We will support the money advicesector to help those with problem debt. We will increase individuals’ ability touse financial products and services through financial education, both in and outof school. We will support third sector lenders (credit unions, and community developmentfinance institutions) who provide affordable credit.

However, our ability to assistin this area is limited due to powers over several important areas that can effectlevels of debt such as regulation of consumer credit and financial services andthe tax and benefit systems.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-445 on 13 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The A82 Tarbet to Fort WilliamRoute Action Plan recommended a ten year improvement programme at a cost of £90million. The outcome of this study will feed into the Strategic Transport ProjectsReview which will examine the needs of our national strategic transport corridors.This is due to report in summer 2008.

In March of this year, the £5million replacement of the Lairig Eilde Bridge in Glencoe was completed.

Arising out of the A82 Study,Transport Scotland is planning a £16 million improvement package to be deliveredover the next five years. This package includes improvements at Pulpit Rock betweenTarbet and Ardlui, a Western Bypass at Crianlarich, additional road safety measures,new lay-bys and picnic sites.

Argyll and Bute educationauthority is responsible for arrangements to transport pupils to school and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) is responsible for the setting of examinations.I understand that, for the duration of the exams, the authority put in place specialschool transport arrangements to bypass the protests. These arrangements have nowbeen rescinded, and no problems have been reported to the education authority. TheSQA has also confirmed that no special circumstances have arisen with examinationsin the area.

We will consider the need forfurther development of financial education in the 2007 review of the FinancialInclusion Action Plan.

The Curriculum for Excellenceacknowledges the contribution financial education makes to ensuring that all youngpeople have the opportunity to become successful learners, confident individuals,responsible citizens and effective contributors.

The 11 local authorities receivingthe Financial Inclusion Fund are implementing a range of financial education activities.Following positive evaluation, the pilot education projects with Citizens AdviceScotland and the Greater Easterhouse Money Advice have received continuation funding.The lessons learned and best practice developed by Financial Inclusion InitiativeFife will be used to inform the future direction and delivery of services in Fife. We continueworking with the Financial Services Authority to bring financial education intothe workplace.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-395 on 13 June 2007. All answers towritten parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the searchfacility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The organisation of police operations,including the allocation of resources to this operation, is a matter for the ChiefConstable of Strathclyde.

The information requested isnot available. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service’s Case ManagementDatabase records details of the charges against each accused in terms of the specificcommon law or statutory offence that is alleged to have been committed. It is notpossible to identify separately within the database offences relating to specificevents.

We are providing £500,000 in2007-08 to support credit unions. As social enterprises, credit unions areincluded in the strategic aims of Better Business - a strategy andaction plan for social enterprise in Scotland published in March2007 which aims to grow and develop social enterprises in Scotland todeliver services and improve communities.

We will work with thefinancial services industry to provide borrowers with access to products andservices, including basic bank accounts, and with third sector lenders (creditunions and community development finance institutions) to offer affordablecredit.