Seòmar agus comataidhean

We are committed to implementing the decisions that flow from the Central Scotland Transport Corridor Studies, which includes the A8/M8 corridor.

The following table shows the number and percentage of pupils that left publicly funded schools in the West Lothian education authority in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99, without attaining a standard grade in (a) English, (b) Mathematics and (c) English and Mathematics:

Year	Total number of leavers	Percentage not attaining Standard Grade Mathematics	Percentage not attaining Standard Grade English	Percentage not attaining Standard Grade Mathematics and English
1996-97	1,861	190 (10%)	200 (11%)	239 (13%)
1997-98	1,912	143 (7%)	137 (7%)	180 (9%)
1998-99	1,939	118 (6%)	106 (5%)	150 (8%)

Note: Data relating to 1999-2000 is not yet available.

As I announced to Parliament in December, the Executive is making £6 million available to help implement the West Lothian Action Plan for economic development. This fulfils the commitment to provide up to £10 milion following the Motorola closure last year.In addition, a wide range of specific support measures has been implemented to assist those affected by redundancies in the area. The Motorola Taskforce has already assisted in the redeployment of approximately three-quarters of former employees. Similarly, NEC employees will have access to a number of forms of assistance such as an on-site response team, counselling and high quality training. The unemployment rate in West Lothian remains below the Scottish average.

Following the closure of the Motorola plant in Bathgate, the Motorola Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) team undertook a review of the likely impact of the closure on the supply base companies. The review concluded that while a few companies had been directly affected, the majority of the 300 suppliers had felt little or no significant impact. This PACE team is currently undertaking a similar review on the supply chain for NEC.Scottish Enterprise wrote to all the supplier companies outlining the assistance that may be available to those companies affected. That could include business advice, assistance and financial support. This package is still available to companies as required.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21949.

The Executive has put in place the Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative which is a strategic national framework bringing together the relevant local agencies to alleviate redundancy situations. The local PACE teams have provided support to those affected by recent redundancies in West Lothian tailored to individual needs. This includes advice on job searching, core skills training, skills transfer programmes and financial advice. Through InUK, a joint DTI/FCO organisation, the Department of Trade and Industry has assisted in the marketing of the Bathgate site of Motorola.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21786.

On 25 April 2001 I announced in the Parliament that the Scottish Executive was setting aside up to £10 million to help fund the Motorola Taskforce's action plan.On 20 December 2001 I announced in the Parliament that the Scottish Executive will provide £6 million (of the £10 million which had been set aside) to the West Lothian Strategic Action Plan for economic development for the area.All recoveries of Regional Selective Assistance are returned to the Executive's budget, in line with normal procedure.

I made clear in the Parliament on 20 December that while NEC's facility at Livingston is regarded as mothballed rather than closed, the outstanding grant of £2.4 million will not require to be repaid. A close watching brief on this will of course be maintained.

Motorola repaid £16.75 million to the Executive in May 2001.