Chamber and committees

The Main Grant Scheme of theInternational Development Fund (IDF) is currently closed after 24 Scottish basedcharities and non-governmental organisations were recently given awards fromthe second round of the Main Grant Scheme.

However, the Small Grants Scheme,also part of the International Development Fund, for projects up to a value of £20,000,is now open for applications. Details can be found on the Scottish Executive’s websiteat:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/International-Relations/internationaldevelopment/internationaldevelopment.

We hope to make an announcementon the next round of the IDF Main Grant Scheme in the near future.

The Food Standards Agency Scotlandhas informed me that the average intake of iodine in Great Britainas a whole is above the current recommended intake, and that it has no concernsabout the dietary intake of iodine in the Scottish population.

Transport Scotlandofficials met with Dumfries and Galloway Council and Network Rail on 26 October 2006 todiscuss the issue of disabled access at Lockerbie station. A decision willshortly be made on the way forward.

I am aware of the website runby the Association of Dumfries and Galloway Accommodation Providers (ADGAP) whichprovides a marketing service for accommodation providers and visitor attractionsin the area. While the organisation does not levy a direct charge for advertisingon its site, it does charge a membership fee that allows a ‘free listing’, so isa commercial organisation. In the Stage 1 Debate for the Tourist Boards (Scotland) Billon 29 June, I described ADGAP’s website as a “booking service”. While the ADGAPwebsite provides a marketing and listing service for local businesses, it does notin fact provide a booking facility, so ought not to have been described as a bookingservice. I am happy to take this opportunity of making that clear.

The hours of operation of a buslane are regulated by a Traffic Regulation Order made by the appropriate transportauthority under powers contained in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. This wouldnormally be the local authority and the permission of the regional transport partnership(RTP) would not be required.

However,transfer of certain transport responsibilities from a local authority to a regionaltransport partnership (RTP) is allowed for in the Transport (Scotland) Act2005, depending on the status of the RTP.

Inthe Dumfries area, for example, powers to alter a Traffic RegulationOrder are now vested jointly with Dumfries and Galloway Council and the south‑west of ScotlandTransport Partnership and it is a matter for these bodies to agree the hours ofoperation of a bus lane.

Transport Scotland wouldonly be involved if the bus lane formed part of the trunk road network.

I am informedby the Food Standards Agency Scotland that a recent review by the Scientific AdvisoryCommittee on Nutrition (SACN) agreed that there was evidence of a decline in seleniumintake in Great Britain to below the current recommendedintake (Department of Health 1991), and that status is low. The health consequencesof this, if any, are currently unclear. The SACN agreed that this issue should bereviewed when there is more current intake/status data available for the UK population and when on-going studiesand trials have been published.

In termsof regional differences, survey results suggest that the average selenium intakefor the UK was 34.4 ug/person/day, and in Scotland was 32.2 ug/person/day.

We have no plans to request fertilisermanufactures to take such action.

The hours of operation of a buslane are regulated by a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) made by the appropriate transportauthority under powers contained in the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Fundingmatters are not directly relevant to the making of a TRO.

Procedures for making TROs, andthe associated objection procedure, are contained in the Local Authorities’ TrafficOrders (Procedures) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 and are primarily a matter for thetransport authority although the case may be referred to the Scottish ministersfor determination if objections cannot be resolved.

The Food Standards Agency Scotlandhas informed me that as there is no concern about the dietary intake of iodine inthe Scottish population at present, there is no reason to consider requiring table salt to be fortified with iodine as apublic health measure.

The Animal Health and Welfare(Scotland) Act 2006 does not ban the commercial sale of animals at pet fairs.