SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Transport
Productivity (Ill Health)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the impact on productivity was last year of days lost to industry through ill health. (S2O-3459)
In 2003, the average number of working days lost due to ill health per worker was four, which was the equivalent of 2 per cent of the total number of scheduled working days. Although ill health is undoubtedly important for industry, its effect on productivity is somewhat complex and unclear. Executive policy focuses on the key drivers of productivity as identified in "The Framework for Economic Development in Scotland".
If the four days lost per employee is extrapolated, using a rule of thumb for the number of economically active employees in Scotland, the figure comes to 8 million days lost to the Scottish economy. That represents a major contributor to our productivity gap. This week's figures from the Federation of Small Businesses show that 93 per cent of Scottish businesses have fewer than 10 employees. Does the minister agree that days lost through ill health have a disproportionate effect on very small businesses, particularly in rural areas? Will he ensure that Scottish Enterprise works closely with national health service boards to ensure that productivity in relation to health is paramount in local economic strategies?
I congratulate Jeremy Purvis on his mental arithmetic and rule of thumb: his estimate was 8 million days lost and the data from the labour force survey show that 8.65 million days were lost, so his arithmetic is not bad. The serious point that he makes is that illness has a disproportionate effect on smaller businesses, especially those with fewer than 10 employees. However, as I indicated, the direct implications for productivity are not entirely clear, although, as reflected in "The Framework for Economic Development in Scotland", we recognise that health is an important driver of economic development.
Bearing in mind the fact that smokers are off work between two and a half and six and a half days more on average than non-smokers, does the minister agree that a ban on smoking in public places—which would result in an immediate drop in the number of smokers and in the smoking rates among those who continue to smoke—would lead to an increase in productivity and efficiency for business because of the resultant reduction in ill health among workers?
I congratulate Stewart Maxwell on the way in which he has prosecuted that issue. As he knows, the Executive is consulting on the matter. We are nearing the end of the consultation and the responses will be analysed. Undoubtedly, the point that he makes is one of the factors that could and should be taken into account when decisions are reached.
The minister will be aware that there is a higher level of sickness absence in the public sector, particularly in local authorities, than in private industry. Is he concerned by that? Will the Executive examine some of the reasons behind it, such as the work ethos among those who work in local authorities?
Murdo Fraser is right to point out that absence rates are greater in the public sector in Scotland, but the difference is small and the rates are still relatively low. In 2003, around 3.5 days per worker were lost through illness in the private sector, compared with around 5 days per worker in the public sector. In both cases, absence rates represent about 2 per cent of scheduled working days.
Glasgow Central College of Commerce
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in respect of the governance of Glasgow Central College of Commerce. (S2O-3407)
I am encouraged that the Scottish Further Education Funding Council is taking forward with Glasgow Central College of Commerce's board of management an independent review of procedures at the college. It is vital that colleges have and can demonstrate effective governance and management arrangements in discharging their responsibilities for staff and public funds.
I thank the minister for his helpful reply. Does he agree that, when an employment tribunal finds against a college board, it is the responsibility of the board, which is in charge of taxpayers' money, to abide by the spirit and the letter of the employment tribunal's decision?
It would be inappropriate to comment on the circumstances of individual cases, although, to be fair, Alex Neil did not mention a specific case. In general, I would expect any college that was the subject of an employment tribunal decision to implement that decision in good faith and with the minimum delay.
I will follow up Alex Neil's question. The minister knows that the Educational Institute of Scotland is concerned about the issue. As has been said, it is strange that something more positive has not resulted from the tribunal finding. Will the minister suggest a way in which to progress the matter or the bigger issue of the governance of colleges such as Glasgow Central College of Commerce?
As I said in my initial response to Alex Neil, the funding council is appointing an independent panel to review the governance and management arrangements at the college. I assure Sylvia Jackson and all members that the council will also review the college's disciplinary processes. The funding council's job is to ensure that colleges meet the highest standards of governance and management, which include having and following appropriate employment and disciplinary procedures. I will follow closely the outcome of the independent review.
