Chamber and committees

Fifty point six percent of respondents to the consultation paper, Proposals for changes to Agri-environment Schemes in Scotland supported the continuation of the Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme, rather than transferring to the Rural Stewardship Scheme (RSS) in its current form. These responses were received before I announced on 2 July that I had approved 99% of this year's applications to the RSS.I am currently considering arrangements for continued agri-environment support for people leaving ESA scheme agreements, and the responses to the other proposals in the consultation paper. I intend to make an announcement shortly.

It is our normal practice to consult about proposed changes to the Scottish Rural Development Plan. Accordingly if the mid-term evaluation exercise identifies the need for change then any proposals to amend the plan will be subject to consultation.

All past amendments to the Scottish Rural Development Plan (SDRP) have been the subject of consultation. We have already consulted on proposed improvements to support for environmentally-friendly and organic farming for intended inclusion in this year's SRDP amendment.

I have audiences with Her Majesty The Queen from time to time.

The Scottish Executive has decided to retain all previously designated (14) sensitive areas, and additionally has designated nine rivers and one stretch of marine water. These have been identified as sensitive areas in accordance with the terms of the Urban Waste Water Treatment (Scotland) Regulations 1994. The additional sensitive areas have been identified because of eutrophication, or in order to meet the requirements of the Surface Waters (Fishlife) (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1997, or in order to meet the requirements of the Surface Waters (Shellfish) (Classification) (Scotland) Regulations 1997. In all cases, the consequences of the designations are that Scottish Water has to provide treatment in addition to the standard secondary biological treatment for significant sewage discharges into the catchments of these waters.For discharges into the River Don, additional phosphorus treatment is being provided at the Persley treatment works; for the other listed rivers discharges are being treated to reduce ammonia levels to protect freshwater fishlife. In the case of the coastal water from St Andrews round to Fife Ness, additional disinfection treatment has been put into place at the St Andrews discharge to protect the quality of the shellfish water. In all cases the additional treatment provides further protection to these designated waters, resulting in environmental benefits, and to allow the waters to meet relevant environmental quality standards.The River Don has been designated sensitive to combat eutrophication. River Isla, Teviot Water (lower), River Ettrick, River Tyne, River North Esk, South Calder Water, River Clyde (lower) and Black Cart Water have all been designated sensitive to protect fresh water for fish. St Andrews to Fife Ness has been designated to protect shellfish water.I am placing copies of maps, showing the location of these designated sensitive areas, in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 26935). Copies will also be deposited with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for public inspection. My officials are sending a letter to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency requiring them to ensure, under their statutory powers, that compliance with discharge consent conditions which include tertiary treatment standards are met for discharge to an into the catchments of these sensitive areas. Additionally, my officials will publish a notice of the additional sensitive designations in the Edinburgh Gazette.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-664 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 Executive is committed to ensuring that all of Scotland benefits from the relocation of public sector jobs. In his November 2001 answer, Angus MacKay said that SNH was one of several bodies then about to undertake a relocation review under the Executive's dispersal policy. Ministers' decision to relocate SNH's Edinburgh headquarters to Inverness clearly demonstrates that the Executive means to deliver on the dispersal of public sector jobs around Scotland.The move to Inverness will bring benefits in terms of the development of the relocation policy which outweigh purely financial considerations. SNH currently works between two buildings in Edinburgh. A move to a single energy-efficient headquarters building away from the extremely competitive Edinburgh labour market will realise significant long-term efficiency gains. Over a 30-year period the move to Inverness will cost in the region of £22 million in net present value terms. On the same cost basis, the other options considered (including the status quo) ranged from over £15 million to £22 million. The other locations set out in the DTZ Pieda relocation report and considered by ministers were the status quo and a new combined site in Edinburgh, Perth, Stirling and West Lothian. I met separately with SNH management and its Trade Unions to hear their views before ministers reached the Inverness decision.We acknowledge that the relocation will cause SNH some short- to medium-term problems, including the possibility that some staff may leave rather than undertake the move. But as mentioned above, a new sustainable headquarters building in Inverness will realise significant long-term efficiency gains. A package of measures is being designed to ensure that the relocation goes ahead as smoothly as possible. It will provide assistance for SNH staff and minimise disruption to SNH's core work over the transitional period. All efforts will be made to minimise the scope of redundancies and ensure that any necessary redundancies are negotiated on a voluntary basis. SNH is firming up the estimated cost of a new building in Inverness as part of an overall project plan. The cost of this will be partly offset by the sale proceeds of the Hope Terrace headquarters, currently estimated at approximately £1.75 million, and of SNH's current buildings in Inverness which may realise some £2 million.The timing of the move will partly be determined by the lease break occurring at the Anderson Place headquarters, which gave rise to the relocation review. The lease will expire on 31 March 2005 and it is expected that the vast majority of staff currently based there will have relocated to Inverness by that date. The disposal of the Hope Terrace headquarters will depend on the timing of securing appropriate accommodation in Inverness. I am asking SNH to work up a project plan to address these and other aspects of the relocation and submit this to ministers in due course.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-664 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 S2W-664 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 S2W-664 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.