The Executive remain neutral in relation to the policy of this Bill except where it cuts across Executive policy, has a financial implication for the Executive or is deemed to be unworkable in law. On consideration of the Bill, as amended at Stage 2, I can confirm that any amendments that the Executive consider are required at Stage 3 will be technical in nature.

Yes. We are considering the Bill as amended at Stage 2 and confirm that we will bring forward any Executive amendments as soon as we can.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20727.

The conclusions reached by the Rural Development Committee recorded in these paragraphs in the Stage 1 Report relate to the use of terriers underground and the activities of the Scottish Hill Packs. The Executive neither propose to implement a policy nor introduce measures to give effect to those conclusions. The Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill has undergone amendment at Stage 2 to cater for pest control exceptions, reflecting the views of the committee. That legislation, as determined at Stage 3 and ultimately interpreted by the courts, will determine what use of dogs is permitted and what constitutes an offence.

A request from the Scottish Gamekeepers Association for a meeting with officials was made in November and that meeting took place on 13 December. The association subsequently asked whether I could attend that meeting also but other engagements prevented me from doing so. I have, however, asked officials to report the discussions of that meeting to me.

I have no plans to meet with the Scottish Hill Packs Association, nor have I been asked by them to do so.

The contracts with BEAR Scotland Ltd have been awarded for a period of five to seven years and do not need to be reviewed. The contractual performance of the Operating Companies on all four contracts is monitored on an on-going basis by Halcrow in association with PricewaterhouseCoopers (the Performance Audit Group) and the Scottish Executive. There are a range of corrective measures and financial sanctions within the contracts which the Scottish Executive can consider in the event of unsatisfactory performance by the Operating Company. Having exhausted these, the Scottish Executive can terminate the contract if serious non-performance continues to be identified. Costs would be incurred in relation to securing a new Operating Company.

BEAR's contract is complex and detailed and minor breaches will inevitably occur. However, there are set procedures for rectification of more serious failures. The first step of this procedure is to issue a default notice to BEAR to ensure the level of service is maintained.

The legislation permitting the slaughter of lambs from approved slaughter premises in Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders was introduced on 3 December. Licences for movements to slaughter were subsequently issued that day.The first export health certificates were issued on 4 December for shipment on 6 December.

Any arrangements concerning the valuation of the land occupied by Drummond School, Inverness would be for The Highland Council as the education authority responsible for the management of the school. Such arrangements do not involve the Scottish Executive or any public body or agency for which the Scottish Executive may have responsibility.