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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.

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 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.

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.

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.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 makes no specific provision for licences to control predators. Section 16 of the Act permits licences to be issued, in certain circumstances, for the purpose of conserving wild birds and wild animals and in order to prevent serious damage to livestock and fisheries.

I wrote to the member on 22 July providing three tables showing licences granted by the Scottish Office and the Scottish Executive under section 16 since 1990. Cases involving predatory species, and the relevant section 16 purpose, can be determined from each table. Copies of the tables have also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16175). My answer to question S1W-16300 explained that comprehensive information is only readily available for the period since 1990.

A summary of individual licences under section 16 issued in respect of predatory species between 1990 and 2000 is given. Figures for the 2000-01 season have not yet been fully compiled.

	Licences	Number Killed	Purpose
Ravens	142	710	Preventing serious damage to livestock
Pine Martens	5	0
Otters	3	0	Preventing serious damage to fisheries
Cormorants	382	2,385
Mergansers		1,780
Goosanders		4,375
Herons		21
Eider Ducks		113

General licences under section 16 also permit the control of certain common bird species with predatory behaviour, such as crows, rooks, magpies, jackdaws, jays, greater and lesser black-backed gulls and herring gulls. Copies of all general licences have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

No licence is required for the control of mammalian predators such as foxes, weasels, stoats or mink, which are not included on Schedule 5 of the Act, provided legitimate methods of killing are employed.

I wrote to the member on 22 July enclosing three tables showing individual licences granted by the Scottish Office and the Scottish Executive under section 16 since 1990. My answer to S1W-16300 explained that comprehensive information is only readily available for the period since 1990. The tables I provided with my letter show licences by year, species and purpose. Copies of all three tables have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16175).

Copies of relevant general licences were also enclosed with my letter. Copies of all general licences currently in force have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

In relation to statistics on refusals of licence applications, I refer the member to the answers given to questions S1W-16300 and S1W-17693.

Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) was added to the list of diseases in the Annex to Council Decision 90/424, by means of amending Decision 2001/572 dated 23 July 2001. The effect of this addition is that, in the event of further outbreaks of ISA, affected member states may, at their discretion, seek a financial contribution from the Community towards the cost of implementing a programme for the eradication and monitoring of this disease.

We have no plans to request the addition of viral haemorhagic septicaemia to this list.