SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
General Questions
Licensed Premises (Drunkenness)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were reported between 31 March 2007 and 1 April 2008 for (a) entering licensed premises while drunk and (b) being drunk on licensed premises. (S3O-4957)
Between 1 April 2007 and 31 March 2008 there were (a) 156 offences recorded as "drunk and attempting to enter licensed premises" and (b) 35 offences recorded as "licensed person, employee or agent drunk in licensed premises". That is a total of 191 offences under those two crime codes.
The minister will no doubt agree that people do not become drunk the instant they hit the streets. It would seem therefore that of the 191 reported offences, there has not been the appropriate enforcement of the law as it stands. Does the minister agree?
We are aware that people who are under the influence are being served alcohol. The licensed trade has made considerable strides in improving the professionalism of the service. Given recent tragedies and events that have been drawn to the attention of licensees by the police, the Government and the Lord Advocate, there is an understanding that this is a journey. We accept that it can be difficult for licensees when people who are unsafe or unfit enter their premises, but it can become clear when someone is well under the influence of alcohol. Fatal accident inquiries have shown that there are serious and tragic consequences. We must be ever vigilant on this matter.
Strathclyde Police (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of Strathclyde Police. (S3O-5008)
I regularly meet representatives of all Scotland's police forces. I last met Chief Constable Steve House on the morning of Wednesday 5 November. Later that day, I met the chair, vice-secretary and treasurer of the Strathclyde Police Muslim association. The First Minister will formally launch the association in Glasgow next week.
Will the cabinet secretary join me in welcoming the formation of the Strathclyde Police Muslim association, which is Scotland's first-ever Muslim police association? Does he agree that the organisation, due to be launched next week, will be important to further build up trust between the police and the Muslim community?
Absolutely. Scotland has been well served in the past by organisations such as SEMPERscotland—Supporting Ethnic Minority Police staff for Equality in Race. The Strathclyde Police Muslim association is a welcome venture, and it was a pleasure to meet its officials. I hope to be able to join the First Minister next week. The association has two purposes. The first is to try to reassure those coming into the police force that there is no institutional racism—I do not believe that there is any in the Scottish police force, but we must be ever vigilant and ensure that people feel safe and comfortable in joining the police. Secondly, the association can provide a good element of bonding and trust to show our communities that our police represent them all. I have said previously that we are all Jock Tamson's bairns. Our police force comes from all our communities; it must do so. Equally, the police must represent all our communities fairly and equally.
Has the cabinet secretary discussed with the chief constables the possibility of providing headcams to police officers? The experience of the police force in Plymouth demonstrated that the introduction of such new technology helped to reduce bureaucracy, increase the number of offenders brought to justice, and reduce crime. Would the cabinet secretary consider such a proposal?
I have seen evidence of ,and we are watching with interest, what is happening south of the border. Evidentiary matters may arise, and police safety is paramount. If such technology can assist in prosecutions, in the prevention of crime, and in the protection of police officers, we will be happy to consider it. However, these are operational matters for the chief constables and it would be wrong for me to interfere. The justice department and I will monitor the situation. If the chief constables or the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland feel that such technology is appropriate, we will be more than happy to work with them.
Rail Services (Fife)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve rail services for passengers to and from Fife, from both the north and south. (S3O-4986)
From December this year there will be 500 more seats daily, each way, between Edinburgh and Fife during the peaks, and better connectivity to Edinburgh, London and the south with new early-morning services from Fife. The new timetable provides approximately 40 additional southbound and 50 additional northbound stops, each weekday, for stations in Fife, including a new hourly service between Edinburgh and Perth via Fife.
I have written to the minister on this issue. Does he agree that many Fife commuters are being disadvantaged by the changes to the service? Many people who are trying to get to Dundee and Aberdeen cannot get to work in time because of the changes.
In the new timetable, there are now 21 trains heading south from Kirkcaldy between the start of services and 10 o'clock, and 20 trains returning in the evening peak. Relatively few passengers have been joining the through trains to head north to Aberdeen. We have replaced all the services that no longer stop in Fife with new services within Fife. We seek to ensure good connections between Dundee and Aberdeen.
Is the minister aware that the timetable changes, which were designed to improve services in Fife, have led to knock-on changes north of Fife? Is he further aware of a level of discontent among passengers in the north-east of Scotland over the timetable changes that are to be implemented in the middle of December? Has he had any contact with passenger groups, and will he raise the matter with ScotRail?
I would need to check with my office, but I am not aware of having been contacted on this matter by passenger groups. However, such contact may be yet to come to me.
The minister will know that constituents of mine in the Borders are currently unable to travel by rail from the south to Fife. Will he continue the constructive approach taken by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth yesterday, and will he meet me and the Scottish Borders Council to consider whether—in light of the pre-budget report on Monday and the increased capacity for accelerating capital spend—the Waverley line project can be accelerated?
I think that there was a link, minister.
Services from the Borders to Fife will certainly be among the services delivered when we recreate rail in the Borders. Like Mr Purvis's constituents, my constituents have limited access to rail, and I am always anxious to ensure that we improve rail services throughout Scotland.
Is the minister aware of how widely the new timetable from Perth to Edinburgh is welcomed? Does he agree that an enormous improvement has been made for my constituents? Hitherto, they had to put up with appallingly low levels of service. Will he accept my thanks on their behalf for the new service?
It has long been our ambition to improve services to Perth. I am happy that the member, many of her constituents, and people further afield are happy that we have made the changes.
Leven to Thornton Rail Link
To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made towards the proposed reopening of the Leven to Thornton rail link. (S3O-5022)
Transport Scotland received the first draft of the Leven to Thornton feasibility study on 23 June 2008, and it is being considered as part of the strategic transport projects review. The review will set out national investment priorities for 2012 to 2022.
