To ask the Scottish Executive whether it recognises the cultural and historical importance of Dumfries house and its contents and whether it considers that opening the house to the public has the potential to provide the communities of East Ayrshire with a significant regeneration boost. (S3O-262)

I understand the value of Dumfries house. I have not yet seen a business plan that demonstrates that opening the house to the public would offer a significant economic benefit, but I do not want to prejudge the possibility of such a plan being developed.

Does the minister acknowledge that the majority of the money that is needed to save Dumfries house for the public has been raised privately? Indeed, an individual has pledged £5 million to match possible support from the Scottish Executive. Does she agree that the communities of East Ayrshire could gain significant benefit from having what would be a top United Kingdom tourist attraction, which would give the whole area a much-needed economic boost?

All that I can do is repeat what I have already said—I have not yet seen a business plan that demonstrates that opening the house to the public would offer a significant economic benefit, but I do not want to prejudge the possibility of such a plan being developed.

History is being made, in that Jamie McGrigor and I have formed a coalition to ask the minister questions about the same issue.

I am rather surprised that the minister says that she does not want to prejudge the possibility of a business plan for Dumfries house being developed—although I hope that she will keep that option open—given what she said in her letter of 13 June. She accepted that the house and its collection were valuable heritage for the local area, but indicated that the cost of acquisition would be so high that it would not be affordable for the Scottish Executive when there were so many other priorities. She also said that she did not envisage intervening.

I ask the minister to provide absolute clarity on her position. From speaking to the Marquis of Bute this week, I understand that there is still a window of opportunity for the minister to pick up the phone and get people round the table in an effort to save the proposed scheme and to ensure that the house becomes the centrepiece of a regeneration project for East Ayrshire. Will the minister learn from her colleagues by changing her mind, adopting a different position from the one that she adopted in her letter and doing the right thing, which is to support my constituents and the other people who want to save the house for the nation?

Discussion about the potential sale of the property and its contents has been going on for some years. In 2004, the National Trust for Scotland made an offer, which was rejected.

Historic Scotland has a total grants budget of £12 million. The Government must be careful how it spends the money that is available for heritage. I can only reiterate that I have not yet seen a business plan that demonstrates that opening the house to the public would have a significant economic benefit. However, I will not prejudge the possibility of such a plan being developed.

Question 5 is withdrawn.