The Scottish Government’s overarching ambition, as outlined in our Digital Strategy of 3 March 2011, is that next generation broadband will be available to all by 2020, with significant progress by 2015. We are developing a strategic infrastructure plan for Scotland, which will comprise local broadband plans and will be developed throughout 2011 collectively with local authorities, our Enterprise Agencies and other stakeholders. It is the responsibility of these bodies to set the criteria for the prioritisation of the rollout of next generation broadband in each region and local area within each region.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise is leading on the development of a local broadband plan for the Highlands and Islands region, which will include Orkney. Highlands and Islands Enterprise plans to engage with a range of stakeholders in the development of its local broadband plan, including local authorities, the Scottish Government, the wider public sector, industry, local businesses, communities and individuals, MSPs and the UK Government.

As this project is being led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and is an operational matter for them, I suggest you write to its chief executive if you require additional information.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-85 on 31 May 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-85 on 31 May 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise is currently finalising its local broadband plan for the Highlands and Islands region.

Additionally, the South of Scotland Alliance, whose area covers the geographic boundaries of Scottish Borders Council and Dumfries and Galloway Council, expects to have a comprehensive plan completed by September 2011.

The Scottish Government is currently working with local authorities, Scottish Enterprise and other stakeholders to help them develop local broadband plans for the remaining regions of Scotland this year.

We said in our Strategy and Action Plan Homes Fit for the 21st Century that we aim to deliver 18,000 new affordable homes over the next three years through housing associations, councils and other developers. The breakdown by year and by region will be decided in the light of the proposals we receive.

We have not been advised by Orkney Housing Association Ltd whether they will submit a bid to the Innovation and Investment Fund (2011-12) which is making £50 million available across Scotland.

We said in our Strategy and Action Plan Homes Fit for the 21st Century that we would make a decisive change in the way we support new developments, using government funding to lever in the maximum possible investment from other sources. Developments will also need to tie in with local authority local housing strategies. While all projects will be assessed against this benchmark (and we will encourage proposals requiring less grant), we will retain flexibility to consider higher subsidy, e.g. in remote rural areas or where projects require additional features to meet particular needs.

As a result of project approvals from the Affordable Housing Investment Programme in 2010-11 Orkney Housing Association Ltd will have 32 properties start on site in 2011-12 and there will be 120 properties complete during the financial year.

The £50 million Innovation and Investment Fund is a one year programme planned for 2011-12. Funds will be allocated in due course on the basis of bids from potential housing providers which are due to be submitted by 31 May 2011. Once all bids have been assessed and funds allocated, we will review the way in which the fund has helped the Scottish Government support new developments and lever in the maximum possible investment from other sources.

We said in our Strategy and Action Plan Homes Fit for the 21st Century that we would make a decisive change in the way we support new developments, using Government funding to lever in the maximum investment from other sources. Developments will also need to tie in with local authority local housing strategies. While all projects will be assessed against this benchmark (and we will encourage proposals requiring less grant), we will retain flexibility to consider higher subsidy, e.g. in remote rural areas or where projects require additional features to meet particular needs.

We consulted with a range of representative bodies on the detail of the 2011-12 Innovation and Investment Fund and received comments from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum before finalising guidance on the benchmarks.