Hansard

George Lyon: LD Chamber

08 Mar 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Challenge 21

The roll-out of test purchasing throughout Scotland will mean that all off-sales and on-sales premises will need to ensure that they require people who buy alcohol to prove that they are the right age on a no proof, no sale basis. Test purchasing is the real driver in ensuring...

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD Chamber

08 Mar 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Challenge 21

The Executive is committed to tackling underage drinking, which includes addressing the availability of alcohol, and we welcome initiatives such as challenge 21. I visited a local Co-op not so long ago to see the good work that is being done to ensure that anyone who tries to ...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

08 Mar 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Efficiency Savings

The minister made his position on the matter very clear yesterday. He and I agree that that money might have been better spent on investing in and improving services for our islanders. However, we have to comply with EU rules and regulations in this area. To date, none of the ...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

08 Mar 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Efficiency Savings

As the member will know, advice to ministers is always protected. Ministers have always made it clear that once the spending review has been completed, the report will be made public. Indeed, a future Administration might decide to take an alternative position. However, today ...

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD Chamber

08 Mar 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Efficiency Savings

As we have always made clear, the recommendations of the budget review report are being considered as part of the preparation for the next spending review. The budget review report will be published when the spending review is completed. The public will be able to assess savin...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

08 Mar 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Public-private Partnership (Guidance)

I understand that Architecture Scotland is already working with us on that issue.

George Lyon: LD Chamber

08 Mar 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Public-private Partnership (Guidance)

It is not for me to comment on South Ayrshire Council's decisions. As with some other schools PPP projects, South Ayrshire Council identified an affordability gap during procurement, but it was bridged prior to financial close. As the procuring body, the local authority must e...

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD Chamber

08 Mar 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Public-private Partnership (Guidance)

It is the responsibility of each local authority, as the procuring body, to ensure that its PPP project is affordable for the full length of the contract. It is a condition of any part-funding support provided by the Executive for a local authority PPP project that the local a...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

08 Mar 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Whistleblowing

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 is United Kingdom legislation that provides protection for workers who blow the whistle on, or raise a genuine concern about, malpractice. The 1998 act protects genuine whistleblowers from being victimised as a result of their actions, t...

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD Chamber

08 Mar 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Whistleblowing

Statutory guidance made under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003 requires local authorities to have in place effective policies on fraud prevention and investigation and whistleblowing. It is for local authorities to establish those procedures and ensure that they are a...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

I listed four or five measures to ban promotions in off-sales. Clearly, they will not happen until measures in the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 come into force. I argue that we need to determine the impact of those measures before we decide to go further. Research has been do...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

On this issue, we can make progress and change Scotland's culture. An inclusive approach is—

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

If anyone had suggested 10 years ago that the Scottish Parliament would introduce a smoking ban to widespread acclaim, many would have doubted their sanity and their grip on reality. Nevertheless, the culture has shifted.

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

I assure the chamber that, where further statutory measures are necessary, we will bring them before Parliament.As many members have said, this debate is about changing culture and behaviours over the coming decade, pursuing a collaborative approach with the alcohol industry a...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

That is certainly one approach. Local authorities have powers to ban the consumption of alcohol in public places. In my constituency, those powers have been used in Dunoon, where a huge problem of alcohol abuse and drinking in the streets was associated with the Cowal games. T...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

I am not convinced that that would be the magic bullet that would cure everything, but I am sure that that proposal, among others, will continue to be discussed as we consider what further action we need to take.I will deal with a couple of issues that have been raised. Severa...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

There is a consensus among members about the importance of the subject. Several important issues have been raised during the debate, but every one of us acknowledges that achieving the aim of changing Scotland's attitude to alcohol is not an easy proposition. There is a deep-s...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

The member has made a valid point. However, alcohol is even cheaper in many southern European countries than it is here, but they do not have the cultural problems with alcohol that Scotland has. They do not have binge drinking problems and do not experience the after-effects ...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

I hope that the member will recognise that we can amend the schedule to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 to deal with the situation if we think that on-sales are trying to circumvent the promotional bans that we have introduced.

