Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]

Meeting date: Thursday, September 10, 2015

Official Report 836KB pdf

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General Question Time

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Registered Sex Offenders (GPS Tracking)

To ask the Scottish Government whether Police Scotland uses global positioning system technology to track registered sex offenders. (S4O-04568)

Scotland’s multi-agency public protection arrangements provide a robust statutory framework to manage the risks posed by sex offenders. Every decision that is taken by the relevant MAPPA agencies is taken with public safety at the forefront. We know from international evidence that electronic monitoring is a useful tool that can aid reducing reoffending when set within a wider package of care and support.

New research that was commissioned by the Scottish Government provides evidence to support the use of GPS, not as a replacement for the current radio frequency technology but as an additional tool for people who have been convicted of a range of offences. I have tasked an expert group with considering how all forms of electronic monitoring, including GPS, can be used more effectively in the future. That group will make firm recommendations to me by spring 2016.

I am disappointed by the minister’s response because the technology for GPS systems to track registered sex offenders has existed for some years and I understand that there is evidence to prove that they are effective.

I refer the minister to the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing’s recommendation on high-risk sex offenders who fail to co-operate with the relevant authorities on matters of significance or who abscond. It recommended that details on those individuals should be provided to local communities and made available on websites such as Crimestoppers. However, I have evidence that the details for at least four child sex offenders who are considered risks have not been provided on the Crimestoppers website. Does the minister share my concern about that situation and will he ensure that there is no recurrence of it?

First, we have now received the research that we commissioned into GPS technology. The expert group that I have tasked to look at the matter will report to us in spring next year so that we can consider how we can take forward that technology. However, it is very important that we introduce that type of technology in a measured way and are confident that it will be utilised in a robust and secure way. That is why the expert group is considering the issue in great detail, and we will then consider how we can roll out the technology.

The member also referred to the availability of information about sex offenders. He will be aware that the police have powers to disclose information relating to individual sex offenders and that it can be provided to individuals or groups in a community where it is believed that it is necessary for the prevention of crime. However, if the member has specific information that he believes has not been made available but should have been, I would be more than happy to consider it and ensure that the he gets an appropriate response from the agency that is responsible for dealing with that issue.

As the cabinet secretary will be aware, a sex offender who is released on licence and supervised under MAPPA must be released into the community from which he or she came, unless another local authority volunteers to take them. Does the cabinet secretary agree that that is a specific problem for rural communities, because everybody kens everybody else and we sometimes have vigilantism? Will he consider reviewing the present arrangements, particularly where someone is being released back into a rural community?

The member raises an important point, but I think that she is confusing two different things because it is the national accommodation strategy for sex offenders that sets out the approach that should be taken for accommodating sex offenders when they are released, which is then used by MAPPA agencies when considering a particular instance. I therefore do not think that the issue to which the member refers is to do with MAPPA; it is more to do with the approach that is set out in the national strategy. However, if he has some specific experiences that she believes need to be considered, I would be more than happy to hear from her about them and ensure that they are considered appropriately. As I said, though, that is probably more for the national strategy than the overall MAPPA approach.

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Planning System (Review)

To ask the Scottish Government what the objective is of its proposed root-and-branch review of the planning system. (S4O-04569)

The objective of the review is to identify the scope for further reform with a focus on delivering a quicker, more accessible and more efficient planning process, particularly to increase delivery of high-quality housing development.

The problem with planning in East Lothian is that ministers routinely and repeatedly overturn local planning decisions. From an unwanted incinerator to numerous inappropriate housing developments, ministers ride roughshod over my constituents’ views. Does the minister’s answer not suggest that the review will reduce local democracy further rather than improve the position?

I do not agree with the description of the planning system as it applies to the member’s constituency.

One of the objectives of the review will be to look at how we can further enhance local democracy and participation in the planning system. When ministers consider any matter relating to planning, they take many issues into consideration, including the views of local people. However, as the member knows from his own experience in government, we have to take a wider view, which sometimes means having to take a different point of view from that of local people.

Will the cabinet secretary ensure that any long-term strategic planning review for housing needs includes how infrastructure is planned, managed and paid for, as well as how commuters and traffic movements are planned for, so that local development plans are made sustainable?

There are some major infrastructure challenges, particularly in and around parts of the larger cities in Scotland. That is particularly the case when it comes to housing developments. Given the constraints on the public sector budget, we need to ensure that the resources are available from whatever source so that the infrastructure that is required to accommodate new housing developments is in place. For example, transport is a particular challenge in some parts of Edinburgh.

I am aware that some members are experiencing difficulty in hearing the sound from their consoles. We have asked to have the consoles checked and, hopefully, we will get the issue sorted in the very near future.

