Chamber and committees

There were seven feature films, three television films and one Imax (large format) film shot in Scotland in 1999. In 2000 three feature films and one television film were wholly, and ten films partly, shot in Scotland; three feature films have been or are being shot in 2001. The Education Department does not provide any funding direct to film-makers, but funds Scottish Screen which provides locations advice and is now the distributor for National Lottery funds for film production.

This proposal is expected to lead to an increase in the number of planning applications made to local authorities.We also intend to issue planning guidance which would encourage system operators and planning authorities to build up informed working relationships and should create an environment of trust. We believe developing effective working relationships should minimise the number of planning appeals to the Scottish Ministers if full planning permission were required for all ground based masts. Generally speaking it is not in the interests of applicants or planning authorities to take cases as far as appeal, if they can be resolved by other means.

The introduction of full planning control for masts less than 15 metres (49 ft) in height would have the potential to affect the speed of development. However, we would also issue associated planning guidance which would encourage system operators to share their plans with planning authorities to process applications quickly. If planning authorities and operators were to follow the guidance, then , in practice, delays would, we, believe, be minimised.

The Executive is:

finalising national planning policy by revising, in the light of the recent consultation exercise, its draft National Planning Policy Guideline on Planning and Radio Telecommunications which encourages planning authorities to make arrangements for dealing with applications expeditiously;preparing a Planning Advice Note on best practice for both planning authorities and telecommunications operators in dealing constructively with the development of telecommunications infrastructure;preparing a guidance Circular to accompany and explain the future legislative provisions.

The Climate Change Levy is a reserved matter. However the UK Government's assessment is that its impact on business will be broadly neutral.

The Scottish Executive will indicate in broad terms in its Directions and Guidance the level of service it will expect from the new Scottish passenger rail franchise. It will be for those who wish to be considered as the operator of the franchise to propose the type of rolling stock most appropriate for different routes. The Strategic Rail Authority will then appraise such proposals on behalf of the Scottish Executive against value for money and affordability criteria.

The results of the referendum in Bristol showed that 2.68% of the total votes cast were done so by internet as opposed to 94.18% by post. Whilst there are no current plans to introduce alternative methods of voting in local government elections in Scotland, this is an area which we will keep under review within the wider agenda of modernising Government.

The Scottish Executive has established an Impact Assessment Group to identify the impact foot-and-mouth disease is having across sectors and areas. Given the complexities involved in making impact assessments this remains work in progress. Initial results illustrate that many tourism businesses in Dumfries and Galloway have been affected with cancellations and reduced enquiries.However, the final impact will be dependent on the eventual scale and duration of the disease and for this reason, eradication of FMD remains the highest priority for the Executive.

The Scottish Executive has established an Impact Assessment Group to identify the impact foot-and-mouth disease is having across sectors and areas. A local impact assessment group in Dumfries and Galloway - which includes Scottish Enterprise Dumfries and Galloway, the council, the area tourist board, and other local organisations - is feeding into the national group. To date the complexities involved in estimating the impact mean this remains work in progress. The final impact will depend on the ultimate scale and duration of the outbreak and for this reason the eradication of foot-and-mouth disease remains the Executive's highest priority.

Monitoring of local air quality is a local authority responsibility. Dumfries and Galloway Council, with technical support from the Scottish Executive, are carrying out such monitoring in their area, related to the emissions from pyres.