Chamber and committees

Agreement on CAP Reform was reached at the Agriculture Council on 26 June. The agreement includes flexibility to shape elements of the reform package within Scotland. Over the coming months, the Executive will be considering the economic impact of the available options, including their regional effects. A wide debate on the issues will be initiated, involving all interest groups, and leading up to a formal consultation planned for October 2003.The European Commission's proposals from July 2002 and January 2003 were the subject of economic impact studies at EU and UK level. The Executive has analysed the regional impact of these proposals and has been kept informed of regional studies by other organisations, including one for the Borders. A series of regional focus groups was organised by the Executive in May 2003 and these provided the opportunity to discuss with farmers the potential impact of decoupling. Two of these were held in the south of Scotland, in Galashiels and Moffat.

Location of any offices in Scotland will be a matter for the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority to determine once it has been established.

The Executive is in regular contact with Dumfries and Galloway Council about progress on the construction of a new disabled access footbridge at Lockerbie rail station, for which funding has already been allocated in 2003-04.

The Strategic Rail Authority has advised that an extension to the current franchise is likely to enable mobilisation of the new franchise. The current franchise agreement allows for an extension on non-negotiable terms of up to seven four-week periods (approximately six months). At this stage, it is not possible to say how long an extension will be required. The cost of such an extension will be calculated on a no net loss or gain basis.

I understand that contractors have been appointed to take this project forward and their consultants are now working on the detailed design of the route. Details will be published by the end of this year and, subject to satisfactory completion of statutory procedures, construction is expected to start in 2005-06. Thereafter, the project will take some two years to complete.

The Executive has had discussions with the UK Government about the future of Carlisle Airport, and also with the owners of the airport about their plans for its development. No discussions have been held with the North West Development Agency. There has been no assessment made of the economic impact on the south of Scotland of any air service between Carlisle and London.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-25119 on 30 April 2002, further to which my officials are continuing to meet with the Society of Chief Officers of Transportation Scotland (SCOTS) quarterly. SCOTS has not given any indication that the trunk road maintenance contracts are having an on-going effect on the ability of direct labour organisations to undertake their business for the local authorities. 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 Scottish Executive has regular discussions with the UK Government on a number of issues, including the establishment of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.

The election of the convenor of the authority is a matter for individual local councils.

No decisions can be taken until we have fully considered and evaluated the outcome of the current consultation on a long-term solution for the management of radioactive waste.