Chamber and committees

I understand Aberdeenshire Council in partnership with ScotRail, Railtrack and Aberdeen City Council are investigating various proposals for the enhancement of local passenger rail services between Stonehaven, Aberdeen and Inverurie. Development of these services may include the opening of new railway stations.

The Scottish Executive has not been approached by the partnership for public funding or any other support.

European rail services is a reserved matter. The Scottsh Executive is unaware of any plans for the extension of Eurostar services to Aberdeen.

The Scottish Executive is aware that Angus and Dundee City Councils as the local roads authorities are upgrading this route by means of a Public Private Partnership project. I understand that prospective bidders for the contract have been invited through the Official Journal of the European Community (OJEC) notice of 7 July to take part in a prequalification process which is required under EC regulations. Bidders who apply at this stage will be assessed for their suitability to undertake the project before a short list is compiled and tender documents issued in October.

It is not correct that the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions announced a second GM crop trial at Daviot on 20 July 2000. An application to undertake the farm scale evaluation of genetically modified winter-grown oilseed rape in Scotland was lodged with the joint regulatory authority on 7 July 2000 and the Scottish Executive was made aware of the application at that time. In line with the requirements of the legislation, the application identified one location where the evaluation would take place and a public notice to this effect was placed in the Press & Journal on 15 July. In the interests of openness, the joint regulatory authority also routinely place details of the location on the public website.

Scottish Ministers will not consider the application until advice is received from our statutory scientific advisors, ACRE which is expected shortly.

The timescale of the Acute Services Review is a matter for the health board to consider.

The future provision of services at Stracathro needs to be considered in the context of the current Tayside Acute Services Review which involves discussion with clinicians, primary care and other key partners in addition to public involvement.

The announcement of the proposed grant scheme to assist farmers in Nitrate Vulnerable Zones was made for the first time on 30 March.

A wide range of celebrations is being planned, principally in London but also in Scotland. Her Majesty's birthday will be the source of much pleasure to Scots everywhere in view of Her Majesty's long and close association with Scotland and the deep affection in which she is held.

The volume of milk quota and milk production held within the Southern Isles ring-fence area is shown in the following table.Milk Quota within the Southern Isles Ring Fence Area

Year	Wholesale		Direct Sales
	Quota Held	Milk Production*	Quota Held	Milk Production
1995-96	55,779,266	56,051,000	1,358,238	866,320
1996-97	55,781,146	55,841,000	1,356,358	761,756
1997-98	55,848,926	57,183,000	1,288,578	896,385
1998-99	56,314,720	55,689,000	822,470	770,499
1999-2000	56,321,755	N/A	815,435	N/A

* Figures supplied by Scottish Milk and adjusted for butterfat.

It is possible for milk producers to convert direct sales quota to wholesale quota (and vice versa), either temporarily or permanently, in order to help quota match production. It is also possible for milk producers to lease non ring-fence quota to cover production over ring-fence quota held. However, it is not possible for ring fence milk quota to be leased to non ring-fence producers.

In recent years milk production in the Southern Isles has fallen which is consistent with the position in other parts of south-west Scotland. This was partly due to the wet summers in 1998 and 1999 resulting in a reduction in the outdoor grazing period and lower milk yields from grass. The depressed milk prices over the last two years have reduced the incentive for producers to meet quota allowances by feeding elevated levels of purchased concentrates to supplement home produced grass and fodder. Some producers have ceased milk production and others have expanded to benefit from economies of scale but overall cow numbers are down slightly.

No. The sites which have been unintentionally contaminated by the Advanta rapeseed have not been issued with consents and as a consequence it would be illegal for the contaminated crops to be marketed. Where a consent has been issued for the growing of a GM crop for research purposes, the regulatory process attaches binding limitations and conditions. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis and any controls would be specific to the individual site.