Plenary, 28 Sep 2006

Meeting date: Thursday, September 28, 2006

Official Report 754KB pdf

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Question Time

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SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

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Justice and Law Officers

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Dispersal Orders

To ask the Scottish Executive how many dispersal orders have been implemented in Scotland. (S2O-10654)

The use of dispersal orders is monitored on a six-monthly basis. The most recent statistics covering the period to the end of September will be available shortly. We are currently aware of dispersal orders having been used in eight locations across Scotland.

Does the minister agree that the presence of uniformed police officers, rather than the use—or, in this case, the lack of use—of new legislation is the most effective way of dealing with public disorder? Will he join me in welcoming the current drive by Grampian police to recruit more than 100 new uniformed police officers for our north-east communities?

I certainly welcome the recruitment of additional police officers. As the member knows, police numbers in Scotland are at record levels. I am delighted that this Government has been able to deliver that.

However, I do not agree with the member's other conclusion. Yes, visible policing in communities can make a difference, but I know from talking to people in the areas where a dispersal notice has been used that the communities are absolutely delighted and that the local police see dispersal orders as an effective means of tackling a persistent problem. A combination of action is needed to make improvements and visible policing is but one component of that.

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Justice Policy (Young People)

To ask the Scottish Executive how young people are involved in shaping its justice policy. (S2O-10662)

Wherever appropriate, young people have been involved in shaping the reforms of our justice system, through research, focus groups and direct consultation.

I thank the minister for her response, which is to be welcomed. I also thank her for her letter, which I received today, following my question to the First Minister last week.

The minister will be aware that all too often young people themselves are the victims of youth crime. Does she acknowledge that there is more of an opportunity to involve young people in the formulation of justice policy not only at a national level but with the community justice authorities and in the individual antisocial behaviour plans that local authorities have to put together? Will she consider the wider use of young people in shaping justice policy, which, ultimately, will make it more effective?

As the member is aware, I have something of a history in working for an organisation that helped to shape various pieces of policy before I came to the Parliament as a member, so I have a particular interest in the issue.

It is appropriate that we look to involve young people correctly and not in a token way. Huge strides forward have been taken in the past few years in relation to how local authorities and other public sector organisations involve and consult people. This Parliament also has a good record in that respect. I hope that we can build on the work that has been done and ensure that the policies that we develop meet the needs of all the people of Scotland.

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Bail Conditions

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it intends to take to address the rising incidence of breaches of bail conditions and what guidance it issues regarding the granting of bail to accused individuals with a record of repeat offending, particularly bail breaches. (S2O-10653)

Provisions in the Criminal Proceedings etc (Reform) (Scotland) Bill will increase the custodial sentences available for breach of bail conditions and ensure that those sentences will be served in addition to any other sentence, sending out a clear message that people on bail are in a position of trust and that abuse of bail will not be tolerated.

Decisions on each case are of course for the court to make in accordance with the law and the individual facts of the case. The Lord Advocate issues guidance to procurators fiscal, which makes clear the prime importance of protecting the public and securing the course of justice. He will update that guidance before the bail provisions in the bill come into force to underline the importance that he gives to dealing with bail breaches.

The minister will be aware that in Tayside the number of bail breaches has rocketed from 244 in 1997 to 1,885 in 2004—the most recent figures. I am sure that there have been similar increases throughout Scotland. The numbers include people involved in high-profile cases, such as the one involving my constituent Robert Basterfield, about whom Tayside police are so concerned that they are seeking a sexual offences prevention order, which will subsist for a minimum of five years. I do not expect the minister to discuss the details of that case, but does she think that the time is now right to consider a three-strikes-and-you're-out policy for bail breaches? Perhaps the policy should be known as a three-bail-breaches-and-you're-in—in custody, that is—policy.

I am aware of the case to which Roseanna Cunningham refers. She accepts that it would be inappropriate for me to go into its details.

I sound a cautionary note on the notion that three bail breaches would have to occur before anything was done. In many cases in which bail has been breached, it is absolutely right and proper for the court to have the option to do something there and then. I certainly do not want to give out the message that there are good reasons for courts accepting any breach of bail. We are trying to tighten up the procedures and, as I said in the recent debate on the issue, to ensure that the wider public interest and public safety are taken into account by the courts.

Sarah Boyack is not in the chamber to ask question 4.

