Chamber and committees

This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise. Information on action being taken is contained in it'sUnder A Smart Successful Scotland one of the three main priorities for Scottish Enterprise is ensuring that Scotland is a globally connected nation. In September last year we published the joint Global Connections Strategy which lays out in more detail how the enterprise networks will deliver this priority.As an example of initiatives under this heading, Scottish Enterprise has recently set up the Globalscot Network, involving 250 influential Scots and Scottish champions around the world. [The First Minister will be attending its first formal event in Edinburgh next Monday]Other examples of Scottish Enterprise's plans for the current financial year can be found in their operating plan, available on theiit's websiter website at:www.scottish-enterprise.com/about/what/operating.

We expect to complete a study into how ICT and web access can be improved for disabled people later this year.

Scotland has a range of highly reputable quality assurance schemes covering most agri-food and fisheries products but these are all industry led and industry controlled. They are also voluntary schemes. It is up to individual producers to determine the marketing advantages of membership of such schemes.The Executive does, however, recognise the importance of quality assurance and this is emphasised in the Forward Strategy for Scottish Agriculture. It has moreover provided significant financial support to the establishment and development of these schemes and to the independent certification processes which are required to underpin them.

There are currently nine digital champions financed by the Scottish Executive working in social inclusion partnership areas to share good practice and facilitate local digital inclusion projects.In addition, the Executive's National Grid for Learning programme is currently funding a training initiative called Connecting Communities. Running from 2002 to 2004, this programme aims to train 2,500 community learning practitioners in how to use ICT to build community potential.

No, section 26 of the Local Government and Planning (Scotland) Act 1982 states that local authorities may provide and maintain public toilets but lays no statutory obligation upon them to do so.

No guidelines exist on the number of public toilets to be provided adjacent to trunk road routes.National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 9: The Provision of Roadside Facilities on Motorways and Trunk Roads in Scotland provides planning guidance on the siting and design of such facilities. It does, however, not offer guidance on the number of facilities to be provided. A copy of NPPG 9 is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 1082).

Ministerial travel patterns vary according to the timing and location of engagements. Arrangements for travel to work are made to support the efficient conduct of Government business and the security of official documents, involving the use of the Government Car Service as appropriate. The Executive does not hold central records of ministerial travel by public transport or private car.

This is an operational matter for VisitScotland.

Transport Direct is envisaged as a comprehensive national public transport information service available on the internet, digital TV and public access terminals. It will allow people to plan their journeys and compare routes and prices. It will ultimately cover travel by all modes - air, car, train, taxi, tram, underground, bus, coach, ferry, cycle, walk - and, most importantly, a mixture of these modes.

The Scottish Executive keeps the allocation of all its resources under scrutiny to ensure their use remains justified. The Improving Regulation in Scotland Unit continues to have an important contribution to make, to secure delivery of the Executive's commitment to simplicity and fairness in policy and regulations impacting on business.