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No. These issues both fall to be considered currently by Scottish Government and related agencies.

The agreement of 24 November 2008 between the Scottish ministers, other devolved administrations and the UK Government under the Joint Ministerial Committee will provide a statutory mechanism for the coordination of policy and actions between the UK administrations.

A UK Marine Policy Statement will be developed by the Scottish ministers, other devolved administrations and the UK Government to set out the high-level objectives for the UK marine area.

When the Scottish ministers adopt the UK Marine Policy Statement, Marine Scotland and other Scottish public authorities will have a duty to have regard to this in carrying out their functions.

Sustainable Seas for All - a consultation on Scotland''s first marine bill included proposals for a marine planning system. It is envisaged that this planning system will have three tiers. One of the proposed tiers will be at the international level involving co-operation with other countries across administrative boundaries. This includes planning of our seas at a regional seas scale in co-operation with neighbouring countries.

The Scottish and UK governments, along with other devolved administrations, plan to work together to develop a UK Marine Policy Statement which will set out high-level marine objectives for our seas.

The Scottish Marine Bill will not provide for the structure of Marine Scotland.

No responses to the Sustainable Seas for All consultation have been amended by telephone since the consultation closed.

We will be setting out our proposals for marine planning arrangements in the Marine Bill, to be introduced to Parliament shortly.

One response from a local authority was amended in writing following the closure of the consultation. This accommodated amendments made by the Council''s Planning, Housing and Environment Committee which convened later than the closure date. The amended response was published with all non-confidential responses on the 23 November 2008.

Marine Scotland will integrate the existing roles and responsibilities of the Scottish Government Marine Directorate, Fisheries Research Services and the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. That includes their current decision-making functions in relation to marine nature conservation. To the extent that these responsibilities already rest with the Scottish Government or its agencies, this effectively maintains the status quo. Marine Scotland will continue to seek advice from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as appropriate. We plan further provisions and functions related to marine nature conservation under the Marine Bill.

Responsibility for some decisions relating to marine nature conservation “ for example, related to the question of any proceedings for alleged offences “ currently rests elsewhere. We have no plans to change that approach.

There is wide support for the establishment of such a body and for the improved marine management arrangements it will deliver. Awaiting the passage of the Marine Bill would have meant substantive delay in establishing new delivery arrangements. Establishing Marine Scotland now means it can begin to integrate existing functions and resources and prepare for new functions once the bill is enacted. It also has the benefit of ending uncertainty for the staff involved and others.

Establishing Marine Scotland as a delivery-orientated directorate of Scottish Government means it can deliver better integrated policy, science and other marine management functions than would be possible through a non-departmental public body. Combining marine expertise and resources will mean Marine Scotland is well placed to champion Scotland''s seas and play a key role in the UK, Europe and internationally. It is also more transparent through direct accountability to the Scottish Parliament and offers value for money.

A non-departmental body would be more complex and costly to establish and operate and has the significant drawback of fragmentation of functions.

While there were differences of view on the most appropriate status for Marine Scotland, this is also the approach favoured by the largest group of respondents on the Marine Bill consultation who expressed a view on this issue.