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Crime and Safety Awareness Days (Schools)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to support crime and safety awareness days at schools throughout Scotland following the success of the event run by the No-Way Trust at Ross high school, Tranent, on 12 September 2006. (S2O-10677)

The Scottish Executive already supports the promotion of crime and safety awareness in schools. We have provided funds to supply schools with a DVD about knife crime and helped to fund an initiative through the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency to provide schools throughout Scotland with greater awareness about drug misuse. We also provide funds to community safety partnerships. Obviously, it is up to local partnerships to decide how best to use the funds that are available.

Will the minister commend the No-Way Trust on its hard-hitting session in which role-playing pupils were arrested, interviewed and charged by real police officers, prosecuted by real fiscals and then locked up by real prison officers, all of whom gave up their time voluntarily? Does she agree that such events can do much to promote good citizenship and deter crime? Ross high school had to raise money for the event on 12 September. Will the Executive consider the case for funding the excellent work of the No-Way Trust in promoting such events at schools throughout Scotland?

I am aware of the work of the No-Way Trust and certainly support any initiative that gives our young people the opportunity to understand better the need to be a good citizen, to recognise the impact of their actions on others and to have a better understanding of our legal system and our justice system more generally. I am sure that the experiences that those young people gained will have a lasting impact on them. They could also have a lasting impact on the member, who did not say whether he was arrested and held by the officers whom he mentioned. Perhaps that is something for the future.

On a serious note, it is important to recognise that we provide funding locally and that we want local community safety partnerships to have discretion in their use of funds. However, I will reconsider the issues that John Home Robertson has mentioned and provide him with a fuller response to his question.

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Sentencing

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will respond to the recommendations in the Sentencing Commission for Scotland's report on the scope to improve consistency in sentencing. (S2O-10687)

I recognise the public concern about consistency in sentencing, which is why we asked the Sentencing Commission for Scotland to consider the subject. I welcome the publication of the commission's report and will carefully study its recommendations before I decide how to progress that important aspect of the criminal justice system.

I look forward to the Executive's response to the commission's thoughtful and well-argued report. However, how will the minister respond to the representative of the faculty of procurators of Greenock, who said that

"standardisation would be an impossibility"?

Does she agree that handing down wildly different sentences for similar crimes undermines public confidence in the courts? Is not consistent sentencing in the interests of everyone who is involved in the justice system?

It is important to understand that the Sentencing Commission for Scotland has not proposed the standardisation of sentences. It is important that judges consider all the facts of each case that is before them before they decide on the appropriate course of action.

The commission's report contains recommendations that would, if they were adopted, mean the creation of a new statutory body that would give advice on sentencing in Scotland by preparing draft sentencing guidelines for consideration by the appeal court of the High Court of Justiciary. Of course, ministers would need to be involved in a number of other matters. I do not think that the issue is about standardisation; it is about addressing the question of consistency, which has been our aim.

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Women Offenders

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on extending across Scotland the range of interventions targeting the specific offending needs of women. (S2O-10675)

The Executive has taken forward a wide range of measures in response to the 2002 report from the ministerial group on women offenders. That includes the successful 218 time-out centre In Glasgow.

The needs of women offenders are one of the top priorities in our strategy for reducing reoffending, which we published in May, and we have set up a short-life group with people who have a wide range of practical experience in working with women offenders. The group has met twice and is looking at the lessons from the 218 centre and preparing a blueprint on what more can be done for women through the new community justice authorities.

I am glad to hear that the issue is still a top priority for the Executive. However, I am concerned about the length of time for which we have been talking about it and the slow progress that we are making. Are there plans to set targets and a timeline for the reduction in the number of women who are inappropriately placed in prison? I am concerned that, although lots is going on in the justice portfolio, some of it has not been gender proofed. For instance, the Sentencing Commission for Scotland's report, to which Duncan McNeil just referred, does not mention women at all, and we know that women are imprisoned for lesser crimes than those for which men are imprisoned.

Marlyn Glen makes a number of interesting points. I know that she has taken a particular interest in the issue. The wider reforms of the justice system in general are designed to benefit the whole population, including women; however, there are some issues that we require to look at in more detail. That is why we have asked the working group to prepare a blueprint. I want to see what ideas the group comes forward with and what the new community justice authorities are going to do in their areas to join up better the work that is done in prison and in the community. That will give us the focus to do exactly what Marlyn Glen has suggested.

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Drug Rehabilitation (North-east Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average waits are for drug rehabilitation and to enter a methadone programme in north-east Scotland. (S2O-10704)

Average waiting times are not regarded as a particularly effective measure of the accessibility of drug treatment services. However, the most recent figures from the waiting times framework show that, in the north-east, more than 80 per cent of clients entered prescribed drug treatment within 14 days of being considered ready for that intervention. The figures for rehabilitation show that 79 per cent of those who entered rehabilitation did so within 14 days.

