Chamber and committees

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and its Species Survival Commission are responsible for classifying and approving categories of animals and plants which are recognised as being critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable at international or national levels.

The procedures for classifying endangered species of animals and plants are adopted and approved by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). They have produced a "Red List" showing categories of animals and plants that are currently classified as "endangered". Before any plant or animal can be classified it must be assessed against a number of quantitative criteria relating to several possible risk factors, for example information on the reduction or decline of a species, its population fluctuations, the geographical extent of its occurrence, the isolation or fragmentation of the species and the turnover rate of breeding inviduals/generation length. Updates of the "Red List" are made every year. Full details of the species listed can be accessed on the website at: www.redlist.org.

In 1999 there was agreement amongst the relevant ministers that all members of the Inner House of the Court of Session should be made members of the Privy Council. The purpose of this recommendation was to address the prevailing shortage of Scottish judges on the Privy Council and to provide more Scottish judges to assist in dealing with any devolution issues which might be referred to the Privy Council under the provisions of the Scotland Act 1998.The first new appointments of Inner House Judges to the Privy Council were agreed by Her Majesty in March 2000 and the names were announced in a press notice issued by the Office of the Prime Minister. Subsequent appointments have been made as and when new Inner House Judges have been appointed.

The members of Comataidh Craolaidh Gaidhlig, the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee, are:Iain MacAskill, ChairmanRosemary WardDuncan FergusonDonald MartinMairi MacInnesMairi MorleyDonald MacKillopCatriona CampbellThe 1990 Broadcasting Act established the Gaelic Television (now Broadcasting) Committee (CCG), which is appointed by the Independent Television Commission (ITC), to administer the Gaelic Television (now Broadcasting) Fund. The budget is £8.5 million. The CCG's remit is to finance the production of television and radio programmes in Gaelic; the training of people in making Gaelic programmes; audience research, and other activities related to the making of such programmes, but not to commission programmes.Broadcasting is a reserved matter, and it would be for the UK Government to recommend to the Westminster Parliament any changes in the legislation governing Gaelic broadcasting. By convention the Government does not intervene in the administration of broadcasting. The annual grant is paid to the CCG by the Scottish Executive via the Independent Television Commission. There is no particular role for any agency or public body for which the Scottish Executive is responsible.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport sponsors the BTA, and consults the Scottish Executive closely on all relevant aspects of the sponsoring role. In addition staff of both VisitScotland and the BTA regularly meet to discuss how best the BTA can promote Scotland overseas and other relevant issues. The activities which the BTA undertakes to promote overseas tourism to Scotland include public relations and advertising, press promotions, participation at exhibitions, information services for the public, and advice and market intelligence to the tourism trade.

Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, local roads authorities have a general duty to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic. This general duty is met by the local authority making traffic regulation orders for reasons which can include the restriction of parking on certain roads.

Yes. A total of three public local inquiries has been commissioned to address unresolved objections to Stopping Up Orders under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. These affected Philipshill Road and Glen Road, East Kilbride (2001); Tryst Road, Cumbernauld (2002), and the footpath between Neidpath Avenue and Beauly Place, Coatbridge (2002).In addition, South Lanarkshire Council has commissioned two public hearings in 2002 to address unresolved objections to Local Authority Traffic Orders made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. These affected various streets in Cambuslang, and Queen Street and Kirkwood Street in Rutherglen town centre.South Lanarkshire Council and East Renfrewshire Council also jointly commissioned a public local inquiry in 2000 under The Compulsory Purchase by Public Authorities (Inquiry Procedure) (Scotland) Rules 1998 into proposals for the construction of the Glasgow Southern Orbital road.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27777.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27777.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27777.