The minister will surely be aware of the concerns among all parties about the failure of a public institution to implement a tribunal decision, as Alex Neil mentioned—I welcome the minister's answer to him. If I assured the minister of the possibility of finding a way forward for the college, which is in my constituency, would he agree to meet me? I assure him that I will take a constructive approach.
I am certainly aware of the issue generally and of Pauline McNeill's close interest in it, given her constituency role. I am willing to meet her, because I know from experience that she usually comes to meetings armed with constructive ideas.
Question 3 has been withdrawn.
Trans-European Network Funding
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the Department for Transport regarding the circumstances in which trans-European network funding would be applied for. (S2O-3476)
The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Department for Transport on a range of issues, including trans-European networks.
I am grateful to the minister for his substantive answer. [Laughter.] I am interested that he finds my question amusing, but I thank him for what was a brief reply. In a recent written response to me, he kindly informed me that TEN funding could provide 50 per cent of the cost of studies. I ask him—I am happy even to implore him, if that is what it takes—to consider accessing that funding to undertake an in-depth study of the economic impact of a major upgrade of the A75 from Gretna to Stranraer instead of the welcome but nonetheless unsatisfactory measures that have been announced. Such a study could determine not only the beneficial impacts that such an upgrade would bring to the whole of south-west Scotland, but the benefits that would undoubtedly accrue to the central belt, where I am sure that he agrees the transport infrastructure is creaking at the seams.
I am determined to see improvements to the A77 and the A75. We have a list of schemes that I discussed recently at Cairnryan when all the relevant interests were present. Those schemes have much support and we are determined to press ahead with them. The total funding for them is more than £40 million of Scottish Executive money.
The minister is aware that the A82 is part of the trans-European network and that it is the main trunk road for the west of Scotland north of Glasgow. He is also aware that part of that road comprises a single track. Traffic is directed on to a single lane by traffic lights that are described as temporary, but that are now entering their fourth decade of good service—the minister is a mere youth in comparison. Does he agree that the stretch between Tarbet and Inverarnan is around four decades overdue for upgrading to normality? From his extensive international experience, part of which he shared with us in his previous answer, can he give one example of any other European nation in which part of the trans-European network comprises a single-track road?
Fergus Ewing's starting premise is inaccurate, as the A82 is not on the list that I have of trans-European network routes in Europe.
Why not?
I presume that Fergus Ewing has suggested that it is on the list to ensure the competency of his question at question time this afternoon.
Airport Rail Links
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on improving rail links to airports. (S2O-3501)
The Scottish Executive is committed to new rail links for Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. Strathclyde Passenger Transport for Glasgow and Transport Initiatives Edinburgh for Edinburgh are making good progress with preparatory work and both aim to submit bills to the Parliament in spring 2005.
I am absolutely delighted that there is Scottish Executive political will and commitment behind the project. In the meantime, the minister may be aware that a bid has been made for a bus route development grant to recommence a bus service from Inverkeithing and the Ferrytoll interchange direct to Edinburgh airport. That service will serve all the railway lines from Aberdeen in the north southwards. Will he give a commitment to support that laudable initiative, which will remove yet more cars from already congested road networks in and out of Edinburgh?
I can give a commitment to support the development of bus services in Scotland. The bus route development fund exists to support and encourage exactly the sort of scheme that Helen Eadie mentions. However, I cannot make an announcement on the fund this afternoon. The bids are in and all parts of Scotland will benefit from the proposals. We are investing significant sums of money to try to kick-start new bus routes or to develop existing routes whose potential is not being fulfilled. That investment will make a big difference for exactly the sort of project that Helen Eadie mentioned.
The minister is correct in saying that TIE has done a commendable job to date. However, given the national importance of the issue, should we not set up a strategic organisation, such as a transport agency or some other executive agency, to deal with the matter, rather than leaving it to a company that was set up and is owned and operated by the City of Edinburgh Council?
I agree. Kenny MacAskill is aware that there is broad cross-party support for that view. It seems ridiculous that the Executive can promote and deliver at its own hand major road schemes but not major public transport schemes. I am certain that the Parliament will address that issue sooner rather than later.
