my constituents in Kirkintilloch who are present in the gallery? Furthermore, will he ensure that there are clearer planning guidelines for local authorities in order to avoid the uncertainty that would have arisen after such antics as those of Ms McLeod at the Transport and the Environment Committee yesterday?
It is precisely to provide that certainty that we introduced the planning controls that have been in force in Scotland since 23 July. As far as Kirkintilloch and other places are concerned, the fact that future telecommunications developments will be subject to the planning system should act as a significant incentive for telecommunications companies to sit down with planning authorities and discuss the most appropriate development for a particular locality.
Prisons (Private)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is planning more private prisons in the next three years. (S1O-3825)
Planning the future long-term shape of the prison estate is the purpose behind the on-going estates review, on which the Executive plans to consult shortly.
That is a year and a half late. Will the minister comment on this week's announcement of the transfer of two senior and respected prison governors at Barlinnie and Peterhead out of front-line prison management, which has reduced staff morale even further and is seen as a deliberate move to ease in privatisation? Will he say categorically whether he agrees with Tony Blair who, before coming into power, stated:
The position of the Scottish Executive is very clear. It was described by the previous First Minister, Donald Dewar, when he said:
The minister will be aware that three potential sites in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang areas in my constituency are being considered as part of the prison estates review. Will he confirm that the views of local residents will be considered and that full consultation will take place before any decisions are reached about the siting of prisons?
I can, of course, confirm that. The opening or building of a new prison is subject to the full planning process. A result of that—and of the fact that that is an unusual and particularly complex project—is that the process may be long and extended. It is quite proper that consideration is given to the possibilities while we await the final figures in the estates review—and what those figures might tell us—and the outcome of the public consultation.
Is the minister aware of the recently published report on the past year of the chief inspector of prisons? Is he aware that 50 per cent of the items of good practice that the report identified were drawn from Kilmarnock prison? Does he agree that all is not bad with private sector prisons—just as all is not perfect. Does he also agree that the Scottish Prison Service provides an equally good service in many ways?
I am aware of the report of the chief inspector of prisons, and that 12 examples of good practice were drawn from Kilmarnock prison. In his report, the chief inspector pointed out that the examples of good practice tended to be drawn from those prisons where there had been a recent full inspection. In this case, those included Kilmarnock and Cornton Vale.
Schools (Exclusions)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the increase in the number of school exclusions following the transition from primary to secondary school. (S1O-3854)
Exclusions or suspensions are necessary as a last resort. Our objective is to reduce the reasons for exclusions or suspensions by promoting better discipline in schools and identifying alternative courses of action, which, although they might remove pupils from the classroom, are intended to keep them in the system. The discipline task group report that was published in June made 36 recommendations for improving discipline in schools. An action plan for implementing those recommendations will be published soon.
Does the minister agree that some of the problems with discipline can be exacerbated when young people must travel long distances outside their own areas and communities and where, as a result, they and their parents are unable to engage with the wider activities of their school? If he agrees, will he encourage local authorities to take that into account when they plan provision?
That is an important matter in a number of different ways. The issue is not just about out-of-school activities and parental involvement in and attachment to schools; there can also be specific difficulties with school transport in cases where distances are particularly long. Over the coming months, we want to address discipline on school transport, which contributes to problems at many schools in the early hours of the morning.
Does the minister agree that the work of local authority community service departments and professionals is invaluable in maintaining young people's interest in opportunities for involvement and in the education that is available to them and, thereby, in maintaining their motivation to continue attendance at school?
There can be no better antidote to exclusion, absence, truancy or indiscipline in schools than the motivation of young people. Anything that serves to improve that is to be welcomed. The combination of in-school and out-of-school activities that bonds a community together is particularly important in that regard.
Scottish Prison Service (Slopping Out)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to allocate resources from the £17 million underspend in the Scottish Prison Service budget for 2000-01 to the phasing out of slopping out in prisons. (S1O-3823)
The Scottish Prison Service has received £17 million in end-year flexibility funding in 2001-02. That funding has been allocated to the capital building programme, which includes investment in prisoner accommodation.
Will the minister keep in mind that slopping out is a degrading practice, that it is extremely disagreeable to prisoners and prison officers alike and that, because of European convention on human rights implications, the problem should be addressed with much greater urgency—certainly before 2005?
I do not disagree with Lord James's key point—that slopping out is a practice that all members want to be ended as soon as is practically possible. In 1990 only 40 per cent of Scotland's prisoners had access to night sanitation. That figure has risen to 70 per cent and the target for this financial year is 76 per cent. The key opportunity to end slopping out completely will come following the publication of the estates review. That is not to say that the Prison Service is not working day in, day out to improve the situation. The figures that I have cited amply demonstrate that.
