Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32681 today. 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/search_wa.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32681 today. 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/search_wa.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32681 today. 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/search_wa.

The cost incurred by the various public bodies involved in work related to these matters cannot be separately identified from within the costs incurred by those bodies in discharging the totality of their business.

Section 4(2)(b) of the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 provides that an application for registration in the Land Register of Scotland shall not be accepted by the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland if it relates to land which is a souvenir plot, that is a piece of land which, being of inconsiderable size or no practical utility, is unlikely to be wanted in isolation except for the sake of mere ownership or for sentimental reasons or for commemorative purposes.The Island of Skye, being in the County of Inverness is subject to that act and accordingly the plots in question could not be registered. The operation of the Land Register will be extended to all the remaining counties of Scotland on 1 April 2003 at which point in time registration of souvenir plots will be impossible anywhere in Scotland. Inability to register a souvenir plot means that the purchaser can only get a personal right of ownership. He or she cannot get a real right protected by the state guarantee that underpins a registered title.The position of the Scottish Executive on the purported sale of souvenir plots is reflected in the terms of the above mentioned legislation. The Executive would advise that any individuals participating in transactions of this nature should be aware that there is no true purchase involved as no title can be obtained to the plot of land. In view of the fact that titles cannot be registered to the plots, it is not known what rights and responsibilities attach to the "owners" of the small plots of land, but any such rights and responsibilities would be of a personal nature. For the same reason is it not known what acreage of Scotland has been "sold off" in plots of a very small size. It is not known how many such schemes there have been in the last 20 years. The Registers of Scotland have no knowledge of any problems caused by them.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32681 today. 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/search_wa.

Strathclyde Passenger Transport is the lead authority taking this project forward. As the Scottish Executive is the major funder of the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link, Scottish ministers have made numerous reported statements and comments in support of this rail link. Key statements made include the joint funding package with Strathclyde Passenger Transport of £23 million (27 August 2001) and, more recently, the agreement in principle by the Rail Regulator to a solution to issues around the performance regime applied to Railtrack (30 September 2002). I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-3811 on 13 June 2000, S1W-5863 on 27 April 2000, S1W-14515 on 9 April 2001, S1W-17805 on 24 September 2001, S1W-17856 on 18 September 2001, S1W-19847 on 23 November 2001, S1W-20663 on 28 December 2001, S1W-20800 18 February 2002, S1W-21213 on 28 January 2002, S1W-22010 on 25 February 2002, S1W-22693 on February 2002, S1W-23553 on 15 March 2002, S1W-25032 on 9 May 2002, S1W-26181 on 17 June 2002, S1W-26336 on 17 June 2002 and S1W-29636 on 30 September 2002. 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/search_wa.

Strathclyde Passenger Transport is the lead authority taking the Larkhall rail link forward.I understand that, since the Rail Regulator agreed in principle to a re-benchmarking solution that will remove the issues around performance costs, Strathclyde Passenger Transport and Railtrack have been in discussion over the remaining technical and legal issues. The outcome of these discussions will help inform the timetable for the introduction of this rail link.

A cross-cutting approach is employed in the Executive's delivery on Gaelic issues. Gaelic is taught as a second language in both the schools sector and the post-school sector. The Minister for Education and Young People holds policy responsibility for the former and the Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning holds policy responsibility for the latter. In connection with implementing policy on Gaelic in these sectors, ministers work with the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, who holds policy responsibility for the support and promotion of Gaelic language and culture.

The provision of Gaelic as a second language for primary school children is a matter for education authorities. However, the Executive supports with funding the Gaelic Language in the Primary School Programme which operates in a number of authorities. This programme seeks to develop the language skills of primary teachers to enable them to deliver Gaelic as a second language in their schools and authorities. The Scottish Executive will be providing extra resources for Gaelic next year and will be looking to Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba for advice on spending priorities.