Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to S2W-23170 on 20 March.All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the searchfacility for which can be found at: www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-23170 on 20 March.All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the searchfacility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The EC/Morocco FisheriesPartnership Agreement (FPA) is due to come into force on 1 June andratification by the Council is expected on 22 May. The UK has secured2,500 tonnes of pelagic quota in the agreement. Details of the number oflicences to be made available to Member States are likely to be known at alater date. At that time, UK Fisheries Administrations will put in place the necessary mechanismsto award quota and licences.

The European Commission hasrecently advised that there is nothing in the draft FPA that is inconsistentwith international law governing the status of Western Sahara. The FisheriesCouncil will clearly want to explore this further when discussing the draftagreement on 22 May. The Scottish Executive agrees with the UK Government thatit should not support an agreement that would prejudice the status of Western Sahara.The UK position supported by the Scottish Executive remains that its statusshould be dealt with under the UN process to assist the parties to achieve apolitical solution.

The Executive is consideringthe appropriate level of home loss payments for Scotland and will considerbringing forward proposals in due course, should a change in levels berequired.

VisitScotland works closelywith VisitBritain in marketing Scotland to the Australian tourism market as part of the Britainbrand portfolio. VisitBritain’s Australia marketing budget has risen from £0.9 million in1997-98 to £1.4 million in 2005-06. Prior to 2004-05, VisitScotland investedonly in public relations and travel trade activity in Australia.Its spend on marketing Scotland in Australia in 2003-04, 2004-05, and 2005-06 was £20,000,£100,000, and £140,000 respectively. The increase in 2004-05 was aimed at exploitingthe opportunities provided by the new Emirates Dubai-Glasgow service. Inaddition, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo visiting Sydney in 2005, and the VisitScotlandbudget was further increased in 2005-06 to exploit this opportunity.

VisitScotland’s marketingactivity in Australia includes press and on-line advertising, e-promotions,public relations, and travel trade activity, all supported by VisitBritain’s Britainbrand portfolio. Given the future growth potential of the Australian market, VisitScotlandplans to continue to invest at the same level as 2005-06 in future years.

Scotland already boasts anumber of world class sports facilities but through the national and regionalsports facilities strategy we are aiming to put in place a network of multi-sport facilities across Scotland, including anational indoor arena for competition. On coaches, many individual athleteswill have their own personal coach and that is a decision for them. Through sportscotland,however, the Executive grant aids a number of sports governing bodies tosupport the employment of high performance coaches.

It is for individualathletes to decide the level they should aspire to. The Executive’s role is towork with sportscotland, the Scottish Institute of Sport network,governing bodies and other relevant sports organisations to ensure that the necessaryinfrastructure is in place to meet those aspirations. We are currentlyconsidering what further investment is needed to build on the successful performanceof the Scottish team at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The EC/Morocco Fisheries PartnershipAgreement (FPA) is due to come into force on 1 June and ratification by the Councilis expected on 22 May. The UK has secured 2,500 tonnes of pelagic quota in the agreement.Details of the number of licences to be made available to member states are likelyto be known at a later date. At that time, UK Fisheries Administrationswill put in place the necessary mechanisms to award quota and licences. We anticipatethat Scottish vessels will be issued with licences.

The EC/Morocco Fisheries PartnershipAgreement (FPA) is due to come into force on 1 June and ratification by the Councilis expected on 22 May. The UK has secured 2,500 tonnes of pelagic quota in the agreement.Details of the number of licences to be made available to member states are likelyto be known at a later date. At that time, UK Fisheries Administrationswill put in place any necessary enforcement requirements and mechanisms to awardquota and licences.

The EC/Morocco Fisheries PartnershipAgreement (FPA) is due to come into force on 1 June and ratification by the Councilis expected on 22 May. The UK has secured 2,500 tonnes of pelagic quota in the agreement.Details of the number of licences to be made available to member states are likelyto be known at a later date. At that time, UK Fisheries Administrationswill put in place the necessary mechanisms to award quota and licences.