Plenary, 26 Jan 2006

Meeting date: Thursday, January 26, 2006

Official Report 726KB pdf

---

Question Time

---

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

---

General Questions

---

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has developed a timetable with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and local authorities for the implementation of the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive and, if so, what the timetable is. (S2O-8799)

We are working with the United Kingdom Government on further proposals for consultation and a final timetable for implementation of the waste electrical and electronic equipment directive across the UK.

That answer gives me some measure of reassurance, but there is concern about the delay in the timetable.

Does the Scottish Executive plan to become involved in any monitoring and evaluation process once collection and recycling begin?

Obviously, that would be the case. The difficulty at the moment, as Marlyn Glen will be well aware, is that the WEEE directive places a burden on the manufacturer or the importer of the equipment. Clearly, it will be important for us to ensure that, once we have established an agreement to implement the directive, it does not fall on parties who should not be responsible. We must ensure that responsibility lies where the directive implies it should be.

What steps is the minister's department taking to encourage firms that specialise in recycling to prepare for the opportunities that will be available?

Our waste policy makes clear the fact that there are huge opportunities—including enormous business opportunities—for specialists and for other people across the sector. The green jobs strategy highlighted the volume of business for specialists and new entrants that will arise from recycling at domestic, municipal and industrial levels. We are engaged with the companies that the member refers to, as we are engaged with the companies that seek to expand the market.

Is the minister aware of the report that was published by the Institute of Directors two days ago? It refers to the complexity of the situation for small businesses, particularly in relation to the implementation of European environmental laws in the United Kingdom. What does the minister suggest we in Scotland do about those problems?

That is not directly related to the WEEE directive. The Institute of Directors report generally encompassed the fact that small businesses are encountering difficulties. That is particularly true in rural Scotland, as businesses there are unable to collaborate with other businesses to reduce costs in the way that those in urban areas can.

We are in discussions with such businesses and with local authorities. No one expects to be able to solve the problems for nothing—the Federation of Small Businesses has made it clear that it is prepared to pay a price. We are encouraging small businesses to talk to local authorities, some of which are being extremely proactive in assisting small businesses.

---

Flood Management

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will change the procedures for flood management schemes in light of future estimates in respect of the incidence of flooding. (S2O-8793)

Given the concerns that have been expressed about the statutory procedures, we are examining the scope for improving them. In particular, on the time taken to develop a flood alleviation scheme, we gave a commitment in the white paper "Modernising the Planning System" to improve the interaction between the planning process and other statutory procedures for flood prevention schemes. That commitment will be taken forward through the Executive's flooding issues advisory committee.

I welcome the minister's commitment, but it is nearly six years since my constituents in Roseburn and Murrayfield were flooded out of their homes. We have still had no progress with the flood prevention scheme. Local people are deeply unhappy with the proposed scheme, and I share their concerns. Will the minister take on board the fact that the process is interminable, which frustrates progress, and the fact that, with climate change, the demand for flood prevention schemes will increase? Will the minister consider the issue with some urgency? It is not something for the back burner.

I am very much aware of the concerns about flooding risks in various constituencies, and I very much share them. We will have to come to a conclusion on the matter as quickly as possible. I recognise that many years have passed since the process began. We need to address the matter. The flooding issues advisory committee is doing just that.

I am aware that the City of Edinburgh Council has done some work on the matter recently. I look forward to receiving its report. I have asked the flooding issues advisory committee to work on the issue as quickly as possible. It might be that we can create a single legislative procedure, for example. We need to consider the workings of the Flood Prevention (Scotland) Act 1961—it is now over 40 years since the act was passed—and we will do so as quickly as possible. I am well aware of the concerns of the constituents whom Sarah Boyack represents.

Is the minister aware of the concerns that are being expressed about the approach of the United Kingdom insurance industry to household insurance policies in Scotland when properties have a history of flooding? Only those measures that are being taken by the UK Government to tackle flooding south of the border are being taken into account; measures that are being taken by the Scottish Government are not. Has that matter been raised with the minister? Is she aware of it?

Representatives from insurance organisations are involved in the flooding issues advisory committee. I am more than happy to give the member an update if there has been any discussion on that particular issue.

