Whether it will review the condition in the trunk roads maintenance contracts which precludes Amey Highways Ltd and BEAR Scotland Ltd from …

Yes. The condition in the contracts was carried over from an identical condition in the previous contracts in order to maintain clear lines of responsibility between the Executive and the Operating Companies. However, we are keen to maximise the accountability of the Operating Companies on operational matters. I have therefore reviewed the condition in the contracts and concluded that there is no good reason to continue to preclude the Operating Companies from meeting or corresponding with elected members on operational matters or questions of fact. They should continue to refer elected members to ministers on matters of policy.These contracts have reached the end of their first year of operation and the Operating Companies have established operational and management procedures that they would be happy to explain to elected members. In recognition of the change in the contracts referred to above, both Amey and BEAR intend to hold Open Days at each of their main depots at which MSPs will be invited to view and discuss with senior personnel the Operating Companies' operations. These Open Days will take place during the week commencing 22 April and the Operating Companies will write to MSPs in their respective areas.