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We have no current plans to provide further support to part-time higher education students. Support for higher education students is principally focused on full-time students since they generally have less opportunity than part-time students to support themselves while studying. Part-time higher education students studying at least 50% of a full-time course can apply for a £500 loan each year towards study related costs, including travel. Unlike full-time students, they may also be able to retain their entitlement to income related benefits while studying.

Part-time higher education students studying at least 50% of a full-time course have the same access to hardship funds as full-time students. The Executive has no plans to change these arrangements.

Since 1990, Access Funds, now known as Hardship Funds, have been allocated to institutions on the basis of the number of students enrolled on further education, higher education and postgraduate courses. The further education allocation is now administered by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council. The funds for higher education students are provided by SAAS. Institutions are no longer allowed to transfer money between their sectoral allocations, to ensure that the Executive's relative priority for support of students in higher and further education is reflected in the actual distribution to students. In addition, from this year, the Mature Students Bursary Fund (MSBF) has been introduced for full-time higher education students. MSBF is separate from Hardship Funds and is targeted, in particular, at students with childcare costs.We have received representations from some institutions seeking greater flexibility in the use of the funds. We are currently considering whether some flexibility should be introduced between MSBF and Hardship Funds for higher educarion students during the period MSBF is being phased in. I have also, in my letter of policy guidance, asked the Scottish Further Education Funding Council this week to consider how the further education student support system might be simplified, to ease administrative burdens, and improved so funds are better targeted to achieve our principal policy objectives of focusing on students in greatest need and aligning as far as appropriate and possible the student support arrangements in further education and higher education.

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with Her Majesty's Government and with the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of issues, including the ScotRail Franchise.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The average number of remand prisoners in November was 35. The capacity of the newly opened Ross House is 51.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The average number of remand prisoners per month was:

September	35
October	40
November	35

When it begins operation, the Time Out centre in Glasgow is expected to have six to 12 residential places. The development of further centres will depend upon the success of the Glasgow pilot.

Work is under way on drawing up a specification for the centre and the tendering process is expected to take about six months. The timetable thereafter will be largely determined by the identification of suitable premises. The centre will be evaluated but it is too early to say when the report might be published.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:None.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:Skye House has recently been reopened which has increased the available capacity. In addition, work is under way to consider better use of the current available accommodation as well as to look at options for providing additional accommodation. The SPS will take decisions in the light of operational requirements.