Chamber and committees

Scottish Government officials intend discussing the impact of the tail docking ban with stakeholders once the study into tail injuries in dogs presently being conducted by the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Bristol has concluded. This study is expected to issue its report in April 2009.

I understand deer farmers'' concerns and the government is considering the issue. It is imperative that we examine the full implications, including the legal constraints contained in the relevant EU legislation, before taking a decision.

Farmers currently farming deer are not excluded from the Single Farm Payment scheme. But, deer farming was not among the activities which gave rise to entitlements under the scheme when it was set up. In considering this issue, the Scottish Government will need to take into account the relevant legal and financial constraints.

Responsibility and funding for a new fixed link or an improved ferry service to Luing rests with Argyll and Bute Council. The Scottish Government would welcome progress and has encouraged an early solution through discussions with FLAG, a representative group of islanders, and the council.

The Scottish Government recently commenced a comprehensive review of ferry services in Scotland. This will include policy consideration of alternatives to ferry services such as fixed links where appropriate.

Responsibility and funding for a new fixed link or an improved ferry service to Luing rests with Argyll and Bute Council. The Scottish Government would welcome early progress in taking improvements forward and has already made a £1.6 million funding contribution available.

The Scottish Government recently commenced a comprehensive review of ferry services in Scotland. This will include policy consideration of alternatives to ferry services such as fixed links where appropriate.

A new teacher recruitment campaign will be launched in the new year which will deliberately target males in an attempt to encourage them to consider primary teaching as a career. The campaign will also continue to promote the teaching profession to pupils and students in schools, colleges and universities.

There are currently no plans to upgrade the A83 between Tarbert and Ardrishaig. However, Transport Scotland''s Strategic Transport Projects Review is examining the longer term needs of Scotland''s nationally strategic transport network. This includes consideration of the A83 as part of the transport corridor from Glasgow to Inverclyde and the Islands.

Curriculum for Excellence will offer better outcomes for all young people in Scotland, regardless of their gender, by providing a coherent, more flexible and enriched curriculum from three to 18, which is firmly focused on the needs of the child and young person. Through Curriculum for Excellence every child and young person will be entitled to opportunities to develop skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work across all curriculum areas, including through practical or applied learning. As part of this commitment skills for work qualifications have been developed to encourage young people to develop knowledge and skills within a vocational context.

As part of the wider Curriculum for Excellence programme, 16+ Learning Choices is our new model for ensuring that all young people completing compulsory education have a suitable offer of post-16 learning. As such it will support the planning of a coherent curriculum in the senior phase, with opportunities for young people to continue to develop skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work beyond school.

This focus on improving outcomes for all young people is reflected in our concordat with COSLA, which includes a commitment to providing more school pupils with opportunities to experience vocational learning.

Officials from the Scottish Executive, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Argyll and Bute Council met with officials from the MOD''s Defence Estates on 27 October 2008 to discuss Defence Estates'' disposal of the Machrihanish base. This officials group will continue to work together over the coming months to explore how Defence Estates can take forward the disposal in a way that balances environmental concerns, maintains lifeline transport links and maximises the economic development contribution the site''s future use might make to the economy of Kintyre.

Officials will work with MOD Defence Estates over the coming months to explore how Defence Estates can take forward the disposal of its Machrihanish base in a way that balances environmental concerns, maintains lifeline transport links and maximises the economic development contribution the site''s future use can make to the Campbeltown community, the economy of Kintyre and Scotland as a whole. 2008