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

That inclusive approach is the right way to tackle Scotland's love affair with the booze.I move amendment S2M-5692.2, to leave out from "with concern" to end and insert:"the damage excessive drinking can cause to physical and mental health, our communities, our economy, and ou...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

We can change culture, as the smoking ban shows. It is about creating a society where alcohol misuse is no longer acceptable.

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

We will shortly publish the outcome of research that examined issues around off-sales promotions and antisocial behaviour, as we promised during the stage 1 debate on the Licensing (Scotland) Bill. We will consider that work very carefully and then decide whether we need to go...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

I am just coming to that matter. For on-sales premises, we are banning promotions that offer alcohol free or at a reduced price on the purchase of another drink. We are also requiring that free tap water and reasonably priced soft drinks must be available. We are banning promo...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

I do not have a lot of time, but yes.

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

As Mr Crawford will remember from discussing the matter in committee, the occasional licences provided for by the regulations that we dealt with yesterday are for boards to give to clubs for one-off extensions for special occasions. They are not expected to be used on a wide s...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

I have quite a bit to say and I want to make progress, but I will give way to the member soon.We cannot have a short-term approach that targets one issue but ignores others. Unfortunately, the approach that the Scottish National Party has taken today tends to target just disco...

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD Chamber

07 Mar 2007

Alcohol Misuse

I welcome the opportunity to talk about an important subject and describe actions that we have taken as part of a long-term process of changing culture—I am glad that Mr MacAskill acknowledged that we need to change the culture. There are no short-term fixes that can immediate...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

28 Feb 2007

Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill

Does the member acknowledge that the bill as introduced created an offence of kerb crawling, whereby men driving in their cars could be prosecuted and convicted of soliciting, which is the same as the offence of kerb crawling in England and Wales? The approach in England and W...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

28 Feb 2007

Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill

Clearly, as the member is well aware, it is important that services are available to those who are involved in prostitution. Indeed, much work goes on in all our major cities to ensure that services are available to them. On a visit to Glasgow during the passage of the bill, I...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

28 Feb 2007

Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill

If the member waits, I will come to that as I go through my speech.I am aware that there has been some concern about whether the resources are in place to enable local authorities and their partners to implement the strategy that is outlined in the guidance. I indicated at sta...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

28 Feb 2007

Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill

I am sure that members will agree that it cannot be right that the law criminalises sellers while remaining silent on the purchasers who exploit them and who cause disruption and alarm to our communities. That is why, in 2003, we made a partnership commitment to make kerb craw...

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD Chamber

28 Feb 2007

Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill

The Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill is an important bill that will address an imbalance in the current law on street prostitution. At present, only people who sell sex in public places can be prosecuted for soliciting or loitering. There is no equivalent statutory...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

28 Feb 2007

Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Amendment 4 would, in effect, require courts to issue drug treatment and testing orders to sellers who were convicted of an offence under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, as long as certain conditions were met. The conditions are that the court is satisfied, based on ...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

28 Feb 2007

Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The offence of loitering within a vehicle will, of course, be an offence where the evidence would lead one to infer that the person was in the area for the purposes of procuring the services of someone who was involved in prostitution.I will deal with the second part of Margo ...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

28 Feb 2007

Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

First, I clarify that it was after stage 2 that I wrote the letter. We await Baroness Scotland's response. However, I reassure the Parliament that the officials who are in discussion with Westminster believe that we will secure its support. We do not envisage that there will b...

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD Chamber

28 Feb 2007

Prostitution (Public Places) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Amendment 1 seeks to empower courts to disqualify offenders from driving. Of course, as others have said, Mr Ewing lodged a similar amendment at stage 2. As I explained during the debate on that amendment, we support the principle of empowering courts to disqualify offenders f...

George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD): LD Chamber

22 Feb 2007

Clyde Fishermen

I congratulate Phil Gallie on securing tonight's debate. I also thank the minister for allowing me to speak as a constituency MSP in the debate, which is on a subject that is close to my heart.I, too, declare an interest in that, like Phil Gallie, I am an honorary vice-preside...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

22 Feb 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Trains (Controlled-emission Toilets)

As I said, action has already been undertaken to deal with concerns that have been expressed about effluent at Inverness station. Members will be aware that there have been a number of failures in the service quality regime. The track at Inverness will be cleaned weekly. Litte...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

22 Feb 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Trains (Controlled-emission Toilets)

The Minister for Transport has already had discussions with the rail companies. Ensuring that stations and tracks are clean is the operational responsibility of First ScotRail and Network Rail, and I understand that they are working to improve the trackside environments at sta...

