Annual estimated deer population figures are not held by the Scottish Executive.The Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) is the statutory body charged with furthering the conservation, control and sustainable management of wild deer in Scotland and detailed deer data is published in their Annual Report, which is laid before Parliament (Bib. number 17932).Estimates of red deer numbers and densities over previous years are also available from the DCS. General indications are that over the last 40 years, in many areas, red deer numbers and densities have been increasing. Similar information on other species is not collated.Red deer estimates are based on a rolling programme of deer counts by DCS itself as well as counts carried out by estates which they are encouraged to undertake as part of an integral approach to good land management. There are currently no generally accepted methods of estimating numbers of other species over a large area.In recent years, DCS has moved away from national statistics to describe deer populations in Scotland due to the temporal inaccuracy of the data. DCS considers that the best method of deer control is a co-ordinated management approach at local level, where numbers and densities make more sense, through a system of Deer Management Groups. This approach is endorsed by the Scottish Executive.

Payments were made to Flour City under the terms of a Letter of Intent, issued to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd on 26 January 2001, which forms a legally binding agreement. The formal contract, concluded on 1 August 2001 superseded the letter of intent and finalised the full terms and conditions.

There was no available published credit reference available for Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd, as the company had been operating in the UK for a relatively short period of time. Bovis Lend Lease who have responsibility for credit checks, therefore obtained Flour City International's published accounts, which included the following:Highlights of Financial Summary 1994-98Condensed Balance Sheet 1997-98Condensed Statement of Income 1997-98Condensed Statement of Cashflow 1996-98 The Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group has confirmed that relevant papers will be obtained from Bovis Lend Lease in order to enable advice to be taken from the Parliament's legal office as to whether or not these can properly be put into the public domain. If there is no impediment to doing so, they will be will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre in due course.

The Executive expects to receive the Scottish Law Commission's report by the end of March. We will then consider whether any legislation is necessary in the light of the commission's recommendations.

There have been no losses to the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body as a result of "force majeure", following the insolvency of Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Limited.

As with all other trade package contractors taking occupation of the accommodation at the Holyrood site, Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd used the site address for business relating to the Holyrood Project.

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is not party to sub-contracts let by Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd and does not hold the information requested. This type of information is held by the official receiver.

The Standing Orders stipulate that an Official Report shall be provided for all meetings of the Parliament. The question and answer sessions held by the Holyrood Progress Group are not formal meetings of the Parliament and it would not be appropriate, therefore, for an Official Report to be published.A summary of these sessions is provided in the Progress Group's Newsletters, which are issued to all Members and are available on the web. The next Newsletter is due to be published in February. I am also advised by the Convener of the Holyrood Progress Group that it is the Group's intention to provide a live webcast of future events.

Generally, the Executive does not provide assistance to MSPs in respect of the drafting of amendments on Private Members Bills. In this instance, the Executive is providing limited assistance on technical matters. All MSPs are free to seek assistance from the Committee Clerk in preparing amendments to the Bill.In response to a question from the Convenor of the Rural Development Committee, (Official Report, 4 December, Col 2576) I said that the Executive would work with you to agree an amendment which defined pest species covered by the Bill. That offer remains available to you.

Upon wind-up the two Scottish Transport Group pension fund schemes are liable to taxation which is payable to the Inland Revenue. As I announced in Parliament on 29 November agreement has been reached between the Scottish Executive and UK Government that up to £118 million of any sums remaining should now be paid out to members of the Scottish Transport Group Pension Schemes by means of ex-gratia payments. These are sums, payable as a lump sum rather than as an addition to pensions, which members of the schemes would not have otherwise been due under the rules which govern the pension schemes. Scottish ministers will distribute the ex-gratia payments as soon as possible after the pension schemes' trustees have discharged their obligation to wind-up the pension schemes. There is no intention that any part of sums paid to the Inland Revenue or HM Treasury, or retained by Scottish ministers to be used in making ex-gratia payments, will be used for a contingency fund against potential legal action.