Chamber and committees

I have no plans to offer a public service obligation for a ferry link between Ardrossan and Tarbert. I have however undertaken to protect all lifeline ferry services currently provided by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd., including the existing Ardrossan to Brodick service, in the forthcoming Clyde and Hebridean Isles ferry services tendering exercise.

Should the ScotRail franchise come to an end with no successor in place the Scottish Executive would continue to have the same role and powers as it does at present with regard to the re-let of the rail network franchise.

The additional costs to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd in meeting the new security measures each month since 11 September 2001 has been:

	Oct (£)	Nov (£)	Dec (£)	Jan (£)	Feb (£)	Mar (£)	Apr (£)	May (£)	Total (£)
Barra	8,295	9,926	1,596	8,695	2,509	2,976	2,369	2,797	39,163
Benbecula	1,241	5,856	2,355	1,605	1,862	1,792	1,901	3,188	19,800
Campbeltown	5,754	10,532	2,457	7,342	1,875	2,075	2,044	2,950	35,029
Islay	9,901	12,834	6,978	8,680	5,654	4,070	3,128	3,647	54,892
Kirkwall	412	1,009	1,009	1,009	1,009	1,009	1,679	1,679	8,815
Stornoway	3,029	2,716	2,716	2,716	2,716	2,716	1,326	1,326	19,261
Tiree	2,183	10,338	2,341	6,847	1,978	4,408	3,174	2,500	33,769
Wick	1,146	1,212	1,045	1,034	999	2,051	-18	1,498	8,967
	31,961	54,423	20,497	37,928	18,602	21,097	15,603	19,585	219,696

I understand that this question relates to a study carried out by a contract research organisation in Scotland in which eight healthy adult volunteers were exposed to the organophosphate pesticide azinphos methyl. The study was based on an "ascending-dose protocol" wherein the dose to volunteers was increased from very low levels to those at which the first signs of changes in acetylcholinesterase were observable. It was overseen by an independent ethics committee.

The Scottish Executive does not hold information of this type. This is essentially a matter for the company, the researchers and the individual volunteers involved in the study.The Bayer company has, however, confirmed that eight adult volunteers were exposed to the pesticide azinphos methyl in a laboratory study designed to determine the "no adverse effects level" for this material by looking for short-term changes in cholinesterase activity. The study was carried out in Scotland by a contract research organisation and was overseen by an independent ethics committee.

I understand that a study to investigate the potential to introduce new fast ferry services from Ardrossan was commissioned by Clydeport plc and North Ayrshire Council, and that a ferry link between Ardrossan and Tarbert was an option explored by the researchers.

The Scottish Executive is liaising closely with the promoters of the possible container transhipment terminal at these sites, and will continue to do so. Highlands and Islands Enterprise has provided financial assistance for the marketing of the Flotta proposal, and Scottish Enterprise has agreed a financial contribution with Clydeport towards the further development of the Hunterston proposal. Any further financial assistance for these projects would depend on the circumstances involved, though the policy set out in Modern Ports: A UK Policy is that port developments and port operations should not in general need public subsidy. In implementing the Executive's policies for ports, as set out in Modern Ports: A UK Policy, a range of complementary interests within the Executive and amongst non-departmental bodies is involved, with the overall policy lead taken within the Scottish Executive Development Department Transport Group.

There are currently no applications for funding from European funds for a global container port in Scotland. Any application for such a project would receive due consideration, in line with any other application, to assess compatibility with the relevant programme criteria and taking into account the availability of funds. An application would also have to be submitted within the lifetime of the current programmes which are due to end in 2006. Financial assistance more generally would depend on the circumstances involved, though the policy set out in Modern Ports: A UK Policy is that port developments and port operations should not in general need public subsidy.

The information requested is contained in the personnel records of the individuals concerned and which are retained by HIAL. Under Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, information contained in personnel records (relating to public appointments as well as employees of public authorities) are exempt from disclosure.

The Scottish Executive consults local interests including local authorities, local enterprise companies and community organisations to inform decisions on the renewal of Public Service Obligations.