Chamber and committees

The purpose of regional selectiveassistance (RSA) is to support viable projects that will strengthen theemployment base but might not, without support, take place within the assisted areasof Scotland, those areas designated for regional aid under European Communitylaw.

All companies when applyingfor RSA have to meet the scheme criteria before grant is offered. Criteriainclude viability, economic efficiency and the demonstration of the need forgrant. Need for assistance can be demonstrated in a number of ways includingfilling a funding gap, return on investment, risk reduction and choice oflocation.

RSA will not be offered ifwe believe a project would proceed in an Assisted Area regardless of ourinvolvement.

Yes. In the absence of taxpowers, regional selective assistance can be used to support businesses of allsizes provided projects satisfy the criteria of the scheme. The criteriainclude demonstrating the need for assistance to make the project happen in an assistedarea rather than elsewhere or not at all.An increasing number of companies, particularly those with a variety of existingoverseas facilities, have a credible choice of location for their projects. Insuch cases we carefully consider the arguments used and satisfy ourselves thatthere are indeed genuine alternative locations.

As stated in the answer toquestion S3W-1713, answered on 23 July 2007, the Scottish Executive routinelytakes EC state aid rules into account in relation to any proposed rates reliefschemes. However, any advice provided to Ministers in the previousadministration in relation to analysis of its proposals is a matter for theprevious administration.

All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament's website the search facility forwhich can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The Scottish Executivealready uses online recruitment advertising but Civil Service Commission rulesdo not permit it being used as the only advertising medium. The potential forshared online recruitment advertising across public bodies in Scotland isbeing studied. The Government is keen for this to be developed to reduce thecost of advertising.

Scotland’s Railways highlights the rail projects andaspirations currently being considered. They are part of an ongoing process andS3W-1647, answered on 24 July 2007 refers to the available benefit to cost ratios.All answers to written ParliamentaryQuestions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The rail projects which havebeen assessed since rail powers were devolved to the Scottish Ministers aredetailed in the following table:

We would not hold the detailof projects assessed before rail powers were devolved.

Scheme	BCR (£m)
Airdrie – Bathgate	1.92
Borders Railway	1.30
Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL)	2.16
Edinburgh Trams (Newhaven – Edinburgh Airport) (with EARL) (without EARL)	1.10 1.68
Glasgow Airport Rail Link	1.28
Larkhall – Milngavie	0.95
Stirling – Alloa – Kincardine	1.10
Waverley Station Phase 1	2.06
Laurencekirk Station	1.60
Mossend – Elgin	2.26
Dunlop Loop	1.03

The benefit cost ratio forLarkhall – Milngavie was calculated over 30 years. Subsequent schemes have beenappraised over 60 years following changes to Scottish Transport AppraisalGuidance and HM Treasury Green Book.

The Scottish Executive takesEC state aid rules into account with any proposed rates relief scheme.

We intend to introduce theSmall Business Bonus Scheme from 1 April 2008 which could potentially benefitthose small businesses engaged in research and development activities in Scotland andprovide the opportunity for them to increase their level of investment.

Our aim, in introducing theproposed scheme, is the creation of an environment in which businesses in Scotland canflourish, underpinned by a fair taxation system which targets relief where itis needed most. We shall make a further announcement on the details of the schemelater this year.

I understand that ProfessorRussel Griggs, Chairman of the Regulatory Review Group, will be writing to meshortly to discuss the Group’s future role and activities.

The Improving RegulationUnit will be supporting the RRG in its work and it would be more appropriate toawait the outcome of these discussions before deciding on the resourcesrequired.

The Improving RegulationUnit will be appropriately resourced to complete this, and other aspects of ourwork to improve the regulatory environment for Scottish businesses.

I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-1710 on 20 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.