Chamber and committees

The amount announced by Stephen Byers and Margaret Hodge on 6 June 2000 was £15 million. This announcement also covered the initial 12-point action plan for the UK textiles and clothing industry. The action plan was issued in response to recommendations made by the Textile and Clothing Strategy Group in their document A National Strategy for Textiles and Clothing.I understand that the UK Government has invested in capital investment, export support, technical development, research, skills development and training for the textile and clothing sector. However, a separate figure for expenditure in Scotland is not available, as it is not ring-fenced separately.

Much progress has been made since the Scottish Textile Forum set up a three-year Action Plan in January 2001. So far the forum has developed several initiatives to tackle key issues including: recruitment into the sector, training in the workplace, branding/marketing assistance, and a project to ensure that good news stories on the industry are placed in the news media.

Security and safety are reserved matters. It is not our policy to disclose details of security measures.

I understand that the search and rescue capabilities at Prestwick will remain unchanged when HMS Gannet otherwise closes at the end of March. However, the precise details are a matter for the Ministry of Defence.

The Scottish Executive is responsible for National Museums and Galleries whereas the responsibility for non-national museums, including the Burns Cottage Museum and its collections, is the responsibility of local agencies. The Burns National Heritage Park was formed in 1995 drawing together Burns assets in Alloway including local authority assets. The park is under a joint management board of the local authority, Burns Monument Trust and the local enterprise company. I understand that the management board sent some of the items from the collection at the Burns Museum for storage to the National Library of Scotland.I understand that the Burns National Heritage Park are working on plans to develop the park further, centred on the museum.

The Executive recognises the important role that the Burns Cottage Museum plays in its local area. I recognise the significant investment by South Ayrshire Council in the park and I welcome their continued interest in its future along with the other partners overseeing the park's Development Plan. None of the partners has presented to the Executive any request for support. While I would be happy to consider any such request it would be against the background that as a non-national museum the Burns Cottage Museum is not the responsibility of the Scottish Executive.

The Executive has allocated £100,000 to support the Burns Festival being developed by Ayrshire and Arran Tourist board. £45,000 has also been given to North Ayrshire Council to support the development of a children's opera on Burns, in conjunction with Scottish Opera for All. A further £100,000 has also been made available to the Scottish Arts Council in this and each of the next two financial years to support projects with a Burns theme in areas of social deprivation. VisitScotland is also currently in discussion with the Robert Burns World Federation to develop a Burns trail.

The ash disposal was the subject of a contract between DEFRA and Barr Limited and the cost is a commercially confidential matter.

In total some 4,828 tonnes of waste material, including pyre ash, soil and bottoming, was transported and buried at Garlaff landfill site. Three thousand, seven hundred and twenty-one tonnes were transported from the two continuous burning sites in Dumfries and Galloway and 1,107 tonnes from the site in the Scottish Borders.

Yes. I understand that the Scottish Museums Council, who are responsible for undertaking the National Audit, have received a completed questionnaire from the Burns National Heritage Park.