SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
We now come to question time. I will add on three minutes of injury time to each section of question time.
Roadworks (Utility Companies)
To ask the Scottish Executive what research it is undertaking into any link between roadworks carried out by utility companies and levels of city congestion. (S1O-3672)
Our transport research programme includes a project on assessing the effectiveness of roadworks. The results of the project will help measure the impact of roadworks by utility companies on urban congestion, and on other road users.
Is the minister aware of the high level of failure of reinstatement roadworks after utilities have had the roads up? Is he aware of the recently published roads authorities and utilities committee Scotland report, which indicates, for example, that there was a pass rate of 19 per cent in Glasgow and 28 per cent in South Lanarkshire for such repairs? Does he accept that it is high time that there were some effective national standards on those matters and that consideration might be given to restricting the times at which the utilities companies uplift the roads? Does he also accept that some attention should be paid to the financial implications of the damage that is done to the fabric of the roads and pavements of our cities?
We recognise the concerns that Robert Brown mentions. They are among the matters that the research that I mentioned will investigate. Sarah Boyack also gave a commitment some time ago to the Transport and the Environment Committee, to consult on precisely the matters that Robert Brown raises and how best they should be tackled. We will carry out that commitment in the summer.
Is the minister aware of the recent damning report on the standard of the reinstatement work that is done in Dundee by the utility companies after they have dug up the roads and pavements in the city?
The research that we have commissioned will certainly build on the findings of the report to which Shona Robison refers. We will seek to measure the impact of roadworks that are carried out by utilities companies, and will consider reinstatement time, which Robert Brown mentioned. A number of options will be open to us once we have completed that study, and we will consult on those options. Powers exist under the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 for local authorities to introduce charges for delays in the completion of roadworks. We will consult on that and consider whether it would be appropriate for us to follow the same course here.
Argyll and Clyde Health Board (Meetings)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of Argyll and Clyde Health Board. (S1O-3646)
My officials and I regularly meet representatives of all health boards and national health service trusts, including those in Argyll and Clyde. The chief executive of the NHS in Scotland and other officials met representatives of Argyll and Clyde Health Board and its NHS trusts on
Does the minister have any comment to make on a letter from Mr D L Ellis, consultant haematologist at Inverclyde royal hospital, which says:
Order. We cannot have a long speech—
Mr Ellis says:
Let us talk about investment in the NHS in Argyll and Clyde. I am happy to do so: in the current year, Argyll and Clyde Health Board's budget is £384 million, which is a 5.5 per cent increase compared with last year. We have given a commitment that, next year, there will be an increase of at least 6.5 per cent. I think that that is testament to our commitment to invest in the health service, to invest in services and to ensure that patients benefit from the improvements.
Does the minister accept that, as I said in relation to the Minister for Finance and Local Government's statement earlier today, there seems to be a real problem in getting the money that we allocate into front-line services? I was comforted to hear Angus MacKay say that he would do all that he could to ensure that that happened in future.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
On we go. I call Susan Deacon.
I am delighted to give Duncan McNeil the assurance that he has asked for. We produced the national maternity services framework because we realise that there are certain key standards and principles in the organisation of maternity care that ought to apply across the country. That framework was developed with the full co-operation of a range of clinicians, including midwives, and with women themselves. Like every other health board, Argyll and Clyde Health Board will be required to demonstrate that any plans that it has for maternity services comply with that framework and accord with its principles.
Before we go any further, I remind members that the standing orders are specific in saying that supplementary questions must be brief. Therefore, long quotations in the middle of supplementary questions are inconsistent with the standing orders.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer.
Is it on the point that I have just made?
No. I would like an explanation of why I was cut off during my question.
I drew attention to the fact that you were quoting a long statement. I simply read out to you what the standing orders say. We must all obey standing orders. If members want to change them, they can do that.
Scottish Advisory Committee on<br />Alcohol Misuse
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made by the Scottish Advisory Committee on Alcohol Misuse. (S1O-3660)
The Scottish Advisory Committee on Alcohol Misuse, which I chair, is closely involved in advising the Executive on the development of a national plan for action on alcohol misuse. Our wide-ranging consultation exercise on the action that is required runs to the end of June.
