Seòmar agus comataidhean

Wehave no plans to install controlled emission toilets during the current Class 158interior refurbishment programme.

TransportScotland has spoken with First ScotRail and Network Rail with regard to station andtrack cleaning, particularly at Inverness Station, and have agreed an action planto improve cleanliness.

We will continue to use the ServiceQuality Inspection Regime (SQUIRE) to ensure that the cleanliness of station areatrack is maintained to the standard we expect.

Transport Scotland havespoken with Network Rail station and track cleaning, particularly at Inverness Station,and have agreed an action plan given the recent concerns.

Through Transport Scotland’s ServiceQuality Inspection Regime, First ScotRail managed stations are audited for tracklitter within station areas. Information on any failure is passed to First ScotRailfor appropriate action to be taken.

Network Rail, in partnershipwith First ScotRail, are looking at ways to improve the method with which trackcleaning is undertaken throughout Scotland.

Air: Total flying hours contracted– 1,900.

Sea: Total available patrol days- 1,264.

Land: Total available British Sea

Fishery Officer enforcement days– 9,900.

Based on these inputs and followinga review of the agency’s performance measure, I have set the following key targetsfor the financial year 2006-07:

Agency Enforcement Effort

achievement of enforcement;

targets set by European Commissionfor recovery measures - 100%, and

percentage of total running costsexpended on front-line activity - 89 %.

Aerial Surveillance

per cent of hours flown on task- 85%.

Marine Surveillance

uptake as a per cent of totalavailable patrol days - 94%.

Sea Fisheries Inspectorate

per cent of total tonnage landedinto Scottish ports, and

checked against logsheet - 80%.

Cases for Prosecution

cases for prosecution to be reportedwithin six weeks of offences being detected - 97%;

number of cases where court proceedingsare taken or the imposition;

of a PF fine or reprimand, aspercentage of offences reported, and

to prosecuting authorities -84%.

Efficiency

cash-releasing efficiency gain- £170,000.

The Chief Executive will be directlyaccountable to me for the achievement of these targets, which will be reported inthe agency’s annual report for 2006-07.

A comparison with actual performancein 2005-06 is attached for reference.

Agency Performance Measuresand Targets

Freight grant funded projectshave removed over 76 million lorry miles from Scotland’s roads including over fivemillion lorry miles from the A9 corridor since 1999.

In the first instance it is forHighland Council, as the strategic housing authority, to assess what impact thiswill have on housing provision in its area and to develop proposals for meetingany impact. I know that the council is working with a range of bodies, includingCommunities Scotland, to address the issue.

For our part, the Scottish Executivehas increased the housing development programme in the Highlands from£5.4 million in 1997-98 to over £31 million in the current year, a six-fold increasein resources.