SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Environment and Rural Development
Special Protection Areas
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to extend the network of special protection areas. (S2O-6537)
I have confirmed in recent weeks two new sites and the extension of one existing site for capercaillie. On 7 March, I announced 11 proposed further additions to Scotland's network of special protection areas, including seven new sites, three boundary extensions and the addition of a qualifying species at an existing site. Further work is being done on possible new or extended sites for the golden eagle and certain species of seabird.
I welcome the extensions that the minister has announced. Does he agree that the special protection areas throughout Scotland do not just protect wildlife but safeguard Scotland's natural heritage in its widest sense? Will he undertake to discuss with the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the opportunities that special protection areas offer for the development of eco-tourism as a means of attracting greater numbers of visitors to this country?
I am happy to confirm that the work that we do in providing protection for species and habitats has wider benefits for biodiversity in general, as well as for those specific species and habitats. I am happy also to confirm that we will continue to work with colleagues throughout the Executive in promoting the biodiversity benefits, the economic benefits and the tourist numbers that those species and habitats can attract.
Mountainous Area Status
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in achieving mountainous area status for the most disadvantaged and peripheral areas. (S2O-6521)
We are continuing discussions on future arrangements for less favoured area support from 2007 with the stakeholder working group, which includes representatives of crofters and farmers and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Further work on mountainous area status and related issues will be taken forward following the latest meeting of the group earlier this week.
Is the deputy minister aware that the crofting community feels that achieving mountainous area status—the top-priority category in the LFA classification—would enhance the case for increased support for peripheral areas in the Highlands and Islands? Is he aware that the crofting community feels that its difficulties have not been taken fully into account in the present LFA scheme? There is concern that, without top-category status, crofting will be unable to face down the challenges of common agricultural policy reform and climate change. The crofting community hopes that the Executive will do everything possible to support it in that regard.
The views of bodies such as the Scottish Crofting Foundation on mountainous area status are known to us and have been fed into the discussions of the stakeholder working group. We are keen to identify the most effective way to ensure that LFA support under the new regime is developed in a way that delivers particular support to the most fragile areas. Mountainous area status is one option for doing that; there may be others that reflect, for example, the land capability classifications of agricultural land. We would not want to go for an option that excluded fragile areas that happen not to be mountainous, but we recognise that many of the most fragile areas are in upland parts of the country. We will continue to explore the issue. Following the recent meeting that I mentioned, we have undertaken to do further work on all those options, including mountainous area status.
The minister mentioned in his earlier answer that one of the components in the debate about mountainous area status is the potential changes to the LFA regime. Will he provide Parliament with an update on the discussions in the European Union on reform of the LFA regime and tell us when he expects to have any announcements to make on the implications for those who currently benefit from LFA support?
The negotiations on the rural development regulation and the less favoured area scheme continue. In the first instance, agreement is required on the rural development regulation framework within which the LFA scheme will be developed. One of our priorities is to maintain LFA status for most of the Scottish land area that currently enjoys it. As soon as we can report to Parliament, we will do so.
Horse Strategy
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is with regard to a horse strategy for Scotland. (S2O-6499)
Executive officials meet the Scottish Equestrian Association regularly and I am confident that those meetings will assist the SEA if it chooses to take the lead in developing a strategic approach.
I accept that what is happening supports the industry, which makes a significant contribution to Scotland's economy. South of the border, a draft strategy for the equine industry is being consulted on. Given where that industry might be in 10 years' time, is the danger that the equine industry south of the border may be able to make more coherent and steady progress than the industry in Scotland? Is the minister apprehensive about that? Could more be done to provide leadership in Scotland?
I am not apprehensive about that. Our general view is that, because circumstances in Scotland are different from those in England and Wales, the equine sector's requirements to make progress are different.
I will ask about equine welfare. Does the minister recall various parliamentary answers about the Weeds Act 1959 that I have received in recent months? Since 1995, only four notices have been served about ragwort, which is a pernicious weed that has disastrous effects on horses. Only 70 man days were committed to enforcing the 1959 act. Will he do more to protect horses from irresponsible landowners who allow the spread of ragwort on their land?
