Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22585 on 8 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22772 on 8 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

It is for the director and senior management team of Marine Scotland to manage its overall budget, including across the range of its functions, in the light of demands, priorities and other circumstances.

Marine Scotland was created as part of the Scottish Government and specific legislative provision is not included in the Marine (Scotland) Bill.

Marine Scotland will carry out the functions created through the Scottish Marine Bill whatever they may be.

No. There is no evident reason why both these aims cannot be achieved, to the benefit of Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22585 on 8 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The proposals in the Marine (Scotland) Bill do not provide for the structure of Marine Scotland.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22764, on 8 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Savings are, for a variety of reasons, difficult to estimate precisely at this stage. However, on the basis of analysis done to date on the Marine Bill and related delivery arrangements, we anticipate savings of around £1.5 million annually due to efficiency gains from the establishment of Marine Scotland, as published in the Regulatory Impact Assessment for the Marine Bill. Other savings are likely to accrue, for example from integrating within existing structures and responsibilities new planned functions and responsibilities set out in the Marine Bill, and from making more optimal use of marine surveillance assets. There will also be some transitional costs.

This excludes costs related to the delivery of new functions and responsibilities, as set out in the Marine Bill.

Marine Scotland staff continue to occupy their existing premises, mostly in Edinburgh and Aberdeen but also at other locations throughout Scotland. The Director and most of the senior management team are located in Pentland House, Edinburgh although there are plans for them to be relocated to Victoria Quay during 2010.

The Marine (Scotland) Bill proposes provisions for an independent investigation should there be controversy regarding a draft national marine plan or regional marine plan.

It is also proposed that the validity of the national marine plan or a regional marine plan could be challenged through the Court of Session.