Further to the minister's initial answer, will he say what consideration has been given to the potential for a much cheaper heavy-rail connection to Edinburgh airport by providing a stop on the existing Fife line that passes just to the north of the airport, as opposed to the option of a heavy-rail tunnel development underneath the airport at a potential cost of £0.5 billion?
That was one of my first questions on becoming Minister for Transport. Clearly, such a proposal would provide a quicker and cheaper connection to Edinburgh airport. However, the benefits of the current scheme, which was strongly recommended by the professional consultants, were explained to me and have convinced others who have studied the matter. If we can divert the whole east coast main line to provide a connection from the airport station to Glasgow, that will produce a major improvement for the whole Scottish rail network. That is why the current airport rail link proposal is so strongly supported by Strathclyde Passenger Transport and by MSPs from the west of Scotland as well as by those from the east, the north-east and the Highlands of Scotland.
National Concessionary Travel Scheme
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will introduce the proposed national concessionary scheme for people who are elderly or disabled. (S2O-3494)
The Executive is determined to deliver its partnership agreement commitment on concessionary travel as soon as possible. Some £96 million has been allocated for 2006-07 and £100 million for 2007-08. That is good news for older people, disabled people and younger people throughout Scotland.
I am not sure that senior citizens will be happy with the delay. However, will the minister seriously consider the urgent introduction of smart cards for senior citizens in order to bring a halt to the exploitation and abuse of the limited free travel for the elderly and others by some unscrupulous bus operators, which appear to fill their empty buses with phantom passengers?
The short answer is yes. I believe that we need to introduce smart card technology in a way that involves older people and younger people. For example, I believe that the Young Scot scheme could have major benefits for transport. We want to look at all of that, but we do not want to hold back the introduction of free national concessionary travel for older people and disabled people or the partnership agreement commitment to a scheme for younger people. We want to get on with that.
Will the minister clarify yesterday's statement by the Minister for Finance and Public Services? Will the nationwide concessionary travel scheme mean free travel by bus, rail or ferry anywhere in Scotland for all senior citizens, all young people in full-time education and all people with disabilities?
No, it will not. With respect to elderly and disabled people, the commitment in the partnership agreement is to extend the current local scheme to a national free scheme. The local scheme operates after the peak morning period—which means, I think, after 9 or 9.30 am. As for young people, our commitment in the partnership agreement is to introduce a concessionary—not a free—scheme for those who are in full-time education or training.
The minister will appreciate that pensioners in my constituency who want to benefit from the excellent national concessionary scheme will have to pay full ferry fares on Caledonian MacBrayne ferries. Does he agree that the Scottish Executive should examine the viability of extending the concessionary scheme to those ferries? In the unlikely event that he does not agree with me, I suggest that he quickly establishes the Deputy First Minister's view on the proposal.
As the commitment in the partnership agreement makes clear, the scheme for elderly and disabled people applies only to buses. I should have explained in answer to Dennis Canavan's question that our commitment to the young people's scheme is wider and includes rail and ferry travel.
Justice and Law Officers
Environmental Legislation (Fines)
To ask the Scottish Executive what the maximum fine level is for breaches of environmental legislation. (S2O-3510)
The maximum fine is unlimited in cases in which proceedings are on indictment.
Does the fact that the likely maximum fine is £20,000 not compare badly with the potentially unlimited fines—and possible custodial sentences, even—for breaches of health and safety legislation? Does the minister agree that that effectively sends a clear message to business that breaches of environmental legislation are considered unimportant? If so, what does the Executive intend to do to rectify the situation?
As I have said, the maximum fine is unlimited if proceedings are taken on indictment. I acknowledge that many of these proceedings are taken in the summary courts, where the current maximum fine is £20,000. However, as Mark Ruskell is aware, the Executive intends to double that fine and those orders will be laid in due course.