I expect that if the equine sector felt that further action was needed on that issue, the matter would arise in the meetings that I have described. Should it arise in that forum, we would respond to any request.
Domestic Waste Recycling
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact has been of initiatives to encourage greater recycling of domestic waste. (S2O-6531)
Local authority returns prepared by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency show a recycling and composting rate of 7.97 per cent in 2002-03, rising to 12.1 per cent in 2003-04 and to 16.6 per cent from April to December 2004.
Is the minister aware of the success in West Lothian of the three-bin kerbside recycling scheme, which was introduced in March 2000? That resulted in 18 per cent of domestic waste being recycled or composted in 2004-05. West Lothian Council is confident that it will meet the interim target of 25 per cent by 2006.
We are keen to encourage swift progress around the country. We are conscious of the achievements of West Lothian and the positive projections to which Bristow Muldoon referred, which show West Lothian not only reaching but probably exceeding the targets that have been set for 2006. That is very welcome. We encourage all the authorities in Lothian and the Borders to work together to expedite the delivery of their plans as early as possible.
Demolition Activity
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review legislation on the environmental impact of, and environmental safety in relation to, demolition activity. (S2O-6539)
Under the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and other legislation, local authorities and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have powers to tackle environmental problems resulting from demolition activity. The legislation is not currently under review.
I am disappointed by the minister's response. Perhaps he will review his decision in light of the demolition activity at Motherwell Bridge Ltd in my constituency, where asbestos was involved. The agencies to which he referred refused to take responsibility for that activity. The Health and Safety Executive takes responsibility for workers during demolition, SEPA takes responsibility for removal of waste after demolition and local authorities pass on responsibility to the private contractor involved. Will he review his decision, because serious public health and environmental impacts can result from demolition activity, especially when asbestos is involved, as in the case that I have highlighted?
As Fiona Hyslop says, the HSE, as well as local authorities and SEPA, has a role to play. We expect all the agencies with responsibilities not only to fulfil their remit but to ensure that the work that they do is joined up and that there is no gap in statutory provision. The case that the member highlights does not incline me towards a different view of the legislation, but I am happy to check the current state of play. I know that there have been discussions between SEPA and the local authority concerned and I am happy to ensure that those continue.
Developers (Environmental Damage)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that environmental damage caused by developers does not adversely affect communities. (S2O-6508)
Where planning control or an environmental consent has been breached, planning authorities and regulatory bodies such as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have the powers to deal with consequent environmental damage. Those powers are kept under review.
I am sure that the minister will agree that the current regulations have varying degrees of success in ensuring that communities are protected. I could highlight a number of sites in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth where developers have begun work but failed to complete it within a satisfactory timescale, adversely affecting the communities that live around the site. I know that planning matters fall within the remit of the minister's colleague, the Minister for Communities, but will he assure me that they will work together on the forthcoming planning bill to ensure that communities such as those in Cumbernauld and Kilsyth are protected from irresponsible developers?
I have no doubt that the review of planning will consider issues of enforcement, as well as many of the other issues that have been aired in the chamber in the recent past. The Environment and Rural Affairs Department is happy, as always, to engage in discussion with colleagues on those matters.
Is the minister confident that land that was formerly used for industrial development and which is currently being reclaimed in regeneration programmes through the burial of sewage sludge is not endangering the wider environment, especially watercourses?
Specific requirements govern the spreading of sewage sludge on land, to ensure that there is no adverse environmental impact. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency has powers to act if it thinks that the spreading of sewage sludge is compromising good environmental conditions, and the agency recently used those powers. However, it is important to recognise that the spreading of sewage sludge on land, if it is done safely and properly, offers a far better means of disposal than does land filling and is therefore encouraged, as long as the necessary environmental conditions are met.
Question 7 has been withdrawn.
Subsidies (Information)
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to publish more information about the amount of subsidies that farmers receive. (S2O-6485)
The Executive publishes an annual report on the administration of the common agricultural policy in Scotland, which includes statistics on payments of subsidy. Ross Finnie announced in January that we will publish details of recipients and subsidies under the new single farm payment scheme, which became operational on 1 January, and the new rural development regulation schemes, such as the land management contract menu scheme, which came into operation this month.
