Contents
- Scottish Parliament Thursday 25 October 2001
- Railways (Investment)
- International Situation
- Question Time
- First Minister's Question Time
- National Cultural Strategy
- Parliamentary Bureau Motions
- Point of Order
- Decision Time
- Ocean Recovery
Question Time
SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Borders Rail Link
To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications of Railtrack plc going into administration will be for the re-establishment of a rail link to the Scottish Borders. (S1O-3936)
It is far too early to speculate on how the new infrastructure company will affect enhancements to the Scottish railway network as the proposed construction of the Borders railway is not expected until 2005 at the earliest. The challenge is to ensure that the new railway structure enables cost-effective public and private investment that meets our strategic objectives.
Does the minister acknowledge that, whatever the administrative arrangements and changes, we have to ensure that the public service ethos and social and strategic interests are taken into account in making decisions? The authorities at every level must recall that the Parliament, for powerful and compelling reasons, endorsed the principle of re-establishing a rail link to and through the Borders. There should be no reason for going back on that commitment.
I am happy to acknowledge that the first feasibility study into the Borders railway line was conducted in recognition of the social and economic conditions in the Borders. Those conditions still remain. The key thing is for the work being done by Scottish Borders Council to advance, so that the correct work is in place to consider the Borders railway line further.
On 25 August last year, in answer to my question on discussions with the Strategic Rail Authority about financing the Borders railway line, the minister responded that that was discussed on 26 June last year. On what occasions since has funding been discussed with the SRA? What advice and guidance has the minister given to the SRA about funding the line?
We have yet to give strategic advice and guidance to the SRA on the next ScotRail franchise. However, throughout the period in question we have been in regular discussions with the SRA—at ministerial and official level—on a range of railway projects.
Will the minister confirm recent reports that she has been discussing with possible funders the terms of a private finance initiative to procure the Borders railway link? Is the fate of Railtrack likely to affect materially the prospects of achieving agreement on such a procurement route?
The new structure will give us a range of options to procure new railways infrastructure—that gives us opportunities across the whole of Scotland, not just in the Borders.
Terrorism
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government about combating terrorism. (S1O-3927)
I can assure Mr Canavan and the Parliament that there are regular contacts between the Scottish Executive and Whitehall departments about a range of issues relating to the combating of terrorism.
Can members have an assurance that the Parliament will have the opportunity to debate any anti-terrorist legislation, rather than leaving it all to Westminster? Is the minister aware that there would probably be a warm welcome in Scotland for legislation to stop incitement to religious, as well as racial, hatred, but that there would probably be strong opposition to some other suggestions, such as identity cards? What exactly is the Scottish Executive's position on compulsory identity cards?
I cannot guarantee that there will a debate on all aspects of any anti-terrorism bill introduced at Westminster, because terrorism is a reserved matter. As was explained in this morning's debate, aspects of any proposed legislation may have implications for devolved responsibilities. We are examining those implications. It might be appropriate for us to bring some of them before the Scottish Parliament; it might be appropriate to invite the Parliament to approve a Sewel motion, not least because of the time imperative.
As Mr Canavan will have heard the First Minister and me say this morning, we want to ensure that all religious communities in Scotland have proper protection, equivalent to that applied south of the border, but we want to examine those issues from a Scottish perspective, given, in particular, the different degree of sectarianism in Scotland compared with south of the border. There will be distinctive proposals for Scotland. Whether those are made in co-operation with Westminster or in this Parliament is still under discussion.
I have made my views on identity cards clear. Whether it is a matter for this Parliament depends on whether it is considered to be terrorism related. I do not believe that ID cards would have done anything to prevent the atrocious terrorist acts that took place on 11 September.
On the general campaign to combat the spread of terrorism, will the Scottish Executive impress upon the Westminster Government that the quickest, most effective step that it could take to ensure that there are no more recruits for terrorist acts over the next few weeks would be to ensure that Israel withdraws from the occupied territories?
I do not think that Mr Wallace is responsible for that.
Indeed. I do not think that that falls within my responsibilities.
Central Heating Initiative (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes in Glasgow have been fitted with central heating under its initiative to supply central heating to the homes of elderly people. (S1O-3934)
We anticipate that about 3,600 central heating systems will be installed in the homes of elderly people and tenants by March 2002.
I appreciate the anticipation in that answer, but is not the factual answer, "No—such central heating installations have not been installed in the homes of elderly people"?
