Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-05962 on 7 March 2012. 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/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The views of the Orkney and Shetland communities were first invited during the full public consultation in 2010. In addition to the published consultation document, government officials held a series of public meetings in both Orkney and Shetland. Once the tender process began in the spring of 2011, officials from the relevant local authorities and regional transport partnerships were invited to comment on emerging proposals and their views were included in the subsequent policy advice to Scottish Ministers.

Significant efforts have therefore been made to ensure that the views of the Orkney and Shetland communities were taken into account during the period when the service specification was being developed. This has been done and that period is now concluded. Future discussions with the preferred bidder will not influence the services procured. However, once confirmed, the new operator will be actively engaging with the local communities.

We are committed to ensuring that the benefits of creative and cultural activity underway in 2012 carry through to 2014 and we have already established the appropriate governance structures and evaluation frameworks across all our 2012 and 2014 activity to ensure that happens. On 27 July 2011, I announced Scotland's Cultural Plan for London 2012 and Glasgow 2014, which sets out how we are working to fully capitalise on these amazing opportunities for the cultural sector and our communities. In addition, the Year of Creative Scotland, one of a series of years focussing on some of Scotland's greatest assets, is encouraging collaborative working between the creative and tourism sectors as well as between national agencies working in the arts, events and tourism. The legacy of this work will inform and enhance the exciting programme of activity that will take place across Scotland throughout 2014 and beyond.

http://www.creativescotland.com/explore/2012-2014.

The non-native species provisions within the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 have yet to be commenced and, consequently, no species control orders have been made. Once the provisions are commenced they would empower Scottish Natural Heritage to make a Species Control Order for the purpose of controlling invasive plants or animals. Where any operations required by the Order are not carried out, Scottish Natural Heritage would have the power to carry out the required operations and suitable powers of entry are provided in the legislation.

We have previously made clear to the European Commission details of the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) pilot to the Western Isles, Coll and Tiree. The European Commission noted our position and did not raise objections or ask for any further clarification. Consequently, it is considered that there is no further need for contact with the European Commission on this issue.

The beaver is a former native species which, in Scotland, is now out of its native range.

Beavers can have negative, as well as positive, impacts on the environment and their unlicensed release is currently an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and will remain an offence once the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 is fully commenced.

An announcement will be made shortly.

The governance framework the Scottish Government has put in place with Scottish Water requires the organisation to produce an annual business plan that sets out the overarching business strategy for Scottish Water and its subsidiaries including how it shall exercise its non-core functions through its subsidiaries or otherwise. The governance framework can be found at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/917/0063038.pdf.

Scottish Water’s Business Plan for 2012-13 is expected to be received shortly.

The start up costs of Scottish Water's international activities are funded from the retained profits of other commercial activities of Scottish Water. All the income generated and costs incurred in Scottish Water's international activities will be consolidated in Scottish Water’s annual accounts which are laid before the Scottish Parliament each year.

Scottish Water International Business Development will provide advisory services - it has no plans to make financial investments in overseas assets.