Will the minister comment on recent reports that disclosure of information about payments from the common agricultural policy to individual farms in Scotland is very limited, on the spurious grounds of data protection and European legislation? How can only limited information be disclosed, if there is full disclosure of information south of the border? Is the Scottish Executive operating a freedom of information system that is inferior to the system in England?
We are certainly not operating a system that is inferior to the one in England. However, we are operating a system that is different from the one in England. The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 applies in Scotland as, of course, does Scots law. In the situation that the member identifies, as with every other case, we take legal advice on how the law applies. For example, the cases of individual farmers or crofters who are sole traders are subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998, which protects information that relates to individuals. The basis on which subsidies were provided in the past under the CAP included the protection afforded by confidentiality. However, our intention is that under the regime that replaces the CAP, individuals' names and subsidies will be made public.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park (Byelaws)
To ask the Scottish Executive when, in this calendar year, it expects to consider revised byelaws for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs national park. (S2O-6503)
The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority is currently engaged in an extensive consultation on proposals for new byelaws for Loch Lomond. I expect the authority to submit draft byelaws to ministers in December. If the draft byelaws are approved, revised byelaws will be introduced early next year.
The minister is aware of my concerns about the use of jet-skis on Loch Lomond, particularly in the light of the decision of the Lake District National Park Authority to ban jet-skis from Lake Windermere. Given that a decision will not be taken until the end of the year, what assistance will the Scottish Executive provide for interim enforcement measures?
We have already made it clear to the park authority that we will assist it in bringing forward byelaws as rapidly as it can do within the rules that govern the process. Clearly, a proper process of consultation must be followed, which is why the timetable that I described was set. However, as Jackie Baillie said, there is an issue to do with interim provision, in relation to which we have had fruitful discussions with the park authority. I expect those discussions to continue.
Further to Jackie Baillie's question, I welcome the minister's comments on the continuing discussions with the park authority about the possibility of introducing interim measures. Could one such measure be a pilot in which separate zones for different leisure or sports activities are identified on Loch Lomond, so that all users of the loch can be treated with equal respect?
The measures that the park authority decides to take are a matter for the authority. We provided additional resources to allow the authority to increase ranger presence on the loch during the summer. That will allow the authority to enforce the existing byelaws, which limit speed and promote responsible behaviour on the loch. We will discuss with the park authority any other proposals that it brings forward in relation to how it is managing within the terms of existing byelaws. The priority is to bring forward the new byelaws as quickly as possible, which is why we have provided additional resources for that process.
Flood Prevention
To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to improve flood prevention measures and whether any such measures will inform revision of the relevant planning guidelines. (S2O-6543)
We are continually looking at ways to improve flood prevention measures, and all planning guidelines are reviewed as required. We have no plans for an early review of Scottish planning policy 7, on planning and flooding, which was published last year following extensive stakeholder involvement and wider consultation.
The minister will be aware that Scottish planning policy 7 requires that the storage capacity of functional flood plains should be safeguarded. He will also be aware of the devastating floods that hit Edinburgh in 2002, when the Water of Leith overtopped its banks. Will he confirm that he will resist any attempt by the Scottish Rugby Union to convert the flood plains at Murrayfield into development land by inappropriately positioning flood walls as part of the measures that are being taken to safeguard Edinburgh from further flood damage?
Mark Ballard will be aware that a process must be followed in making and announcing decisions on specific projects. I was delighted earlier this year to open a new flood prevention scheme in Edinburgh. I look forward to seeing the full range of evidence to allow me to make a decision on the Water of Leith scheme, as it is one that has taken some time to get to its current stage. However, our overwhelming commitment in this process is to design flood prevention schemes that have the desired impact—namely, that they reduce the risk of flooding. A balance must be struck in all of that, but it is one that we will strike in the usual way, taking into account all relevant considerations.
Health and Community Care
Scottish Statistics
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, now that it has published separate Scottish data for some of the indicators on the World Health Organisation's European health for all database, it will submit a separate return for Scotland to the database to enable Scottish statistics on health to be compared on a like-for-like basis with those of other European countries; and the reasons for its position on this matter. (S2O-6487)
I need a towel wrapped round my head in a darkened room after that question, but that is another matter.
I thank the minister for that charming answer.
