SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Rural Affairs and the Environment
European Regional Development Funding 2007-2013
To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the £24.32 million allocation of European regional development funding prioritised towards rural development between 2007 and 2013 has been allocated to eligible projects. (S3O-2414)
It is expected that recommendations for the first allocations of ERDF funding for 2007 to 2013 in lowland and upland Scotland, including for the rural development priority, will be made at the programme monitoring committee meeting on 19 March 2008.
The minister might be aware that there is some concern that that funding stream might not attract enough allocations to allow the total amount to be allocated. In those circumstances, will the minister consider widening the geographical coverage to reduce the risk of underspending available funds and to allow areas such as South Ayrshire, which falls just outside the criteria and where nearly a third of residents live in rural areas, to benefit from such investment?
I take on board the member's point. It is the case that, currently, only 10 of Scotland's 32 local authorities are eligible for funding under the rural development priority. However, although South Ayrshire is not one of the 10 qualifying councils, East Ayrshire qualifies for funding under all four priorities in the programme, not just the rural development priority, so at least part of the member's constituency is set to benefit.
The minister will understand that the loss of objective 1 funding in the Highlands and Islands was a major blow and possibly should never have happened. Please will he look as favourably as possible on all applications emanating from the Highlands at his meeting in March? ERDF funding will be essential in view of the decommissioning of Dounreay, which is on-going and will continue for some years. If not enough applications are made, will he consider ways of attracting applications from the areas affected, such as Dounreay and Caithness?
Again, I take on board the member's points and will reflect on them. I am happy to write to him about the number of funding streams that apply to his constituency, given that only 10 of 32 local authorities qualify for ERDF under the rural development priority. I think that he will be reassured that, over coming years, significant funding streams will apply to his constituency.
Food Supplies
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that Scotland's food supplies are safe, secure and sustainable. (S3O-2375)
In January, I launched a national discussion on food to help us develop a national food policy for Scotland that will boost jobs and business, help make food healthier and minimise environmental impacts across the food supply chain. I believe that our food policy will help to ensure that fresh, high-quality Scottish food is the first choice on everyone's menu in Scotland and beyond.
I ask the minister to join me in congratulating Alyn Smith MEP and his Irish counterparts in particular on their successful campaign for a Europe-wide ban on the import of Brazilian beef. Does he agree that Scottish farmers are rightly concerned by the unfair competition from Brazil, which has been criticised for its lax animal health and traceability regime? Is the decision on the ban another example of how Scotland can be more successful when it works directly with other European states to achieve common goals?
I thank Willie Coffey for his question and comments; he made a number of good comments. The Scottish Government has paid extremely close attention to the situation in relation to beef imports from Brazil. We have made known our strong views on the matter to the European authorities and the United Kingdom Government, and contributed, I hope, to the European Commission's decision to impose the ban a few weeks back.
I, too, welcome that decision and the good measure that has been taken. I am sure that this happens, but I appeal to the minister to ensure that conversations take place with small farm owners in Scotland, who are struggling in difficult times with higher costs for fuel and other items, while there is a squeeze on the prices for their products. What conversations are on-going to try to alleviate some of those burdens and to ensure, in the interests of security of supply, that families stay in the farming business and that we continue to grow Scotland's farming industry?
Family-owned farms in Scotland have a crucial role in delivering food for the nation and we are determined to support them so that they can continue to play that role. The member refers rightly to the current situation in which the costs of inputs, such as energy, fertiliser and, in the livestock sector, grain, are putting enormous pressure on parts of the agriculture sector in Scotland. However, at a time when the global trends are potential food shortages and rising food costs, food producers in Scotland have an opportunity to receive a greater return for the food that they produce. I hope that that will begin to happen. In recent days, the prices that farmers receive for their produce have increased. As the member says, it is important that the Scottish Government continues to support that.
I welcome the minister's initial response on food security. With worldwide wheat stocks already down to 50 days' supply, does he agree that Scotland will need to maximise food production with the help of our farmers and growers? Has he or his officials started to consider ways of achieving that?
