Seòmar agus comataidhean

Data on the number of visitors at local authority level is not held centrally. Data on the number of visitors to Ayrshire and Arran and Scotland is provided in the following table.

Ayrshire and Arran (000)

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Total UK	1,390	870	1,210	990	1,090	1,090	940	670
Origin
Scotland	848	418	593	426	*534	*534	461	369
Rest of UK	542	452	617	564	*556	*556	479	301
Overseas	100	90	80	70	80	80	**170	**170

 

Scotland (000)

	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Total UK	18,530	18,960	17,540	18,530	17,520	17,520	14,870	13,280
Origin
Scotland	9,265	10,238	8,741	9,079	*8,650	*8,650	6,750	6,348
Rest of UK	9,265	8,722	8,799	9,451	*8,870	*8,870	8,120	6,932
Overseas	1,860	1,690	1,590	1,580	1,570	1,880	**2,390	**2,730

Source: ONS International Passenger Survey, and UK Tourism Survey (UKTS).

Note: *UKTS data for 2003 and 2004 are considered unreliable. Methodology changed from 2005 - earlier totals not comparable.

**ONS International Passenger Survey methodology changed from 2005 – Prestwick added as an interview point – so previous years not comparable.

Further data is available at:

Tourism in Ayrshire and Arran 2006

http://www.visitscotland.org/ayrshire___arran_2006-2.pdf.

Tourism in Scotland 2006

http://www.visitscotland.org/tourism_in_scotland_2006_national.pdf.

There is evidence to suggest that price impacts on consumption, but it is only one factor which may affect how people drink. We are taking some immediate action on binge drinking through continued implementation of the Licensing Act which will end irresponsible promotions. We want to change the place of alcohol within Scotland’s culture and will shortly consult on proposals for tackling alcohol misuse which will look at a broad range of measures to lower consumption levels.

The Scottish Government is a strong supporter of the traditional crafts sector in Scotland, which are an expanding part of Scotland’s successful creative industries.

The Scottish Arts Council is pursuing a range of initiatives to develop opportunities for the promotion of Scottish makers’ work.

I have asked the Scottish Arts Council to write to you directly to provide further information and detail on the work they are undertaking in relation to the crafts sector.

There is some evidence to suggest that price impacts on consumption, but it is only one factor which may affect how people drink. We are taking some immediate action on underage drinking and have rolled out test-purchasing for alcohol. We want to change the place of alcohol within Scotland’s culture and will shortly consult on proposals for tackling alcohol misuse which will look at a broad range of measures to lower consumption levels.

Figures on the number of fathers obtaining contact or residency orders are not held centrally. We intend to evaluate the impact of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006 in due course.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-13645 on 9 June 2008. 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.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. I will ask its Chief Executive to write to you in this regard.

The information requested is not held centrally.

I refer the member to the to answer to question S3W-13650 on 9 June 2008. 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.

Information on the number and rateable value of vacant business premises is not held centrally. Information on premises liable for business rates is held on the Scottish Assessors Portal (www.saa.gov.uk), but the portal does not maintain reliable data on the vacancy history of individual properties.