The minister will know that the final report on the Leven to Thornton railway will go to the board of SESTRANS—the south-east Scotland transport partnership—next week. Will he seek to convince SESTRANS, which is the regional transport authority, of the importance of the reopening of the line to the people and businesses of Leven?
We are in the fortunate position of having rail still in place, although it might not be fit for purpose. I await the outcome of SESTRANS's deliberations with considerable interest, and I will listen carefully to what it has to say.
Does the minister agree that the Leven to Thornton link clearly meets the aim of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth to maximise jobs, business, the economy and sustainability with accelerated capital spend? Will he therefore consider every possible option for bringing forward the rail link as part of the Scottish Government's plans to accelerate capital spending, so that Levenmouth and wider Fife can benefit during these difficult economic conditions?
We are certainly aware of the need to support the communities of Levenmouth, where there are areas of significant economic disadvantage. The people in that part of Fife can be assured that the Government takes seriously the need to ensure that they have an equal opportunity to contribute economically and benefit socially from any links that we may be able to bring forward.
National Concessionary Fares Scheme
To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to extend the national concessionary fares scheme and to which groups. (S3O-5017)
The Scotland-wide free bus travel scheme for older and disabled people is currently being reviewed. Consideration will be given to any possible changes—including the proposal to include injured armed forces veterans—once the findings of the review are known. I expect to announce the outcome of the review in the new year.
Does the minister agree that the Scottish Government's clear intention via the review—to extend concessionary fares—should act as a signal to the Labour Party that it is time to stop frightening old people into believing that the national concessionary fares scheme is at risk?
Like many of our other interventions—including the extension of the central heating programme and the numbers of systems installed—the free bus travel scheme will assure people that this Government will step up to and meet its responsibilities to older and disabled people.
Will the minister confirm that eligibility was under consideration but that that changed in early July? Will he also confirm that active consideration was given to the idea of abolishing unlimited free travel and, instead, giving each pass holder a fixed annual value on their smart card? Will he confirm that that idea has now been ruled out?
No; no; yes.
Health Provision (Perthshire)
To ask the Scottish Government when it last met NHS Tayside to discuss health provision for Perthshire. (S3O-5049)
Officials from the Scottish Government health directorates meet NHS Tayside regularly to discuss a wide range of service provision matters, including those affecting Perthshire. I last met the chair of NHS Tayside on Monday at my regular monthly meeting with all national health service board chairs.
Will the cabinet secretary join me in congratulating NHS Tayside on being one of four health boards that have achieved the target for 95 per cent of cancer patients to be treated within the designated waiting time? Does she agree that that is good news for those people in my constituency who, sadly, are diagnosed with cancer? Will she remind us of the previous Administration's record in that regard?
I join Roseanna Cunningham in congratulating NHS Tayside on meeting the 95 per cent target, which is extremely important for everyone who is diagnosed with cancer in Scotland and, of course, their families. Although we are not quite yet meeting the 95 per cent target across all of Scotland, significant progress has been made during the past 18 months.
Economic Development (Southern Ayrshire)
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it is giving to the regeneration and economic development of southern Ayrshire. (S3O-4952)
We place great importance on regeneration and economic development throughout Scotland, including Ayrshire. The Government economic strategy sets out how we will focus on creating a more successful country through increasing sustainable economic growth. The strategy sets out an approach to growth that is cohesive across all Scotland's regions.
As the minister knows, tourism is a major component of the southern Ayrshire economy and supports thousands of local jobs. That being the case, it is disappointing that all key tourism destinations have been concentrated in and north of the central belt, with no provision being made in the south of Scotland. Will the minister please look favourably on proposals to designate Ayrshire as a key tourism destination?
I will indeed. Last night, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth met Hugh Hunter, the leader of South Ayrshire Council, who is also keen to promote tourism destination status. The cabinet secretary volunteered that I am keen—as I am—to meet to explore means to achieve that end.
Does the minister agree that the regeneration of and potential for tourism in south Ayrshire would be enhanced by the construction of a Maybole bypass? Will he work with the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change to ensure that when funds are being allocated for capital projects that worthwhile project is considered at the earliest opportunity?
I understand that the strategic transport projects review will come out towards the end of the year. Meanwhile we are working hard across the area. We have had useful sessions in east Ayrshire and north Ayrshire and I welcome the opportunity to have further sessions in south Ayrshire. Indeed, all the industrial sectors in south Ayrshire—energy, tourism, life sciences, financial services, food and drink and aerospace—have engaged with us during the past year and made, among others, the points that members made.
Aviation Growth (Greenhouse Gas Emissions)
To ask the Scottish Executive what level of aviation growth is compatible with its target of 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. (S3O-4961)
There is no direct relationship between growth in aviation and our 80 per cent emissions reduction target. The target applies across all sectors of the economy and not to individual sectors.
There is a relationship. We expect the Scottish climate change bill to be introduced next month, and the national planning framework is likely to give the go-ahead for airport expansion at Edinburgh and Glasgow. Given the disproportionate damage that aviation emissions do to the climate, will the minister accept that the Government's objectives are incompatible and do the planet a favour by abandoning airport expansion? Will he use the Scottish climate change bill to set a good example and institute a ban on the public sector's use of domestic flights when alternatives exist?
The member will be aware of our keen interest in high-speed rail links, which will make a significant contribution to the reduction of air travel between central Scotland and London. I very much welcome the change in the mood music that is emanating from the Department for Transport in that regard and I hope that the member will work with us to ensure that alternatives to certain aviation routes are in place.
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