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NHS Lanarkshire (Meetings)

To ask the Scottish Government when the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport last met the board and chief executive of NHS Lanarkshire and what was discussed. (S4O-04570)

Ministers and Government officials regularly meet representatives of all health boards, including NHS Lanarkshire, to discuss matters of importance to local people.

There is certainly a lot to talk about, given that NHS Lanarkshire has gone from crisis to crisis. It was reported last week that the board had very poor accident and emergency waiting times—yet again the worst in Scotland—and a very high-risk staffing situation. It is possible that there will be A and E closures and that the number of general practitioner out-of-hours centres will be cut from five to two, perhaps permanently. That is despite the cabinet secretary saying that that would be an interim measure. Will she now recommend that the board calls independent experts to undertake a thorough review of NHS Lanarkshire?

A and E waiting times are a concern at Wishaw general hospital and we have been keeping in close contact with NHS Lanarkshire about that. The board has a comprehensive action plan to improve performance at Wishaw general. I am happy to furnish John Pentland with more detail about that.

It would be unfair to suggest that the performance of Monklands and Hairmyres has not been improving; actually, they have been performing very well indeed, and it is a pity that John Pentland does not recognise that. There will be no A and E closure. I remind John Pentland that the only threat of A and E closures was from his party. Had that not been overturned, we would not have seen the 500,000 attendances at the A and E department at Monklands and there would have been a lot more pressure on Wishaw and Hairmyres. [Interruption.]

Order.

John Pentland also referred to the out-of-hours review. As I have said to him many times before, the out-of-hours model is an interim one, approved by the health board back in May on the grounds of patient safety. The longer-term proposals will be developed in consultation with staff and the general public and, as I have said before, have to be consistent with the conclusions of the national review of out-of-hours services, which is due shortly.

I hope that John Pentland will be reassured by what I have said. I am happy to write to him about more of the actions that NHS Lanarkshire is taking to address some of the issues at Wishaw general.

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Employment (Fraserburgh)

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to protect employment in the Fraserburgh area. (S4O-04571)

Our continued investment in infrastructure, regeneration and business support is designed to support the area’s economy and create and safeguard jobs. For example, an investment of £13.7 million of European fisheries fund assistance in Fraserburgh supported harbour deepening and quay improvements. This has ensured the long-term operation of the harbour and safeguarded the jobs of more than 700 fishermen.

Stewart Stevenson is aware of the situation with Young’s, and the Minister for Business, Energy and Tourism has been working closely with the company. I firmly believe that we have offered it a very strong case, such that maximum employment can be retained in Fraserburgh.

I thank the Government on behalf of the harbour board for the support that it has given, which is certainly a useful contribution.

Specifically on the situation at Young’s, will the cabinet secretary give more detail on the launch of the Fraserburgh task force and how it might contribute to protecting and enhancing employment in the area?

Stewart Stevenson will be aware of the issues that we face in relation to the long-term future of Young’s at Fraserburgh. The Government has engaged very strongly with the company and Fergus Ewing has drawn together all interested parties to ensure that we have a co-ordinated approach to addressing this particular difficulty.

The task force will meet for the first time on Monday, although preparatory work has been under way to support, in every way we can, the agenda to protect employment at Young’s. [John Swinney has corrected this contribution. See end of report.] I assure Mr Stevenson that the Government will do everything possible to safeguard a very significant employer in the local economy.

The cabinet secretary will be aware that a few days ago Fergus Ewing was quoted in the press as saying that the Scottish Government would match any package of aid that the United Kingdom Government provided to Young’s plant at Grimsby on the condition that it was compliant with state aid rules. Will Mr Swinney confirm that that is the Scottish Government’s commitment?

That is the Scottish Government’s commitment. I reiterate the point that Fergus Ewing made in his public remarks: the assistance that we provide in all circumstances is state aid compliant, and we expect that of every other offer that is made in these circumstances.

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Alcohol Misuse (Deaths)

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to address the reported increasing number of deaths due to alcohol misuse. (S4O-04572)

The rise in alcohol-related deaths is extremely disappointing and concerning, particularly given that there is also a risk that consumption may be increasing again following a period of decline.

Since 2009, we have taken sustained and effective action through our alcohol framework, which has more than 40 measures to reduce alcohol-related harm. The framework is having an impact, but we know that we need to do more. We are working on the next phase, which we intend to introduce next year.

The minister will be aware that last year alcohol-related deaths in Scotland rose by 5 per cent to 1,152. Dr Peter Bennie, who is the chair of British Medical Association Scotland, said:

“It is a continuing frustration that legislation to introduce minimum unit pricing of alcohol has been delayed due to the legal challenge by the ... Scotch Whisky Association ... We once again call on it to drop this appeal and allow the introduction of this innovative and world-leading public health policy.”