Once again, in the past couple of weeks, a teenager has died from acute alcohol overdose. That is a timely reminder of the significance of underage drinking. What steps are being taken to improve young people's understanding of alcohol misuse?
Richard Simpson raises an important issue. Young people are one of the key groups on which our action plan will focus, although they are by no means the only such group. We have commissioned a piece of work from Save the Children to establish young people's views on alcohol. That will help us to decide how we can engage most effectively with young people on that important matter. The action plan will focus on both prevention and education, and on developing a framework for treatment and support services.
In today's budget statement, the Minister for Finance and Local Government announced an additional £28 million, on top of £100 million last year, to tackle drugs issues. That money is welcome. However, why is only £2.5 million over three years being directed at dealing with alcohol misuse, when alcohol abuse is a far greater problem than drugs misuse? The bill for drink-related crime is running at £50 million per annum and national health service costs for dealing with alcohol-related illnesses stand at £180 million. Does the minister agree that that represents an enormous imbalance in resources? What is being done about that?
As I indicated in my answer to Dr Simpson's question, the action plan will lead to the creation of a framework for support and treatment services. It will involve an audit of existing services, because a great deal of money is already spent on dealing with alcohol misuse. We will, therefore, address the issue that Christine Grahame raises. I remind Christine Grahame that, on the ground, many of the drug action teams work on drugs and alcohol together.
Will the work and findings of the Scottish Advisory Committee on Alcohol Misuse be included in the current Health Technology Board for Scotland appraisal of alcohol intervention?
We want to see how all the bits of work add up. I am sure that the Health Technology Board will want to examine the action plan on alcohol misuse, just as the Scottish Advisory Committee on Alcohol Misuse will pay heed to what the Health Technology Board says on such matters.
“Better Behaviour—Better Learning”
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take into account the cost implications for rural local authorities of implementing the recommendations in the report by the discipline task force, "Better Behaviour—Better Learning". (S1O-3639)
Many of the task force recommendations can be implemented within existing education budgets or through better targeting of the excellence fund, which is currently under review. The allocation of any additional resources that are provided will take into account local needs and circumstances.
I am glad that the Executive is not adopting a head-in-the-sand approach to discipline.
Some of the resources will, rightly, come from local education budgets. Some of the best facilities that I have seen in recent weeks for dealing with behavioural problems are in Highland, where the council has been using its resources to develop such facilities in places such as Lochaber High School. That work is already under way in many authorities. We will, of course, consider better targeting of the excellence fund, with a view to improving the use of those resources. At all times, resources will be allocated on the basis of need, as opposed to any other basis.
Legislative Programme
To ask the Scottish Executive when it proposes to inform the Parliament of its legislative intentions for 2001-02. (S1O-3666)
The First Minister will make a statement on the Executive's legislative intentions after the summer recess.
In March, the Executive published its proposals for the reform of wildlife legislation and, generally, those proposals have been well received. Does the minister agree that it is important that those proposals are implemented? Without the necessary legal changes, wildlife criminals will target Scotland, and our special sites will continue to deteriorate. Does the minister also agree that not introducing such legislation could be interpreted as a sign that the Executive's reshuffle has downgraded its commitment to the environment?
I am happy to confirm that the Executive attaches considerable importance to the subject raised by Mr Harper. There is a list of priorities for our legislative intentions, but we recognise the importance of that subject and I assure him that we will look for the appropriate legislative vehicle to give our intentions proper expression as soon as possible.
I congratulate the Scottish Executive on highlighting a willingness to pursue the goal of equal access to justice for all, and particularly for those who have survived crimes of sexual violence, through the introduction today of the Sexual Offences (Procedure and Evidence) (Scotland) Bill. Will the minister reassure me that there will be a continuing willingness to challenge the all-too-conservative approach of many in the legal system in future legislative programmes?
I am more than happy to confirm that that will be the Executive's approach.
Will the Minister for Parliament confirm whether the new debt recovery measures will be introduced after the summer recess? Will he guarantee that the appropriate Scottish statutory instruments to implement the Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Act 2001 will also be introduced after the summer recess?