"Nonsense" is the word that I would use for Bill Aitken. I can advise him that if he happens occasionally to go to Glasgow, he will see that, from April this year, Glasgow City Council has been installing central heating systems in the homes of tenants, and—
How many?
If Bill Aitken would allow me to finish—following the publication of guidance from Scottish Homes, housing associations have accelerated their programmes for central heating installation. Eaga Partnership advises me that it expects that provision will be made in about 1,000 homes in the private sector. Eaga is working to begin those installations over the next few weeks.
What measures have been taken to extend the central heating programme to those who are disabled? I am sure that the minister will appreciate that many disabled people are housebound and in need of an efficient central heating programme for the winter months.
As Paul Martin will recall, we announced that we were accelerating the central heating programme for those in the social rented sector, so that all of them would be provided with central heating by April 2004, and that we were extending the programme to partial heating systems, with priority being given to the elderly and the disabled. The point that Paul Martin makes has been taken on board.
Will the minister confirm that the full central heating installation programme will be delivered in Glasgow, regardless of how tenants vote in a ballot on stock transfer, and that elderly people in Glasgow will have to wait no longer than pensioners in other parts of Scotland for the completion of the programme?
If Kenny Gibson were to read the Official Report of debates in the Parliament, he would know that I have confirmed that many times before.
Multiple Sclerosis (Research)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it will take to ensure that the chief scientist office actively seeks applications for research into multiple sclerosis. (S1O-3938)
The CSO has received no research proposals on multiple sclerosis recently, although it has indirectly supported 12 MS-related projects. I take this opportunity to reaffirm the CSO's commitment to consider direct funding for research proposals on MS, provided that they are of a sufficiently high standard.
The minister will be aware that, since 1990, the Multiple Sclerosis Society has spent more than £3 million on research. Does she agree that the society has a reputation in the scientific community for funding research of a high quality?
Given that reputation for quality, does the minister agree that it is no longer appropriate for the Scottish Executive to say that it will not fund research projects on MS on the ground of their lack of quality? Will the minister instruct the CSO to enter into discussions with the Multiple Sclerosis Society, with a view to funding future research projects on MS, to give some hope to MS sufferers in Scotland?
First, I take the opportunity to record my recognition of the work of the Multiple Sclerosis Society—not just in research, but more widely in its work with the health service and, crucially, with individuals and their families—in helping us to make progress on this debilitating and sadly as yet incurable condition. Of course, as was demonstrated by my earlier answer, the CSO will support research, but it is important to remember that the research that we undertake in Scotland is part of a much wider national and international research effort in this important area.
The minister will be aware that in my constituency there is a particularly high incidence of multiple sclerosis. Will she indicate what additional service provision is being considered for MS sufferers?
I have taken a direct interest in this area for a considerable time. I am pleased to tell Jamie Stone that, working with the Multiple Sclerosis Society, we have been keen to monitor progress in the health service across Scotland, and indeed have done so in this year's accountability reviews of health boards. We asked specifically for reports on progress in this area. Progress has been variable, but I am pleased that in many parts of the country practical and positive steps are being taken to develop services and support to meet the needs of MS sufferers, to take up the Multiple Sclerosis Society's offer to develop, for example, MS specialist nursing, and to work continually, as we have discussed, to increase our understanding and awareness of this condition.
National Energy Efficiency Week
To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in support of national energy efficiency week, it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government in support of the rate of value added tax on do-it-yourself materials used to improve the energy efficiency of households being reduced from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent. (S1O-3951)
The Scottish Executive and Her Majesty's Government are frequently in touch on a range of issues, including taxation, which remains, of course, reserved to the Westminster Parliament. However, the implementation of Government-funded energy-efficiency measures, such as the warm deal, already attract the lower rate of VAT at 5 per cent.
The minister will be aware of the recent review of energy policy by the Energy Saving Trust, and the comment by its chief executive that the potential for energy savings is so great that no further nuclear power stations would be needed if the savings were achieved.
Does the minister agree that it is perverse that taxation on the consumption of energy is only 5 per cent, whereas taxation on measures for energy conservation in the public domain is much higher at 17.5 per cent? Does the minister accept that such pricing acts as a disincentive to investment in energy efficiency and thereby compromises the Executive's ability to deliver on its commitment to improve energy efficiency and end fuel poverty? Therefore, does she agree that the Executive has a legitimate right, if not a duty, to make representations to Her Majesty's Government to change this ridiculous situation?
