To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) gritters, (b) snow blowers and (c) items of other machinery were available for use on trunk roads in the Highland Council area on (i) 10 December 2001, (ii) 3 December 2001, (iii) 26 November 2001 and (iv) the same dates in 2000. Scottish Executive records indicate that the number of vehicles available and dedicated for use on trunk roads in the Highland area on the dates requested are as follows:Type / Date26 November 20013 December 200110 December 2001Snow plough vehicles313232Glycol sprayers233Footway ploughs / vehicles777Snow blowers555Patrol vehicles222Additional vehicles stationed elsewhere in the North West Unit were available for redeployment on the Highland network if required.