That is perhaps progress, but not enough. What action is being taken to improve the figures? Will the minister give a commitment to introduce an easily accessible online central directory of rehabilitation places like the one that is in use south of the border?

I suppose that grudging praise from the Tories is better than no praise at all. I am pleased that, despite her mean words, Nanette Milne admits that progress is being made. However, we have much more to do.

The issue of the central register has been raised on several occasions, and answers have been given on it. We are seeking to get as much information as we can about the facilities that are available throughout Scotland. Nonetheless, a much broader range of initiatives is required. We are trying to get behind the figures, and we need to ensure that there is better integration of services. Yesterday, along with Lewis Macdonald, I launched an initiative on improvements in quality standards. Better integration and understanding of services, better communication and better information all have a part to play.

I know that the minister shares my deep concern about drug problems in Scotland. Will he give further consideration to ensuring that residential places that draw people out of addiction in the long term—methadone is generally merely a method of parking the problem—are stepped up as a key part of the strategy? Will he ensure that places are not left vacant in too many parts of Scotland, given that, according to Professor Neil McKeganey, more than half of addicts want to get off drugs rather than go through harm reduction?

Stewart Stevenson has raised a more complex issue. In fact, in suggesting that we expand the number of places while at the same time pointing out that some of the existing places are lying vacant, he has highlighted one of the contradictions at the heart of the matter. One problem is that the decision about when to send an addict to residential rehabilitation must lie with the professionals who are responsible for that individual. They assess the person's needs at the time and decide on the most appropriate course of action.

We must ensure that when someone is offered the opportunity of residential rehabilitation not only are they ready for it but the support facilities are available when they come back out. Some of the stories that my officials have heard on this matter are heartbreaking. For example, one individual had been in residential rehabilitation seven times, which clearly indicates that, in their case, it had failed. Indeed, it is a very expensive failure, and that use of resources probably means that other people were denied the opportunity of treatment. I have even spoken to people in Stewart Stevenson's constituency who have been in residential rehabilitation two or three times. It is clear that other aspects of this very complex problem need to be taken into consideration.

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Spousal Witnesses

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on the consultation on proposals to amend the law on compellability of spousal witnesses. (S2O-10673)

Given her strong interest in this matter, Helen Eadie will be aware that the Executive has undertaken a consultation on proposals to amend the law, which closed on 19 September. We are currently analysing the responses and I will report back to the member and, indeed, to Parliament in due course.

I am sure that the minister shares everyone's concern about situations in which people who are charged and who are likely to end up in jail suddenly marry their intended, with the result that their spouses do not have to testify against them in court. In that respect, I am particularly concerned about cases that involve violence against children and feel that we must deal urgently with the matter. To what timescales is the minister working?

The purpose of the consultation was to elicit a range of views on this matter. After all, there are different views on the correct way of dealing with it, which is why I want to examine the consultation responses very carefully. We also have to consider whether and when there might be a suitable legislative time slot to deal with the issue—everyone in Parliament knows the pressure on the legislative programme at the moment. I assure the member that the responses to the proposals are being analysed and that I will deal with the matter as soon as I possibly can.

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Violence Reduction Unit

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress the violence reduction unit has made in tackling crime in Govan. (S2O-10679)

To mark the end of the national knife amnesty in July, I visited Govan police office along with Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan and other colleagues from the violence reduction unit and saw how part of our £100,000 investment in metal detecting wands was being used to tackle knife crime in the area. Such tough enforcement action is in addition to the other positive work that is under way in Govan, in particular to tackle crime associated with gang culture. The pathfinder initiative and operation tag are two excellent examples of how the police service is working with a wide range of partners to find effective solutions to local problems.

I appreciate what the Executive and the police are doing on this matter. However, does the minister think that, in addition to the measures that the police have introduced, more could be done a stage earlier by targeting young men and tackling the culture? In particular, we could introduce a whole range of initiatives aimed at schools, for example, that would attempt to stop violent behaviour before it reached the point at which the police and the courts had to be brought in.

