Until 2001, both the capercaillie and black grouse species were partially protected by a close season and by controls on hunting methods. However, in 2001, in response to the decline in the capercaillie population to fewer than 1,000 birds in Scotland, capercaillie, were given additional protection by listing the species in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The black grouse is covered by the Game Acts, which fix a close season between 11 December and 19 August. There are currently no plans to change this legislation.

A great deal of research on black grouse has been carried out by conservation organisations, informing the recommendations for protection of black grouse in the species action plan.I understand that Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) propose to undertake an assessment of the relative impact of deer fencing, habitat change and climate factors, as part of the next national survey and related work. SNH expect the survey to be conducted in 2005-06.

The Black Grouse Species Action Plan Group was formed to implement the actions given in the Biodiversity Action Plan for this species.A wide range of measures are being applied to protect black grouse.These include the appointment of project officers, concerned with woodland grouse in the Highlands and in Argyll and work on developing alternatives to deer fencing to reduce the likelihood of birds flying into fences.Through the Scottish Forestry Grants Scheme, stewardship grants are made available in support of Biodiversity Action Plans to improve woodland biodiversity, meeting 60% of the standard costs (90% for special areas), of eligible forest operations such as fence removal.The award of almost £2.5 million from the EU LIFE-Nature fund in July 2002 supports a five-year project, which although focusing on capercaillie, will benefit all woodland grouse.The draft Nature Conservation Bill outlines proposals to protect established lek sites, crucial to the breeding success of the capercaillie and black grouse.

A substantial amount of research has been done on black grouse, much of it reported in scientific journals. I have asked Scottish Natural Heritage to forward a detailed list of references, to the member.As regards protection measures, I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-321 today. 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/search_wa.

The draft Nature Conservation Bill outlines proposals to protect lek sites, crucial to the breeding success of capercaillie and black game (grouse). There is currently no intention to give black game (grouse) further protection as part of the legislation referred to.

No such discussions have been held.

Scottish Water's pay remit year on year is controlled within the public sector pay guidelines applied to all public bodies. The total wage bill for each year will depend upon the rate at which planned reductions in the workforce through the voluntary severance programme are achieved.

This information is available from the audited accounts of the three former Water Authorities. Copies of their accounts as laid before the Scottish Parliament are held in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Bib. Numbers are as follows:

Water Authorities' Published Accounts	Scottish Parliament Information Centre - Bib. Numbers
	NoSWA	ESWA	WoSWA
1999-2000	8790	7898	7925
2000-01	16464	17792	16463
2001-02	24607	24610	24612

Scottish Water's audited accounts for 2002-03 are not yet available.