| The Deputy Minister
for Environment and Rural Development (Allan Wilson):
I will try to deal with the points that members have raised and I am happy
to take interventions and questions on anything that is not covered in
the Environment and Rural Affairs Department's notes.
I congratulate
Shona Robison on bringing the matter to the Parliament's attention. The
debate has helpfully drawn attention to the SSPCA's recent financial problems.
The SSPCA has a long history and a substantial annual budget. There is
something in the British psyche or-I say this with due respect to the nationalists-the
Scottish psyche, if there is such a thing, that says that animals should
be cared for when they are injured or abandoned. Every member who has spoken
tonight has said as much.
The SSPCA came
into being without stimulation from central Government and, as Tommy Sheridan
and others have said, continues to this day to provide a comprehensive
range of animal welfare services without central support. The SSPCA has
always been robustly independent of local and central Government.
Through its
inspectors, in particular, it makes a substantial contribution to the fight
against cruelty to animals. With increasing evidence that cruelty to animals
is an important predictor of violent and callous behaviour towards human
beings, the influence of the SSPCA's work cannot be underestimated.
Shona Robison
asked whether there was a test for the Scottish Executive and Tommy Sheridan
asked whether it was time to consider animal welfare in its widest sense.
If there is a test for the Executive, it is one that I would wish it to
pass. Perhaps Tommy Sheridan is right that it is time to consider animal
welfare in its widest sense. This year we have joined our colleagues in
UK departments in consulting on a more strategic approach to the welfare
of animals that are kept by man. More recently, we circulated for consultation
a draft protection of animals bill, which is designed to address the lack
of power available to local authorities to remove livestock where necessary,
for example.
We are concerned
about the serious financial difficulties that prevail at the SSPCA, on
which all members have commented. However, we are happy to note that the
society has been able to defer closures of animal welfare
centres for
six months.
Phil Gallie:
I emphasise that I was not looking for a handout
for the SSPCA in my earlier comments; I was looking for a payment. The
SSPCA already has contracts with some local authorities to carry out certain
statutory duties. That is what I envisage from the Scottish Executive.
Allan Wilson:
At this point, I should probably confess to
not being an expert in the field, as I inherited the problem only recently.
As I understand it, the SSPCA is not seeking a handout either. Local authorities
have statutory
responsibilities and must employ specialist staff. That applies especially
to dogs, as others have mentioned.
At UK level,
the Government has policies to ensure that the value of gifts-on which
the SSPCA has been very reliant, historically-can be maximised. The society
derives its principal income from public donations,
subscriptions
and legacies. The tax concessions that are available-which are a boon to
all charities-enable those contributions to be maximised.
I share the
concerns that have been expressed about the SSPCA's immediate situation,
regardless of how it arose. I know that the society is looking hard at
all the funding options. Many members-Sylvia Jackson, in
particular-have
engaged closely in discussions with the society on the options for maximising
its income.
We understand
that the society intends to make a further approach to the Executive for
support. We would be happy to discuss funding issues with the society,
but it must take the initiative. As the society is an independent body,
it is not my job to manage its affairs.
Dr Jackson:
A letter has been sent to Cathy Jamieson to
ask whether she will liase with the SSPCA, so I ask the minister to liase
with Cathy Jamieson.
Allan Wilson:
I will be happy to do that; I hope that we
will be able to shortcut the process.
Tommy Sheridan:
I appreciate that the minister cannot make
commitments tonight, but is he open to the idea that, if the society's
financial crisis becomes even more serious, the Executive has a responsibility
on behalf of
society to
pick up that animal welfare provision?
Allan Wilson:
I accept the member's point. My only caveat
is that we have not yet received a formal request. If and when we receive
such a request, we will have to consider it in the context of other demands
for support. I
sought some
advice about how many charities are involved in the field. In addition
to the SSPCA, we have organisations such as the National Canine Defence
League, the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals and the Edinburgh Dog
and Cat Home; I could go on. As always, the situation is not as simple
as we might expect.
We would have
to consider funding support in the context of long-term sustainable recovery
plans, which would involve giving due respect to the organisation in any
discussions. As I have said, I would be happy to take
part in such
discussions.
I stress that
the SSPCA decided to make an application for funding from the Executive
only recently-we have not been sitting on an application, waiting for a
response or twiddling our thumbs. We have still not received an
application,
although we have a letter from Sylvia Jackson. The situation is developing.
I know that the SSPCA has decided to launch a public appeal for funds and
to investigate the possibility of securing funding from other sources.
It is considering imposing charges on local authorities for services that,
until now, it has provided free. All those developments are commendable
actions that ought to be pursued.
Perhaps the
best way forward, as has been suggested, is for the Executive and MSPs
to work together with the SSPCA to devise a strategy for new income so
that the charity can safeguard its independence, which it presumably cherishes.
Such a strategy must offer a long-term sustainable future, sothat we do
not have to return to the same unhappy subject two years later. It is probably
premature to draw any dark conclusions from the situation. As has been
said, the SSPCA still has £12.5 million or thereabouts in preserved
assets and its inspection service is, I believe, unaffected by the proposals.
The SSPCA is also a highly regarded organisation in the British and Scottish
psyche. I presume that some operational adjustments will be necessary,
but I
understand
that some of the smaller animal welfare centres that have been referred
to have problems that are a bit more complex and which need more than simply
additional resource. There is obviously a lot to be discussed.
The Executive
is concerned, but central funding per se may not be the sole answer.
Personally,
I am in no doubt that the SSPCA will overcome its current problems and
will prosper in the future. I give the assurance that every member has
sought that the Executive will be pleased to sit down at the earliest opportunity
with members and the society to discuss a sustainable long-term future
for the service, which we all cherish and value and whose existence says
something about us as a nation.
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