Chamber and committees

The primary purpose of the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)''s visit to Scotland was to review the potential for private sector investment in Scotland. The visit provided the First Minister and the Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism with an opportunity to meet representatives of the QIA to hear about its strategy and objectives and to discuss possible trade and investment links.

Scottish Development International''s Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa and the Director of Infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise were also present.

There was no agenda for the meeting.

The only meeting between Scottish ministers and officials and representatives of the Qatar Investment Authority was on 7 May 2008.

I am keen to have as much information about this case in the public domain as possible. I met the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission last week and continue to have productive discussions with them about the possibility of them disclosing information which they hold. Options include an Order under section 194K(1)(f) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 which would remove one of the limitations on the release of such information. All other legal obligations and limitations in respect of disclosure would need to be fully considered.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27063 on 16 September 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-27066 on 16 September 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The proper place for references by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission to be dealt with is the Appeal Court. The Scottish Ministers have some powers under the Inquiries Act 2005 to establish an inquiry, but the powers of such an inquiry would be limited. As I said on 20 August, the questions to be asked and answered are beyond the jurisdiction of Scots law and the restricted remit of the Scottish Government. If a further inquiry were felt to be appropriate then it should be initiated by those with the required power and authority. The Scottish Government would be happy to fully co-operate in such an inquiry.

No. It is for licensing boards to consider whether any promotion is contrary to any condition in the 2005 act. The Scottish Government has already announced its intention to take further action in respect of off-sale promotions in the forthcoming bill to tackle alcohol misuse.

Paragraph 3 of Schedule 3 to the act makes it clear that paragraph 8(2)(e) applies to off-sales.

The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 provides a framework which gives licensing boards the flexibility to tackle the local problems which effect their communities. The government has no intention of setting boundaries that would restrict that flexibility and the scope for innovation in local licensing policy. As with all legislation interpretation will ultimately rest with the courts.

No formal or informal guidance has been given to the Police regarding enforcement of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. I wrote to all licensing boards on 3 September stating that, it is particularly important that those responsible for enforcement approach their task with pragmatism and common sense. This did not mean that licensing boards or the police should not make full use of their powers in tackling licence holders who abuse or ignore their responsibilities under the act.