Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government intends that issues relating to the regulation of drag snares should be looked at by the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime (PAW) Scotland legislation sub-group. It is a priority task for this sub-group, which is chaired by Sheriff Drummond to formulate proposals on the detail of new regulations on the use of snares, which would include consideration of the regulations as they relate to use of drag snares.

The Scottish Government recognises the importance of young people engaging and participating in the decision making process locally, nationally and internationally. In response to the European Union''s strategic choices for young European consultation, the Scottish Government has asked Youthlink Scotland, Young Scot and the Scottish Youth Parliament to publicise this consultation to their members and encourage their participation.

Individually and collectively these organisations represent, and regularly engage with, a wide variety of stakeholders in the public and voluntary youth sector, and of course, with young people themselves.

Decisions on whether to participate in the European Commission School Milk Subsidy Scheme are made by local authorities. Under this scheme, local authorities are able to access a 75% subsidy to help them provide free school milk. The Scottish Government recognises the importance of milk as part of a balanced diet and we provide a subsidy for the remaining 25% towards free milk supplied by a primary school or recognised nursery.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask their Chief Executives to write to you in this regard.

In total there are approximately 80 police officers and civilian police staff who deal with wildlife crime.

Scottish ministers are committed to ensuring that our children and young people are kept safe in the online environment. We are undertaking a range of work with partners across the UK to ensure that this is the case.

The European Safer Internet Programme is entirely consistent with the Scottish Government''s aims, which Scottish ministers will deliver in the context of taking forward within Scotland all relevant recommendations of the Byron Review, Safer Children in a Digital Age at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/byronreview/.

Scottish ministers welcome the European Programme''s focus on strengthening international relations in this policy area, in recognition of the fact that online abuse is a global issue, and look forward to working with our UK partners in delivering this aspect of the European Programme.

The Scottish Government has been in regular contact with the UK Government on the European Commission''s energy and climate change proposals since they were announced in January, and is contributing to the agreed UK negotiating position ahead of the package being agreed later this year.

The Cross Border Cooperation Programme brings a welcome ‚¬192 million of EU investment to a ‚¬256 million programme for the cross border region, which includes parts of Western Scotland. It provides an opportunity for Scottish organisations to collaborate with Irish and Northern Irish partners in developing creative and innovative projects that will bring long-term economic and social benefits to the cross border area.

In order to best facilitate and encourage Scottish participation in the Programme a National Contact Point (NCP) for Scotland, hosted by Scotland Europa, has been appointed. The role of the NCP is to engage directly with stakeholders, provide support and advice to potential project applicants and to coordinate activity involving Scottish organisations. Discussions on potential projects have been held between the NCP and North Ayrshire Council.

Additionally, Scottish Government officials work closely with the Programme''s Managing Authority and Secretariat, the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), and their Irish and Northern Irish counterparts to promote eligible Scottish projects to the best advantage. Officials also meet regularly with the key Scottish partners who provide representation on the main programme committees and contribute to briefings and information sessions for stakeholders and other interested parties.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-17515 on 12 November 2008. 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-17515 on 12 November 2008. 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.