Chamber and committees

It is important to recognisethat it is only applications for the new competitive Rural DevelopmentContracts – Rural Priorities (RDC RPs) which will be on-line. Hard copyapplication processes are being used for all the other funding streams (seven)in the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

2. The online applicationapproach has been chosen on the understanding that the vast majority ofapplicants to the predecessor schemes replaced by RDC RPs, chose to use anagent to complete their applications. We expect a similar proportion to do sofor RDC RPs, and in addition, will provide funding towards the cost ofcompleting a proposal.

3. There are a number ofclear benefits, both from an applicant and an administrative perspective, forthe adoption of an on-line application process for this element of the SRDP:

RDC RPs offers over 120options, each with differing information required from applicants. This wouldbe unmanageable on paper; web forms ensure applicants only see the questionsthey have to answer for their selected circumstances;

Similarly, the guidance willbe extensive and putting it on the web, makes it easier to navigate and ensuresany updates are immediately available;

Web forms greatly reduceerrors, effort and delay in the application process (e.g. they ensure allmandatory information is completed; they offer only valid choices of answer;they can be pre-populated with data already recorded);

Developing and operating anon-line system uses public funds much more efficiently  than a manual,paper-based service, and

RDC RPs is a competitiveopportunity and it is reasonable to expect those who wish to bid for funds touse effective and efficient business tools to do so.

4. Whilst we recognise thaton-line submission may provide challenges for a limited number of those wishingto apply for funding under RDC RPs, the SRDP Implementation Team is takingaction to assess the scope and nature of any barriers to access and to provideappropriate assistance to overcome these:

Broadband coverage nowextends to 99% of the Scottish population. Scottish Government’s ‘Broadband forScotland’ initiative is proactively helping to fill the remaining gaps;

Many libraries, communitycentres, schools and other public facilities provide internet access, andassistance to novice users;

Staff are engaged with localenterprise companies and other rural agencies regarding the provision ofservices for small rural businesses and land managers, including guidance onaccess;

Crofters Commission havebeen allocated £100,000 to assist community groups within the Crofting Countiesto apply for funding under the SRDP;

We are in discussion withScottish Council for Voluntary Organisations to fund a similar service outwiththe Crofting Counties.

5. Our regional staff alsointend to engage with local authorities and other regional stakeholders toidentify further ways to direct applicants to existing facilities and supportservices.

The use of Regional Project Assessment Committees is nota new process, having been successfully used to administer the Farm Business DiversificationScheme previously operated by the Scottish Executive. Other significant changesbeing implemented to deliver the new elements of the Scottish Rural Development Fund will also offer opportunities for further streamliningof administration both for applicants and government officials.

In particular, bringing togetherin excess of ten funding streams into one integrated application process under theRural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities, will cut down much duplication forapplicants, both in terms of the application and claims processes and reduce inspectionvisits.

Rural Priorities will also allowapplicants to seek information and guidance, and submit applications to any officeof the Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate, Forestry Commission Scotlandand Scottish Natural Heritage. The three bodies will be jointly responsible foroperating Rural Priorities, and applicants will receive the same service from whicheveroffice they choose to visit. This “one stop shop” approach will offer applicantsgreater flexibility and efficiency savings when accessing funding from the ScottishGovernment to support their rural development proposals.

The Scottish Forestry Grant Schemeand the Woodland Grant Scheme continue to provide support for replanting but onlywhere the funding commitment was made prior to 31 December 2007 when the previousScotland Rural Development Plan (SRDP) closed.

At the present time there areno grants schemes open to new applications which provide support for the replantingof felled woodlands. When the Rural Development Contracts – Regional Prioritiesopens to applicants, in the spring of 2008, it will include options which will supportthe replanting and restructuring of woodlands. It is a matter of concern for the Scottish Government that the process of SRDP approval by the EC has taken so longand that this has, so far, prevented the introduction of any new grant scheme whichcan support replanting and restructuring.

The Scottish Government has madeno assessment of the use of colloidal silver as an antibiotic, particularly itsuse in tackling MRSA.

Licensing of medicines is reservedand is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency(MHRA). Before a medicine can be placed on the UK market it must have marketingauthorisation from either the MHRA or the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). TheMHRA has advised that they have not assessed the suitability of colloidal silverin the treatment of MRSA or any systemic form of colloidal silver for any indication.Such an assessment would only be made if a manufacturer submits an application fora marketing authorisation for that product.

Licensing of medicines is reservedand is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency(MHRA). The MHRA has advised that colloidal silver is not licensed for use in theUKas an antibiotic for the treatment of MRSA.

Medicines legislation allowsfor the use of unlicensed medicines if it is considered to be an appropriate treatmentfor an individual patient. In these circumstances the prescriber bears a greaterdegree of responsibility for the use of the medicine.

Hydrocolloid foam containingsilver is licensed as a medicinal device under the name Contrafleet-F antibacterialdressing for exuding wounds e.g. leg ulcers to control the microbial populationof exudating wounds.

I refer the member to the questionS3W-8377 on 21 January 2008. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the questionS3W-8377 on 21 January 2008. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

As part of the local governmentsettlement for the years 2008-09 to 2010-11, we have removed the ring fencing ona number of funding streams, including piers and harbours grant, to allow localauthorities greater flexibility in determining their own local spending priorities.Recipient councils will be expected to fund their own local harbours projects fromthe resources that are made available to them under the local government settlement,and any other funding that is available to them from their own or other sources.

As at present, it will be forlocal authorities to consider whether they should provide any financial supporttowards the development of piers and harbours in their areas that are owned by independentharbour trusts or other bodies.

The Scottish Government willcontinue to fund the development of berthing facilities used by lifeline ferry servicesthat are owned by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, independent harbour trusts andother bodies. Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd will from 1 April 2008 be responsiblefor the administration of new grant arrangements to ensure that those berthing facilitiesremain fit for purpose. It will invite grant applications to enhance or developfacilities to support lifeline ferry services from independent harbour authoritiesand others and will consider those applications alongside the need for investmentin the infrastructure that it owns. We shall be taking a number of detailed stepsto ensure that the company does not favour unduly its own projects to the detrimentof independent harbour authorities and others that may be seeking grant fundingunder the new arrangements.

I am satisfied that existingguidance on this matter is satisfactory and proportionate. The Scottish OutdoorAccess Code provides guidance on access to areas occupied by livestock and wasdeveloped in conjunction with land management bodies and the Health and SafetyExecutive. The National Access Forum which considers national issues relatingto access rights, recently discussed access with dogs in areas with cattle inextensive open grazings. The Health and Safety Executive has also produced anInformation Sheet on the topic of cattle and public access aimed at farmersincluding advice on sign posting alternative routes to enable the generalpublic to avoid fields with livestock, without unreasonably interfering withresponsible access. The National Farmers Union has distributed a Public Access to Farmland brochure which provides a brief introduction forfarmers, crofters and growers on their rights and responsibilities.

Scottish Natural Heritage(SNH) is supporting a programme of research to monitor the operation andeffectiveness of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. In addition, a recent reviewundertaken by external consultants to consider the effectiveness of currentpromotion and education programmes concluded that the significant multi channelcampaign delivered by SNH had succeeded in raising awareness and improvedunderstanding of the code.