Yes, we are considering ways of achieving that. The current debate on the national food policy is considering those issues. Only last Friday, I spoke to the annual NFU Scotland council meeting in Dunblane and discussed several of those issues with the industry. I assure the member that, as I am sure all members are aware, the debate on food security and food production in Scotland is now near the top of the political agenda, and we all want it to be there, because it is important. That debate touches on other debates in Scotland, such as that on how we use our land, to which the member referred. We need to consider whether land should be used for energy crops, forestry or producing food. We must get the balance right to ensure that we act in the national interest.
Scottish Rural Development Programme <br />(Agri-environment Schemes)
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans there are for agri-environment schemes under the Scottish rural development programme. (S3O-2409)
In the Scotland rural development programme, £400 million has been allocated to agri-environment measures. About £170 million will be used to honour all existing agri-environment agreements and £230 million will be available for new commitments. That represents a substantial increase compared with the sum of £110 million that was allocated for new agri-environment commitments under the previous SRDP.
That answer should, I hope, come as good news to people who have been awaiting an announcement on the issue. Will the minister give details of the timetable for seeking parliamentary approval for the programme?
We will seek parliamentary approval in the next few months. There is nothing contentious in the programme. The member is right to welcome it enthusiastically, as it will provide a major opportunity for land owners, land managers and others in Scotland. We are holding 21 implementation seminars throughout Scotland and information is available about the means by which people can apply for the schemes, which are many and various, with more than 120 options on the present menu.
The minister will accept that the programme will be a good-news story and a great opportunity only if crofters and farmers can access the schemes. However, that is by no means guaranteed for the 1,000 units in Shetland that are currently in the environmentally sensitive areas scheme, the organic aid scheme or the rural stewardship scheme. Will the minister consider again the potential for ensuring that all that valuable benefit is continued in constituencies such as Shetland? Will he consider devolving the budgets to local management committees, which is absolutely within his gift and which would ensure that decisions are taken locally and are the right ones?
The member makes some good and interesting points. The key issues of ensuring access and ensuring that agri-environment schemes carry on is addressed in the programme, and could have been addressed in more focus by the previous Administration, which drew up the schemes.
Biodiversity (West of Scotland)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to protect the biodiversity of the west of Scotland. (S3O-2359)
The Scottish Government, with its partners in agencies, nature conservation bodies, land management, local government and other public and private sector organisations, is leading a range of actions to protect biodiversity across Scotland, including the west of Scotland. We recently published a progress report on our biodiversity strategy, which is available from the Scottish Parliament information centre, and we had a detailed and positive debate in the chamber on biodiversity in taking forward our priorities.
I am sure that the minister will agree that one of the most common ways in which many Scots enjoy the great outdoors is by visiting their local park. That is especially true for people living in large towns and cities. Many people's view of their local environment and diversity is influenced in that way.
This Government recognises that it is exceptionally important that communities are involved in decision making about green spaces. We have in place a range of measures that allow that involvement to happen and we are always sympathetic to discussing more such measures. I point the member to the good work done by the Forestry Commission Scotland in the woods in and around towns project on providing spaces that are the green lungs of cities and towns. Where there is a threat to green space, there are statutory obligations in relation to consultation in taking those issues forward.
Food (Affordability and Accessibility)
I am bringing my sunny disposition to question time.
The member's sunny disposition is always blinding, and I am delighted to answer his question.
I thank the minister for that answer, but, of course, there is stormy weather ahead. The results of the health check study on Scotland's volunteer and community-led health sector show that 72 per cent of local volunteer-led organisations expect to close by the end of March 2008, that staff are being laid off and that organisations do not expect to continue in the same form post March 2008.
I agree that many such local projects play an invaluable role in promoting the healthy eating agenda. Phase 2 of the healthy living programme, which is run in conjunction with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Grocers Federation, has seen a 28 per cent increase in fruit and vegetable sales in participating stores, many of which are located in our more deprived communities. Local initiatives, to which the member referred, are playing a full role and are making their own submissions to the national discussion on food policy. We are keen to hear their views on what role they have to play in the development of a national food policy for Scotland.