---

Waiting Times (Out-patients)

To ask the Scottish Executive what new measures it will put in place to reduce the longest waiting times for hospital treatment, particularly for out-patient appointments. (S2O-8803)

NHS Scotland has made tremendous progress in reducing waiting times for patients across the country. In the past year, the number of patients with a maximum waiting time guarantee who have waited more than six months for in-patient and day-case treatment has been cut by more than 6,000, and the number of patients with a guarantee who have waited more than six months for a first out-patient appointment has been reduced by almost 42,000.

Validated figures for 31 December 2005, which will show whether NHS Scotland has met our six-month maximum waiting time target, will be published by NHS National Services Scotland on 23 February 2006.

As the minister knows, the waiting times for orthopaedics in the Forth Valley NHS Board area need to be reduced. Can he say how those waiting times might be reduced further, for example by using more allied professional input for certain procedures?

In line with what Professor David Kerr wrote in his report, and in line with our response, "Delivering for Health", we can implement a number of significant measures to ensure that we achieve our targets on behalf of patients much more effectively. We are involved in many pieces of work around service redesign, new ways of working and the use of the Golden Jubilee national hospital. As the member points out, better use of the national health service team—including allied health professionals, in whom we have made a huge investment—will enhance the service to patients, so that they get the right person with the right skills in the right place to deal with their ailment. As we can see from our statistics, there have been historic reductions in out-patient and in-patient waiting, which suggests to me that we are getting the balance right on behalf of the patient.

In my NHS area—Grampian—the use of private consultant out-of-hours clinics has significantly reduced out-patient waiting times. That being the case, will the minister consider increasing the resources that are allocated to health boards to allow them to negotiate contracts with independent consultants beyond the £45 million that is currently allocated, so as to decrease waiting times significantly?

In the past, I have consistently said that we will use the private sector as and when the patient requires the service in question. We want to guarantee that our targets are met on behalf of patients throughout Scotland. If that requires additional capacity under the control of the NHS and the use of the private sector, we will continue with that approach. I have met patients in Aberdeen and elsewhere who have access to state-of-the-art technology—sometimes mobile technology—and it is clear from their reaction that they are happy with the service that they receive, not only from the NHS but, on the occasions when it is required, from the private sector. That is good for patients, good for their families and, in my view, good for the health service in Scotland.

---

Concessionary Travel (Entitlement Cards)

To ask the Scottish Executive whether all eligible people, in particular those in North Lanarkshire, have received the new entitlement card which will be required to access free Scotland-wide concessionary travel from 1 April 2006. (S2O-8811)

The new national entitlement cards will not be issued to individuals until March 2006, as the Scotland-wide free bus scheme for older and disabled people will not be introduced until 1 April 2006. The Executive, local authorities and Strathclyde Passenger Transport are encouraging all eligible people to apply for their card now, to ensure that they receive it in time for the scheme's introduction.

In accordance with the requirements of the new concessionary travel scheme, can the minister provide some assurance that the equipment and technology that will be required by the bus operators to operate the scheme will be in place in time? Can he assure us that all bus companies that wish to participate in the scheme will have equal access to the technology?

I am grateful to Michael McMahon for raising this important issue at this time. We are working hard to achieve exactly the outcome that Michael McMahon desires, which we are looking to achieve on 1 April, and to ensure that the cards are ready and operate as smart cards using the appropriate technology, and that bus operators, both small and large, are ready to implement the system. We are working closely with the bus operators and the Confederation of Passenger Transport to achieve that. I ask Michael McMahon and other colleagues in Parliament to raise with their constituents the need for those who have not already done so to apply for the card, so that we can achieve the maximum take-up when the scheme comes into operation.

---

Organic Aid Scheme

To ask the Scottish Executive how, in the event of the new payment rates inducing a higher uptake from new entrants to the organic aid scheme, the Executive will decide its priorities within the rural development budget. (S2O-8833)

If the new payment rates lead to a higher level of good-quality applications to the organic aid scheme that cannot be met within the existing allocation to that scheme, I will review the allocations to other schemes within the rural development budget with a view to transferring more funds to the organic aid scheme budget. In doing so, I will take account of the Scottish Executive's targets and commitments in respect of organic farming and other schemes within the rural development budget.

