Chamber and committees

I am aware that this proposal has only recently been approved by the Praesidium of the European Convention and await further details.The Scottish Executive believes it is important that the voice of the youth of Scotland is fed into the European Union processes and have been, and are working with colleagues on a UK basis to ensure this happens. I was very pleased that the immediate past chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament was able to participate as part of the UK delegation in last month's European Youth Gathering in Murcia, Spain.

I visited Aberdeen on 22 March 2002 at the invitation of the NHS board and in order to learn more about the services being provided at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. I also listened to the board's views on current service and patient/public involvement issues and met members of the NHS Grampian Community Forum. I expect to make similar visits to other NHS board areas in due course.

The Executive is committed to working to improve the quality of life in rural Scotland by promoting the provision of rural services. The Scottish National Rural Partnership's report Services in Rural Scotland (January 2001), which was commissioned by ministers, identifies innovative approaches to providing service in rural areas and offers recommendations on how public, private and voluntary service providers might work with rural communities to help them achieve their service needs. We are already following up on a number of the recommendations, including the setting up of a rural community website, and, with the Enterprise Networks and other partners, exploring the feasibility of establishing pilot Community Malls.With regard to specific incentives, a scheme of rural rate relief is in operation and is to be extended to provide 50% mandatory rate relief to small food shops which satisfy the scheme criteria. Businesses that do not meet that criteria may be eligible for relief under the small business rate relief scheme commencing in April 2003.Advice on business start-up (including the retail sector) is also available via the Small Business Gateway. It offers all the advice, information and training small businesses will need to set up and is tailored to meet individual requirements.

The Executive has provided substantial information in support of our proposals in the Estates Review Consultation documents, but any necessary clarifications will be made available during the consultation period.

All 70 vessels will be scrapped.

The European Commission are committed to undertake a review of the measures implemented under the cod recovery programme by the autumn. The review will take account of the experience gathered during 2002, as well as new scientific information and advice and other relevant data. They also intend to assess the economic and social impact of the revised measures on the relevant fleets.

As at 27 March, no substantive proposals have been submitted by vessel owners for the reassignment of their vessels to Third Countries under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) (Scotland) Scheme 2001.

As at 26 March, 25 Category A licences have been surrendered as part of the decommissioning process. Decommissioning scheme rules make no provision for the reissue of surrendered licences.

Vessels are currently being, or have been scrapped at the following locations:ArbroathCarradaleDunbarEsbjerg, DenmarkGrenna, DenmarkKilkeelMacduffNewcastleOrkneyPort BannatynePortavogieSandhavenStornowayStranraerVigo, Spain

As at 27 March, no substantive proposals have been submitted by vessel owners for the reassignment of their vessels to a purpose other than fishing under the Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) (Scotland) Scheme 2001.