Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer given to S1W-31129 on 11 November 2002. 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/search_wa.

I refer the member to the answer given to S1W-31129 on 11 November 2002. 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/search_wa.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30388 on 22 October 2002. 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/search_wa.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30995 today. 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/search_wa.

When I welcomed the publication of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Royal Society and Lessons to be Learned reports in July, I undertook to respond to their conclusions and recommendations by the end of the year and to make them available to Parliament. I am pleased that it has been possible to respond sooner than expected and I have today written to the Convenor of the Parliament's Rural Development Committee providing a copy of the Executive's response. The document has also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 24750) and is available on the Scottish Executive website. The Executive has responded positively to the conclusions and many recommendations in these reports. The response marries up with steps the Executive has already taken to reduce the risk of future outbreaks and is very focussed around three main themes:

• keeping out infectious agents of exotic disease;
• reducing livestock vulnerability by reforming industry practice, and
• minimising the impact of any future outbreak.

It is my intention to take the recommendations forward in partnership with stakeholders reflecting the way in which Scotland was able to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease within three months. These positive working relationships were highlighted in particular by the Lessons to be Learned report and it is important that these are built on for the future.

The Scottish Executive has had no discussions with the Crown Estate about the level of seabed rentals for small boat moorings. Crown Estate policy is a reserved matter.

Industry representatives on the working group have drawn attention to the effect that the Crown Estate's seabed lease charges have on the industry's overall competitiveness. My officials have also contacted the relevant authorities in competitor countries to establish the details of any similar arrangements which may exist. When this information is made available it will be conveyed to the working group for their consideration.

The Scottish Law Commission's Review of the Law of the Foreshore and Seabed was due to be completed by December 2002 and the majority of the commission's work is on target to meet that date, but part of the review covers access to the foreshore, upon which Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill will have an impact. I have agreed that the commission can delay the publication of their report until early in 2003 to allow them to take account of any further changes made to the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill during its passage through the Scottish Parliament.

The Executive has made no assessment of the impact of specific elements of the operational costs of ferry piers, ports and harbours such as Crown Estate rentals and royalties.

The information requested is not held by the Scottish Executive. Responsibility for the Crown Estate is reserved.