As I said in my earlier answer, the First Minister will make a statement after the summer recess on our legislative intentions. I am sure that Mr Neil is well aware that it would be inappropriate for me to say anything that pre-empted that statement.
Trunk Roads (Maintenance Contracts)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure proper monitoring of the current trunk roads maintenance contracts. (S1O-3635)
The Scottish Executive employs a performance audit group to audit and report on compliance with the quality plan, which the operating companies have agreed with us as part of their responsibility under the terms of their contracts. The companies are also required to provide information in relation to 30 key performance indicators.
I wonder whether one of those key performance indicators is the maintenance of grass verges. I have never seen the grass verges in East Kilbride look so poor. It was mid-June before the first cut took place, and it was a shambles. In my view, health and safety rules were broken and the quality of the work was poor.
We are aware of certain areas in which grass cutting and other roadside issues have not been addressed as quickly as they should have been. We are also aware of other areas in which contract compliance has not been as quick as it should have been.
On 10 May, Rhona Brankin, the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development, said that the new operating companies had had to tackle the backlog of litter left on motorways
Litter is an area for which some of the responsibilities between local authorities and those who maintained trunk roads were blurred when trunk road maintenance was carried out by local authorities. I have no doubt that councils and the trunk road maintenance operating companies will be in communication about that matter. Members should be aware that responsibility for removing litter on trunk roads is not universally that of the trunk road maintenance operating companies. On streets that are neither motorways nor special roads, litter remains the responsibility of the local authority.
Does the minister accept that one of the most worrying consequences of the award of the trunk road maintenance contracts has been the proposed closure of road depots, such as the depots at Killin and Kinross? Will he agree to keep a watchful eye on that issue, as it could seriously affect both maintenance and road clearance?
We are keeping a watchful eye on the clearance and maintenance of roads, both those that are the responsibility of local authorities and those that are the responsibility of the trunk road operating companies.
The minister will also be aware of the problems with uncut verges on South Ayrshire roads. Will he undertake to work with South Ayrshire Council to resolve the issues, given that safety is also at stake?
I am aware of those issues. Only last week, Cathy Jamieson raised a similar issue with Sarah Boyack, as a result of which Sarah Boyack has been in contact with the contractor for that area and with South Ayrshire Council. In that case, interim measures are in place that will result in work being done by the contractor.
Education (Early-intervention Schemes)
To ask the Scottish Executive what impact early-intervention schemes are having on literacy and numeracy standards. (S1O-3675)
The impact of the early-intervention programme and other initiatives to raise attainment can be seen in the five to 14 national survey of attainment. The overall number of pupils who achieved appropriate levels in reading for P3 to P7 has risen from 73.1 per cent to 76.4 per cent. The equivalent figures for writing rose from 60.4 per cent to 66.4 per cent, and for mathematics from 76.4 per cent to 76.7 per cent. I expect those figures to continue to rise as the benefits of the early-intervention programme and other initiatives continue to feed through the school system.
I thank the minister for that detailed response and welcome the positive news. Does the minister agree that it is vital that we involve parents in such initiatives if we are to ensure meaningful change in the standards that are attained by Scotland's children? Does he agree that early intervention presents an opportunity to improve future school discipline by accepting the discipline task force's recommendations to involve parents at an early stage?
Karen Whitefield will be aware of the good work that the early-intervention programme has achieved in her constituency and—neighbours as we are—in mine. The programme has helped parental involvement in primary schools. The early-intervention programme can help in a number of different ways and can build a strong relationship between parents and schools that will last for the rest of a child's school life. It will undoubtedly help to prevent discipline problems from occurring in later years.
I am glad to hear that the minister, who is a former teacher, has an interest in basic literacy. I have just received a letter from a graduate who spelled denim as "denham". There is a national assumption that we have reached a standard of English up with which we will not put. Will the minister kindly consult teachers to see whether there is, for instance, over-use of computer spellchecks, which are about as reliable as weather forecasts and political promises?
I had better give a cautious and grammatically correct answer. Dorothy-Grace Elder is known for many things, but poor use of English is not one of them.