Police Forces (Funding Formula)
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will implement a new funding formula for police forces and what the basis will be for any such formula. (S2O-3414)
The Minister for Finance and Public Services has just announced substantial increases in police funding in his budget. I will announce further details shortly.
Can I therefore be assured that funding for Grampian police will no longer be 10 or more per cent below the Scottish average and that Grampian will not be at the bottom of the funding list? Will there be a transparent funding formula that we can all judge once the minister has made the appropriate announcement?
As I have indicated in previous responses in the chamber and in written answers, we must ensure that we have a funding formula that takes into account the whole range of police forces' duties and particular local circumstances such as crime rates and deprivation. My commitment to the chamber is that the proposals in my announcement will certainly be based on those principles.
The minister will be aware that the extra £2 million funding that Grampian police received as a result of the review process has been widely welcomed. Does she agree that it is essential that the outdated funding formula is revised to ensure that, in future, it takes fair account of the issues that she has mentioned, such as population and crime rates in Grampian, and that it enables Grampian police to tackle particular local problems such as drugs crime?
I hope that I have already indicated that those points have formed part of the discussions that have been taking place. We should acknowledge that we are trying to ensure that there is a fair approach throughout Scotland. Instead of having MSPs in each area trying to outdo each other in their demands, we must ensure that the particular local circumstances are taken into account. Those discussions have been taking place with the involvement of the police forces and the chief constables, in particular the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland. I believe that, when we bring forward the proposals, they will reflect the best possible solution.
Reliance (Dumfries and Galloway)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is monitoring the performance of Reliance in escorting prisoners in Dumfries and Galloway. (S2O-3444)
I expect the Scottish Prison Service to have robust arrangements in place to monitor the performance of Reliance in Dumfries and Galloway and in the other areas where it operates. The SPS will also periodically publish a performance summary on its website.
I thank the minister for that information. The second phase of the Reliance contract was rolled out to Dumfries and Galloway in July 2004 and so could not be included in the Auditor General's report, which was published this morning. However, I note from the report that Reliance is required to submit a monthly monitoring report to the SPS. How will the freeing up of police and prison officer time, which was the principal objective of contracting out the services, be quantified and reported? At the end of June, Her Majesty's chief inspector of prisons identified the
Elaine Murray is right to restate the rationale for putting in place the contract. It is important that we ensure that police officer time is freed up. On a recent visit to Dumfries and Galloway, I heard first hand from a police officer about the difference that the contract is making in enabling the police to consider putting more officers on the front line, particularly in some rural communities that have been looking for such support.
Prisons (Drug Rehabilitation Services)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to improve the level of drug rehabilitation services in prisons. (S2O-3440)
The Scottish Prison Service has introduced new ways of working with substance-misusing prisoners and existing interventions have been updated to reflect the shift towards treatment and rehabilitation. The newly introduced services will enhance the work already in place and provide a more supportive and focused environment in which substance misusers can address their offending behaviour.
I am sure that the minister is aware that in many prisons, such as Craiginches prison in Aberdeen, the overwhelming majority of inmates test positive for drug misuse at reception. Often, they have been convicted of committing crimes to feed their drug habit. Therefore, if we want to cut crime in Scotland by up to 80 per cent, particularly in places such as Grampian, the best way to do so would be to break people's drug habits. However, the current level of services in our prisons—particularly in Craiginches—is woefully low. Will the minister give a commitment to pay close attention to the issue and to ensure that we get more resources out of the spending review to apply to the issue so that, for once, we can slash crime rates in Scotland?
The SPS takes the issue of drug addiction very seriously. I commend some of the programmes that it has introduced to tackle the problem. I accept many of the points that Richard Lochhead has made on the connection between drug addiction and crime. However, we must recognise both that it is often very difficult to solve the complex problems of those who have drug addiction and that it is difficult to get them off drugs. That is why I am encouraged by some of the innovative work that has been carried out. Some very dedicated staff are developing their skills and expertise, but I recognise that more needs to be done and that additional investment is required. I also accept the point that if we can reduce dependency on drugs we will make a major contribution to reducing crime in Scotland.