Given that I come from a generation whose parents and grandparents were used to preparing simple, nourishing food, largely from local produce in season, I know how much cheaper and healthier such food is than the ready meals that are the staple diet of so many people today. Has the cabinet secretary given any thought to promoting home cooking as part of his proposed national food policy? Perhaps we could enlist the help of senior citizens in the education of school pupils, which would allow them to pass on their culinary skills and knowledge and would be to the benefit of both generations.
Nanette Milne raises an important issue. Many chefs who have commented on the food policy for Scotland have made those points—some of Scotland's celebrity chefs are keen that there should be movement in that direction.
Energy-from-waste Plants
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, following its statement to the Parliament on its waste strategy, reports that energy-from-waste plants will only be permitted if they have a capacity of up to 100,000 tonnes per year are accurate. (S3O-2412)
No, we have not used that figure. Instead, we announced in our statement on 24 January that by 2025 no more than a quarter of municipal waste, at both national and regional levels, should be treated by energy-from-waste processes. We also made it clear that energy-from-waste plants should have high levels of efficiency.
I think that my constituents in East Lothian will find that reply disappointing. The cabinet secretary's comment in his statement that the Scottish Government would not support the building of large-scale energy-from-waste plants was welcome, and the press appear to have been briefed that that would have had the effect of halting the construction of any plant with a capacity of more than 100,000 tonnes per year. For the sake of clarity, it would be helpful if the cabinet secretary would indicate whether the proposed scheme near Dunbar, which includes plans for an incinerator with a 450,000 tonne capacity, is unlikely to go ahead under the waste strategy.
As the member is aware, I am limited in what I can say about applications that may come before ministers in due course. Enforcement of the Government's policy, which I outlined in my statement to Parliament, will be reflected in the national planning framework, in both the regional and national caps. The Government's policy will also be reflected in the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's guidelines and in its consideration of the permits that it is asked to issue to such plants. I think that that is very clear.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has recently announced funding to support anaerobic digestion plants. Such plants would help to address this Government's waste management and renewable energy targets. What plans does the Government have to support anaerobic digestion plants?
The Scottish Government takes a close interest in the role that could be played by anaerobic digestion. As part of the budget, we announced the zero waste fund, which amounts to £154 million over three years. Of that sum, £100 million will be earmarked for infrastructure for the purposes of recycling and treating waste and so on, which potentially includes anaerobic digestion. We are setting up a short-life working group with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to ensure that we have discussions with local authorities about how the £100 million will be distributed, but there is lots of potential that it will include projects such as those mentioned by the member.
Zero Waste Fund
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give details of the criteria and processes under which local authorities may apply for finance from the zero waste fund. (S3O-2410)
In our parliamentary statement on waste policy on 24 January, we indicated that we would establish a short-life working group with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to discuss the allocation, over three years, of more than £100 million from the zero waste fund. COSLA has provided us with the names of its representatives for the group and the first meeting will take place shortly.
Might finance from the zero waste fund be used in, for example, the development and procurement of physical treatment technologies, such as autoclaving, to capture recycling materials from the waste stream?
I see no reason why they could not be covered by the £100 million, but that would, of course, be subject to the discussions with COSLA. The views of local authorities, including those of Glasgow City Council, will be taken into account in those discussions. As I said, the £100 million is for infrastructure, and we look forward to the outcome of our discussions with local authorities.
Justice and Law Officers
Strathclyde Police
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with Strathclyde Police. (S3O-2404)
I regularly meet representatives of all police forces. Only last Friday, I attended the launch of Strathclyde Police's national mobile data project. The innovative use of technology by Strathclyde Police and other forces will free up officers' time so that they can police our streets. That is the kind of initiative that we wish to encourage. Indeed, I had lunch with the chief constable of Strathclyde Police on Tuesday.
I hope that the minister enjoyed his lunch.
As the member well knows, such matters are subject to operational directions from chief constables. That has always been the case, and it will remain the case. Where police officers are deployed in Strathclyde is correctly a matter for the chief constable there.
