Chamber and committees

The Annex to the second National Planning Framework (NPF2) contains a statement of Scottish Ministers' reasons for considering that there is a need for additional container freight capacity on the Forth. Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 makes provision as to how such statements are to be applied when determining a planning application. In relation to other consent procedures, such as the current Harbour Order application, there is no similar statutory provision, however, ministers' reasons for considering that there is such a need will be given equivalent status in reaching a decision on the proposal for an international container terminal at Rosyth.

<>I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-09947 on 24 October 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.

We still await the report of the public inquiry into this proposal and until that report is received and the application is determined it is not considered appropriate to speculate on possible outcomes.

If, following receipt of the report of the public inquiry, it is considered that the order should be made and that the proposal will be likely to have a significant effect on a European site, Scottish Natural Heritage will be consulted for the purposes of completing an appropriate assessment in accordance with the requirements of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended).

Scotland’s “nature, heritage and culture” has been identified as one of the four key assets in the industry-led “Tourism Scotland 2020”.

The Antonine Wall is one of hundreds of locations all over Scotland to feature in VisitScotland’s Brave movie map. The map is available free of charge in over 100 VisitScotland information centres throughout the country, providing an at-a-glance map of locations all over Scotland that are reflected in the movie.

Marketing and promotion is undertaken both collectively and individually by partners (Historic Scotland, East Dunbartonshire Council, West Dunbartonshire Council, Glasgow City Council, North Lanarkshire Council and Falkirk Council): a series of leaflets and pop up displays were created by Historic Scotland for all World Heritage Sites in Scotland and includes versions for the Antonine Wall which are also being produced in Gaelic and German. Local authorities will advertise the Wall in their local marketing brochures.

<>Youth Music Initiative funds are allocated and administered by Creative Scotland, our public body for culture and creative industries. I have asked Andrew Dixon, Creative Scotland’s Chief Executive, to write to the member with this information. Further details about Creative Scotland’s activities are available at http://www.creativescotland.com.

We are aware of ambitious proposals by Forth Valley College for the redevelopment of its Falkirk campus, but have had no direct discussions with the College. We have recently seen over £46 million invested in Forth Valley College’s new campuses at Alloa and Stirling, both of which the First Minister was pleased to open in October 2011 and September 2012 respectively.

The Scottish Government has provided information on options for pension fund investment to local authorities, including Falkirk, through the Local Government Pension Fund Convenors. The Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment, Alex Neil, met with the Convenors on 14 March 2012 to discuss the options available to local authorities and to encourage them to progress investment in social and affordable housing.

Despite the challenging conditions in the global economy, the Scottish tourism sector has remained resilient. The annual growth rate in tourism is set out in the following table:

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Annual Growth Rate

Overseas Data

Total Visits (000)	2,791	2,492	2,544	2,358	2,350	-4%
Total Spend (£m)	£1,367	£1,241	£1,369	£1,455	£1,494	3%
Constant Spend (£m)	£1,295	£1,140	£1,237	£1,278	£1,283	0%

Domestic Data

Total Visits (000)	13,120	12,145	12,042	12,093	13,356	1%
Total Spend (£m)	£4,203	£4,053	£3,928	£3,971	£4,508	2%
Constant Spend (£m)	£2,686	£2,583	£2,312	£2,210	£2,591	0%

Combined Total

Total Visits (000)	15,911	14,637	14,586	14,451	15,706	0%
Total Spend (£m)	£5,570	£5,294	£5,298	£5,426	£6,002	2%
Constant Spend (£m)	£3,981	£3,723	£3,549	£3,488	£3,873	0%

Source: IPS, ONS.

The Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS), which has been in operation since 1997, is the largest and most established scheme of its type in the world. Originally developed in partnership with VisitScotland, the GTBS is now operated by Green Business UK Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2001 to deliver the GTBS and provide auditing, advisory and membership services.

The GTBS is now the only national scheme to be independently validated by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) on behalf of VisitEngland, VisitWales, and the Northern Ireland Tourist board and endorsed by VisitScotland and Failte Ireland.

It has 819 members in Scotland, including VisitScotland Information Centres and offices, and over 2,300 members through the UK and Ireland. The current network of members is comprised of a wide range of business types, including accommodation providers, visitor attractions, conference and event venues, activity providers, tour operators and others.