Chamber and committees

The Executive has no plans to measure the economic, environmental and social impact of shooting sports. However, further to the answers to questions S2W-15297 on 15 April 2005 and S2W-16232 on 5 May 2005, the Country Sports Tourism Group has estimated the value of country sports in Scotland, of which shooting is an important component.

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/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-16458 answered on 25 May 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The Scottish Executive has no powers in relation to fuel duties, however we are in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including taxation of fuel.

A meeting between Scottish Executive officials and the British Marine Federation to discuss this issue has been arranged.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W–16458 answered on 25 May 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Pleasure craft-related tourism is very important to the economy of parts of Scotland. VisitScotland has worked in partnership with Sail Scotland over a number of years to assist in the development of this tourism market and has provided funds to support their marketing and research activity. The most recent research study was carried out at the London Boat Show in 2004 to gain more knowledge about the needs of sailing tourists. This showed a high propensity for existing sailing tourists to return to Scotland. The findings of this study has helped shape VisitScotland’s marketing strategy, which aims at making the most of Scotland’s coastlines and inland water ways for all types of maritime activities. This includes the development of the “SeaScotland” website, a year long campaign for 2005 featuring a comprehensive list of maritime related events, which aims to encourage visitors to make the most of Scotland’s coastlines and inland waterways for all types of activities from boat festivals to maritime exhibitions.

I fully recognise the value of country sports to the tourism industry in Scotland, especially to rural areas. The research project in question was commissioned by the Country Sports Tourism Group, which includes VisitScotland, and gathered information on visitors to Scotland who participate in country sports. The report, published in October 2004, estimated that the value of this niche market is currently around £200 million per year. The full report can be found at: http://www.scotexchange.net/countrysports.com.

Forestry Commission Scotland is responsible for the administration and promotion of biofuel crop growth within the Executive. Senior officials from Forestry Commission Scotland are scheduled to meet with NFU Scotland on 26 May to discuss, amongst other things, biofuels, energy crops and short rotation coppice.

The Scottish Executive recognises the potential for biofuels to contribute to a low carbon energy sector, and in particular transport energy and recognises that biodiesel currently represents one of the most promising options. Farmers growing crops for biofuel production may be eligible, under the Energy Crops Scheme, for an additional payment of 45 euros per hectare.

A public consultation on a UK Biofuels Strategy was completed at the end of last year. As a result of the recommendations arising from that consultation, the UK Government has been considering the possible introduction of a Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) for biofuels and other renewable transport fuels.

The Executive has supported the construction of Scotland’s first large-scale biodiesel plant by the Argent Group, with an offer of £1.2 million in Regional Selective Assistance. £700,000 has been paid to date, and the plant started production earlier this year.

The Health Improvement Fund (HIF) was established for a four-year period (2000‑04), to provide additional funding to NHS boards for health improvement activities. No HIF resources were directly allocated to local authorities, however NHS boards do work in partnership on health improvement with local authorities and others.

As I indicated in my reply to the answer to question S2W-13047 on 18 January 2005, full details about the Health Improvement Fund allocations made to NHS boards were given in the 2002 publication Putting the Pieces in Place, a copy of which is available in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 19606) or on the Scottish Executive website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/health/shif-00.asp.

The Executive has no plans to undertake work of this nature. The Country Sports Tourism Group, which includes VisitScotland and the enterprise networks, with others, recently commissioned a report on the benefits to Scotland of country sports in general.