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Six expressions of support for the link road have been received.

All the non-confidential responses to the consultation on the draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. The consultation was not a referendum on any particular bill provision but rather sought views on the bill as a whole. Most considered responses were qualitative in nature and did not express outright support or opposition to any particular proposals.

The right to buy extends only to land which consists of salmon fishings as defined in section 65(2)(d). Where existing arrangements such as leases, timeshare or syndications are binding on the present owner, these arrangements will be binding on the new owner. Timeshare or syndication arrangements which constitute joint or common ownership would in theory be susceptible to purchase through the provisions of section 70(4). However, it may prove difficult to demonstrate that the purchase of fishings held under such arrangements would lead to sustainable development or be in the public interest. Furthermore, in many cases affordability is likely to be an issue for crofting community bodies. There is also a specific protection for tenancies in section 67(5).

The definition of "inland waters" in part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill does not apply to part 3.

If there has been any damage done to the confidence of prospective investors in salmon fishings it has been done by those people who have, in contesting our proposals, sought to suggest that there will be massive adverse effects on the quality of the fishing that will be available in the future as a result of this legislation. Any problems which exist will be resolved when opponents stop talking up the problems and start making realistic and sober assessments of the effects of these proposals. From that perspective the most useful way in which the Executive can ensure investor confidence would be to make sure that this bill is enacted as quickly as possible.

The Scottish Executive has been aware from the outset that many of the provisions in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill would require to be carefully formulated to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. Ministers consider that the provisions in the bill, including those relating to the acquisition of salmon fishings, achieve that outcome, and there are no grounds on which it could successfully be argued that there is incompatibility with the convention.

We believe that there are advantages to be derived from being able to manage all land-based activities on a property in a holistic fashion. We consider that crofting communities should have that opportunity if they want it. The very existence of this right to buy is also a significant factor in altering the balance of power between the crofting community and landowners, including proprietors of salmon fishings.

As with any other crofting community right to buy application, an application for a right to buy salmon fishings would be required to include the information specified in section 70(5)(e), (f) and (g) of the bill and to succeed such an application must also meet criteria specified in section 71(1)(j), (k), (l) and (o). I am sure these requirements could not be successfully met without demonstrating how the on-going management of the salmon fishings is to be funded.

This is not a right which we would expect crofting communities to attempt to exercise frequently, but it will be there if they want it. It will also help to ensure that in future all landowners in the Highlands and Islands have a proper regard for the interests, needs and sustainable development of the fragile crofting communities in which their properties are located.

Salmon fishings which are "eligible croft land" for the purposes of section 67(4)(b) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill are those defined as such by section 65(2)(d) of that bill.