I think that we have got the point.
I confess to losing count of how many times I was asked to agree with Robin Harper. We are on record as supporting the reduction of VAT on home improvements and repairs, and we acknowledge Robin Harper's point that accelerating improvements and repairs contributes directly to energy efficiency, whether by taking houses above the tolerable standard, improving health or securing more warmth. As Robin Harper will know, and has welcomed, we are committed to implementing a fuel poverty strategy in Scotland that will, within 15 years, eliminate fuel poverty once and for all.
Will the minister confirm that the Executive is committed to encouraging energy efficiency? Will she outline for us the measures that the Executive has introduced to encourage energy efficiency, and will she outline how the Executive intends to measure the success or otherwise of the programme?
I am happy to do so. We intend to proceed with our commitment to energy efficiency in a number of ways. First is the warm deal programme, which is exceeding our warm homes target of 100,000.
There is also the central heating programme, which we have spent time on in the chamber today. Most important, there are the fuel poverty strategies. We will bring together in a comprehensive form the measures that we will take to end fuel poverty in Scotland. Those measures will be open to scrutiny by this Parliament, they will be time limited and they will be adequately resourced.
Following her earlier answer, does the minister agree that to broaden to house repairs generally the reduction in VAT from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent would both constitute an incentive towards carrying out necessary house repairs, including improvements to energy efficiency, and strike a considerable blow against the cowboy builders who are such a curse on the construction industry?
It would indeed. That is why we have always argued that it would be of benefit to accelerate improvements and repairs more generally. Not only would that provide increased warmth and better health, but it would help people to remain in their own homes and contribute to energy efficiency. We are on record as saying that we would welcome a reduction of the VAT on such repairs from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent.
Road Safety
To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the new safety measures at the Ballinluig junction on the A9, what progress is being made to improve safety on other parts of the road. (S1O-3956)
Two schemes on the A9 at North Kessock junction and Bankfoot junction were included in the £680 million three-year programme of improvements to Scotland's motorway and trunk road network that I announced in March this year. In addition, I have commissioned a detailed accident analysis of the A9 and a report is due at the end of November 2001. The results will be examined to see whether there is any correlation between accident type and location, with a view to identifying whether further road safety improvements can be introduced.
I welcome the work that is being done at North Kessock junction, which is another accident black spot on the A9. What progress has the minister made on addressing the problems on the A9 between Helmsdale and the Ord of Caithness?
As members will recall, the strategic roads review in 1999 identified a number of options that we are now pursuing. We are paying particular attention to the option of online improvements between Helmsdale and the Ord of Caithness. That work is on-going.
Having survived a recent experience driving up the A9, I ask the minister whether she will consider creating opportunities for overtaking on the 45-mile stretch of the A9 between Dalwhinnie and the Slochd summit. I have written to her several times on that issue. There is no opportunity for overtaking on that stretch.
The safety work will involve a consideration of the accident rate on different stretches of the road. We are also reviewing the route action plan for the A9. Together, those two pieces of work will enable us to consider priorities when rolling forward the trunk roads and motorways programme in future years.
Nurses (Training and Development)
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to fund fully nurse career development and training. (S1O-3920)
The Scottish Executive funds nurse training and the continuing professional development of nurses in a number of ways, including specific centrally funded initiatives such as ward sister and charge nurse development. The new national health service boards will be required to make plans for staff development. The new special health board for education and training that will be created on 1 April 2002 will take a proactive role in co-ordinating and overseeing educational support for health care staff, including nurses.
Will the minister guarantee that the nursing summit that is to be held on 19 November will address career development and training for nurses? Will he outline the types of measures that he expects the convention will examine with the aim of offering concrete improvements in that area? Will he assure me that the new education board will remove the discrimination that exists between the professions in the NHS regarding access to paid study leave?
We are strongly committed to the agenda of continuing professional development. This week Susan Deacon and I attended an important conference called "Still Learning Together", which considered career development and training across all NHS staff, with particular reference to nursing.
In preparation for the convention, we are considering recruitment and retention issues and we are working closely with the Royal College of Nursing, Unison and other relevant bodies. The convention will not be a talking shop, but a meeting that will lead to initiatives. The matters that Mr Adam referred to will be at its heart.