Freight Facilities Grants
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will evaluate the impact of freight facilities grants in diverting freight from road to rail. (S1O-3647)
The Executive recently commissioned a research study that will inform the development of a strategic view about priorities for rail, inland waterway and sea freight movements around Scotland. An integral part of the work will be to assess the rail projects now up and running with the aid of freight facilities grants from the Scottish Executive.
From correspondence that I have had with his office, the minister will be aware of the concerns in East Ayrshire that opencast mining companies have not fully fulfilled their part of the bargain in shifting coal from road to rail through railheads funded by freight facilities grants. Does the minister agree that the construction of railheads and of haul routes to supply them has a damaging effect on the environment and that such things should not be publicly subsidised without cast-iron guarantees that the benefits derived will outweigh the costs for the local communities concerned?
I am indeed aware of the issue that the member raises. It is a condition of the freight facilities grant that the money is spent in the way that the member describes. Systems are in place and we will conduct further research to ensure that money is spent in that way. We do not want to divert from the policy directive of encouraging the shift from road to rail, but we will investigate any significant complaints of breaches.
Does the minister accept that there is a downside to transferring freight from rail to road? Does he have any plans to provide grants for railside dwellers who have suffered considerable build-up in noise and vibration nuisance as a consequence of the recent build-up of freight on rail?
I think that Mr Gallie said "from rail to road" but I am sure that he meant "from road to rail".
Indeed. I apologise.
Our policy objective is to encourage the shift from road to rail. People will clearly want to raise any impact on neighbourhoods with their local authorities. However, let us be clear that there is an overall strategic purpose behind the encouragement of that modal shift—we want environmental gains and we want benefit to people for whom road usage is essential and to communities that are affected by lorry movements. We will not be deflected from our objective of transferring 18 million lorry miles from road to rail. As the member may know, we have upped that target in the past few months. I advise communities that have concerns to take them up with their local authorities. Clearly, the planning provision that exists for rail transport should take the levels of freight movement into account.
Is the minister aware that Peter D Stirling Ltd, a haulage company that operates out of the Mossend railhead facility in my constituency, has encountered difficulty in obtaining a freight facilities grant for the past 18 months? Is he further aware that for many years the company has been taking freight from road on to rail and that the delays are preventing the company from expanding and increasing the levels of freight that it transfers? Can the minister assure me that the obstacles—which appear to include the fact that the company deals with 17 commodities rather than just one—will be addressed with greater urgency?
Michael McMahon is right to draw our attention to one of the problems with the freight facilities grant, which is that it is in many ways a victim of its own success. Applications have been outstanding for too long precisely because of the freight industry's level of interest in obtaining public support for the transfer from road to rail. We are urgently addressing those issues.
Lamb Market
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support a private storage scheme for the lamb market. (S1O-3677)
The prospects for the sheep and lamb trade over the remainder of the year are of great concern to the Scottish Executive. All options to help with the situation, including the possible use of private storage of lamb, are being considered.
I am delighted to hear that that measure is being considered. Is the minister aware of the extent to which the lamb market could end up in crisis if there is not a return to fair and open trade by the end of this year? There is a disaster waiting to happen—one that we do not want to see.
We acknowledge the importance of exports to the Scottish livestock industry, especially to sheep producers in more remote areas. The Minister for Environment and Rural Development will be discussing with the other UK agriculture ministers the best way to put a case to the European Union that will result in exports recommencing. It is anticipated that any requirements that will be imposed by the EU to achieve that will be demanding, but I assure Alex Johnstone that we are very aware of the seriousness of the case and will do all that we can to support those farmers.
Will the minister undertake to examine urgently opening up existing livestock auction marts, specifically in the provisionally free area, given that sales are but a matter of weeks away? Will she also consider allowing slaughtered animals to leave the islands—Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles in particular—because, as no animals will be coming into the islands, there will be no disease issues?
We acknowledge the important role that is played by breeding sales and store sales in Scotland. We also appreciate how important it is to get a decision soon on whether sales will be able to go ahead in the foreseeable future. However, livestock sales were directly implicated in the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and mixing animals and farmers from throughout the country and concentrating vehicles, which can spread disease, pose a serious risk. We do not rule out some controlled market transactions this autumn, but we cannot give any guarantees, as the subject is being examined thoroughly. In answer to Tavish Scott's second question, we will be looking at the issue he raises.
