Dave Petrie: Although the Conservatives support the upgrading of the A96 and the A9, does the minister agree that the current apology for a trunk road—the A82 Tarbert to Crianlarich route to the Highlands and Islands—must be upgraded well ahead of the proposed programme? If not, it is in grave danger of disappearing—
Dave Petrie: I cannot disagree with much of what has been said already. Illegal moneylending is a growing blight on our society and must be stopped. Under the Labour Government, debt has rocketed. Personal debt in the UK now outstrips our GDP—quite something for the fifth-largest economy in the world. Insolvencies and the number of credit cards in circulation are also up. In that respect, the UK leads...
Dave Petrie: It is not utter rubbish. In a society where social responsibility is actively promoted in communities, business, civil society and, as Bill Aitken said, education, we must go back to education and start from the grass roots. Learning how to manage finance, we should be able to create more secure and fairer communities. In conclusion, we must renew our efforts to eliminate this scourge on our...
Dave Petrie: I congratulate Scott Barrie on bringing this debate to Parliament. Energy debt and fuel poverty continue to be important, and recent statistics reveal that an alarming number of Scots are struggling with such issues. It is now estimated that more than 100,000 children are living in fuel poverty in Scotland. Recent energywatch statistics have shown that electricity and gas prices increased by...
Dave Petrie: Will the minister take an intervention?
Dave Petrie: The debate has been good. As another former teacher, I have experienced HMIE inspections, which I found to be fair, balanced and comprehensive, with any identified shortcomings followed up, often with necessary staff changes, as Peter Peacock said. HMIE's responsibility runs from pre-school education through to further education colleges and community learning. It is responsible for promoting...
Dave Petrie: I share all the concerns that have been expressed and agree with all the suggestions that have been made. However, will advice from Transport Scotland also cover half-barrier level crossings?
Dave Petrie: Does the minister agree that, ironically, the irresponsible scaremongering by the SNP and the socialist parties over stock transfer has resulted in a worsening of living conditions among some of the poorest families, who are being given escalating rents, badly maintained properties and insecure futures?
Dave Petrie: Will the member take an intervention?
Dave Petrie: Iain Smith has said a lot about education, resources and extended hours, but does he accept that diet and exercise are equally important, as they can set a pattern for later years?
Dave Petrie: How will implementing the contract affect the critical situation in the Oban and Fort William hospitals?
Dave Petrie: I thank the minister for at last answering questions. We accept the obvious benefits of mediation to the planning process, but does the minister agree that the practice must not be employed in such a way as to be an overly expensive delaying tactic that could conflict with the aims and objectives of a fast-track and inclusive modernised planning system?
Dave Petrie: Does the minister accept that in all Scottish Water's new works it is in partnership with private companies such as Miller Group, Babtie Group and so on and that, therefore, Scottish Water is already partly privatised?
Dave Petrie: Does the member agree with the water industry commissioner's report that, for every million gallons of expensively treated water that is produced, half a million gallons leak from our pipes? Our sewers are flooding with non-statutory surface water. Does the member accept that, under the charging system, the required improvements are not achievable within an affordable system?
Dave Petrie: We are broadly in favour of the bill, subject to the changes to which Nanette Milne referred being made at stage 2. Let us make no mistake about why the bill was introduced. Local communities' dissatisfaction with the remoteness of health boards is growing. The bill was introduced as a result of a desire to make health boards reflect more accurately the wishes of local communities, which is a...
Dave Petrie: I cannot agree with that. There are arguments against the bill. The national health service is centrally planned. Elected members could inhibit centrally planned initiatives and entrench a postcode-lottery system. Turnout for the elections would almost certainly be low, which would mean that it would be easy for special-interest or single-interest groups to gain influence and further their...
Dave Petrie: Does the Scottish Executive have in place an accurate record of complaints against Scottish Gas? Is it monitoring the response times to such complaints and, if so, what is the maximum response time?
Dave Petrie: My initial reaction to the bill was a straight question: why do we need legislation to decide what our kids should eat? Was that not the aim of the hungry for success and health-promoting schools policies, which appear to have failed to increase uptake of school lunches? However, we acknowledge that the health and welfare of pupils are increasing causes of concern, so we are generally...
Dave Petrie: I accept that stigma is a problem and was about to address the issue. I have taught in schools that operate a card system, to ensure anonymity, but let us make no mistake—the children know which kids are getting free school lunches. A lot of kids are not bothered about getting free school meals, although I appreciate that there is stigma for some. Schools must decide on appropriate...
Dave Petrie: I am sorry; I would struggle to finish if I did. There is talk of banning foods. We need to influence the culture of nutrition in schools, but we should not be heavy handed—let us take a carrot and not a stick approach. Banning certain foods seems a little too prescriptive, particularly in school hostels, where it is important not to be too heavy handed. Civil liberties and parental choice...
