Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29619 today. 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/webapp/search_wa.

The traditional PPP/PFI structure results in the linking of finance, construction and maintenance with the result that the private sector is incentivised to perform, driving efficiency and results. That element is removed under the trust proposal.The Executive's views on the trust proposal are already in the public domain, having been the subject of parliamentary questions and debates. Such a trust would need to take advantage of the Executive's ability to enter into contingent liabilities and to act as guarantor to these liabilities. Key questions relating to the governance and accountability of the trust, with a potential budget of billions of pounds, remain unanswered. We could end up with key decisions being taken not by elected ministers, but by trustees.The Executive is always willing to consider innovative ways of funding investment in public services, as demonstrated by our involvement in the development of a Non-Profit Distributing Organisation in Argyll and Bute.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29619 today. 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/webapp/search_wa.

As I indicated in my response to question S1W-24840 on 29 April 2002, the assigned budget will receive approximately £3 million per year from 2002-03, as part of the allocation by the Treasury of the proceeds of the aggregates levy. This has been allocated to the environment portfolio.We have now considered a range of possible projects and have decided to allocate half of the available funding to environmental renewal in communities affected by aggregates extraction. This amounts to £1.5 million in both 2002-03 and 2003-04. The funding will be made available through the Executive's Sustainable Action Fund. Bids will be invited from local communities, or bodies which can demonstrate that they are working with local communities, for projects which address the environmental effects of past or present aggregates extraction (e.g. visual impact, noise, dust, pollution, transport, loss of habitat); involve the local community, and have demonstrable social and/or economic benefit to the local community; but will not support work which is already required e.g. by statute or contractual obligations, though it may supplement this (e.g. restoration of site to higher standard than provided for by planning conditions).In the first year the Executive will administer the grants, alongside the existing Sustainable Action Grants. Fuller information on the scheme will be available at www.sustainable.scotland.gov.uk. Distribution of the grant will be overseen by a Grants Panel, and we are inviting relevant bodies to nominate representatives to join this. The remainder of the funding will be used for a broad range of projects supporting sustainable development. Further information about these projects will be available shortly. 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/webapp/searchwa.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29612. All answers to written PQs are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa

refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29612. 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/webapp/search_wa

The press release SEED044/2002 of 25 June 2002 announced levels of investment in schools and not the possible vehicles for delivering schools.

Partnerships UK have been working on the Argyll and Bute Project for over a year. This role is entirely consistent with its constitution and remit. Partnerships UK (PUK) is a research and developer, not an operator or a major funding body. It works with the Scottish Executive in the development of Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy and it has a specific remit to develop new models and applications for PPP's. Its financial targets are set to fulfil its public sector mission while permitting a fair return on capital. All directors are required to declare any interests in any matter coming before the board. In addition PUK operates an internal code of conduct which deals with a number of issues including conflict of interest. That code states that it will publish the other interests of its Directors and that, in the event that PUK is supporting the public sector on a project and is aware that one of its shareholders is involved in any part of the bidding process, it will formally notify relevant public sector clients as soon as it becomes aware of the involvement and agree a procedure with them for dealing with any potential or perceived conflicts.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29612. 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/webapp/search_wa

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29612 today. 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/webapp/search_wa