Dave Thompson has a question. He should bear it in mind that Margaret Curran's question was on Strathclyde Police.
Yes, Presiding Officer.
That was very astute, Mr Thompson.
I absolutely agree with the member. I am aware of the scheme that operates in Strathclyde, but I have also seen similar schemes that operate in Clackmannan and elsewhere. Such things seek to keep young people out of trouble and away from cheap alcohol, so we have supported the police's approach. We have considered whether proceeds of crime funds can be utilised for such schemes, but it appears that they are operating well without our additional input. The Government believes that such diversions and alternatives are good, so we will support them in any way that we can.
In discussions with Strathclyde Police, has the minister raised the issues of repeat victimisation and the critical importance of having the public's confidence that the police will respond to disorder and community intimidation? He may be aware of the case in my constituency involving Stephen Armstrong, who has been a repeat victim of crime and has now found himself in jail. Is the minister willing to meet me to discuss the critical issues that have emerged from that case relating to the appropriateness of sentences and, in particular, the importance of our communities having confidence that the system will respond at an early stage so that people do not end up taking the law into their own hands?
I recognise the considerable problems that exist in Glasgow in particular and in other areas of the west of Scotland. Indeed, I discussed those problems at lunch with the chief constable.
Police Pensions
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will fund any additional burdens arising from police pensions in the next financial year. (S3O-2396)
As the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Development announced in his statement to Parliament on 13 December, funding for police pensions is included within the local authority funding settlement. It is for police boards to negotiate budgets with their constituent local authorities. The issue of police pensions was discussed at a meeting in January with ministers, police board conveners and representatives of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. The meeting confirmed that it is for councils, police authorities and chief constables to address pensions pressures. I understand that virtually every force has now reached agreement with its constituent local authorities on funding levels for the next financial year.
At his lunch with Strathclyde's chief constable, did the minister discuss the interesting letter from Strathclyde Police's head of finance and resources, which indicates that plans for police recruitment will be undermined because of the Scottish National Party Government's failure to fully fund police pensions over the next few years? A shortfall of £104 million across Scotland is anticipated, which represents a shortfall of £54 million in Strathclyde and, in my area, a shortfall of £1 million in Argyll and Bute and £500,000 in West Dunbartonshire. Will the minister ensure that additional funds are made available to meet that shortfall? Does he accept that, if he fails to do so, extra funding for recruitment might be wiped out and his policy of additional police officers will be in tatters?
That is the same song that Labour ran with at the last election—talking Scotland down with doom and gloom.
Sentencing (Non-violent Offenders)
To ask the Scottish Executive what practical steps it plans to take to implement the Scottish National Party manifesto promise to reduce the number of non-violent offenders committed to serve prison sentences of six months or less. (S3O-2434)
We published our review of community penalties on 27 November and the Scottish Prisons Commission is due to report in June. They will help us to deliver a safer and stronger Scotland, where prison is the appropriate sentence for serious and violent offenders but community penalties are a tough and effective disposal for those who can safely serve their sentences in the community.
Will the cabinet secretary confirm that the Bath Street time-out centre for drug-using, non-violent women offenders, who might otherwise be sentenced to short-term custody, has been successful? Will he review why alternative-to-custody measures, including drug treatment and testing orders and drug courts, have such a low take-up for women offenders? Has he reviewed the evaluation of the community reparation order pilots, which involve a new alternative to custody for fine default? Will he consider ordering a new pilot that will address the problems in the original pilots? Will he invite the Sentencing Commission to examine the reasons for the massive increase in remand custody for men and women when alternatives such as bail supervision and tagging are now available?
I thank Dr Simpson for the spirit in which he raised those matters.
The cabinet secretary is clearly committed to the principle of significantly reducing the number of short-term prison sentences of six months or less. For which of the following does he consider a custodial sentence to be inappropriate: the wife abuser; the knife carrier; the disqualified drunk driver; or the thief with 20 previous convictions?