Care must be taken when comparing Scottish health information with results derived from other sources, such as the WHO. Different classifications, definitions and methodologies mean that results must be interpreted very carefully.
Community Hospitals
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the replies it received to its questionnaire on the current and future role of community hospitals. (S2O-6500)
The Executive is not able to publish the individual replies to its questionnaire on the current and future role of community hospitals, as they were provided in confidence. We will, however, publish a summary of the responses in May 2005.
As a result of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I have the response from Borders NHS Board in my hand. One of the interesting points that it makes about cottage community hospitals is that they provide an
The Executive recognises that it is important to develop the role of community hospitals and we are conducting a national review, as the member alluded to, on the role of community hospitals in order to develop a strategy for sustaining small, rural and community hospitals. A discussion paper on the future of community hospitals will be circulated for consultation during the summer of 2005 and a final strategy will be available by April 2006.
I recently visited the palliative care department at Borders general hospital, where I met the consultant Jim Rodgers and his dedicated staff. In light of that visit, although I welcome the investment in my constituency, does the minister recognise that one of the crucial elements of community hospitals and the delivery of palliative care to elderly people in the Borders is the link with Scottish Borders Council social work services and the voluntary sector? Will she affirm that community hospitals and local health provision, as well as the wide range of other services provided through local authorities and other agencies, make a real difference to elderly people?
Absolutely. Hospitals do not work in isolation; they need to work in partnership with local authority social services teams. Mr Purvis will be aware that an action team has been set up as part of the national framework exercise to consider specifically rural access to health services. We look forward with interest to the team's report.
Sexual Health
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards implementing its strategy and action plan for improving sexual health. (S2O-6545)
I fully appreciate the expectations of members and of key stakeholders following publication of the strategy. Of course, full implementation cannot occur overnight. However, two key workshops have been held. The first, for clinicians and board executive directors, was held on 16 February, to consider the clinical services implications of the strategy. The second workshop, on 24 March, was for key stakeholders who commission services, to help them to consider how best to implement the strategy. Following on from those workshops, we have now received all board clinical sexual health plans. We are considering them in the context of disbursing funds from the additional £5 million per annum over the next three years for implementing the strategy. The national sexual health advisory committee will have a crucial role in monitoring progress and supporting implementation of the strategy. Letters seeking nominations to the committee were issued earlier this week.
I thank the minister both for his answer and for his efforts in keeping the cross-party group on sexual health informed of developments. It has been three months since he made a commitment to the Parliament to seek time for a full debate on the sexual health strategy. Has the time now come to hold that debate, given that decisions are now being made and the direction of the strategy's implementation is being determined? I would not have wanted a debate immediately; as we agreed at the time, we needed time to digest the material. However, will he now make a clear commitment that Parliament will have a debate on these important issues at least before the summer recess?
Presiding Officer, I am not sure of the rules about making a clear commitment. I have absolutely no problem with bringing to the forefront in the chamber the issues that affect us in Scotland with regard to sexual health and our sexual health strategy. I am happy to raise the matter with the relevant parties, starting with my colleague Margaret Curran, because, like Patrick Harvie, I believe that we should discuss the strategy in the chamber. Things are moving on—indeed, significant things have happened over the past few months—so I would be happy to debate the matter in due course.
Is it the case that the incidence of under-age pregnancy has increased in Scotland in recent times, as has the spread of sexual disease among young people? Does that perhaps suggest that the new enlightened policy on sexual health education, for young people in particular, is going in the wrong direction?
No, I do not think that it suggests that. We cannot single out aspects of our sexual health strategy—or, indeed, the position of society as a whole—without factoring in issues of equality, deprivation, education, community well-being and confidence. All those things contribute to our sexual well-being and sexual health, so I do not make the assumption that Phil Gallie makes about the work that we are doing. Whatever he may say, I think that he should take time to visit some of the much-valued services in our community and to speak to the professionals involved in delivering those services, as I, Rhona Brankin and others have done.
