Chamber and committees

Ministers recognise that it is important to visit all parts of Scotland in the course of their ministerial duties. Records of ministerial engagements remain accessible during the parliamentary session. These are not collated by constituency visited and there are no plans to do so in future. All requests for meetings by MSPs are considered by ministers, although records are not collated in the format requested.

I have asked Mr Bob Millar, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:The Executive has not undertaken any research on the Norwegian Government's policy of providing a level of loan for housing based on the meeting of certain criteria, such as providing benefits to the environment, and has no plans at present for the introduction of such loans.

Around £35 million in non-domestic rate income is raised from each 1 pence of the poundage rate. Reducing the poundage rate by 3.4p from the current rate of 47.8p to 44.4p, would cost around £120 million (3.4p x £35 million). This would be a recurring cost.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Water. The Chief Executive's response is as follows:During the weekend of 18 to 21 April 2003, Scottish Water experienced difficulties with a faulty valve which restricted flows to the Carrbridge area and, combined with higher than normal demand for water supplies, the reduced flow rate was not enough water to supply the village. The valve has been repaired and Scottish Water has put in place further preventative and early-warning measures, including booster pump capacity at the water tank so pressure is maintained during times of high demand and a remote monitoring system to ensure any future problems are detected quickly and efficiently. Scottish Water also plans to invest £2.25 million to replace water mains which are supplying the area and over £3.5 million for improvements at the reservoir and treatment works.

We are still in discussion with mountain rescue representatives and police forces about this funding stream but intend to make an announcement about revised funding arrangements later this year.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-530 on 10 June 2003. 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.

I indicated to the Rural Development Committee in December 2002 that I would postpone any decision on technical conservation measures for scallops until I had received the ECODREDGE report. I will be reporting to Parliament shortly with my decision.

Powers of direction vary from body to body. There is a wide range of terminology used in statute to describe directions that can be given to NDPBs. The power is normally contained in each body's establishing legislation or other founding framework documentation. These provisions give ministers a power to issue to an NDPB directions of a general or specific nature. Alternatively or in addition, statute may give ministers the power to issue directions on matters such as the form in which an NDPB must draw up its accounts or on what the NDPB must do to ensure the delivery of an EU obligation.The provision and application of such powers, is and can be interpreted in many ways. This flexibility is desirable in order to reflect the differing nature and individual status of the wide range of NDPBs and also to maintain positive relationships between bodies and ministers. In practice it is for each NDPB sponsor division within the Executive and solicitors to interpret what action(s) might qualify as a direction, taking into account the circumstances of the body and the scope of the power, and offer advice to ministers accordingly.Any decision for a minister to write to an NDPB in such terms may be considered to form part of the normal day to day operational responsibilities which ministers hold in relation to accountability and governance of NDPBs. Such responsibilities are an essential aspect of the well defined arms length relationship between NDPBs and ministers. The use of powers of direction is not recorded separately in every case. The information requested is, therefore, not held centrally in a way which would allow the provision of a comprehensive list.

The Scottish Scallop Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the Executive, Food Standards Agency Scotland, Fisheries Research Services (FRS) and the scallop industry, is developing options for research that will inform the science behind the amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) action level. In recognition of the effects of ASP closures on the scallop industry, the Executive is committed to supporting any such research. FRS is currently undertaking a project to review the spatial and seasonal occurrence of harmful algal blooms in Scottish waters and their relationship to shellfish toxicity. In 2003-04, the scallop sector will benefit from funds committed from the Scottish Executive and Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance grant schemes. This will include support for an industry-led project analysing scallop portion sizes.

Highland Council have already been appointed to bring forward preparation work for this scheme. Construction will depend on the success of statutory procedures and the availability of funding, including European Funds from the Highland and Island Transitional Programme. Subject to favourable outcomes, construction could start in 2005.