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The survey aimed atcollecting comprehensive data on full-time students’ income, expenditure anddebt, and to identify any differences by students’ socio-economic and institutionalcharacteristics. The focus of the survey is on the condition of students receivingsupport under the mainstream arrangements that came into place in 2001.

As indicated in my statementon 16 March we have reached agreement with Network Rail for the delivery of theearly works. The final details of the agreement are still being developed. Oncethese details are finalised we aim to sign an implementation agreement by the endof 2006.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.

The Executive is undertakinga wide range of initiatives aimed at improving leadership in Scottish education.Some of the priority areas that we are addressing are:

Designing and developing flexibleapproaches to meeting the Standard for Headship;

Supporting the development ofleadership capacity at all levels of the education system;

Increasing the mentoring andcoaching capacity in Scottish education;

Establishing additional supportand development mechanisms for headteachers who are new in post;

Supporting local authoritiesin leadership succession planning, and

Accessing and sharing best practicefrom Scotland, the rest of the UK and international.

However, under the banner ofFacing the Future we have set up a sub-group to look at student retention. Thisgroup will consider whether further research needs to be commissioned into the issuessurrounding the student experience.

Justices of thePeace in Scotland