Further to the minister's comments about improvements in drug rehabilitation services in prisons, can he give us an assurance that the Executive is taking firm steps to make prisons drug-free zones? The risk is that the progress of the people on those programmes is undermined by the availability of drugs in prisons. Can the minister give us a date by which he thinks that our prisons will be drug free?
I hesitate to take such a simplistic approach. In response to a different question some weeks ago, I attempted to look back to find out how successful the Conservative Government had been in making our prisons drug free. I was saddened to find out that it had been unable to ensure that prisons were drug free. That is not to be complacent; we need to ensure that drugs are not allowed into prison. There are very strict enforcement regimes, some of which I have witnessed. I have also seen from some of the videotape evidence people's ingenuity in getting drugs into prison and have heard from the prison authorities the extent to which threats and intimidation are used to try to get people to take drugs into prison. The prison authorities are very vigilant and try to minimise the use of drugs.
I will pick up the thread of trying to get individuals off their addiction when they leave prison. At last night's meeting of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on drug and alcohol misuse, we heard some disturbing evidence that there are no protocols to ensure that the Scottish Prison Service refers prisoners on to other agencies so that they can get the same kind of help outside prison that they might get inside prison. Can the minister assure the Parliament that there are protocols to ensure that people who leave prison with a drug problem are the subject of referrals and, if there are no such protocols in place, will he give an assurance that there will be soon?
Tommy Sheridan mentions an important point that is at the heart of our discussions on trying to reduce reoffending and to ensure that our criminal justice social work services are best placed to help people.
I will take the point further. I have raised with Greater Glasgow NHS Board the delay that has arisen a result of the new arrangements in people becoming registered for the drug addiction treatment that exists. I am concerned that it might take people who come out of prison with a history of drug addiction four or five weeks to register and qualify for treatment under the new arrangements. I invite the minister to have a discussion with the Minister for Health and Community Care to ensure that that hiatus, which could be fatal to the success of treatment, does not affect released prisoners, which seems to be happening at the moment.
Like previous questions, Des McNulty's question suggests that the situation is complex. Frankly, it is inexcusable if people are simply working in their own silos. I believe that throughout the country there is a great deal of good practice that involves people working very well together. Anything that we can do to ensure that there is proper continuity, that people are properly supported and that there is adequate planning needs to be supported, and I will certainly take up the issue that Des McNulty raises.
Law Society of Scotland<br />(Ombudsman's Report)
To ask the Scottish Executive what concerns it has in respect of the statement in the Scottish legal services ombudsman's annual report 2003-04 that, in 42 per cent of full complaint investigations carried out into Law Society of Scotland decisions, the ombudsman recommended that the Law Society should investigate the complaint again or reconsider its decision. (S2O-3396)
I commend the Law Society of Scotland for the recent improvements that it has made to complaint handling, but I agree with the thrust of Phil Gallie's question. It remains a matter of concern that, in a significant proportion of cases, the Scottish legal services ombudsman asks the Law Society to reconsider.
I thank the minister both for that answer and for the assistance that he gave me on my question prior to my asking it in the chamber. Is he aware that the maximum value of compensatory payments for the most serious of inadequate services provided by solicitors lies somewhere between £750 and £1,000? Does he recognise that some of those inadequate services can have an immensely serious effect on individuals, and will he look into what controls there can be over setting the levels of compensatory payments that are available?
As required by statute, I have consulted the Law Society of Scotland about the case for increasing compensation levels. I also discussed the matter with the Law Society on 6 September, and I and my colleague Cathy Jamieson intend to introduce orders to increase the levels later this year. I am keen to ensure that any increase should reflect the support of the consultation responses that have been received on the issue by the Justice 1 Committee.
I welcome the minister's comments, but I draw to his attention my concerns about the complaint-handling system, which are echoed by the words of the Scottish legal services ombudsman, who said that, in some cases, Law Society-appointed reporters could produce damning findings on the conduct of solicitors, only to have those damning findings overturned by committees of the Law Society itself. That led the ombudsman to say that the Law Society was coming to perverse conclusions in relation to the detail of evidence that was put before it. Will the minister investigate that part of the Scottish legal services ombudsman's annual report, which highlights that matter of great concern, and report back to Parliament in due course?
