Chamber and committees

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency in Scotland that the last Scottish sheep farm affected by the 1986 Chernobyl accident was released from the monitoring requirements imposed under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 on 21 June 2010.

I am aware of the issues in Clune Park.

Inverclyde Council is currently developing a comprehensive strategy which addresses the complex housing and socio-economic problems affecting the area. Scottish Government officials are assisting the council in this process. At present there is no clear, deliverable and cost-effective strategy in place. Until this has been agreed and funding requirements identified it is not possible to confirm the level of support which may be given by the Scottish Government.

I am aware of the issues affecting Clune Park and met with the Leader of the Council and a cross-party group of elected members in March 2010 to hear their concerns. I have also written to the Leader of Inverclyde Council on a number of occasions advising that I am happy to visit Clune Park when the council has prepared and agreed a comprehensive strategy to address the many issues affecting this area. Work is ongoing to prepare and finalise a viable, cost effective and deliverable solution for the area. Scottish Government officials are working to support the council as it continues to develop this strategy.

The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government on behalf of Scottish shipbuilding and other manufacturing sectors. Most recently, the First Minister and the Minister for Parliamentary Business wrote to Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for Defence, outlining Scotland''s capabilities in defence manufacturing prior to the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR). The Scottish Government and main Scottish party leaders'' submission sent to the MoD on 23 September 2010 also outlined the importance of the Royal Navy''s military afloat reach and sustainability vessels programme to the UK''s manufacturing and defence capabilities. The First Minister has also separately written to Liam Fox MP since the SDSR seeking clarification on the implications for Scotland.

The Scottish Government and agencies continue to promote Scottish shipbuilding but we are limited in directly influencing individual procurement contracts as this would contravene EU commercial policy on open procurement.

The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) was wound up on 31 March 2009. The functions and resources of SFPA were incorporated into Marine Scotland which was launched on 1 April 2009.

In the last decade the increasing use of real time satellite surveillance has meant that Marine Scotland is able to use this information, along with conventional aerial surveillance, to determine where fishing vessels are. Although this information is of immense value it is still essential to have Marine Protection Vessels to maintain a credible deterrent to illegal incursions and provide an essential reaction capability to any issues detected using satellite or aircraft information. However, they are no longer the primary means of providing surveillance capability within the waters around Scotland. The changes in the sources, importance and use of the surveillance data led Marine Scotland to consider the fleet requirements for the future which would provide the most cost effective solutions.

It was determined that aerial and satellite surveillance, along with risk based tasking and the adoption of new technology such as remote electronic monitoring using closed circuit television cameras and the use of electronic statutory returns (e-logbooks) will enable similar or improved levels of outputs from three Marine Protection Vessels (MPVs) to that previously provided by four.

The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) was wound up on 31 March 2009. The functions and resources of SFPA were incorporated into Marine Scotland which was launched on 1 April 2009.

There have been internal discussions within Marine Scotland regarding the surveillance capability and other resources required for future operational tasking.

The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) was wound up on 31 March 2009. The functions and resources of SFPA were incorporated into Marine Scotland which was launched on 1 April 2009.

It is very unlikely that Marine Scotland''s compliance monitoring capability will prove to be insufficient for current or anticipated future tasks. In extreme circumstances, and if absolutely necessary, short-term issues can be dealt with by Marine Scotland chartering a suitable vessel and placing its own enforcement officers on board. This is not an unusual practice in many other countries. Marine Scotland do not anticipate requesting assistance from the Royal Navy.

There have been internal discussions within Marine Scotland regarding the surveillance capability and other resources required for future operational tasking.

Marine Scotland is required to operate in a manner which provides best value for the taxpayer. Risk based deployment and the adoption of new technology should enable similar or improved levels of outputs from three offshore patrol vessels as was achieved previously with four.

The remaining patrol vessels in the Marine Scotland fleet are relatively new (two to seven years old) and would not normally be expected to be replaced until they are 20 to 25 years old.

The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency (SFPA) was wound up on 31 March 2009. The functions and resources of SFPA were incorporated into Marine Scotland which was launched on 1 April 2009.

Ministerial consent is not considered necessary or appropriate for what are essentially operational decisions. Ministers are, however, routinely kept informed of developments.

No cost-reduction analysis across the full range of maritime activities and functions funded by the Scottish Government has been under-taken. However, within Marine Scotland, some consideration has been given to the opportunity to reduce costs as part of a review of their surveillance capability and the other resources required for future operational tasking. Documentation relating to that process was shared with the trade unions.