I absolutely agree. Indeed, the whole approach to changing the culture is part of the work that the violence reduction unit has embarked on. I recently attended the launch of a DVD—I mentioned it in reply to an earlier question—at Kilwinning Academy in Irene Oldfather's constituency, although it will be used much more widely than in Ayrshire. The DVD portrays a graphic message about young victims of knife crime, with families of people who have been affected by knife crime talking about their experiences. I had the opportunity to sit in on a class and discuss the DVD with young people, and it was clear that that was a powerful way of getting the message across. I suspect that many of those young people would have severe thoughts about whether they would get involved in any way in the types of incidents that were portrayed.

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Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Transport

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First ScotRail (Meetings)

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Transport last met representatives of First ScotRail and what issues were discussed. (S2O-10683)

I last met representatives of First ScotRail on Tuesday 26 September 2006. We discussed issues relating to rail fares and the success of the rail industry in Scotland. We also discussed what further investment in Scotland's railway might be required to build on that success to accommodate future growth.

During his discussions with First ScotRail representatives, did the minister remind them of the importance of everyone in Scotland having the right to access rail? Is he concerned that disabled people do not have access to Springburn rail station? That is an issue about which I have been corresponding with him for some time. Disabled people are advised that, if they wish to travel by rail, they should first travel to the nearest accessible station, at Queen Street. Will the minister ensure that everyone in Scotland has access to rail, regardless of disability?

Mr Martin makes a fair point about accessibility at stations throughout Scotland. Responsibility for that is covered by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. I appreciate his points with regard to Springburn. We are taking forward a programme throughout Scotland—in conjunction with the Department for Transport, given the reserved nature of the disability legislation—to improve facilities and to achieve the outcome that Paul Martin rightly wishes for his constituents. We will continue to work to deliver accessible stations, and I will keep him updated on progress in respect of Springburn station.

When the minister met representatives of First ScotRail, did he also speak to them about the new rolling stock that will be necessary following the reopening of the Airdrie to Bathgate rail link? If he did not, when will he do so?

I assure Mary Mulligan that we did discuss new rolling stock. She will be pleased to hear that we also discussed the railway line that she mentioned. We are making an important investment in the track infrastructure of Scotland to benefit not only her constituents but many other people in central Scotland. As she knows, we are considering a rolling stock programme for 2009 onwards, as was discussed in Parliament last week when we debated the Edinburgh airport rail link, and we will bring important details of that programme before Parliament in due course.

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Science (Scottish Universities)

To ask the Scottish Executive how it is encouraging Scottish students to study science subjects at Scottish universities. (S2O-10658)

We encourage students to consider the full range of subjects on offer and to make informed choices based on their abilities and interests. Careers Scotland is helping young people to consider the wide range of career opportunities that science courses can lead to. Its recent initiatives include career box, a tool that highlights role models who have chosen science-related careers; science matters, which supports hands-on science activity for pupils in schools; and space school, which inspires pupils through the topic of space exploration.

Given the huge contribution that science research makes to the Scottish economy, especially at Edinburgh University's King's Buildings in my constituency, will the minister investigate how the work of science education services at universities, such as Edinburgh University's SCI-FUN, can be better funded to persuade more schoolchildren to apply to study science at Scottish universities?

I am wholly in favour of encouraging more students to study science subjects. It is interesting to note that, despite press commentary to the contrary, overall recruitment of Scottish students into science has increased significantly in recent years. We wish that trend to continue.

Any mechanism that improves or maintains the flow of students into higher education in universities is to be commended. I would like to look into that in more detail with respect to the University of Edinburgh.

Is the minister aware that the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen recently stopped offering chemistry degree courses, and that the number of chemistry graduates has declined in Scotland? What is the minister doing to promote chemistry in particular as a degree course, given its relevance to the energy sector and the life sciences sector in the north-east?

Irrespective of the regional location of a particular problem, I agree with the member that there has been a marked fall in the number of students taking pure science subjects such as chemistry and physics and a fall in the number taking engineering. We need better analysis and perhaps a debate on what the trends indicate. We need to know whether they might lead to problems in the labour market of the future. We plan to consult on such issues as part of our science strategy. We hope to have the consultation document in the public domain next week.

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Freight

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to develop further initiatives with companies such as Tesco plc and Eddie Stobart Ltd to move heavy freight from road to rail. (S2O-10686)

We are currently in dialogue with a number of companies that are developing business proposals to transfer freight from road to rail.

Since 1999, we have made 22 awards of freight facilities grants, totalling £35 million, to projects that have moved freight from road to rail. That has enabled major companies such as Argos, Asda, BP, Diageo, Ikea and Tate & Lyle to transfer their products to rail.

A previous initiative involved two companies in my constituency. Safeway transferred goods from road to rail at Eurocentral for transport to Inverness.