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD Chamber

22 Feb 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Trains (Controlled-emission Toilets)

We have no current plans to phase out trains that are not fitted with controlled-emission toilets in advance of rail industry requirements. However, we will consider the use of controlled-emission toilets when new rolling stock is being procured.Transport Scotland has spoken t...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

22 Feb 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Local Authority Roads<br />(Maintenance and Repair)

As I said in responding to Mr Morgan's question, an extra £60 million has been made available for 2006-07 and a further £60 million will be made available for 2007-08. A total of £320 million for road maintenance will be made available in 2007-08, which represents a 23 per cen...

George Lyon: LD Chamber

22 Feb 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Local Authority Roads<br />(Maintenance and Repair)

I am grateful to the member for raising his concerns about the impact of utility companies on Edinburgh's roads, and am sure that the Minister for Transport would be willing to listen and respond to any suggestions that Mr Chisholm wishes to take up with him.

George Lyon: LD Chamber

22 Feb 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Local Authority Roads<br />(Maintenance and Repair)

Roads and transport grant-aided expenditure allocations have increased by £60 million per annum for 2006-07 and 2007-08. Total GAE for roads maintenance will amount to £320 million by 2007-08, which represents an increase of 23 per cent on the 2004-05 allocation. It would be i...

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD Chamber

22 Feb 2007

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE · Local Authority Roads<br />(Maintenance and Repair)

The Scottish Executive does not require councils to provide that information and therefore there is no centrally held estimate. However, Audit Scotland's 2006 report entitled "Scottish Executive: an overview of the performance of transport in Scotland" gave an estimate of the ...

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

It is a question of balance. As the committee will remember, the Nicholson committee and the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 were about ensuring local flexibility to take account of local needs. Does Edinburgh know best or should the flexibility lie locally? I guess that what is...

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

Again, that is guidance to boards. The policy on when closing times will be in particular areas is an operational matter for them. As we can see in various towns and cities, different closing times for different establishments operate already, and in some areas there is a lock...

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

It will be for individual boards to consider. It may be that they will wish to send along an observer. The provisions basically allow for liaison between boards and forums if they consider that it is appropriate, but it will be for boards to make the decision.

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

If it is okay, Mr Ewing, Gary Cox wants to add one further point.

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

Okay. I will ask my officials to respond. We are just a little disappointed that Mr Ferguson, who was involved in the original consultation—indeed, he had a meeting just a week or 10 days ago with officials—did not raise those concerns with us at the time. Nevertheless, we hav...

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

I am not sure whether those are the original concerns that Mr Ferguson raised with the Subordinate Legislation Committee or points that he has raised subsequently. Can you clarify that for me, Mr Ewing?

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

There seems to be some confusion about what the six-month period relates to. It relates not to the consideration of individual licence applications, but to the consideration of all the licences that come up for renewal in a specific timescale. As you know, the current cycle is...

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

That is always possible until arrangements are finalised.

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

Yes, that is correct.

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

No. Promotion is defined in the 2005 act.

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

I do not think that that is correct at all.

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

Yes. I will explain the process. In response to the committee's concern about the need to see the guidance at an early stage, it was agreed during the passage of the bill to incorporate within it a requirement that draft guidance should be brought before the committee in the f...

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

I am not aware of that commentary, but we are happy to try to respond to any questions that you have. I should point out that the trade was fully consulted during the drafting of the guidance.

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

I assure Mr Martin that it is still our intention to bring into effect the legislative provision from that amendment, which requires that the police provide antisocial behaviour reports with regard to licences.

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamentary Business (George Lyon): LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Draft Guidance for Licensing Boards and Local Authorities (SE/2007/9)

It is a pleasure to be with you this afternoon. Members will recall the passage of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, which we are making good progress on implementing. I will outline the process that we went through to get the guidance to this stage.Our consultation period ra...

George Lyon: LD Committee

20 Feb 2007

Subordinate Legislation

I will provide the committee with indicative figures for capital spending in writing, if that would be helpful.