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Three contractors from the short list of five invited to tender for the MSP block cladding package did not submit bids. Details of non-compliant bids are considered commercially confidential.

All tender bids received for Trade Packages are analysed by the Construction Managers, Design Team and Quantity Surveyors. The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that following recommendation by the Construction Manager, the tender bid from Flour City was endorsed by the Design Team and approved by the Holyrood Project Team. The Parliament has received legal advice that documents should not be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre while the SPCB's rights and entitlements are still being evaluated, as they may form part of the productions in any litigation which may follow.

Scottish Executive and BEAR Scotland Ltd are aware of the condition of the A830 which has been caused mainly by the wet weather and the freeze/thaw conditions over last winter. The action to repair potholes and undertake patching on the route has ensured it has remained safe.Mallaig Community Council wrote to the Scottish Executive on 12 May 2002 expressing concerns about the A830 and a reply confirmed that a structural maintenance scheme was programmed to be implemented in the autumn. Meantime, an interim strategy to undertake urgent repairs and increase the frequency of safety inspections has been formulated to ensure road safety is maintained. In addition to the repairs already carried out, further extensive patching works have been identified and will be implemented shortly.In recognition of the importance of this route, consultations have started with some of the interested parties on the optimum timing of the proposed works.

A generic copy of the contract document applicable to all four management and maintenance contracts is already available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16573). The minor alterations to the two contracts with BEAR Scotland Ltd came into effect when the Executive wrote formally to BEAR. The majority of these alterations have not as yet been recorded in the individual contract documents. When they are, arrangements will be made for the generic copy to be amended.The minor alterations include improved communications with the National Driver Information and Control System (NADICS), new provision for direct communications between BEAR and the press and MSPs/MPs, and increased safety inspections on some routes.It would not be appropriate to publish details of the additional costs to be paid to BEAR as a result of these minor alterations because of commercial and contractual considerations. However, the costs are not significant in comparison with the existing contract costs.

No, the Scottish Transport Group is not obliged to lay the report and accounts of the individual pension schemes before Parliament. There is, however, a statutory requirement to present the Scottish Transport Group annual report and accounts to Parliament. The report and accounts for the final period, covering 1 April 2001 to the date of dissolution, is scheduled to be presented to Parliament in July, following completion of the audit process.

The Executive has set out a clear direction in A Smart, Successful Scotland and we will follow this. There are no plans for a super-ministry.

In terms of section 2(1)(g) of the Natural Heritage (Scotland) Act 1991 Scottish Natural Heritage is empowered to acquire, hold and dispose of land or any interest in or right over land. Most land owned by SNH consists of areas designated as National Nature Reserves. In these cases, ownership of land can enhance SNH's ability to manage and protect important areas of high natural heritage value, taking into account, as required by section 3(1)(f) of the 1991 act, the interests of local communities.

Ministers have not issued any directions to Scottish Natural Heritage under the 1991 act. It is standard practice for executive non-departmental public bodies to be subject to directions given by the relevant minister, but this is regarded as a power of last resort. The Strategic Framework in place (Management Statement, Financial Memorandum and conditions attached to the annual Grant-In-Aid letters) has proved more than adequate for the effective discharge of SNH's statutory functions.

In accordance with our contract with BEAR Scotland Ltd and to ensure value for money for the repairs to the section of the A830 between Borrodale and Arisaig, the work will be put out to tender. The design, preparation of tender documents, tender period and the appointment of contractors to carry out the work mean that it will be impossible to carry out the repairs before the tourist season. In recognition of the importance of this route, consultations will take place with interested parties on the optimum timing of the works and the traffic management regime to achieve the minimum disruption. In the interim the strategy to undertake urgent repairs and increase the frequency of safety inspections to ensure road safety is maintained will continue.

The Scottish Executive methodology for identification of groundwater nitrate vulnerable zones is detailed at paragraphs 13 to 15 and Annex 3 of the consultation paper Protection of Scotland's Water Environment: Consultation on Further Scottish Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Parliament's Reference Centre Bib. number 18665). The issues and objectives of designation are summarised at paragraphs 2 to 18 of the draft Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment at Annex II of the consultation paper Water Quality: Action Programmes for Scottish Nitrate Vulnerable Zones: A Consultation (Bib. number 20823). The answer to question S1W-22488 on 12 February 2002, covers the requirements of the EC Nitrates Directive for designation of nitrate vulnerable zones. The supporting scientific evidence and monitoring data details for each of the proposed nitrate vulnerable zones are available from the British Geological Survey report Groundwater nitrate vulnerable zones for Scotland (Bib. number 18567).