Is it not the case that at present the Scottish Prison Service is being not just underspent, but undermined by the shambolic state of its senior management? Is it not the case that staff morale throughout the Prison Service is lower than it has ever been and that the estates department in particular is a total shambles? Is it not time for the minister to take urgent action and to consider the position of the service's chief executive, who surrounds himself with secrecy and refuses to answer basic questions from members of the Parliament, particularly about the condition of the private prison at Bowhouse in Kilmarnock?
I am not sure what Mr Neil's question was, but I think that he asked about the impact on morale of the uncertainty surrounding the estates review. It is to be regretted that the estates review process has taken rather longer than was hoped. The reason for that is straightforward. It is the responsibility not of Scottish Prison Service management but, as has been made clear before, of the Minister for Justice. He has insisted that the figures relating to estates review options are rigorously audited by an independent financial organisation. That has led to a delay. However, when we come to take a decision on the estates review, it will be based on proper and rigorously assessed figures. Those steps are necessary if we are to have an outcome that will build morale in the service, as staff will know what is going to happen over the next 10 to 15 years. We must get the review right, not get it quickly.
Central Heating
To ask the Scottish Executive what further steps it plans to take to ensure that all vulnerable people have access to central heating. (S1O-3824)
We have accelerated the programme so that all local authority tenants will have central heating installed by 2004—two years earlier than was planned. We have extended the programme so that from 2004 local authorities will receive resources to upgrade houses with partial central heating systems to give them whole-house heating. Priority will be given to the elderly and disabled.
I thank the minister for her continued commitment to implementing Labour party policy and working towards ending fuel poverty.
At least 20,000 additional households will benefit from the extension of the scheme, taking the overall figure up to around 90,000 households across Scotland—predominantly made up of older people—that will benefit from the Executive's initiative.
I understood that the Executive originally intended that its central heating programme would include all sections of our community. What steps does the Executive propose to take to ensure that pensioners in private properties—particularly those in rural areas—are made aware of the financial support that is available to them through this welcome scheme?
I welcome the initiative that has been taken by my Liberal colleagues to highlight the fact that pensioners in rural areas should apply for the scheme. Those pensioners will be identified through the local authority route in any event, and also through the housing association route—they will not be required to do anything. The Eaga Partnership, which will be responsible for delivering the programme in the private sector, will work with local authorities and housing associations. It will run targeted campaigns across the country, paying particular attention to rural areas. I hope that that response reassures John Farquhar Munro.
Will the minister explain why, at a time when the social justice budget has an underspend of £122 million, the contribution of the Scottish Executive to the central heating initiative over the next three years has been slashed from £108 million to £96 million? Those figures are confirmed in her answer to written parliamentary question S1W-17377.
Kenny Gibson makes a valuable point. At the end of the day, what matters is that we will deliver. We will deliver throughout Scotland for every pensioner and every council and housing association tenant who has no form of central heating. We are now moving to provide partial central heating and I hope that Kenny Gibson welcomes that step.
Home Energy Conservation Act
To ask the Scottish Executive how it compiled the information contained in the first Home Energy Conservation Act progress report to the Parliament. (S1O-3848)
The information in the report was drawn from local authorities' returns to the Executive.
I thank the minister for her reply, but if that is so, why, in answer to written questions, did she advise me that the Executive does not record information separately for each local authority? Does she now accept that that is not the case and that the information is available? Does she accept that it is of considerable importance that the public is able to identify the variation in local authority performance on home energy conservation? Does she also accept that the next HECA report, which is due in January 2002, ought to record information by local authority area and that it would assist the transparency of that exercise if the report took on board the points that I have raised?
I wondered why we could not provide the breakdown that Robert Brown requested. As I understand the situation, previous ministers took the view that the provision of information on individual local authorities would result in an unhelpful league-table approach.
Will the minister explain whether the CO2 reductions are guesstimates that are based on local authority guesstimates, which are based not on reductions in actual use, but purely on the efficiencies that local authorities have introduced? For example, if a person who lives in a four-room house lived in one heated room until it was insulated, but now heats all four rooms, that person will probably burn more gas or use more electricity than previously.
The minister has the green light.
I will attempt to answer Robin Harper and can provide him with the technical detail that he seeks later. I understand that the figures are not guesstimates, but the best available measures. They are not simply taken from the energy companies, but are part of a standard set of figures that we collect from local authorities within a set reporting framework. The Executive wants not only to tackle fuel poverty in Scotland but to end it. I know that Robin Harper shares that sympathy. If he has technical knowledge to share with me, I would be happy to receive it.
Hospital-acquired Infections
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered the report by Dr Andrew Walker into hospital-acquired infections and what action it proposes to take as a result. (S1O-3843)
Health department officials have considered the report and are making arrangements to meet Dr Walker to discuss it further.
