PCs are becoming more common in Scottish homes

The Scottish Household Survey shows that 42% had PCs during the year 2001/2002, up from 33% in the previous 12 months.

Other statistics from the new findings show that almost two-thirds of people questioned owned their homes while 54% of households had savings or investments.

The survey is commissioned by the Scottish Executive to provide information about people's lives in a number of policy areas.

Some of the other main findings:

• Single person households account for just over 30% of the total
  
• Two-thirds of households contain only one or two people
  
• 55% of women are married and 7% are co-habiting with a partner
  
• 36% of all households live in flats
  
• 65% think they have at least one more bedroom than they need.

The survey says that 20% of adults think it is unsafe to travel by bus in the evening and 24% believe it is unsafe to walk alone in their neighbourhood after dark.

Fewer than half of adults (43%) believe their local council provides high-quality services while 56% have not recycled any glass, paper, metal or plastic in the last month.

The Scottish National Party's social justice spokeswoman, Shona Robison, said the government must take action so people could go out at night without living in fear of crime.

The most common religious affiliation is with the Church of Scotland (47%) while 28% of those questioned said they did not have any religious links.

The survey was carried out by NFO System Three and Mori Scotland and was based on a random sample of private households.