Does the minister agree with him?

I hear the frustration of Peter Bennie and countless others across the medical profession that this life-saving policy has been held up in the courts while Scotland has seen alcohol-related deaths rise. The opinion from the European Court of Justice advocate general last week very much left the door open for minimum unit pricing, and we are confident in the arguments that we can make to meet the tests that have been set out. We remain certain that minimum unit pricing is the right measure for Scotland, and we are committed to its implementation.

We are awaiting the European Court of Justice’s final decision on minimum unit pricing. Over the past three years, the United Kingdom’s Tory-Liberal coalition and the current UK Tory Government have ended the alcohol duty escalator and indeed reversed the duty on alcohol, which have contributed to the price decrease that is playing a part in the rise in deaths.

Will the minister now discuss with colleagues the publication of draft regulations for the introduction of the social responsibility levy to ensure not only that off-licences and, especially, supermarkets suffer a price penalty and therefore, I hope, increase the price of alcohol in line with the current increase in wages, but that local authorities have the funding to tackle alcohol problems?

In response to Dr Richard Simpson’s question about the social responsibility levy, I refer the member to John Swinney’s answer to a question that Kenny MacAskill asked yesterday. We are very keen to build consensus on public health policies, particularly when they are as important as tackling Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with alcohol, and we are always willing to look at ideas that might help.

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Carers (Central Scotland)

To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to support carers in the Central Scotland region. (S4O-04573)

We have introduced the Carers (Scotland) Bill, which is currently at stage 1 of the parliamentary process. It is an important part of our programme of health and social care reform that will extend the rights of all adult carers and young carers across Scotland.

Other Scottish Government initiatives, such as the voluntary sector short breaks fund and the carer positive employer scheme, benefit carers across Scotland. Scottish Government carer information strategy funding to NHS Forth Valley and NHS Lanarkshire amounts to more than £865,000 for 2015-16, and that is contributing to a wide range of support to carers in Central Scotland.

I thank the minister for her comprehensive answer, but is she aware that, instead of the local framework for eligibility criteria that is proposed in the Carers (Scotland) Bill, carers want a national framework in Scotland to ensure equity, fairness and consistency and avoid a postcode lottery? Is she sympathetic to that view?

My colleague Jamie Hepburn, the Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, met North Lanarkshire Carers Together and representatives from the national carers organisation on 27 August to discuss, among other matters, the proposals for the national eligibility framework. As a result of that discussion, officials are considering the NCO proposal for such a framework. We are liaising with the national carers organisation and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities on the framework and will make a decision in due course.

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Red Meat Levy

To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making on repatriating the red meat levy paid by Scottish livestock producers in England. (S4O-04574)

The issue of red meat levy repatriation has been an on-going matter of concern to the Scottish Government for a number of years. Although good progress was made at the last United Kingdom-wide industry forum that was established to consider alternative levy allocation methodologies, this issue must now be resolved to bring to an end to the disadvantage that it has caused the Scottish red meat industry over the past decade, particularly in responding to the current challenges that the sector faces. We will be pressing the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to accelerate the process and provide a fair and equitable settlement.

We have seen Quality Meat Scotland’s good work in promoting our world-class-quality Scotch meat, a great example of which was the success of the recent love Scotch lamb weekend. Clearly much more could be done if the levies that our producers pay in England were returned and if the capacity for slaughtering in Scotland were increased. Will the minister undertake to work alongside the cabinet secretary and the industry to increase the capacity of Scotland’s abattoirs and to continue to lobby the UK Government to ensure that the red meat levies that are due to us are returned from England in order to help further promote our booming food and drink industry?

I whole-heartedly agree with my colleague’s comments about Quality Meat Scotland’s very good promotional work, not least its recent lamb campaign, which I understand will target 3.7 million consumers and reach over 90 per cent of Scottish adults. I have no doubt that the repatriation of the levies that ended up south of the border would have had a direct and positive effect on QMS’s work, and I assure my colleague that the cabinet secretary and I will not stop pressing this issue until we get a satisfactory resolution.

Of course, not all of the lost levy comes from the sheep sector—30 per cent is derived from pigs. With the assistance of our £2.7 million grant funding, the new Brechin facility will open this November, effectively doubling the slaughter capacity for pigs and ensuring that Scotland has the ability for all pigs born in Scotland to be slaughtered in Scotland. A recent study by Quality Meat Scotland confirmed that there was no lack of slaughterhouse capacity in Scotland, except with regard to pigs, but the Scottish Government is always ready to consider applications for support to invest in the meat processing sector, including abattoirs.