Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18854 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Dualling the A9 remains a priority for the Scottish Government.

The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) outlines a programme for the next 20 years. It is expected that the design and development work associated with a number of projects will be taken forward to allow early delivery within the STPR period. On the A9, design work is already progressing for the dualling of the Birnam to Luncarty section.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18851 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18854 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18860 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Transport Scotland is currently progressing feasibility work in relation to the upgrade of the Highland Main line. The outcome of this work will inform the timescales for implementation of the improvement works.

This PQ was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0108-01.htm

The latest available information on the capacity of publicly funded mainstream schools (primary and secondary) comes from the school estates survey which was published in September 2008. In April 2008, the average capacity of publicly funded mainstream schools was 360. Information on the capacity of special schools was not collected. Guidance for authorities on determining school capacities was issued by the Scottish Executive in Circular 3/2004 and can be found on the Scottish Government website using the following link.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/01/20528/50013.

The following is the original answer (published on 19 December 2008); see below

The latest available information on the capacity of publicly funded mainstream schools (primary and secondary) comes from the school estates survey which was published in September 2008. In April 2008 the average capacity of publicly funded mainstream schools was 363. Information on the capacity of special schools was not collected. Guidance for authorities on determining school capacities was issued by the Scottish Executive in Circular 3/2004 and can be found on the Scottish Government website using the following link.

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/01/20528/50013.

We will be discussing with the Scottish Funding Council and Universities Scotland how we might encourage higher levels of philanthropic giving to Scottish universities.

New Horizons, the report of the Joint Future Thinking Taskforce on Universities, makes clear that Scotland''s higher education institutions have a key role to shape, preserve and develop our country, our economy, our culture and our society. Their broad contribution to Scotland''s future prosperity is reflected in my letter of guidance to the Scottish Funding Council, which recognises the role of both colleges and universities to deliver economic, social and cultural change. My letter to the Scottish Funding Council can be found on their website at:

http://www.sfc.ac.uk/about/about_us_guidance.htm.