Will the minister ensure that the health authorities perform better in the future than some of them do at the moment on the funding of training? A lot of burdens fall on nurses. For example, placements involve travelling and other costs that are often not reimbursed. Some health boards are extremely inflexible. Will the new system that the minister mentioned be more flexible and more helpful to nurses?
The new health boards must consider the matter to be a central part of their planning. We will monitor their performance as part of the new performance assessment framework. We will play our role, although the new special health board that I referred to will also have a role. The issues to which Donald Gorrie referred are under active consideration and will be discussed further at the convention in three weeks' time.
As the minister knows, some nurses—for instance, nurses who wish to specialise in caring for chronic pain patients—have to pay for extra training. Will the minister assure Parliament that he will end the injustice whereby nurses have to pay for training from their own pockets or pass the hat round charities?
There is a range of funding sources for training. I am sure that Dorothy-Grace Elder welcomes that fact. Some funding comes from trusts and some comes from central initiatives. We gave £1.75 million in January for centrally funded initiatives.
It is right that there should be a range of funding sources. However, the issue to which Dorothy-Grace Elder referred is also under consideration and we want to make that an important part of the agenda. The commitments that we made at this week's conference were part of that process. New funding initiatives, such as the new partnership with the Scottish university for industry, were announced, which open up many new development opportunities for nurses and all health care staff.
Scottish Police College
To ask the Scottish Executive why spending on the Scottish Police College will fall from £12.8 million in 2002-03 to £11.7 million in 2003-04 as detailed in the draft budget for 2002-03. (S1O-3922)
There are two reasons for the fall in planned expenditure. The first reason is the end of the period of increased training of probationers arising from the additional funding provided by the Scottish Executive to enable forces to employ higher numbers of police officers. The second reason is the completion of a major upgrading of the Tulliallan college's physical education block.
Does the minister agree that the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan is a centre of educational excellence and that, in the wake of the Chhokar case recommendations, it is imperative that maximum support is given to achieving the highest possible standards in police education and training to maintain best practices and standards in Scotland and to increase police morale and keep numbers up to maximum strength?
I can only agree with James Douglas-Hamilton that Tulliallan has established itself as a centre of excellence. It provides 80 per cent of police training in Scotland. The other 20 per cent is delivered in local police forces. The college's reputation is such that it attracts students from across the world. Its training provides one of our key opportunities to ensure that matters such as domestic assaults, children's welfare and crimes involving issues of race are dealt with sensitively by our police officers. That is why Tulliallan's underlying budget is increasing year on year.
Broadcasting
To ask the Scottish Executive whether discussions have taken place with the United Kingdom Government on the impact in Scotland of the forthcoming UK legislation on broadcasting. (S1O-3921)
The Scottish Executive has been in discussion with the UK Government over the planned legislation of broadcasting since the communications white paper was published.
Is the minister aware that there are potential threats to regional broadcasting and jobs in Scotland from the forthcoming UK legislation, which might open the door for one company to take over the whole ITV network?
A threat is also posed by comments such as those from the MP for Falkirk West, who says that there is too much Scottish news in Scotland—which, of course, fails to mention him. Will the minister undertake to fight Scotland's corner on the matter? Does he agree that the best way of protecting Scottish broadcasting is to put Scotland's Parliament in charge of it?
If the Scottish Executive and I are known for anything, it is for defending Scotland's corner. I am not familiar with the comments that Richard Lochhead attributes to Eric Joyce, but the Executive is concerned that Scotland's economic and cultural interests should be properly represented in the planned new arrangements. We do not favour a reduction in regional programming. I favour an increase in the quotas.
I am sure that the minister and many members will join me in welcoming the standard of the political and current affairs coverage that has developed on all channels since the Parliament was established two years ago. Does the minister agree that the regular attacks on "Newsnight Scotland" are wide of the mark? That programme provides a useful service on the Parliament's activities. Will the minister consider giving evidence to the Select Committee on Scottish Affairs, which I understand is to establish an inquiry into the matter early next year?
The bill team at Westminster has recognised the need for effective dialogue between Whitehall and the devolved Administrations. We will have the opportunity to respond to the formal consultation process early next year. Issues such as those that the member raised can be brought up then. The developing situation with the communications bill, the documented fall-off in ITN advertising revenue and the post-devolution settlement provides the best opportunity in a decade for stimulating and restructuring regional and national broadcasting.
Question 10 has been withdrawn.
