Chamber and committees

A new consultancy appointment was made in October 2003 to take forward the detailed design of the scheme. Following this a topographical survey has been completed. Work on an environmental assessment is currently on-going.

In 2004-05, £600,000 was spent. Expenditure beyond 2004-05 is subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures.

An environmental assessment is currently being carried out.

The scheme design is currently under detailed development. However, subject to some minor changes I expect the final layout to be very close to that previously exhibited.

This is dependent on each individual scheme and Ballinluig is one of the more complex. Once a design consultant has been appointed an average timescale of around 18 to 24 months to reach the draft order stage would be normal.

I expect the draft orders to be published in spring 2005.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-12126 answered on 24 November 2004. 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/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to S2W-11848, on 16 November 2004. 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/wa.search.

Yes. Membership includes representatives from the Scottish Consumer Council, Citizens Advice Scotland, the Office of Fair Trading, and the legal professional bodies, as well as academic researchers and representatives of the Scottish Executive. Membership of the group is consistent with its remit which requires specialised expertise to cover the consumer, economic, socio-legal and legal services market issues under consideration. The main role of the group is to ensure that the research fully explores the issues set out in its remit, whichtogether with the minutes of its meetings is available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/Civil/17822/19316.

The research undertaken under the auspices of the Group has sought evidence from other organisations with an interest in the relevant issues: and the Executive will of course take into consideration any further relevant submissions put forward.

The Master Policy protectsthe interests of consumers by providing professional indemnity insurance for Scottishsolicitors against claims of negligence and claims arising out of any allegeddishonest, fraudulent, criminal or malicious act or omission.

Some aspects of the master policyare under review at present. In thereport of its inquiry into regulation of the legal profession, the formerJustice 1 Committee expressed concern about delays reported by some complainersin receiving a settlement from the master policy. The committee recommendedthat the Scottish Executive should examine ways in which the master policy couldbe made subject to external regulation. We will issue a public consultationpaper at the end of the year on the follow up to the committee’s report. The masterpolicy is also currently the subject of a competition investigation by theOffice of Fair Trading.