Chamber and committees

Formal responsibility for the civilian staff at the Scottish Criminal Record Office (SCRO) rests with Strathclyde joint police board. While therefore the decisions in respect of the four suspended officers will be for the joint board to take and to justify, the joint board will continue to work closely with the SCRO Executive Committee in deciding whether there are or are not grounds in this case for initiating formal disciplinary procedures.

The Executive does not provide such budgeting advice to local authorities.

The first case of foot-and-mouth disease in Dumfries and Galloway was confirmed on 1 March on the farm run by C M Kirkpatrick, Nether Place, Dryfesdale, Lockerbie. The infection has been traced to animals brought on to his premises from Longtown market. Information about all foot-and-mouth disease cases is recorded on the DEFRA website to which there is a link from the Scottish Executive website.

Research on genetically modified vaccines for animals is required to be notified to the Scottish Executive and the Health and Safety Executive under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000. No such activities covered by these regulations have been notified for Scotland. However, some research is being undertaken on immune systems that could eventually lead to the development of such vaccines.

Activities involving genetically modified micro-organisms are prohibited unless they comply with the Contained Use Regulations 2000 and relevant sections of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Applications must satisfy the regulatory authorities that the activity can be undertaken in conditions which are safe for humans and the environment.The prescribed conditions include the provision of risk assessments in relation to human health and safety and environmental protection; the establishment of a local safety committee to advise on risk assessments; classification of all activities into one of four categories related to the degree of risk; notification to the competent authority of an intention to use premises for genetic modification for the first time; notification to the competent authority of individual activities other than those defined as of no or negligible risk, and the preparation of an emergency plan for any reasonably foreseeable accident. Enforcement of the Contained Use Regulations is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive. Their inspectors have extensive powers to enter premises and to require the production of relevant documentation.

The Executive has been in close touch with the company and the Scottish Arts Council in respect of recent events.

The case was halted because one of the essential witnesses was deemed unfit to complete his evidence. The decision to do so was based upon an assessment by an experienced clinical psychologist. As is common in major cases, the Crown Office will consider whether any matters have arisen the further examination of which may be beneficial for future cases.

No.

The National Museums of Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland are currently discussing matters relating to their joint occupation of the Findlay Building. However, as we have already made clear, funds to renovate the Findlay Building will not be provided before the National Galleries of Scotland have completed their two current priority projects, development of the Playfair Project and the Granton Collections Store.

I have asked the Scottish Arts Council to ensure that Scottish Ballet consults widely and that Scottish Ballet's plans are consistent with the overall five-year strategy for dance that the Scottish Arts Council is currently developing.