Chamber and committees

New scientific information has been presented to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) concerning the abundance of west coast nephrops stocks. On the basis of single stock analysis, the new information suggests that a quota increase of 15% is warranted. However the current advice from ICES is presented in the context of mixed fisheries, not single stocks, and it explicitly states that managers should take the by-catch of cod into account when managing west of Scotland Nephrops fisheries.

The Scottish Executive is committed to securing an increase in the west of Scotland Nephrops TAC, but will formulate a firm position, in consultation with stakeholders, on the appropriate level of any increase and any necessary measures for reducing the perceived cod associations, only after a response to the UK’s special request for additional advice from ICES on the West of Scotland Nephrops stocks has been received.

On the basis of scientific advice, the reduction in cod stocks in the west of Scotland is not due solely to the warming of seas around our coasts nor is there firm evidence that the cod stocks will not recover. Advice received from ICES is that fishing effort on west of Scotland cod stocks has exceeded safe levels in every year since 1976.

Organisations outwith Scottish Executive main staff included in Scottish Ministers relocation programme are aware that it is for each employer to decide individually what all needs to be included in a relocation package to encourage staff to move ensuring business continuity is maintained during the transition period.

Publication of the informationin AviaSolutions’ report would not be in the public interest as it would harm thefrankness and candour of internal discussion including internal opinion, advice,recommendation, consultation and deliberation (Exemption 2 of Part II of the Codeof Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information). The cost of the work was £35,000 and the draft finalreport was received by the Executive on 16 July 2004.

The remit of the inquiry doesnot refer to 1 September 2003.  However, that date is significant to the extent thatit is the date on which the agreed terms of reference and letter of appointmentto conduct the inquiry were issued to Lord Fraser. The Executive lodged copies ofdocuments relevant to Holyrood Progress Group meetings up to 15 August 2003, beingthe date of the last report to ministers prior to 1 September, taking the view thatthat date was appropriate in relation to the terms of reference as being the datefrom which the inquiry commenced. That course of action has met with no objectionor request for further information from the inquiry.

Itis for the Auditor General to determine the bounds of relevance in investigationsjust as it is for Lord Fraser to determine what he considers to be relevant materialfor consideration by him. The Executive continues to co-operate fully with the inquiry.

The Executive has provided the following Gaelic translation:

Chaidh mearachd a dhèanamh annan clàradh ceann-là an Sgrìobhainn SE/9/218 air Làrach-lìn Rannsachadh Holyroodmar Gearran 2004. Mar a tha teacsa an sgrìobhainn a’ dèanamh soilleir, ‘s ann bho26 Dàmhair 2001 a tha an sgrìobhainn.

Chan eil raon-ùghdarraisan rannsachaidh a’ beantainn ri 1 Sultain 2003. Ach, tha an ceann-là seo sònraichteleis gur e an ceann-là air an deach na cumhachan iomraidh aontaichte agus an litircur-an-dreuchd airson an rannsachadh a stiùireadh a lìbhrigeadh don Mhorair Friseal.Chuir an Riaghaltas a-steach lethbhreacan de sgrìobhainnean a bha a’ beantainn ricoinneamhan HPG suas chun 15mh Lùnastal 2003, oir b’ e seo ceann-là na h-aithisgmu dheireadh gu na Ministearan ro 1 Sultain, a’ gabhail ris a’ bheachd gun robhan ceann-là sin iomchaidh a rèir nan cumhachan iomraidh mar an ceann-là air an dothòisich an rannsachadh. Cha deach gearanno iarrtas airson tuilleadh fiosrachaidh iarraidh on Rannsachadh mar thoradh aira’ ghnìomh sin.

 ‘S e an Àrd-neach Sgrùdaidha dhearbhas crìochan buntainneas ann an rannsachaidhean dìreach mar a tha e an urraris a’ Mhorar Fhriseal dearbhadh dè a tha esan a’ meas a tha na stuth buntainneachair am bu chòir dhàsan beachdachadh. Tha an Riaghaltas a’ leantainn air a’ làn cho-obrachadhris an Rannsachadh.

The Executive has provided the following Gaelic translation:

Thug Riaghaltas na h-Alba airbeachdachadh air ùidhean ‘s feuman gach tuathanach an Alba, a’ gabhail a-staighan fheadhainn air taobh siar na Gàidhealtachd, ann an co-dhùnadh dè an dòigh asfheàrr air ullachaidhean ùra Poileasaidh Coitcheann an Àiteachais a bhuileachadh.Bidh na h-ullachaidhean airson cèis nàiseanta na mairtfheòla – a chaidh fhoillseachadho chionn ghoirid – na brosnachadh airson cumail a’ dol ag àrach laoigh airson mairtfheoilan Alba; bidh iad air leth buannachdail do thuathanaich stuic nach urrainn an laoighagus an stoc òg a reamhrachadh agus air am biodh buaidh aig an lùghdachadh a thathara’ sùileachadh ann am prìs stuic. ’S e gnìomhachasan beaga air an taobh tuath agusan taobh an iar a tha aig mòran de na tuathanaich stuic sin. Gheibhear pàigheadhaig ìre nas àirde de mu £70 airson a’ chiad 10 laoigh air gach fearann, le mu £35ri phàigheadh airson a h-uile laogh eile. Gheibh tuathanaich bheaga sna sgìreanas iomallaiche buannachd a’ phàighidh as àirde airson a’ chuid as motha de na laoighaca.

I had a meeting in March this year with a group of Highland MSPs, who expressed views that the Castle could play an active role in supporting the local economy.  Following that meeting, my officials in Historic Scotland met the Castle's owner. Since then, I have requested an update on the condition of the Castle and the commissioning of a proper Statement of Cultural Significance, which would address the gaps identified by the Inquiry Reporter. Any future decisions that require to be made by Scottish ministers will be informedby these reports.