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The following table shows business starts measured by VAT registrations in the East Lothian council area for 1999, 2000 and 2001. Figures for 2002 will not be available until October 2003.

VAT Registrations	1999	2000	2001
East Lothian	180	185	185

Source: Small Business Service at http://www.sbs.gov.uk/content/statistics/vat9401.xls.Data on the proportion of start-ups still in business after one, two and three years is not available by local authority.

Scottish Enterprise is charged with pursing the strategic priorities for economic development contained in A Smart Successful Scotland. These priorities include improving productivity and competitiveness to enhance the long-term growth rate of the economy of East Lothian, to generate greater prosperity and employment and reduce poverty.

Upon publication, all parents and guardians are issued with copies of inspection reports on schools which their children attend. In addition, parents can access copies of any published report via the HMIE website. Copies can also be requested by contacting any HMIE office.

The following table shows business starts measured by VAT registrations in the Scottish Borders Council area for 1999, 2000 and 2001. Figures for 2002 will not be available until October 2003.

VAT Registrations	1999	2000	2001
Scottish Borders	325	280	265

Source: Small Business Service at http://www.sbs.gov.uk/content/statistics/vat9401.xls.Data on the proportion of start-ups still in business after one, two and three years is not available by local authority area.

Scottish Enterprise is charged with pursing the strategic priorities for economic development contained in A Smart, Successful Scotland. These priorities include improving productivity and competitiveness to enhance the long-term growth rate of the economy of the Scottish Borders, to generate greater prosperity and employment and reduce poverty.

For capital infrastructure projects over 10 years, we have £3 billion of investment moneys, within which we have the necessary resources to implement a Borders railway project, subject to the appraisal being conducted under the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance.

I understand that there are no current plans for funding rail loops at Reston. The Strategic Rail Authority are the lead body for the enhancement of the east coast main line.

The Scottish Executive is supporting the work undertaken to prepare the business case and the private bill by awarding Scottish Borders Council over £2 million from the Public Transport Fund. The Scottish Executive will continue its support through the parliamentary process and will support the construction, including the provision of an appropriate funding contribution, subject to the project, as for all such projects, satisfying its business case objectives. The Scottish Executive has £3 billion of investment for capital infrastructure projects over the next 10 years, within which we have the necessary resources to implement the Borders railway.

The Executive sets the overall direction for community care policies. Local authorities must implement these, having regard to their statutory duties and to meeting the needs of their local residents. Central and local government work together to monitor the success of policy implementation through a variety of mechanisms and agencies. These include the collection of statistical information on inputs and outcomes; the establishment of Local Outcome Agreements for specific services; the Joint Performance Information and Assessment Framework, used to evaluate the implementation of the joint delivery of community care services by local authority/NHS Partnerships under the Joint Future Agenda; regulation and inspection of services against National Care Standards by the Care Commission; performance audits undertaken by Audit Scotland to ensure value for money, and assessment and review of services by the Social Work Services Inspectorate, either through the Chief Inspector's Annual Report or, where necessary, through a review of a particular local authority or service.

This information is not available since special educational needs therapist is not a recognised post.