The current investment programme to 2012 will see the delivery of £7.25 million investment in the A737. The Strategic Transport Projects Review will also examine the longer term needs of Scotland''s nationally strategic transport network to develop the investment plan necessary for 2012 to 2022.

Transport Scotland has the operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted if required.

There is no assessment for thefirst five years but it is estimated that up to 25,000 jobs will be created in theWest of Scotland by 2030 following the completion of the M74.

We are investing £40 millionin the trunk road infrastructure in North Ayrshire including the completed A78“Three Towns Bypass” (Ardrossan, Saltcoats and Stevenson), four improvements schemeson the A737 and a study of the traffic problems affecting Dalry which will feedinto the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

On rail we have an aspirationto lengthen trains to Ayrshire, including Prestwick Airport and to operate an additional hourly service on the Ayr route.

Future options for investmentin the trunk road and rail network will be considered as part of the Strategic TransportProjects Review which is examining the needs of the national strategic transportcorridors throughout Scotland. The review is due to report in summer 2008.

The information requested isnot available. Estimates and projections of the economic benefits of the schemehave been made based on new jobs created to the area during the construction andfollowing completion of the M74 and benefits to users of the road network.I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-64 on 1 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.

We expect the M74 Completionscheme to be complete and open to traffic in 2011.

It is for developers to proposethe location of wind farms. Subsequent applications for planning permission or forconsent under the Electricity Act are subject to consultation requirements and authoritiesdetermining an application must fully consider all material issues relevant to theproposals, including local authority development plans and relevant guidance. Consequently,consultees’ responses including any views of Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park Authorityand representations from members of the public are considered as part of the overalldetermination process.

We place great importance onattracting jobs and increasing investment throughout Scotland, includingNorth Ayrshire.

Together with the local authority,training agencies, the voluntary sector, Communities Scotland and other local partners,Scottish Enterprise is making a significant contribution to the Ayrshire economyby increasing employment and economic development opportunities.

Examples of such support forNorth Ayrshire include: workforce development, the Lochshore project on the siteof the former Glengarnock Steel Mill, Ayrshire Innovation Centre, the Clyde Marina/ArdrossanHarbour project and the Irvine Bay Urban Regeneration Company.

One of our central prioritiesis to support Scotland’s economic growth. We have already made clear that oneof the ways in which we will do so is by removing or reducing the burden of businessrates for small businesses, many of which are located in traditional town centresacross Scotland. We will announce further measures in due course.

The Scottish Executive does nothave an estimated date for this. Homelessness legislation introduced standards which temporary accommodation for householdswith children and pregnant women must meet and prohibits routine use of B&Bsand other unsuitable accommodation for these households.

The Scottish Executive recognisesthat images of smokers featured in films, TV and magazines may influence young peopleto smoke. In developing our longer term national smoking prevention strategy, therefore,we will work with the UK Government and other devolved governments to explore waysto reduce positive and increase negative images of smoking in the media. It doesnot seem unreasonable for issues relating to film classification to form part ofthese considerations.