We have reflected carefully on the ombudsman's comments. We need to keep things in perspective and recognise that only an extremely small proportion of all cases handled by solicitors will result in complaints. I commend the Law Society for accepting most of the ombudsman's recommendations to reconsider its decisions or to reinvestigate the complaints in the 42 per cent of cases referred to in Phil Gallie's question.
Reliance (Escort of Sex Offenders)
To ask the Scottish Executive how it is addressing concerns expressed over reports that Reliance will be responsible for the prison and court escort of sex offenders. (S2O-3461)
Reliance has been escorting sex offenders to and from court since April, in accordance with its contractual duties.
Does the minister agree that it is essential that communities feel safe and protected as prisoners are transported between prison and courts, irrespective of their crimes, and that that must be a key priority for Reliance and for all other agencies involved in the process? Does she further agree that there is an important part for prison officers to play in preparing prisoners for release, particularly those who participate in home release schemes?
I agree with Karen Whitefield's points about public safety and the public having confidence in the system. Of course, it is absolutely vital that public safety is paramount when any escort is carried out with which Reliance, the Scottish Prison Service or the police are involved.
General
Sewage Sludge (Metal Content)
To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures are applied when testing for metal content in sewage sludge used for land regeneration. (S2O-3395)
Where there are statutory limits applicable to the spreading of sewage sludge, the analysis is to be carried out following strong acid digestion, and its reference method is to be atomic absorption spectrometry. It is the responsibility of the operator to provide data to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and the agency carries out audit monitoring.
I thank the minister for that very helpful answer. As he is aware, there is an intention to dump 30,000 tonnes of sewage sludge at Beoch, near Dalmellington. He might also be aware that, after using the testing methods that he described, the copper content of sludge from the site at Irvine was found to be far in excess of the rate that he suggested. Bearing in mind the fact that Beoch sits above tributaries of the River Nith, will he give assurances that testing will be carried out on a regular basis, not only for copper but for bacterial and viral substances?
I give the member a positive assurance that the exemption under paragraph 8 of schedule 3 to the Waste Management Licensing Regulations 1994, as amended, is not given lightly and that it is given by SEPA only after it is satisfied that the procedures that are to be carried out by the operator meet its requirements that there should be no harm either to the environment or to human health.
Free Eye and Dental Checks
To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects free eye and dental checks to be implemented. (S2O-3448)
Through the forthcoming health bill we will legislate to make eye and dental checks free for everyone in Scotland before 2007. We are also discussing with the dental profession in Scotland whether we can make earlier progress by exploring the possibility of providing, under current arrangements, free dental checks for people aged 60 and over.
Does the minister agree that, although the introduction of free eye and dental checks for all is an important first step towards a health service that is based on health promotion and preventive measures, it is just that—a first step? Does he agree that more must be done in the field if we are to achieve the dramatic change in the nation's health that is needed?
The Scottish Executive is determined to dry up the tide of ill health that moves towards the health service. Taken together, initiatives such as the provision of free eye and dental checks and our work to try to limit smoking and the abuse of alcohol in Scotland will stem that tide of ill health and will make the space for procedures that most of us can hardly imagine at this time.
Does the minister agree that rather than subsidise the well-off, it might be better to apply the resources to young people—not the just the older people he mentioned—as recommended by our optometrists and to put the money towards the provision of more national health service dentists?
I fully accept that Mr Davidson knows more about subsidising the well-off than do members on my side of the chamber, but on this occasion I decline his advice.
Elderly People (Hospital Nutrition)
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that all elderly people in hospital are properly fed. (S2O-3477)
The quality of hospital nutrition is an important part of an in-patient's overall care. Attractive and nutritious food contributes to recovery. Standards developed by NHS Quality Improvement Scotland set out what the national health service in Scotland must do to ensure that all hospital patients are properly fed. That includes ensuring that enough staff are available on wards at meal times to provide food and fluid to patients and to help patients to eat and drink. NHS performance against the standards will be reviewed and reported.
