To ask the Scottish Executive what its definition is of "value for public money" in respect of the Glasgow to Barra air link, as referred to by the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning in the debate on the Glasgow to Barra air link on 15 January 2003 ( Official Report , c 17011).

Value for public money is defined by means of a financial appraisal which takes account of the benefits of the Glasgow to Barra air service compared to its associated costs. This must be placed in the context of overall transport provision to Barra and the wider constraints of public expenditure funding.