Chamber and committees

The Executive is committed to broadening the range of people to be considered for public appointments made by Ministers.Appointments to the Water Industry Consultative Committees are made by the Water Industry Commissioner, rather than by Ministers. The Commissioner makes appointments in light of Guidance issued to him by Ministers. Among other things, the Guidance requires him to take account of the principles governing public appointments laid down by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. It also places some restrictions on the Committees' membership to make it clear that the Committees are independent of the Scottish Executive and the water authorities in advising the Commissioner on the interests of customers. The Executive believes that these restrictions are important in safeguarding the interests of customers.

Published figures from Scottish Enterprise/Committee of Scottish Clearing Banks indicate that during the three month period July-September 1999, a total of 4,412 new businesses were created throughout Scotland. The measures referred to in my earlier answer related to improving public sector support to small business generally. No record is kept of their impact on the creation of new businesses.

My answer of 25 January to S1W-3497 outlined the position, and I can, therefore, confirm that pre-1 July 1999 papers relating to the Agricultural Business Improvement Schemes are treated no differently from other pre-1 July papers.

The allocation of public funds to RSPB by Scottish Natural Heritage is made on exactly the same criteria as for any other applicant. Applications for funding are subject to a detailed assessment process, the key criterion of which is that the project for which funds are being sought should contribute to SNH's policy objectives and priorities.

The Scottish Executive gives a grant to RSPB for work connected with the prevention and detection of wildlife crime in addition to several small payments amounting to some £2,620. These small payments are contributions towards work undertaken by the RSPB at the behest of the Executive or one of its working groups established to consider specific policy issues such as the Scottish Biodiversity Group. The main criterion used for any payments made to the RSPB is if the work undertaken is consistent with the policies of the Executive or the relevant working group.With regard to the allocation of funds from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, this is a matter for them.

I announced the establishment of the £25 million Modernising Government Fund during the parliamentary debate on modernising government on 23 February. Applications for funds will be invited from a wide range of public sector bodies, including Scottish Executive departments and agencies, health authorities, non-departmental public bodies and local government authorities. Bids will be accepted from bodies which include a partnership with others whether they are in the public, private or voluntary sectors, where the public sector body is the lead partner.Full details of the bidding criteria will be issued in the next few weeks.

Measures to tackle neighbour nuisance and anti-social behaviour were introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, including Anti-social Behaviour Orders, new grounds for eviction for anti-social behaviour and additional powers for the police to seize noise-making equipment. Detailed guidance was issued to local authorities. The Executive's discussion paper, Housing and Anti-social Behaviour - The Way Ahead, published in December 1999 sets out the Executive's proposals for legislative and non-legislative action to tackle nuisance and anti-social behaviour. Comments on that paper are currently being analysed.

The Scottish Executive has no plans to investigate any such business relationships.

The former carbon works buildings were listed at category B in 1991, at the request of the then Regional Council, because of their historic interest and importance to Scotland's industrial heritage. The lower part of the site was cleared in 1989, but what survives constitutes a major series of buildings notable for their early (1904-09) technological innovation, particularly in the use of reinforced concrete and steel. Historic Scotland awarded grant of £456,300 towards the cost of repair of these buildings as part of a £2.4 million regeneration project in partnership with other public sector funders and the owners. As a result of this project the future of these buildings has been secured and de-listing would not be appropriate.

I refer Mr Ewing to my answer to question S1W-5404. The projects being undertaken by the Kinlochleven Land Development Trust (KLDT) are an operational matter for the Trust, the community and for those agencies which are providing financial support for the regeneration programme, and do not require the approval of the Scottish Executive.

The significant regeneration activity taking place in Kinlochleven by the KLDT is being carried out with a view to creating more jobs for the sake of the future viability of the village.

When Alcan announced in 1994 that the aluminium smelter at Kinlochleven would close by 2000, the Kinlochleven Working Group was established (subsequently known as the Kinlochleven Implementation Team). The group comprised all the relevant agencies and the community and produced the strategy for the regeneration of the village.

To implement this strategy the Kinlochleven Land Development Trust (KLDT) was formed in 1995-96. The trust is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status which has taken over lease of the land from Alcan.

To date the KLDT has spent £3.5 million on a number of Phase One regeneration plans for the village. This includes the decontamination of the Bunker Buildings, the establishment of four business pavilions, the undertaking of environmental renewal work and the implementation of the footpath training scheme. Furthermore, approximately thirty full time jobs have been created between the opening of Database Direct's distributed call centre and the new bunkhouse.

The proposals for Phase Two are still at an early stage. KLDT has met on several occasions with Alcan employees and the Community Council to review the Phase Two plans. Market research is being carried out by Lochaber Limited/Highlands and Islands Enterprise for KLDT on the viability of the proposals.