Schools (Dumfries and Galloway)
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it plans to give to parents and communities in Dumfries and Galloway regarding the local authority's schools option appraisal process and on what basis it will allocate funding to support the outcome of that process. (S1O-3948)
Consultation with parents and communities about its review of school provision is a matter for Dumfries and Galloway Council. I understand that the council is continuing discussions with school boards and head teachers before reaching a view on the outcome of its review. Funding arrangements for school buildings improvements will be discussed with local authority leaders on 31 October.
Does the minister accept that it is extremely difficult for parents—including me—and pupils from Moffat Academy, some of whom are in the public gallery today, to make an informed contribution to the council's school review when they do not know the minister's position on the funding of small secondary schools and networks of rural primary schools?
The Executive and the local authorities of Scotland proudly fund such small secondary and primary schools throughout Scotland. It would be wrong of us to set financial limits for local authorities in advance of those discussions. It is right and proper that Dumfries and Galloway Council considers its school estate as a whole, consults locally on it and reaches conclusions. It can then plan improvements in the light of funding that might become available. It would not be right to set financial limits in advance. The member would be wrong to persist in asking me to do that.
The Executive has acknowledged the need to support the fragile communities in Dumfries and Galloway in the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth epidemic. Would a good way of delivering that support be to end the uncertainty that hangs over many excellent schools in those communities? Will the minister therefore commit himself to ending the process as soon as possible? The uncertainty is damaging to many people in those communities. [Applause.]
It is interesting that some SNP members cheered their colleague Alasdair Morgan. It would be wrong for a minister to instruct a local authority to end a consultation process. That would be hypocritical. It is important that the autonomous local authority of Dumfries and Galloway Council conducts its own consultation process, reaches its own conclusion and puts proposals to us. If we can fund them, we will.
Question 12 has been withdrawn.
Housing (Glasgow)
To ask the Scottish Executive what resources it will make available to Glasgow City Council for investment in housing should tenants vote against housing stock transfer. (S1O-3929)
Should tenants in Glasgow vote against housing stock transfer, the housing will remain in the ownership of Glasgow City Council. In those circumstances, the council would continue to receive its share of the available housing revenue account resources.
Does the minister agree that, regardless of whether stock transfer takes place, housing debt in Glasgow should be dealt with by the Treasury? Will she press the Chancellor of the Exchequer for debt transfer without preconditions? Does she accept that tenants will see failure to do so as little more than a crude attempt at blackmail and proof that their interests come second to new Labour dogma?
I find it astonishing that the SNP has such a confused policy position that Kenny Gibson can make statements of that kind.
The deal that we have made with the Treasury is exactly in line with arrangements that exist in England. People cannot have it both ways—there is not sufficient money to service the debt and to invest in new houses. People have to recognise that we have introduced a package of fairly massive investment in new homes in Glasgow. I say to Kenny Gibson that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the face of housing in Glasgow. Indeed, the package does more than that; it regenerates the whole city.
Is the minister aware that tenants in my constituency and elsewhere in Glasgow have expressed concern about the impact on any future investment plans of the possible demolition of houses? Will the minister outline what is being done to address those concerns?
Demolition is part of the package that we are investing in Glasgow, which is in excess of £400 million. Tenants are right to want to be involved in the decision-making process as to which houses will be demolished, where new houses will be built and what the form and content of those new houses will be. Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Housing Association are progressing discussions with tenants. Where houses are lying empty and in areas where people do not want to live, it will be tenants who will decide on what gets demolished and what new homes will be built. We are clear about the fact that tenants are very much in charge.
Does the minister agree that Glasgow requires that investment regardless of whether a stock transfer takes place? Does she agree with the general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress, who said that the £450 million Scottish Executive investment and the tying of wholesale stock transfer to debt write-off amounted to political blackmail?
Tommy Sheridan and his party sound like a broken record. Thank goodness the ultimate decision on whether to transfer council houses in Glasgow does not rest with them. It rests with the tenants of Glasgow and that is where it rightly belongs.
People cannot have it both ways. It is not possible to take away the debt and simultaneously put in new investment.
Why not?
Because we also want to build new schools and hospitals. We want to lever in the maximum amount of funding to ensure that people living in our communities have the best possible quality of life.
Question 14 has been withdrawn.
Heart Disease
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in improving the standard of treatment and aftercare for heart disease. (S1O-3945)
Fewer Scots are dying from heart disease than at any time in the past 20 years. That is thanks to a combination of better treatment and lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking. Last week's report from the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland showed that overall Scotland's hospitals provide a good standard of care for those who have had a heart attack. By next spring, we will produce a national strategy to tackle heart disease.
