Seòmar agus comataidhean

The three-year programme of motorway and trunk road improvements, which I announced on 27 March, does not include any major schemes between Loch Lomond and Inverness. However, minor maintenance and improvement schemes are being progressed, including works on new lay-bys at Abriachan and Temple Pier and a new footway between Invermoriston and Dalcataig Junction. The roads programme is under regular review and we will consider the case for further improvements, including the schemes being promoted by the Highland Council, in the context of competing priorities across the whole of the network.

The three-year programme of improvements to the motorway and trunk road network, which I announced on 27 March, included one major scheme on the A82. This project will improve capacity at the A82/A814 Dumbuck Junction, Dumbarton and allow further safety improvements at Milton Village. Preliminary work on the scheme will start in 2002-03. In addition, there are a range of routine and minor maintenance schemes in progress on the route.

We are taking forward the recommendation to create an ombudsman to investigate complaints against the enterprise networks as part of our wider exercise to establish modern arrangements for public sector ombudsmen in Scotland. In July we published a paper, A Modern Complaints System, which set out detailed proposals, including the proposal that the External Complaints Adjudicators of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise would be wound-up and that the Enterprise Networks would fall within the remit of the proposed Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman. The main function of the new ombudsman will be to investigate claims of injustice resulting from maladministration.

In his statement to Parliament last month the First Minister confirmed our intention to introduce the Scottish Public Sector Ombudsman Bill later this year.

I met representatives of the Highland Council, including the Lochaber Area Convener, when I visited the area in August. We discussed a range of transport issues, including the A82 trunk road, and the convener has since written to the department setting out his points in detail. I have no further plans to meet the council on this issue in the near future.

No final decisions on the detail of the Renewables Obligation (Scotland) have yet been taken. A statutory consultation exercise has just ended, and as part of this, my officials are meeting with representatives from British Alcan to discuss that company's views about support for renewable energy.

The Scottish Executive will bring forward detailed proposals of the categories of beneficiaries and distribution arrangements when the Scottish Transport Group Dissolution Order is brought forward for the approval of the Scottish Parliament in the autumn. Subject to the Scottish Parliament's approval the Executive expects to be in a position to progress the making of ex-gratia payments to all eligible beneficiaries during the course of this financial year.

The estimated sum receivable in respect of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes surplus is noted in the group's Report and Accounts which are presented annually, formerly to the UK Parliament and now to the Scottish Parliament.

The information requested cannot be broken down by local authority area. Local authorities advise that there are about 23,000 council houses in Scotland with no form of central heating. Scottish Homes figures show that there are about 6,000 housing association properties without central heating. We estimate that there are 40,000 over 60s households in the private sector across Scotland without heating or with a heating system which is broken down and beyond repair. Householders in the private sector can choose from a range of gas, electric, oil or solid fuel systems, subject to constraints of cost and practicability. Tenants in the social rented sector have the same choice where it is reasonable and practicable for the landlord to do so. The programme will be widened in 2004 so that 20,000 local authority dwellings can be upgraded from partial central heating systems to whole-house systems. The Executive is investing £26 million in 2001-02, £30 million in 2002-03 and £40 million in 2003-04. Resources will also come from the investment produced by community ownership and from the energy companies under their Energy Efficiency Commitment.

I regret that this letter does not appear to have been received by the Department. If Mr Nobel could re-send his letter to my office I will ensure that it is dealt with as a matter of urgency.

In respect of access to the contract, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18616.

In respect of communication between the company and members of the Scottish Parliament, I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18546 on 10 October 2001.