Does the minister agree that the cleanliness of our hospitals is a significant contributory factor? Does she share my concern that many hospitals currently do not meet the standards that were set by the Scottish health service management executive group in 1987? What plans does she have to review the standards of cleanliness that are expected?
The Scottish health plan that was published last December was explicit on the priority that we assign to cleanliness in hospitals and other health care settings. That is why the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland is currently working on the development of national standards for cleanliness. We are determined to ensure that the matter is addressed. I am pleased to say that many parts of the NHS have reviewed their cleaning contract arrangements and many have made changes as a consequence. We will certainly keep up that pressure.
rose—
Your microphone is not on.
Does the minister believe that this report has any implications for those health boards, such as Ayrshire and Arran Health Board in my constituency, that propose to transfer maternity units to district general hospitals?
I am not sure that that is relevant to the question.
The minister mentioned national standards of cleanliness. Everyone agrees—probably including the minister—that hospital-acquired infections have risen in direct correlation to the privatisation of cleaning services. Will she agree to examine the renationalisation of cleaning services in our hospitals? Can she tell us now what the cost of renationalising cleaning services would be? If she cannot tell us now, will she give a commitment to establish what the cost would be, so that we can tackle hospital-acquired infections? Standards of cleanliness may be only one factor, but it is the main factor according to all observers.
I repeat that cleanliness is only one factor that contributes to the level of hospital-acquired infection. It is important that we continue to challenge the false connections that Tommy Sheridan has just posed.
On a point of order. Will the Presiding Officer reconsider his ruling on Irene Oldfather's question? She was raising a genuine local concern about the potential health risks to mothers and children in Ayrshire should the maternity facility in Irvine be relocated to a district general hospital where there is a genuine risk of cross-infection.
My decision was marginal, but I caught the minister's eye and we were both slightly puzzled. Does the minister want to answer the question?
I am happy to do so.
Come on then—we will give it another chance.
Thank you, Presiding Officer. There was a difficulty at the beginning of my question with the microphone.
That is right.
However, I certainly said "this report"—referring to the report that Brian Adam had referred to. The question was therefore competent.
I am sorry—but there was a technical difficulty at the beginning of your question.
Let me attempt to answer the question as best I can. We have discussed maternity services on a number of occasions; I am sure that we will do so again. I assure Irene Oldfather that I would expect decisions on NHS maternity services in any part of the country—whether those decisions concern the location of maternity units or other aspects of service delivery—to take into account safety and quality at every level. Issues such as the control of infection and the reduction of risk have to be part of those considerations.
Waste Water Treatment
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it can take to assist Alpine Cold Stores Ltd in upgrading the facilities at the former Christian Salvesen plant in Dundee in order to ensure that the plant meets European Union waste water regulation requirements. (S1O-3853)
I understand that Alpine Cold Stores Ltd has been awarded almost £600,000 for the first stage of its development plans at Dundee. That money came from the Executive's processing and marketing scheme. The level of award reflected the importance of those facilities to growers in the area.
Although I recognise that Mr Morrison is not an environment minister, I will ask him whether he will put further pressure on the ministers with responsibility for the environment to ensure that the budget that Alpine Cold Stores has allocated for this work can, if at all possible, be spread over two years in order that the company can meet its requirements and support the industry of fruit and vegetable growers in the north-east who have no alternative source of processing now that Esk Foods Ltd of Montrose looks likely to go under.
As I mentioned in my response, the company was awarded £600,000. Another avenue that is open to the company is to apply for regional selective assistance. As I understand it, the company has yet to make such an application. I also understand that Rhona Brankin's officials have met company representatives and offered as much help as currently can be offered. I would welcome further inquiries from the company and look forward to receiving them.
Question 12 has been withdrawn.
Lung Diseases
To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to improve services for people suffering from lung diseases. (S1O-3833)
In common with many other diseases and conditions, lung diseases are tackled through a range of measures at all stages of care.
The minister will know that Scotland has a poor record when it comes to lung disease and that there are many thousands of lung-disease sufferers in Scotland. Within that group, around 1,000 patients would benefit from the provision of liquid oxygen. At the moment, the Scottish drug tariff prevents general practitioners from prescribing liquid oxygen to their patients; however, in England GPs can prescribe it. Is the minister prepared to review the Scottish drug tariff to allow GPs to prescribe liquid oxygen for those patients who require it? If not, will he explain why GPs in England are trusted to do so but GPs in Scotland are not?
I am aware that several people have problems in getting portable oxygen cylinders on the NHS. I shall shortly meet representatives of a breathe easy group from Edinburgh to discuss those problems. Following that meeting, I shall consider the points that Michael Matheson has made.
I add my plea to that of my colleague. I have written to the minister regarding a constituent who is terminally ill and would therefore welcome any decision on the matter to be made as speedily as possible.
I have nothing to add to the answer that I have given.
Previous
Business Motion