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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.

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 refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-2791.

No decision has been taken on whether to proceed with a tax on aggregates. The effect on the competitive position of small and medium sized quarries from such a tax is likely to be limited. Although the regulatory burden on smaller and medium sized quarries could be proportionately greater, this would be offset by the higher transport costs of replacing their output from more distant larger quarries. The economic viability of small and medium sized quarries is therefore unlikely to be adversely affected by any aggregates tax in the short to medium term.

As demand for aggregates is typically unresponsive to changes in price, an aggregates tax is unlikely to have short-term adverse implications for jobs, either directly in the quarrying industry or in indirect employment supported by the industry. Most of the tax can be passed on to buyers of aggregates where it will represent a small proportion of overall costs. Research by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions indicates that while demand for aggregates may fall over time, leading to less employment in the industry as a whole, this will be offset by greater demand for recycled aggregates with attendant increases in employment in plant.

The introduction of a possible aggregates tax would be a matter for the UK Government. Consequently the Scottish Executive has no plans to carry out any separate Environmental Impact Assessment or consultation exercise to determine the impact of such a tax. HM Customs and Excise have already consulted on draft legislation to implement the tax.The Scottish Executive is currently considering detailed proposals submitted by the Quarry Products Association. While the Executive is aware of the report prepared by the Association's Scottish Branch, the UK Government are looking to the industry to produce a package for the country as a whole to reflect the fact that any aggregates tax would apply throughout the UK.

I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-2791.

The Scottish Executive does not hold comprehensive or systematic information about prices charged by transport or tour operators for trips by public transport or package holidays.

The Executive welcomes the establishment by Scottish Enterprise of a Project Steering Group to promote the opportunity to operate a direct ferry service from Scotland to the Continent. The Executive would expect the Steering Group to examine the potential costs and benefits of establishing a viable service, including the effects it might have on the Scottish economy as a whole.