I am sure that the minister accepts that a good measure of standards in any society is how we look after those—for example, the very old and the very young—who are unable to look after themselves. Can he assure me—he has done so in good measure already—that he will take appropriate action to ensure that elderly people in Scotland's hospitals and care homes are not malnourished?
We have established national nutritional standards that apply in the national health service, and we have established national care standards that apply in our residential and nursing homes. We concur entirely with the view that particularly vulnerable members of our community and those who have served our community well over a long number of years deserve the best standard of care, an important part of which is proper nutrition.
In light of European Union competition rules, how is the minister ensuring that procurement policies for food in the health service favour home produce—which we hear is the rule in Italy, France and other nations—to ensure the health service provides local people, young and old, with the best nutrition?
We have stated publicly on many occasions that we will do all we possibly can to ensure that we have local provision and local procurement of food, not only in our hospitals but in our schools and throughout the public sector. We recognise that that makes an important contribution to the economy of Scotland. We also recognise that the produce that can be procured here in Scotland is of some of the best quality in the world.
Fuel Poverty
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take action to help people in fuel poverty due to rising energy prices. (S2O-3449)
The Executive will continue to take action to address fuel poverty through programmes such as the central heating programme and work on benefits take-up and employability. We have expressed our concerns about price rises to the energy companies and continue to encourage people to switch suppliers to get the best deals.
That was a helpful response. In relation to the central heating programme, people often complain that those who have partial, inadequate, old and faulty heating systems do not benefit. Will the minister consider including them in the scheme, given the rising fuel prices, which hit them more and more?
We recognise that when fuel prices are rising, it is most important that people have efficient heating systems that they are able to afford. Therefore, we have taken on board the points that have been raised a number of times in this chamber, and this year we have introduced the upgrading of partial systems for people over 80, in which we have invested an additional £10 million. However, we are reviewing the programme, which is due to complete in 2006, and we will consider other ways of addressing fuel poverty throughout the community.
With regard to benefits, no doubt the minister is aware that almost 50 per cent of Scotland's pensioners who are entitled to pensioner credit do not claim it. She will also be aware that the £200 winter fuel payment has not been increased since 2000. Against that background, and given that fuel bills are projected to rise by £60 in the coming year alone, does the minister think that the Scottish Executive's projected figure of 115 for the number of elderly admitted to Scotland's hospitals with hypothermia this year will be exceeded?
The measures that we are putting in place will ensure that that figure for hospital admissions does not increase. In fact, the winter fuel payment of £200 has been increased for those over 80, who now receive more than £300. That will make a big difference. I also mentioned in my response to Donald Gorrie our discussions with the fuel companies. Scottish Power's increase in Scotland of 8 per cent this year is lower than the 9 per cent increase in the rest of the country. I suggest that that is a successful result for us, although it is one that I would like to see go further. Christine Grahame is wrong to assert that we are not taking action.
Given that the Scottish house condition survey's fuel poverty analysis in April attributed 35 per cent of the decrease in fuel poverty to decreased fuel prices, does the minister anticipate a sharp rise in fuel poverty in the near future? How will she remedy that?
We accept totally that fuel poverty is the result of low income, insufficient heating and ineffective insulation and that a combination of factors will take people out of fuel poverty. That is why we are working with our colleagues at Westminster. We are making a difference and we are taking people out of fuel poverty. We will continue to consider the implications of increased fuel prices and to respond to them. We are determined that, by 2016, we will have taken everyone in Scotland out of fuel poverty.
With the additional funding that her department has received in the spending review this week, will the minister ensure that Communities Scotland works with the Environment and Rural Affairs Department and the Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Department so that new housing developments—particularly for social housing—can utilise combined heat and power and local, renewable sources of energy? Such local sources of energy can be cheaper and better for the environment and will make a major contribution to combating fuel poverty in future.
