Chamber and committees

The Scottish Executive has had no discussions with Ryanair about additional air links between Prestwick and destinations in Europe. We have, however, had discussions with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and airport operators about the promotion of additional air links serving Scotland. We will continue to encourage the development of more commercial and cost effective air services from Scotland for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish economy.

The Scottish Executive has had no discussions with easyJet about a direct air link between Scotland and Northern Spain. We have, however, had discussions with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and airport operators about the promotion of additional air links serving Scotland. We will continue to encourage the development of more commercial and cost effective air services from Scotland for the benefit of the travelling public and the Scottish economy.

This is an operational matter for both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I have asked the Chairmen of both organisations to write to the member direct. A copy of the replies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

No consultants have been engaged since 1997 by either the Scottish Office or the Scottish Executive to consider the internal organisation of either Highlands and Islands Enterprise or Scottish Enterprise.The employment of such consultants by the bodies themselves is an operational matter and I have asked the Chairmen of both organisations to write to the member direct. A copy of the replies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

Motorola has submitted, for formal consultation, a proposal to cease operations at Easter Inch.A number of initial expressions of interest in the facility have been received by the Executive and by Scottish Enterprise.Should the current proposal to close this facility be ratified the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise will work jointly with the company on the marketing of the site to attract new jobs to the area.

Working within a UK framework with the Carbon Trust and the DTI, the Executive will continue to encourage research and development into a range of low carbon technologies, including solar heating, and, where these technologies are demonstrated to be technically feasible and to have the potential to be cost-effective, we will seek to stimulate their deployment.

Currently, the only official source of information about vacancies in Scotland is from Jobcentre records maintained by the Employment Service. The latest figures show that in March 2001 there were 45,700 vacancies at Jobcentres in Scotland. Surveys of employers have historically shown that only around a third of vacancies in the economy are notified to Jobcentres. Hence the estimate that, in Scotland, there are at least 100,000 vacancies. The Office for National Statistics has recently started a simple regular enterprise survey-based approach to provide a fuller measure of vacancies in the UK although this is still in the experimental phase.

The Chair, along with the other members of the visitscotland, oversees and provides strategic direction to the operations of visitscotland. The main duties are:

• chairing meetings of visitscotland;

• considering papers prepared by visitscotland;

• taking a leading role in the determination of quality, planning and resource allocations;

• representing the best interests of the tourism industry, and
• representing the board at functions and events, in negotiations, and in discussions with Scottish Ministers.

The chief executive's role is exercised under the direction of the appointed board. It is to:

• lead visitscotland in such a way as to enhance its reputation and profile;

• manage the organisation and operations of visitscotland within the constraints of operating in the public sector;

• play the lead co-ordinating role among the industry and public sector bodies, developing, championing and representing the tourism sector;

• establish a clear short- and long-term direction for the business, acknowledging changing demands;

• ensure that visitscotland has a structure that can deliver excellent service to its customers, whether from the tourist industry or as consumers, and

develop an organisation whose culture and ethos reflects the changing environment in which it operates.

Yes. The Executive will be involved in the selection process and will exercise its function of giving consent to visitscotland's appointment. The appointment process is for visitscotland. We are content for the search to look for a chief executive with the qualities described in the answer to question S1W-15445.

The Scottish Executive is not aware of any plans by British Airways for an all jet aircraft operation in the Highlands and Islands following its take-over of the British Regional Air Lines Group plc.