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A comprehensive set of response measures is being put in place to place redundant employees in new jobs and assist with skills development, following the recently announced reduction in the workforce employed by Barmac.

On-site information centres are being opened at both Ardersier and Nigg to provide easy-access, first-stop advice on employment, skills development and other issues for employees. A comprehensive information pack, giving advice, contact numbers etc, is being provided for on-site workers and for all those who have already left employment.Highlands and Islands Enterprise are setting up a database (HIE-OPS) of people affected by the rundown of the oil fabrication industry in the HIE area and are working with local labour placement specialists based in the Highlands and Islands to place as many individuals from the list as is practicable.HIE are also working with Barmac management to help identify opportunities for activity in the yards when confidence returns to the market, and are actively engaged in efforts to encourage new inward investment and employment to the area, and to diversify further the Highlands economy so that it can continue to compete vigorously in future markets.

The UK Government has indicated its commitment to maintaining a network of post offices which can meet its customer requirements throughout the country. The Scottish Executive will continue to ensure that the UK Government is aware of the particular needs of communities in Scotland.

The fabrication yards at Nigg and Ardersier were visited by Alasdair Morrison and myself, along with Brian Wilson of The Scotland Office, on Thursday 9 December, in recognition of the concern of the whole Executive about the difficulties currently facing the fabrication sector, and which are being faced by Barmac in particular. The First Minister takes a close interest in issues affecting the sector and, while he has yet to visit the Barmac yards, I have briefed him fully on developments there.

The First Minister last visited the Highlands and Islands on 17 September, when he attended an engagement on Iona. His next scheduled official visit to the Highlands and Islands will take place in March when he is due to visit Orkney.The Highland Council has made representations to Scottish Executive Ministers on a number of issues related to employment matters in the Highlands and Islands in the wake of the Barmac redundancies. Our response has indicated the desire of the Executive and its agencies to work closely with the Council, including through the Oil Industry Response Team, in framing measures which respond effectively to the job losses. Ministers last met the Convener of the Council on Thursday 9 December during their joint visit to the Barmac facility at Ardersier, and will consider sympathetically any further request by the Council for a meeting.

The Land Reform Action Plan published in August 1999 explained that decisions on the need for legislation to give greater protection for those who own property built on leased land would be taken in the light of further research. That research has been completed and is currently being evaluated.

The Scottish Executive is committed to reducing the levels of smoking by children and young people in Scotland and we have set challenging targets to achieve this. The Tobacco Control White Paper Smoking Kills, outlines a comprehensive range of measures which we are now taking forward. Specific action includes steps to improve the enforcement of the laws relating to under-age sales, and targeted health education and promotion activity. Legislation to ban tobacco advertising and sponsorship, which does so much to influence young people to take up the habit, will also be introduced.

This information is not held centrally. I have noted the question however and the points also raised in S1W-2379 and S1W-2380, and these will be taken into account in the Department's enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the safety of blood products from Hepatitis C. I will keep you informed of the outcome of my enquiries as soon as they are completed.

Yes. The issue of rate relief for small businesses was covered in my statement to Parliament on 8 December.

I refer to the answer given to question S1W-2377.

I made a Statement about this in Parliament on 8 December. I announced a rates discount scheme for small businesses in 2000-01 and that consultation on a transitional relief scheme will follow in January. I intend to examine the case for a rate relief scheme for small businesses over the next 12 months, continuing the useful dialogue already established with representative business organisations, such as the Federation of Small Businesses and the Forum of Private Business. Henry McLeish and other appropriate Ministers will look at support for small businesses and we expect the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and Local Government Committees to contribute to this review.