Chamber and committees

The Ward-based approach adopted for the proposed new Assisted Areas map means that the majority of existing development opportunities would be maintained on the map while several new areas would also be included on the map.No specific forecasts have been made to take account of these proposed changes. However, the expectation is that any financial impact which the new map may have on RSA expenditure will be within the normal margin of error when forecasting RSA expenditure some years ahead.

The current aid limits are 30% in Development Areas and 15% in Intermediate Areas, though the majority of assisted projects are aided at a level significantly below these limits. New aid limits have not yet been decided but EU guidelines allow for a maximum of 20% in most Scottish areas on the proposed new Assisted Areas map.No specific forecasts have been made to take account of these proposed changes. However, the expectation is that any financial impact which the new map may have on RSA expenditure will be within the normal margin of error when forecasting RSA expenditure some years ahead.

The figures requested are as follows:

	RSA grant payments made to companies in Scotland (£ millions)
1996-97 )	72.3
1997-98 ) actual	76.5
1998-99 )	74.2
1999-2000 )	79.8
2000-01 ) plans	71.0
2001-02 )	85.0
2002-03 )	85.0

RSA forecasts take into account the fact that some projects will fail and also include cover for anticipated future demand. Because most RSA projects take place over a period of several years, much of the future years planned spend is already committed.

Scotland House is an inclusive body that involves a range of Scottish interests. Its principal components are the Scottish Executive EU Office and Scotland Europa, which in turn houses a number of its subscribers.Scotland Europa's establishment budget and costs are a matter for Scottish Enterprise and the Scotland Europa members.The Scottish Executive EU Office establishment costs are as follows:

	BUDGET (£s)	ACTUAL (£s)
Fit out (structural)	35,000	25,206
Security	6,000	5,418
IT & Telephones	68,000	Fit out 12,548 Equipment 58,704
Furniture	25,000	31,173
Signage & Misc.	1,000	562
Recruitment of local staff	1,000	740
TOTAL	136,000	134,351

(IT Fitout figure relates to fitting of cabling and interfaces required to link into Scottish Executive SCOTS II Computer system and the Government Telephone Network)The Scottish Executive EU Office management arrangements are on the same basis as those which apply to all Scottish Executive staff. The head of the EU Office reports to the Head of the Executive Secretariat. The EU Office has six members of staff (two of whom were locally engaged in Brussels). Ministers and staff of the Scottish Executive attending meetings in Brussels also use the office.

Information in the exact form requested is not available because only the main crime or offence is recorded for prisoners convicted of more than one criminal act. Provisional figures show that sentenced prisoners whose main crime was a drugs offence represented 15 per cent of the sentenced population in Scottish prisons on 30 June 1998.

The information requested is not available in the format required.

The funding provided to Raptor Study Groups (for which the Scottish Raptor Group is the co-ordinating body) is provided to support the travel expenses of volunteers undertaking counts and observation of raptors, and enables SNH to ensure that volunteer effort is directed towards priority areas and priority species. SNH does not, therefore, set performance targets but ensures value for money for this expenditure by monitoring details of all mileage undertaken by Study Group volunteers and through receipt of all count information compiled by the Groups.

There is now substantial successful experience of using private finance to fund major road schemes in the United Kingdom. I am confident that this procurement approach will provide value for money in the case of the new section of the M77.

The Report on Strategic Roads Review published on 4 November states that construction could start in 2002 with completion by 2005. A detailed programme is being prepared. A crucial preliminary is work to replace the golf holes at the Eastwood Golf Club affected by the scheme. This work is expected to start by next summer with the land needed for construction of the road being available two years later.

No. The upgrading of the A77 between Fenwick and Malletsheugh was priced in second quarter of 1998 prices for the Review of Scotland's Trunk and Strategic Road Programme.Prices of various materials and labour needed for construction fluctuate, and it will be necessary for the estimated cost of the scheme to be reviewed nearer the time for construction.