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The funding of the Scottish further education sector, including any funding support for strategic change within the sector, is a matter for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

The report was commissioned jointly by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Glasgow Colleges Group, not by the Scottish Executive. The report itself makes clear that the commission was to generate and evaluate strategic options for the provision of further education in Glasgow which will be both efficient and effective in meeting the needs of learners, and additionally, will be cost effective in the use of estates.

I have now received Sir Anthony Campbell's report of his inquiry into the decision-making process in this case. The report has been sent for translation. Dr Jandoo's report is awaited but I understand that I can expect to receive it in August. That report will also require to be prepared for publication. I intend to present both reports to the Parliament as soon as possible after the summer recess.

Any decision on the development of the Kelvin Hall is a matter in the first instance for Glasgow City Council. The council are aware of the requirements of both sportscotland and the Scottish Athletics Federation. A consultation meeting has taken place and sportscotland are content with arrangements for future consultation as are the Scottish Athletics Federation.

I am publishing today a consultation paper that puts forward proposals for strengthening the independence of the police complaints system in Scotland. This fulfils the commitment we made in responding to Sir William Macpherson's report on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. It will also provide a means for taking forward a number of the recommendations made by HMIC in its thematic report, A Fair Cop? on the handling of police complaints.The consultation period will run until 12 October this year.

In autumn 2000 the European Commission published a proposal for a Regulation on action by member states concerning public service requirements and the award of public service contracts in passenger transport by rail, road and inland waterway. This contains a number of key objectives, including the aim to update current regulations "to promote the best deal for the public by introducing controlled competition for public transport operation and opening up the markets between member states." As drafted, Glasgow Underground, along with light rail operations throughout Europe, would be covered by this Regulation and would need to be put to competitive tender at regular intervals.The draft Regulation is currently being discussed by member states and will be considered at the EU Transport Council in June, which I will attend. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including EC Regulations.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Natural Heritage and I have asked Professor Roger Crofts CBE, Chief Executive of SNH to reply. His response is as follows:Scottish Natural Heritage has formally consulted Glasgow City Council in relation to a planning application affecting this site. Access to the railway tunnel at Thornwood has been requested by SNH in order to determine the usage of the tunnel, if any, by bats. Until this study has been completed, no assessment can be made of the implications upon the proposed development.

The Executive published its consultation paper on 15 December 2000, inviting views on whether, in principle, the Executive should seek to promote legislation to give greater protection to hutters and the detailed provisions required if legislation were to be introduced.The consultation closed on 9 March and we received a total of 326 responses, some of which after the closing date. Officials are currently analysing the responses to the consultation and once we have considered all the views of interested parties, we will announce our decision on whether to proceed with legislation.

Health Department officials are currently discussing the costs and benefits of priority-based ambulance dispatch with the Scottish Ambulance Service. Once these discussions are complete, the Executive will decide whether the Ambulance Service should go ahead to prepare a full business case.

For primary Gaelic-medium the Executive estimates that around 110 newly trained teachers will be required over the next seven years. There are 12 students undertaking a primary teaching qualification who may qualify as Gaelic-medium teachers this year. The Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) are continuing to look to all institutions to respond positively to the need for teachers able to teach in the Gaelic medium through normal intakes to the BEd, Primary PGCE and Secondary PGCE courses. The provision of an extra 10 places is a step along the right route to fill any gap in teacher requirements in this area.The largest Gaelic-medium teacher requirements are specified by the Highlands and Islands and within the Glasgow area. The additional 10 funded places awarded by SHEFC to Strathclyde University in session 2001-02 specifically to support primary Gaelic-medium provision will have a significant impact in the geographic areas with the greatest need.SHEFC are continuing to monitor the situation and are seeking to improve information gathered from teacher education institutions which will inform the council's future funding allocations specifically for Gaelic-medium teacher education.