Economic Growth
To ask the Scottish Executive what its target rate of growth is for the economy. (S1O-3669)
The Executive is committed to increasing Scotland's prosperity and to stimulating high levels of sustainable growth. We are pursuing that through a range of policies and programmes, including those embraced in our strategy for the enterprise network, "A Smart, Successful Scotland".
In the absence of a target, I suggest that the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Gaelic gets one and gets one fast. Is the minister proud that after four years of the Labour party being in government, Scotland's economy is growing more slowly than any other economy in Europe? That is not an abstract statistic; it affects the standard of living of everyone in Scotland. Our economy is growing sluggishly. Labour isn't working. Far from this being the golden age that the Labour party presented last month, the Scottish economy is slugging along. Is the minister satisfied with that? What does he intend to do?
I am delighted that Andrew Wilson managed to get through last night's festivities unscathed because, as we know, last year he was the recipient of special hospitality. However, with regard to last night, I congratulate him. The same cannot be said in connection with the Swinney shuffle, which gripped the nation two days ago.
If there is no target—I share Andrew Wilson's concern, because there ought to be one—does the minister consider it germane to his ambitions for the economy to comment on the recent report by the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee on the new economy and its impact on Scotland? What aspects of that report in particular does he consider helpful?
We are considering that report. We are grateful to the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, with which we work constructively. Increasing Scotland's rate of growth is set out in our enterprise strategy, which lays out the international conditions for economic success, growing businesses and ensuring that the country is globally connected.
Education (Scottish Borders)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any concerns with regard to the provision of education in the Scottish Borders. (S1O-3650)
I share current local concerns about Scottish Borders Council's education budget and I expect the council to do all in its power to ensure its continued ability to provide a high quality of education in its schools.
The minister is well aware of the £3.9 million hole in Scottish Borders Council's education budget, to which he did not refer. Is he aware of the consequences of that hole? Today, I received a letter from a teacher about the cancellation of national grid for learning computers. Her question, which I will adopt as my own, is:
The immediate priority is to resolve the financial crisis, to deal with some of the internal implications of that in Scottish Borders Council and to do so with minimal impact on the education service in the Borders. I hope that the council is considering the most creative solutions to ensure that it can balance its books and not damage the local education service. The problem concerns the council's budget and is its responsibility, which I hope it takes seriously.
The chamber will understand how distressed, upset and angry I am at the turn of events, as I taught in the Borders for 30 years. Does the minister agree that there must be complete transparency and accountability on financial matters? Public disquiet will be satisfied only if a clear process of external scrutiny is established.
I am prepared to consider a role for the inspectorate, but that would have to be over a longer period—it could not happen overnight. The immediate issues that require to be addressed are balancing the books and minimising the impact on the education service this year. I hope that Scottish Borders Council is taking that seriously. I continue to monitor the situation. Transparency is vital. I hope that the council has made sufficient provision in reserves or otherwise for such an emergency to be tackled properly locally.
Has the minister investigated complaints referred to him by Euan Robson that ring-fenced money that was awarded for schools in the Borders was clawed back by the council to offset its overspending? If so, what has he found? What will he do to ensure that money that is meant for schools and their pupils gets there to meet issues such as that highlighted by Christine Grahame about the roll-out of modern network computers?
Earlier today, demands were made for an immediate announcement about money for schools in this year's budget. One reason why that announcement has been delayed is that I want to be clear that the money for schools that was announced last winter reached schools. We asked Scottish Borders Council to publish information locally about the allocation of money to schools, but it has not done so yet, despite the fact that the deadline is tomorrow. I want to be sure that that money is being spent. I am monitoring the situation, but I understand that the example that Mr Tosh discussed relates to different allocations of finance and that money has gone through. We want to see that information in black and white in a proper report.
Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that patient care does not suffer as a result of any cuts to be made by Grampian University Hospitals NHS Trust. (S1O-3636)
Grampian Health Board's budget for this year is almost £440 million. That represents an increase on last year of £21.3 million—or 5.5 per cent—which is well above the rate of inflation. It is the responsibility of Grampian Health Board and its NHS trusts to manage those resources effectively and to ensure that the needs of patients are met.
Is the minister aware that it is feared in Grampian that local health services are about to implode as NHS bosses prepare to inflict a further £9 million of cuts on an already overstretched budget? The public are concerned that that will lead to greater postcode prescribing, a cut in general services and longer waiting times. Will the minister reassure residents of Grampian that she will consider allocating some of the unallocated £86 million of her budget announced by the Minister for Finance and Local Government to ensure that people's worst fears in Grampian are not realised?
I was struck to hear of Dorothy-Grace Elder's interest in use of the English language. Perhaps she could encourage her colleagues to be a wee bit more precise in their use of language. Richard Lochhead is apparently concerned about the fears of local people. Perhaps he should think about not feeding those fears by talking about a package of cuts when Grampian Health Board and its component trusts are developing a package of measures. The board set out that the package would
Will the minister assure me that Grampian Health Board will benefit from the £286 million increase in health spending that was announced this morning? That money would enable Aberdeen and the north-east to continue to build on current improvements that were made possible through previous increases in health spending, such as has happened with the new children's hospital for Grampian.
I am delighted to assure Elaine Thomson that Grampian will benefit from the £286 million of additional resources for health that was announced this morning by Angus MacKay. Over the weeks ahead, I look forward to setting out further details of how that investment will be put to work for the people of Grampian and for those in other parts of Scotland.
Scottish Parliament (Elections)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has been consulted by Her Majesty's Government on the potential impact on the coalition partnership of any proposals to change the method of electing additional members of the Scottish Parliament. (S1O-3655)
No. As far as the Scottish Executive is concerned, no such proposals exist.
Will the Executive make it clear that it is absolutely opposed to any reduction in the number of members of the Scottish Parliament? In view of the fact that any political party may have a vested interest—real or imagined—in its own preferred voting system, will the Executive demand the setting up of an independent commission to consider any change that may be made to the method of election to the Scottish Parliament? Will it demand such a commission rather than have a unilateral decision imposed by the ruling party at Westminster—a party that was elected with the support of less than a quarter of the electorate?
I have to preface my reply by making it perfectly clear that, under the Scotland Act 1998, those matters are reserved to the Westminster Parliament. As Mr Canavan knows, on previous occasions the First Minister has made it clear that we will do our best to secure the Parliament's existing number of members. That will involve discussion with our Westminster colleagues. I stress that that decision is ultimately reserved to the Westminster Parliament, but we recognise the concerns that have been raised and we will do our best to echo them.
The Minister for Parliament is aware that his answer will give some reassurance to members of the Parliament. Will he make it clear that the Scottish Parliament and the Executive will be fully involved in any discussions before proposals for fundamental constitutional changes are put forward?
It was my intention that my previous remarks would offer some reassurance to members of the Scottish Parliament on that subject. I stress again that I recognise absolutely the right of the Westminster Parliament to decide on these matters. As I said earlier, we will engage in discussions with our colleagues in Westminster, but the Scotland Act 1998 is the act that applies. As all members are aware, under that act, these matters are reserved. As Lord James Douglas-Hamilton rightly said, my previous remarks should offer some reassurance.
The forthcoming review of parliamentary boundaries will make it necessary to review electoral arrangements for the Scottish Parliament. Does the minister agree that the opportunity should be taken to clarify the role of members who are elected to the Parliament from party lists and to address the ludicrous anomalies such as the situation in Pinkie Road, Musselburgh which is represented not only by me and Susan Deacon but by no fewer than 14 MSPs who were elected under the assisted places scheme? [Interruption.]
Let us hear the answer.
We always want to examine anomalies, but it is important that we recognise that we first need to engage in discussions about the size of the Parliament. We want to do nothing that suggests to our Westminster colleagues that we are in any way being pre-emptive. The discussions that will be held will be of a delicate nature. I hope that every member in the chamber recognises that fact and will constrain their comments accordingly.
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