Many companies experience too much bureaucracy when they apply for freight facilities grants. This morning's report from Audit Scotland states that the Scottish Executive is not meeting its congestion targets, so does the minister agree that it would be helpful to redouble the efforts to get road-to-rail initiatives through the process more speedily?

An important aspect of the Audit Scotland report is its support—with which I obviously agree—for our transport policy objectives. As Michael McMahon suggests, one of those objectives is the transfer of freight from road to rail, when that is achievable.

We have to consider the competitiveness of the Scottish economy and the way in which it can affect decision making in business. Decisions must make commercial sense, and mechanisms such as the freight facilities grant can help with that.

In constructing relationships with businesses, we have worked to minimise bureaucracy, to ensure that turnarounds are much quicker than they have been in the past. That is clearly evidenced by the examples that Mr McMahon mentioned in his question.

I am sure that the minister will join me in congratulating Tesco on deciding to use the intermodal hub at Grangemouth to bring many of its goods to Scotland. That decision will lead to a reduction of 13,000 lorry journeys between England and Scotland in the course of a year.

When the intermodal hub was originally developed, Falkirk Council asked the Executive for financial support to provide an access road from the hub to the Laurieston bypass to ensure better links to the local motorway network. The hub is used increasingly, and there will now be 13,000 extra journeys on local roads in Falkirk Council's area, so will the Executive provide financial support for the access road? I hope that that road will encourage more companies to use the intermodal hub.

I will have to look into the details, but if the road that Mr Matheson describes is a local one it will be a matter for the local authority. I am sure that the road is important for the whole area, so the regional transport partnership in the area may wish to consider the case carefully. We have provided a substantial capital allocation for regional transport partnerships, which could provide a mechanism to help. That would be the best way forward, but I am happy to consider the details of the road that Mr Matheson mentions.

As the minister will be aware, I have raised with him on previous occasions the need to move freight from road to rail along the A9 corridor to reduce traffic levels on Scotland's deadliest road. Has the minister's department made any progress in its discussions with the relevant companies?

Commercial discussions are continuing with a number of companies. I am sure that Mr Fraser would not expect me to disclose the stage that they have reached. I hope that in future we can reach agreement with a number of operators on investment in the transfer of freight to rail, so that supermarket chains such as the one to which Michael McMahon referred will again use rail. It is certainly our intention to pursue such agreement. We also intend to ensure that investment in the Elgin to Mossend upgrade, on which work is continuing, will assist the movement of freight from the central belt to the north-east and the Highlands.

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Enterprise Networks (Meetings)

To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning last visited the offices of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise and what issues were discussed. (S2O-10628)

I visited the offices of Scottish Enterprise on 26 June 2006 and the Inverness office of Highlands and Islands Enterprise on 31 July 2006. In both cases, we discussed issues of importance to the Scottish economy.

The minister will know that the chairman of Scottish Enterprise, Sir John Ward, has accepted that Scotland's trend growth rate of 1.7 per cent over the past 25 years is inadequate and that it should be doubled to a rate of 3.5 per cent. In the light of that statement, what new, lasting steps will the minister take to achieve that higher rate of long-term growth? Does the minister propose to assist Scottish Enterprise and the wider economy to achieve that objective?

As Jim Mather knows, there are encouraging signs on our long-term trend growth. Recently, we have outperformed the long-term trend growth rate, and it was encouraging that when the United Kingdom economy's growth rate dipped, ours remained stable. There are many positive things happening in Scotland. That is why I strongly support Scottish Enterprise and HIE and their strategies for growth and why economic growth is at the top of the Executive's priorities.

Only this week I visited Grangemouth, where £25 million has been invested in the port. I saw the new facilities and equipment that the money has been invested in, which have resulted in significant growth in containerised movements of around 10 per cent this year. I also visited INEOS, which has taken over the adjacent petrochemical plant that belonged to BP. It proposes to build the largest biofuels plant in the world, at a cost of around £70 million. Those developments represent impressive opportunities for Scotland.

Those opportunities are underscored by the presence in Edinburgh yesterday and today of the global Scots who have come for the globalscot conference and the meeting of Scottish Enterprise's international advisory board. There is no more positive group of individuals who are determined to promote Scotland internationally, and they should be encouraged in all that they are doing.

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Research and Development-intensive Companies (Business Rates)

To ask the Scottish Executive how research and development-intensive companies based in Dundee could benefit from a reduction in business rates. (S2O-10631)

Research and development-intensive companies in Dundee are already benefiting from our decision to reduce the business rate poundage by 1.2p in the current year. A further cut in business rates will be delivered from April next year.

