Chamber and committees

The Scottish Executive will publish the report of the Review of Educational Psychology Services by the end of February.The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) is currently considering the issue of pay and conditions for educational psychologists.

At last December's Fisheries Council, the commission proposed reductions in various Nephrops total allocated catch (TAC). In line with the scientific advice, the UK argued successfully for increases on these commission proposals. The outcome for 2002 was a Nephrops TAC in the North Sea restored to 2000 levels, and a Nephrops TAC West of Scotland restored to 2001 levels but lower than the TAC for 2000.

The Scottish Executive does not record this information. However, the trunk road operating companies are required to maintain records of the times that they undertake delegated functions under the powers of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984.

The European Commission have yet to confirm whether there is any agrimonetary compensation available to the sheep sector. Although this aid relates to the second and third stages of compensation paid last year, the EU agrimonetary rules provide for these later payments to be reduced or cancelled if the market prices and exchange rates have since moved in a direction which ameliorates the situation which led to the initial compensation. We will not know for some months what the commission assessment will be. When we do find out how much, if any, agrimonetary aid is available we will carefully consider the case for payment and make the appropriate representations to Her Majesty's Government.

The provision set out in section 9(2)(a) of the bill did not form part of the consultation draft of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. The decision to include section 9(2)(a) was taken in response to arguments advanced by 151 respondents to the consultation on the draft bill, who considered that access rights should not extend to commercial activities. There were four respondents who were in support of commercial activities being included in access rights.

No representations from the police have been received by the Scottish Executive concerning the condition of the road surface on the A82 south of Inverarnan.

Scottish minister were obliged to follow EU procurement rules in appointing trunk road maintenance operator, and to avoid contracts on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenders, subject to bidders being able to demonstrate a proven track record in road management and maintenance.BEAR Scotland Ltd was appointed trunk road operating company for the North East and North West Units following the tender competition where BEAR was assessed as submitting the most economically advantageous tenders for both Units. Prior to tender invitation the companies who make up BEAR Scotland Ltd were able to demonstrate that they have a proven track record of providing road management and maintenance services, including winter maintenance.The Scottish Executive employs the Performance Audit Group (PAG) to audit and monitor the activities and performance of BEAR to ensure the standards required by the trunk road contract are achieved. To date there is no evidence to suggest that the level of service has dropped since BEAR took over the contract. The current trunk road maintenance contracts specify the same level of service as in previous years. The level of service provided on non-trunk roads is a matter for the relevant local authorities. I have received no invitation to attend a public meeting as described, nor do I have any plans to do so.

Legal advice has indicated that the documents requested may form part of the productions in any litigation that may follow and therefore cannot be made available at this time. All suppliers have a duty to satisfy the client that their product is fit for purpose and the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that weather testing will be carried out by the appointed contractor and the results made available thereafter.

I understand from the Convener of the Holyrood Progress that Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd had not completed all of the design services required under contract prior to the company's insolvency.

The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that Baydale Architectural Systems Ltd is the contractor appointed to supply and install the bay window element of the MSP building.