The minister must admit that the budget for the organic aid scheme is grossly underfunded. If all those who are eligible to claim maintenance payments do so—as they are entitled to do—the budget for the scheme will need to be increased fourfold. Where will the minister get the money from? Will he take it from the rural stewardship scheme, or perhaps from the less favoured areas support scheme?

I have already answered that. All the member has done is rearrange the furniture of the question. Her party colleague Mark Ruskell, who is sitting next to her, asked me the same question twice at the Environment and Rural Development Committee. I have answered the same question. If the rates induce more good-quality applications, I will have to consider the budget of the rural stewardship scheme, balance that against commitments that the Scottish Executive has made, and transfer moneys to pay out on the organic aid scheme. I do not think that it could be clearer than that.

Question 6 is withdrawn.

---

Bridge Tolls

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there have been any further developments in its plans to publish the tolled bridges review and when it will make a decision on whether to support the Forth Estuary Transport Authority's proposal for a £4 toll on the Forth road bridge. (S2O-8836)

This sounds vaguely familiar. Ministers will consider the current charging proposals from FETA in conjunction with the future of the Forth road bridge. I am due to receive a report on the condition of the bridge at the end of the month, and I want to consider it carefully. We will take forward the bridges review in conjunction with those issues, and thereafter make an announcement.

There have been further developments since I lodged the question, not least a by-election in Dunfermline and West Fife. This morning, the minister refused to rule out the possibility of an increase in tolls. Will he take the opportunity that I am giving him now to assure the people of Fife that there will be no increase in tolls on the Forth road bridge?

Ministers have made it clear—indeed, we debated the matter this morning—that they have concerns about the FETA proposals. I am not going to add to what was said earlier or reinterpret it all over again. The issue was properly debated this morning, and I have nothing further to add.

Mr Scott is right: this is vaguely familiar, with perhaps more to come, so those who have lodged supplementaries will be disappointed.

---

Chewing Gum (Health)

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce a national health programme to educate the public on the risk of spreading infection by spitting and discarding chewing gum in our streets and other public places. (S2O-8790)

The Scottish Executive Health Department has no plans to introduce a public education programme on the risk of spreading infection by those antisocial practices.

I am disappointed to hear that, as many people outside the Parliament think that there is an urgent need to educate the public. Dry spittle becomes airborne infection, which can be inhaled. There are good advertisements on television about various health risks; we could link bad habits such as coughing and sneezing to them. One advertisement concerns spreading infection on a bus, and encourages people to get the flu injection. There may be an avian flu epidemic on the way, so we need to up our standards now. The public would like to know that the Scottish Executive will have a national programme on general hygiene in our communities to combat MRSA and winter and summer vomiting infections.

That is a bit wide of chewing gum, but we will wait for the minister's reply.

With all due respect to the member, that is not the question that she asked initially. Had she asked about airborne infection, I would have responded completely differently. We are not aware of any health risks from people spitting in the street, however antisocial and, bluntly, disgusting such a practice may be. The Executive and NHS Scotland issue material on infection, including information on the need to take precautions when sneezing and coughing, such as using handkerchiefs and covering mouths. We want to continue with that education programme.

To answer the member's secondary question, the Executive is focused on airborne infections and diseases, and does a great deal in its public information programmes to highlight those issues. However, my first answer was predicated on her initial question.

---

Roads (Casualties)

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures are in place to help to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads. (S2O-8805)

The Executive is addressing road safety through a combination of engineering, enforcement and education.

Will the minister join me in congratulating Fife constabulary on looking at holding a road safety reception, perhaps in the spring? Would the Executive support such a reception, at which initiatives such as safe drive, stay alive, safer Fife, pass plus, safer routes to school and 20's plenty would be considered? The reception might also afford us the opportunity to see the best of the rest of Scotland. If such a reception were held, would the minister attend it?

I would be delighted to take part in the reception that Marilyn Livingstone mentions. I also congratulate Fife constabulary on its work on road safety, and I am happy to discuss the issue further. The member raises an important point about the incidence of accidents on Scotland's trunk and local roads, and the measures that we are taking. The 20mph zone scheme, which she mentioned, is particularly important for Scotland's schools: 173 primary and 123 secondary schools already take part in that scheme. I hope that we can do much more.