Given the importance of the research and development sector to Dundee, does the minister understand the great disappointment and frustration of companies in that sector that planned additional research and development investment but which now find that the Executive's much-trumpeted business rate relief scheme has been kicked into the long grass? What new alternative proposals will be developed to provide specific assistance to the research and development sector in Dundee and elsewhere in Scotland? I suggest to the minister that the Scottish National Party's proposals would represent a good starting point.

I will certainly examine the SNP's proposals.

I have visited a number of research and development-intensive companies in the Dundee area. It is encouraging that so many such companies, which do fantastic work, are in that area. The companies that I visited were Axeon, which is looking at new battery technology; IDMos, which has new dental detection equipment that has uses in many other sectors; Cyclacel, which does fantastic work in cancer and life sciences; CXR Biosciences; and Tayside Flow Technologies. There is a long list of such companies. Therefore, to return to Jim Mather's question, something strong and positive is happening in Dundee and we want to encourage more of it.

On support for business rates, my colleague Tom McCabe made it clear in evidence to the Finance Committee on 19 September that the funding that we had allocated for research and development companies, particularly small and medium-sized ones, will be targeted at and spent on those companies. Funding of £7 million was allocated this year and £15 million will be allocated for next year.

Research and development is the engine room for future growth of Scotland's economy. We must up our levels of R and D. Some of that—indeed, a large element of it—must come from companies themselves, but this Government is determined to support those companies in the future.

Question 6 is withdrawn.

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Fastlink Service (Glasgow to Renfrew)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give favourable consideration to proposals for a fastlink service south of the River Clyde, better linking Glasgow to Renfrew. (S2O-10666)

In the first instance, it is for Strathclyde partnership for transport to consider fastlink in the context of developing the regional transport strategy. There has been no submission to the Scottish Executive for funding so far. Any request for such funding would receive full and careful consideration.

Given that fastlink bus services are currently unavailable in many parts of Scotland, although they have a proven track record of improving connectivity and are economical and quick to introduce, will the minister undertake to discuss the desirability of fastlink services in general with SPT and write to me with the outcome of those deliberations?

I would be happy to discuss the issue with SPT and consider the innovative fastlink model for moving people quickly, efficiently and affordably around the areas in the west of Scotland that Wendy Alexander mentions. Strong proposals and practical plans exist for that type of modal transport. We are examining fastlink closely and I undertake to examine it further with SPT.

In doing so, will the minister also examine carefully the provision of a fastlink service north of the river on the linked north Clyde development route? We are aware of the Executive's focus on the Clyde waterfront and its importance for the regeneration of the west of Scotland. It is unfortunate that so far there is no strategic transport approach to it. Fastlink north and south of the river and the north Clyde development route would significantly benefit my constituents and those of many colleagues.

The transport framework that SPT will conclude and publish later next year will be important in providing the context that Mr McNulty rightly seeks. It is important that we have an overall vision of how transport services are to develop both north and south of the Clyde in the way that members seek. I look for that to come through in the SPT report next year, which we will study carefully.

Question 8 was not lodged.

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Job Losses (Interfloor)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of potential job losses at Interfloor in Dumfries. (S2O-10693)

I am afraid that those job losses have now been confirmed.

Yes, we are aware of Interfloor's intention to make 54 staff redundant at its Heathhall site. I understand that that has come about as a result of difficulties in the global market for industrial rubber sheeting.

Our immediate concern is to help those staff affected by the proposed redundancies. My officials are working closely with Interfloor in order to help it sustain and develop its business in Dumfries.

I can give slightly better news: the unions and management have been able to reduce the proposed number of redundancies by eight. However, I am sure that the minister is concerned about the loss of high-quality manufacturing jobs in Dumfries, particularly given the loss of similar jobs in spring at the Hunter Rubber Company. Is there any way in which the Scottish Executive can help existing companies to consolidate and preserve jobs without contravening European Union state aid rules?

Any support that we give to companies must be compatible with EU state aid rules. We are a member of the EU and, as long as this Executive is in power, we will remain so, therefore we must assist companies in accordance with those rules. However, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway are working with Interfloor and other companies to help maintain and expand manufacturing opportunities in that part of Scotland. That is the job of those bodies—we give them resources and that is what they should do. We are happy to ensure that the enterprise agencies engage wholly in any opportunities that arise to exploit future manufacturing potential in Dumfries.