Seòmar agus comataidhean

On 4 October 1999, an audit of staff, commissioned by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, at Barmac's Nigg and Ardersier yards showed that there were 4,254 staff on site of whom approximately 2,400 were employed by sub-contractors. Employment at Lewis Offshore has averaged about 250 over the last three years.Barmac has announced that it plans to retain around 400 staff for the time being. Lewis Offshore, which is currently in receivership, will be operated on a care and maintenance basis with a small number of staff. The audit estimates that these reductions will lead to the loss of approximately 770 jobs in supply businesses.

As the funding and performance monitoring of Scotland the Brand is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise, I have asked the Chairman to write to the Member providing the information requested in his earlier question (S1W-2636). A copy of that reply will be placed in the Library. In terms of future requests for information pertaining to the enterprise networks, Ministers are happy to take questions. However, where these relate to operational matters it is more appropriate for the detailed information to be provided directly by Scottish Enterprise and/or Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

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.

I announced on 8 December 1999 a provisional Scottish Unified Business Rate of 45.8p for 2000-01. I published the calculations underlying that rate on 17 January. I will announce a final decision in February.

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 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.

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.

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.