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We consider that a time periodshould continue to apply for use to be made of fishing vessel licence entitlementswhich are not attached to active fishing vessels.

The Fishing Vessel LicensingReview Working Group has recommended that the validity period for unattached licenceentitlements should be increased beyond the current three year period. This increaseis to provide adequate time to allow owners to secure suitable entitlements fornew vessels and undertake all of the necessary project planning that is requiredfor a new build as well as accounting for the actual build time itself. Scottishministers accepted this recommendation for an increased time period and proposethat a revised validity period of five years be implemented, subject to consultationwith industry. We will keep this requirement under review to ensure that it remainseffective in light of changing circumstances.

I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-486 on 12 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-486 on 12 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-486 on 12 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I have asked for a review ofmajor public transport projects which is being taken forward by Transport Scotland asa priority.

We continue to monitor allprojects to ensure proper financial control and management as well as todeliver value for money for Scottish taxpayers.

This is all part of thenormal, natural and necessary business of good government.

The Auditor General willalso publish the findings of the review that we have asked Audit Scotland tocarry out on the EARL and Edinburgh trams projects. This will be brought to Parliamenton 20 June 2007.

I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-486 on 12 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answerto question S3W-486 on 12 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I announced in Parliamentthe rates of voluntary modulation we intend to use during the Debate on 31 Mayon the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13. My officials are in theprocess of finalising a contribution to a UK submission notifying the EuropeanCommission that in Scotland we intend to use voluntary modulation rates of 5%in 2007, 8% in 2008, 8.5% in 2009 and 9% in each year from 2010-2012 inclusive.The final day for submitting our voluntary modulation rates to the Commissionis 12 June.

We intend to also submit theProgramme for formal consideration by the Commission around the same time asthe voluntary modulation rates, although the exact date for this has still tobe confirmed.

As I said in response to thequestions following my statement to the Parliament on 24 May, there are someareas in Scotland where ship-to-ship oil transfers already take place,and where it is perfectly acceptable for such operations to continue. It is notthe Scottish Government’s intention that the planned legislation will haveconsequences for appropriate business activity in the Firth of Forth, or in anyother area of Scottish waters.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-242 on 12 June 2007. 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/webapp/wa.search.