How will those new standards be implemented in areas such as Grampian? Will guidance be given on time scales that will benefit communities with severe health inequalities such as Middlefield in Aberdeen North, where the rate of heart disease is double that in the rest of Grampian?
I am pleased that the work of the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland, as it carries out its series of visits and review programme throughout Scotland, is already resulting in improvements. We are determined to ensure that that process of improvement continues; that will happen through the work of the standards board and the Executive. The new performance assessment framework is holding the NHS to account against performance in key priority areas such as heart disease. A key driver of progress will be patients themselves. One of the most radical and significant features of the work of the Clinical Standards Board for Scotland—the first national standard was published last week—is that it empowers patients and provides them with the questions to ask to ensure that they are getting the treatment and support they need and deserve.
Will the minister ensure that the large sum of money gifted by the people of Angus for a stroke rehabilitation unit at Stracathro hospital is used for that purpose and no other? There is a tendency for gifts to the NHS to disappear into a general NHS resource; that must not be allowed to happen in the case to which I refer.
I am sure that all members share a desire to ensure that every penny that can go into providing good health care for people does so. It is of course a matter for the NHS locally to decide how best to allocate resources within a local area, but I am pleased that constructive dialogue and progress have been taking place in Tayside to ensure that the people of Angus and the Mearns and the rest of that area get high-quality services throughout the region in future.
Education (Looked-after Children)
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that looked-after children are provided with an education that supports and encourages them in the realisation of their full potential. (S1O-3954)
On 22 October, I announced the establishment of a new fund to provide books, equipment and homework materials for the 11,000 looked-after children in Scotland, who will each benefit from between £500 and £2,500 worth of educational materials. The fund will help to address the anomaly that has previously prevented some of Scotland's most vulnerable children from benefiting from extra investment.
I thank the minister for that statement and the announcement of extra resources for looked-after children. If we wish genuinely to make a difference with that new resource, how will we ensure that we monitor the spend and where it is targeted, so that children in future do not face the difficulties that have been faced by looked-after children in the recent past?
The provisional allocations for local authorities have been placed in the Scottish Parliament information centre. The guidance that has been circulated to councils has been made available to members in the same way. Councils have been asked to provide us with further details of how the money will be spent and the exact numbers in their area by the middle of November. In that way we will be able to monitor that the money is going to those children at whom it is targeted. It is vital that the money reaches those children who need it most, particularly those in residential care and residential schools. I hope that the local authorities will support us in achieving that objective.
As someone who has taught looked-after children in a residential school and in mainstream education, I ask the minister to ensure that when looked-after children are placed in mainstream education—as they often are—their teachers are fully briefed on their needs and difficulties. Just as important is that any preconceptions or prejudices that teachers may have are dealt with fully, as it is important that we do not have lowered expectations of looked-after children.
I could not agree more. In St Philip's School, a residential school in Airdrie that I visited on Monday morning, two thirds of the young boys in the art class achieved a grade 3 at standard grade in their art examination last year. That sort of achievement from a group of children of whom people may have low expectations shows exactly why we need to challenge those assumptions. Our ambitions and aspirations should be at least as high for those children as they are for others. Part of our response over the coming months to the local authorities' response to the "Learning with Care" report will be to address exactly the sort of issues that Maureen Macmillan describes, to ensure that teachers in mainstream schools are aware of the background difficulties of some children and are sensitive to the need to have high aspirations for those children.
One aspect that is sometimes neglected when we are dealing with looked-after children is domestic skills. I was shocked to speak to one young man who had come out of care and was living in the community, but who had never seen a recipe book. He had no idea how to cook for himself. That sort of practical skill is so important. [Laughter.]
Order. That could apply to a number of us.
I see Ian Jenkins holding up his hand, probably admitting that he has never seen a recipe book either.
I agree entirely with Nora Radcliffe. It is critical for young boys to acquire such life skills. I do not want to labour the point about my visit on Monday, but I spoke to a group of five young boys at that residential school who had had serious problems in their lives and at school. They told me that their favourite class was home economics. They have an inspirational teacher, who is leading them in a course, using the new national qualifications access courses, to give those kids life skills that they will use for ever. That is important and we will be very pleased indeed if we can repeat that success elsewhere.
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