Chamber and committees

Dredging operationsin the Firth of Forth are not subject to review under the Conservation (NaturalHabitats &c) Regulations 1994. As a matter of law, only plans or projects coveredby regulations 53 – 85 of the Regulations are subject to the specific obligationsat regulation 50. However, regulation 3(4)of those Regulations requires every competent authority, in the exercise of itsfunctions, to have regard to the requirements of the Habitats Directive (92/42/EEC)so far as they may be affected by those functions. Competent authorities are thereforeobliged to comply with the procedures and requirements specified in Article 6 of the Directive, whether or not they are also bound by other obligations.

Accordingly no competent authoritymay agree to a plan or project unless it has ascertained that (a) the plan or projectwill have no significant effect on a European site, or that (b) the integrity of the site will not be adversely affected, or that (c) site integrity will be adverselyaffected but that there is no alternative solution and the plan or project mustbe carried out for imperative reasons of overriding public interest. This legalobligation, and the associated procedural requirements, apply irrespective of whetherthe competent authority is operating under Regulation 3(4) or Regulations 53A to85.

Scottish Natural Heritage promotessustainable development through its formal and informal advice to public authorities,to land managers and the wider public. More specifically, it is able to promotesustainable development through its grant programmes, research and education servicesand by demonstrating and issuing guidance on best practice.

As I announced in Parliamenton 1 March 2006, I have asked Transport Scotland to takeforward, as part of the Strategic Projects Review, consideration of the role ofany replacement crossing of the Forth. Transport Scotland will assess the possible scope, form and function ofany such replacement crossing in accordance with the Scottish Transport AppraisalGuidance and in light of the national transport strategy.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area and can be contacted for more informationif required.

TheStirling-Alloa-Kincardine project will make possible the diversion of many of theEWS trains currently using the Forth Bridge onto a more direct and efficient route.A number of discussions have been held with EWS throughout the development periodof this project. Transport Scotland maintains liaison with EWS on a wide range ofmatters, including future route plans for freight trains.

Transport Scotland has the operationalresponsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more information if required.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-24370 on 28 March 2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.In addition, Transport Scotland will report its findings on the scope, form and functionof any replacement crossing of the Forth in the summer of 2007.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area and can be contacted for more informationif required.

The Commission’s financial yearruns calendar yearly. The information available is the amount in pound sterlingallocated under European Structural Funds for the year 2005, broken down by programme, which totals £161,513,246.

East ERDF	South ERDF	West ERDF	West ESF	Objective 3	H & I ERDF	H & I ESF	Urban II	Leader+
25,123,094	7,865,666	42,031,336	5,991,833	53,518,387	20,582,225	4,108,291	1,553,255	739,159

 

As we are currently still withinthe 2000-06 programming period, the full allocation for all Scottish programmeshas not yet been disbursed. At current exchangerates, the total funding package equates to £1.156 billion, of which £676 millionhas already been disbursed in the current programming period. The disbursed figurecan change on a daily basis and is influenced by the exchange rate, repayment offunds and decommitment of funds.

New financial spend targets havebeen introduced in 2000-06, by which the full sum of any one year’s allocationsmust be spent within two years of the allocation year or risk automatic de-commitment(referred to as “N+2”).

This is a matter for all producersof radioactive waste. The information requested is not held centrally. The 2004UK Radioactive Waste Inventory which provides comprehensive and up-to-date informationon the radioactive wastes that exist and are predicted to be produced in the UK is availableat http://www.nirex.co.uk/foi/ukinvent/.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-24351 on. All answers to written parliamentary questionsare available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-24351 on 24 March 2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-24351 on 24 March 2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.