Chamber and committees

Relevant information on pupil attainment within the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework for the six publicly funded schools in Clydebank and Milngavie constituency is set out in the following table:

Year1	% of S4 roll attaining SCQF Level 32 or better in English by the end of S4	% of S4 roll attaining SCQF Level 32 or better in Maths by the end of S4
1997-99	93.5	92.9
1998-2000	94.5	93.8
1999-2001	94.9	93.7

Notes:1. Figures are calculated as three year rolling averages.2. The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) has brought together the existing and new SQA qualifications. The SCQF levels are now used as the basis for reporting attainment. SCQF level 3 is equivalent to Standard Grade at Foundation level or Access 3 in National Qualifications.

Measures to reduce water consumption include informing water authorities that applications for new Water Orders or amendments to existing Water Orders for the abstraction of water for public water supplies will not be approved unless they can demonstrate that they have achieved the economic level of leakage. Other measures include encouraging the water authorities to undertake joint publicity campaigns to promote water efficiency among customers. They are also required to carry out efficiency audits of their own operations with the proviso that nothing done should compromise public health and that full use should be made of the Welfare to Work scheme to provide an inspection/leakage repair service. Forecasting domestic water consumption for the areas mentioned would require detailed studies. However, some information on forecasting water consumption in the home can be found in Using Water in the Home in Scotland. Domestic Water Consumption Study 1999, a joint study by the three Scottish water authorities, Research Consultancy Services and RPS Water Services, published in October 2000, a copy of which has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 19718).

Detailed studies would be required to produce the information being sought. However, information relating to domestic water consumption in general in Scotland is given in the publication Using Water in the Home in Scotland. Domestic Water Consumption Study 1999, a joint study by the three water authorities, Research Consultancy Services and RPS Water Services which was published in October 2000. A copy of this is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 19718).

It is for the relevant local transport authority to secure the provision of any public passenger transport services which are considered necessary but are not provided on a commercial basis. Subsidy for the provision of such services is not eligible for funding from the Public Transport Fund.

The National Grid for Learning (NGfL) programme in Scotland aims to deliver the infrastructure, learning material and training to ensure that all pupils and teachers have access to modern ICT facilities in order to develop their skills. Between 1999 and 2002, the Scottish Executive has invested more than £90 million in the programme. A report on progress on the NGfL was published in August 2001 and can be found at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/education/nglr-00.asp.The Executive has worked with the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) to maximise the impact of the NOF's £23 million programme to offer ICT training to all teachers and school librarians in Scotland. This programme is helping to make sure that staff are encouraging pupils to use ICT skills throughout the curriculum.At the same time, the Executive has issued revised national 5-14 guidelines for ICT. The guidelines and associated guides for teachers and managers provide advice and assistance to education authorities and schools in developing pupils' skills, knowledge and informed attitudes to ICT.

Indications are that the Executive's Programme for Government target of 40,000 additional annual college places is on course for achievement. The latest academic year for which complete figures are available, 1999-2000, showed a 3% increase in college enrolments, including an additional 1,173 at Clydebank College.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-22539 on 18 February 2002.

As well as providing additional funding, such as the £25 million package for research which I announced last week, we are currently conducting a review of higher education in Scotland, which will inform future policy thinking.

A statutory consultation process was part of the parliamentary procedure that led to powers conferred on the British Railways Board in 1994 to construct works and purchase land in connection with the Larkhall-Milngavie rail link. In addition, this scheme was also included in both Strathclyde Regional Council's Travelling in Strathclyde document and Strathclyde Passenger Transport's Strathclyde Public Transport Strategy 2000, both of which were the subject of public consultation.

Orders confirmed by the UK Parliament in 1994 authorised development in connection with the Larkhall to Milngavie rail link, and empowered the British Railways Board to construct works and purchase land. Prior to this confirmation, an Environmental Statement was prepared in 1993.