Scottish projects have won nearly £11 million so far in the community energy programme, which amounts to almost 39 per cent of the total funding—a bigger share in Scotland than anywhere else in the United Kingdom. I am pleased that Andy Kerr's announcements yesterday will mean that we will invest further in heating and insulation measures. That will ensure that more and more people are taken out of fuel poverty and that, as I have already said, we reach our target of moving everybody out of fuel poverty by 2016.
NHS Boards (Accountability)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to improve the accountability of national health service boards. (S2O-3404)
NHS boards are accountable through ministers to the Parliament. We have strengthened accountability locally by appointing a much broader range of members to NHS boards, including local authority members, and we have legislated in the National Health Service Reform (Scotland) Act 2004 to lay on boards new duties of public involvement and regional co-operation.
I draw to the minister's attention the example of the succession of a general practitioner at the Rowallan medical practice in Blantyre, where a petition signed by three quarters of the patients was totally ignored by the health board and the area medical committee. Will he now review the rules governing the appointment of GPs and build in a statutory requirement that the views of the patients, while perhaps not being paramount, certainly have to be recognised? They certainly were not in this case.
That was a complex situation. The selection panel was run a second time, but I am told that that time, patient representatives were involved. It is true that there is no statutory requirement for patient representation, but it happened in that case. There is the general duty of public involvement, and we all talk regularly about the need to have better public involvement at a very early stage in issues to do with service changes. Alex Neil is talking about a specific case, which I can look into further, but my impression is that, in that case, the patients were represented in the final selection of a new GP.
During this morning's debate, the minister made much of the importance of consultation in the formulation of local health policy. Is he aware that the paediatric unit at Ayr hospital is closing, notwithstanding his view, the views of all politicians in South Ayrshire and the views of 16,000 people from South Ayrshire who signed a petition calling for the unit to remain open? Does not that suggest that the minister and health boards are only paying lip service to the value of consultation? How does he intend to address the situation?
I am the first person to agree that we need to get better at public involvement, and we are taking a series of actions to ensure that we do so. I have already referred to the 2004 act. Tomorrow, I will be speaking at the annual general meeting of the Scottish Association of Health Councils. The main topic will of course be the creation of the Scottish health council next April. The health council will be a major new force in ensuring that boards engage far more effectively with their local communities, and we will also issue new guidance.
St John's Hospital, Livingston
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to ensure that St John's hospital in Livingston continues to be able to support its accident and emergency department by retaining on-site emergency surgery. (S2O-3499)
I understand that NHS Lothian has recently recruited an additional accident and emergency consultant to the service at St John's and that it is planning to invest £500,000 in an observation ward to support the accident and emergency department. It will continue to be an effective accident and emergency service.
Would the minister accept that the emergency and general surgical department at St John's hospital had a high degree of clinical excellence in terms of outcomes before it was removed? If he accepts that that was the case, would he agree to submit the decisions taken by NHS Lothian to independent analysis by a respected body, so as to compare the health board's decision with the alternative solution to the training problems that existed, which was proposed by the medical staff committee of St John's hospital?
Surgery at St John's certainly has an excellent record. That is why I am pleased that there is to be increased elective surgery there. During this morning's debate, I noticed that the Conservatives were saying that a lot of the challenges faced by local services would not exist under trusts. In reality, for the first time ever, surgeons from the Royal infirmary of Edinburgh, including the regius professor, are going to perform surgery at St John's, thanks to the fact that we have a single system working in the whole of Lothian. Many of the problems with training have been addressed.
Is the minister prepared to revisit any decisions about the relocation of certain emergency services at St John's hospital in Livingston in the light of the national framework review? Will he accept that the removal of certain accident and emergency services from that hospital is viewed by local communities as a definite retrograde step?
I will be receiving the conclusions of the better acute care in Lothian review. Part of the consultation for that relates to emergency surgery. The consultation document contains a proposal to have only one centre for emergency surgery in the whole of Lothian. I will consider the general question of emergency surgery when the document produced as a result of the review comes to me, and I will of course consider the whole issue, including emergency surgery at St John's.