National Health Demonstration Projects
To ask the Scottish Executive how the work of the four national health demonstration projects is being developed to inform practice across Scotland. (S2O-6509)
Phase 2 of three demonstration projects—have a heart Paisley, healthy respect and starting well—has been launched, together with evaluation reports and learning materials from phase 1. Three national learning networks, based at NHS Health Scotland, are leading in the key role of sharing learning and informing national practice throughout Scotland. The fourth demonstration project—the cancer challenge—became Scotland's contribution to the United Kingdom colorectal cancer screening pilot. It is being continued while plans for national roll-out are developed as part of the bowel cancer framework, which was launched in April 2004.
I welcome the progress that has been made, but does the minister agree that valuable lessons on how infant and maternal health can be improved can be learned from the starting well project? In particular, will she join me in recognising the contribution that multidisciplinary teams have made to the project, which involves health visitors, lay health support workers and many others, including community nursery nurses? Will she assure me that, in the on-going debate about future health service provision, she will work to ensure that appropriate attention and investment are given to the vital work that goes on in people's homes and in people's communities and that the debate does not focus only on hospitals and other bricks-and-mortar issues?
Absolutely. One of the key lessons in phase 1 of starting well was the need for inter-agency work. The importance of the phase 2 development is that it will focus on the needs of the most vulnerable children—aged zero to five—and their families throughout Glasgow. The work will be done through a multidisciplinary and multi-agency team, which will include social work, health and education. Through referral from generic services, starting well will pilot common assessment processes among groups of professionals and multi-agency partners. The work will be developed through the "Health for All Children" guidance, the fourth edition of which has now been launched.
NHS 24
To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the current performance of NHS 24. (S2O-6489)
The Health Department continues to receive weekly reports on performance from NHS 24 and tracks significant trends closely. We recognise that more needs to be done to ensure that NHS 24 improves the services that it provides to the public. A major programme of work is under way within NHS 24, in partnership with local NHS boards, to bring about those service improvements. The internal programme of work is running in parallel with the independent review, which was announced in February. The review team has been asked to provide an interim report by the end of May and a final report—with recommended actions for NHS 24, NHS boards and the Health Department—by the end of September.
I welcome the minister's comments, in particular his recognition that all is not well with NHS 24—the acknowledgment that there are difficulties is a starting point from which we can work to improve the service for the safety and health of our constituents. In the light of the concerns that general practitioners now regularly express in the media about the quality of advice that is given to patients who phone NHS 24 and of the volume of constituency cases that come to me on the subject, will the minister assure the Parliament that he will look carefully at the feedback from the review groups and make early recommendations on how the performance of NHS 24 can be improved for the safety of all our constituents?
Absolutely. I share some of John Swinney's concerns—he has written to me on a number of occasions about the performance of NHS 24. However, NHS 24 is a large service that deals with a multitude of calls. On many occasions, the calls go perfectly well. In response to some of the more negative press articles, I point out that I have received many letters of support from the public about their personal experiences of using NHS 24. I have also visited NHS 24 and seen some of the work done by the excellent front-line staff, who deal with a million calls per annum.
I thank the minister for his continuing commitment to reviewing NHS 24. The organisation has had problems in the recruitment and retention of staff. Will he work with NHS 24 to consider more imaginative ways of recruiting staff, such as secondments from other parts of the NHS?
NHS 24 offers flexible employment opportunities; it offers nurses and others a different way of working in the health service. Staff to whom I have spoken—both on formal visits and informally—want to balance eye-to-eye engagement with patients in hospitals or other care environments with engagement through the telephone-based system. Both systems are equally valid.
We have to go now to—
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I will check the timings in the Official Report tomorrow, but it seems to me that ministers have taken an inordinately long time to answer questions. As a result, only five health questions have been asked. I ask the Presiding Officers to look into that and to come back at some future time to tell the chamber what length of answers is acceptable.
If members check the Official Report, they will find that we covered nine environment questions in 21 minutes and five health questions in 21 minutes. Members will also see that the health questions were significantly longer than other questions.
Not all of them.
No, not all of them, but the health questions were generally longer. The answers were also longer. The consequence, of course, is that we got through fewer questions. I do not have any power to direct either the questioners, so long as they are asking pertinent questions, or the ministers, so long as they are giving answers. For ministers, it is a matter of judgment whether they require to give detailed information in answer to specific questions, or whether they wish to answer more questions.
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First Minister's Question Time