Chamber and committees

As stated in my reply of 22 February to the member, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will undertake a review of its headquarters locations. No targets have been set for relocating public sector posts and all areas of Scotland will be considered. The review has not yet started. The target date for completion of the review is mid-2002 and ministers will take a decision on the most suitable HQ location for SNH based on the review findings.

I have overall portfolio responsibility for architecture. My deputy, Dr Elaine Murray has direct ministerial responsibility for policy on architecture.

The Executive routinely makes direct investment in aquaculture through research and development work, in support of its statutory responsibilities for disease control and improving understanding of impacts on the marine environment; and through FIFG Structural Funds, where the priorities of the aquaculture scheme remain the efficient and hygienic production of quality fish and shellfish. In recent years, there has also been exceptional expenditure through the Highlands and Islands Enterprise Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) Re-Start Scheme, to facilitate the sustainability of employment and business activity in fish and shellfish farming businesses in the Highlands and Islands, which had been adversely affected by ISA, as well as the payment of formation grant to a producer organisation. This is detailed in the following table:

Item	1999-2000 (£ million)	2000-01 (£ million)	2001-02 (£ million)
Research and development - costs incurred	1.4	1.1	1.3
FIFG Structural Funds - awards approved in aquaculture scheme	N/A	N/A	2.1
Formation grant to Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation	N/A	0.1	N/A
Highlands & Islands Enterprise ISA Re-Start Scheme - funds approved	N/A	3.0	0.8
Totals	1.4	4.2	4.2

For both FIFG and the ISA Re-Start Scheme, although awards may be approved in a particular financial year, funds may not necessarily be drawn down by the recipient in that same year.

I am able to respond in respect only of ombudsmen whose jurisdiction covers Scottish public bodies for which the Scottish ministers have responsibility.Information on payments made to individuals following recommendations by Scottish public sector ombudsmen is not held centrally.There are no specific powers relating to awards to individuals following a finding of maladministration by a Scottish public sector ombudsman. Where an ombudsman determines that a person has suffered an injustice or hardship as a result of maladministration, he may recommend whatever action he considers appropriate to remedy that injustice or hardship. This may involve financial redress, the amount of which is wholly dependent on the circumstances of the particular case.

The Executive's aim is to secure a sustainable and competitive future for the aquaculture industry in Scotland, as one of our most important rural employers. We will achieve this through a partnership with all the relevant stakeholders, working together to balance their social, economic and environmental aspirations. We are currently consulting on a strategic framework which will shape the development of the industry for the medium-term. This will build on recent work, through the Tripartite Working Group, to maintain a healthy stock of wild fish; through the Aquaculture Health Joint Working Group, to prevent disease and improve fish health; and to streamline and improve the regulation of the industry.

BEAR Scotland Ltd. met with representatives of Mallaig Community Council on 20 February 2002 to discuss their concerns regarding the condition of the A830, in particular the section of the road east of Arisaig.To address those concerns, a structural maintenance scheme has been identified for implementation this autumn. An interim strategy to undertake urgent repairs and increase the frequency of safety inspections, has also been formulated to ensure road safety is maintained.

I am aware of the research conducted by Mr Blackshaw relating to the current legal position in respect of access by the public to land. The conflicting evidence on this subject to the Justice 2 Committee from Mr Blackshaw and others, including the Law Society of Scotland, reinforces our view of the need for legislation to establish clear rights of responsible access as set out in Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill.

The creation of an annual Scottish award for best publicly funded building is one of a number of initiatives to which the Executive is committed under the policy on architecture. How we take this forward is currently under consideration. At the moment, Scottish projects are eligible for the Prime Minister's Better Public Buildings Award, which is a UK-wide scheme.

A reply to your letter was issued on 6 March 2002.

The Parliament has received legal advice that the documents requested should not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre while the SPCB's rights and entitlements are still being evaluated, as they may form part of the productions in any litigation which may follow. The appointed receiver for Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd. is D. J. Manning. The appointment is only in respect of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd and not the parent company, which was still trading as at 1 March 2002. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that the Holyrood Project Team and the Project Construction Managers, Bovis Lend Lease Scotland Ltd, were in contact with the appointed receiver to exchange relevant information, immediately following the demise of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd.