Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is supporting the efforts of the Moray Task Force to develop an economic action plan for the area, and we are actively looking at what incentives can be put in place in Moray to encourage new businesses to locate in the area and to encourage the development of existing businesses. The timescale and shape of this response is, of course, dependent on decisions made by the UK Government.

The immediate priority of the Moray Task Force and the Scottish Government remains to present a strong argument to the UK Government as to why the RAF presence should be retained. The Scottish Government has made it clear that we will do all that we can to support the community in Moray but we will continue to press the UK Government to recognise its responsibilities.

The Scottish Government has not approached the European Commission for additional structural funds for Moray. Successful bids have been made for funds available through the European Economic Recovery Plan for use elsewhere in Scotland. Funds are still available from the European Social Fund and the European Regional Development Fund to support projects across Scotland, so projects to support business or individuals in Moray that are eligible may apply for support.

However, the immediate priority of the Moray Task Force and the Scottish Government is to present a strong argument to the UK Government as to why the RAF presence should be retained in Moray. The Scottish Government has made it clear it will do all that it can to support the community in Moray but we will also continue to press the UK Government to recognise its responsibilities.

The Government will consider this issue as part of its economic strategy in Moray. The immediate priority of the Moray Task Force and the Scottish Government is to present a strong argument to the UK Government as to why the RAF presence should be retained. The Scottish Government has made it clear it will do all that it can to support the community in Moray but we will also continue to press the UK Government to recognise its responsibilities.

The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a bus scrappage scheme. In July 2010 we launched the Scottish Green Bus Fund which will provide grants to bus operators for the purchase of low carbon buses. We are currently assessing the bids made for this fund and will announce the results in November.

Expenditure on victims and witnesses is incurred across a range of criminal justice agencies. For example, engagement with victims and witnesses is a core part of the functions of the police, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and Scottish Court Service. However, spending on such work is not separately identified within their budgets, and it is therefore not possible to disaggregate total expenditure on victims and witnesses within the Scottish justice budget. In addition, a number of services are delivered to both victims and witnesses as there is an overlap between the two categories.

Support and services for victims and witnesses are also provided by agencies funded by other parts of the Scottish Government, and include over £44 million over the period 2008-09 to 2010-11 to combat violence against women including funding for Rape Crisis Scotland, Scottish Women''s Aid, and the Rape Crisis Helpline.

Expenditure that is specifically earmarked solely for victims and witnesses within the Scottish justice budget is listed in the following table:-

	2008-09	2009-10	2010-11
	£000	£000	£000
Scottish Justice Budget	1,714,100	1,772,200	1,897,100
Victims and Witnesses	5,600	4,800	5,600
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme	28,500	28,500	28,100

 

Prior to the strategic defence review announcement, the Scottish Government provided a cross-party submission to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the UK Government highlighting areas of potential concern. This included Fort George and the vital role it plays in supporting the local economy.

Scottish Ministers are pleased that Fort George has not been affected by the strategic defence review and Historic Scotland will continue to work with the MoD regarding management and maintenance of this important site. The priority for Scottish Ministers is now to support the communities which have been affected by this review.

Scottish Ministers recognise the contribution Fort George makes to the local economy and are pleased it has not been affected by the strategic defence and spending review carried out by the UK Government as announced on 19 October 2010.

 

The Scottish Government recognises the contribution Fort George makes to the local economy and is pleased it has not been affected by the strategic defence and spending review announced on 19 October 2010. Ministers did have discussions with Historic Scotland, an executive agency of the Scottish Government, to understand the impact of potential scenarios in the run up to the announcement, however its priority is now supporting the communities which have been affected by this review.

Information on the number of consultants employed by NHSScotland, broken down by NHS board is available on the National Services Scotland, Information Services Division website at:

http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/servlet/FileBuffer?namedFile=Consultant_Staff_In_Post_2009.xls&pContentDispositionType=attachment.

No formal statement was made to the Scottish Parliament on this issue. The contracts for lifeline ferry services in Scotland were made publicly available and published on the Scottish Government''s website.