We have been over this ground before. We have said that it is always for the judiciary to impose the appropriate sentence. I remind Mr Aitken that when I went to Cornton Vale—I know that he has been there too—I was told that 98 per cent of the prisoners have a mental health problem, a huge percentage have been subject to abuse during their life, and 70 or 80 per cent have an addiction problem.
Clear-up Fund
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made towards the creation of a national clear-up fund to assist the families of murder victims. (S3O-2452)
I thank the member for raising that very serious issue, which I am keen to resolve as quickly as possible. Officials have contacted the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, the Association of British Insurers, the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and representatives of victims organisations, and will meet them as soon as can be arranged to discuss the best way to meet families' needs following a homicide in a person's home. I will write to the member after discussions with the relevant agencies are completed.
I thank the cabinet secretary for that response and for the support that he has shown so far on this important issue. He will be aware that criminal injuries compensation payments do not cover this issue and that there is a need for timeous help for bereaved families who have to cope with such terrible circumstances. A murder clean-up fund would cost around £50,000 a year, which would be a small amount for the Government but a very big help to the families.
A national fund would be appropriate. One of the problems that we are trying to work through is to do with differences in tenure—how we can deal with those who are in owner-occupied houses, how we fund those who are in local authority housing and how we deal with those who live in a private sector let. It would be manifestly unjust and unfair if somebody in a certain category of tenure was able to be recompensed while others were not. Equally it would be unfair if we had a postcode lottery, in which people in only some parts of Scotland were eligible to claim from the fund and to be recompensed.
Question 5 has been withdrawn.
Prisons (Drugs)
To ask the Scottish Government what action is being taken towards the establishment of a drug-free environment in prisons. (S3O-2393)
The Scottish Prison Service invests considerable resources to reduce supply and demand and the harm that is caused by the misuse of illegal drugs in prisons. Drug testing is undertaken in all prisons to identify incidence and prevalence rates and to support the management of prisoner health and progression.
Given that a large number of prisoners serve short sentences, how is the Government dealing with the problems of detection, rehabilitation and treatment in prisons? Can the minister assure me that tackling the availability of drugs in Scottish prisons remains a priority for the Government?
I give the member that assurance. On detection, I have visited five prisons in the past three months and, in every case, huge efforts are devoted to detecting drugs coming in. I discovered that that is the case at Saughton, Polmont, Castle Huntly and Porterfield as well as at Barlinnie. There is no end to some people's ingenuity in finding ways to try to take drugs into prison. However, I assure the member that a massive and unrelenting effort is devoted to tackling that problem.
Designated Places (Police Support)
To ask the Scottish Executive what role there is for the police in supporting designated places schemes as an alternative disposal to detaining those who are under the influence of alcohol. (S3O-2371)
The police are acutely aware of the inappropriateness of police cells for the detention of drunk and incapable people who have no other cause to be there. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland has established a sub-group to consider the provision of care in police custody and it will work with other agencies to identify the most appropriate and effective alternatives for the detention of drunk and incapable persons for their own safety.
The cabinet secretary is aware of Albyn house in Aberdeen, where there is a scheme that appears to be successful. Will he encourage the local police force and perhaps the local licensed trade to contribute to the continuing work?
Absolutely. I visited Albyn house last year and was impressed by the services there. Others will agree that it would be a cause for regret if its services were not available.
Safety (Highlands and Islands)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to make people feel safe in the Highlands and Islands. (S3O-2363)
The Government is committed to the promotion of community safety throughout Scotland.
Does the minister agree that Northern Constabulary's recent survey of the public's perception of community safety, which showed that 95 per cent of people felt safe in their community, is a tribute not only to all those policemen, policewomen and other staff who work for Northern Constabulary but to their system and method? Does he think that that should be looked on by other police regions as an example of good practice?
Although, as members will appreciate, I am entirely impartial in such matters, I commend Northern Constabulary for its exemplary record, which provides a lead throughout Scotland. I have always felt that that is the case, and I warmly endorse the comments and judgment of Jamie McGrigor, with whom I agree in this matter. Northern Constabulary has pioneered community policing, and the closer the links are between the police and the community, the safer the community tends to be.
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