Chamber and committees

The Scottish Executive published the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill on Friday 17 January 2003, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 26036).

Salmon catch figures for 2002 are not yet available.

No complaints relating to this eviction are the subject of investigation by the Scottish Executive. I understand that a complaint has been made against Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary and that this is currently under investigation by Dumfries and Galloway Council as the Police Authority for the area. Complaints against the police in Scotland are regulated by statute, principally the Police (Scotland) Act 1967, the Police (Conduct) (Scotland) Regulations 1996 and the Police (Conduct) (Senior Officers) (Scotland) Regulations 1999. In these circumstances, I have nothing further to add.

Following the eviction, Mr Quinn corresponded with officials in the Scottish Executive. The letter highlighted, of 1 October 2001, was a part of that correspondence. However, there is no outstanding correspondence between Mr Quinn and the Executive. It remains the case that the Scottish Executive had no involvement in the eviction.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32681 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 S1W-32681 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 S1W-32681 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.

Section 4(2)(b) of the Land Registration (Scotland) Act 1979 provides that an application for registration in the Land Register of Scotland shall not be accepted by the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland if it relates to land which is a souvenir plot, that is a piece of land which, being of inconsiderable size or no practical utility, is unlikely to be wanted in isolation except for the sake of mere ownership or for sentimental reasons or for commemorative purposes.The Island of Skye, being in the County of Inverness is subject to that act and accordingly the plots in question could not be registered. The operation of the Land Register will be extended to all the remaining counties of Scotland on 1 April 2003 at which point in time registration of souvenir plots will be impossible anywhere in Scotland. Inability to register a souvenir plot means that the purchaser can only get a personal right of ownership. He or she cannot get a real right protected by the state guarantee that underpins a registered title.The position of the Scottish Executive on the purported sale of souvenir plots is reflected in the terms of the above mentioned legislation. The Executive would advise that any individuals participating in transactions of this nature should be aware that there is no true purchase involved as no title can be obtained to the plot of land. In view of the fact that titles cannot be registered to the plots, it is not known what rights and responsibilities attach to the "owners" of the small plots of land, but any such rights and responsibilities would be of a personal nature. For the same reason is it not known what acreage of Scotland has been "sold off" in plots of a very small size. It is not known how many such schemes there have been in the last 20 years. The Registers of Scotland have no knowledge of any problems caused by them.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-32681 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 S1W-32681 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.