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The Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care is here to discuss the statutory instruments that are before us. We are to deal with a series of instruments on the issues of amnesic, paralytic and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning. Minister, would you like to open with a general statement, or should we just work our way through the instruments?
I can make a little speech, if members would like me to.
I know that Mary Scanlon has a question for you.
This is a delaying tactic.
We will deal with each instrument individually.
All these problems are caused by toxins and toxic algae. There seem to be more outbreaks of shellfish poisoning at this time of year, when the weather is cooler. Ought not outbreaks to diminish at this time? What is the Executive doing to discover the cause of outbreaks? Has any progress been made in finding out why outbreaks are on the increase?
When I come to a meeting of this committee with an official, as I have done on the previous six occasions on which subordinate legislation has been discussed, I am not asked any questions by members. When I come on my own, I am asked a detailed question of a scientific nature. [Members: "Aw."] Shellfish poisoning is a long-standing problem and I am not aware of any significant deterioration in the situation. Clearly, I will have to write a second letter to the convener about the research that has been done on this issue, to add to the letter that I promised to write on a matter raised under the previous item. I will write that letter, answering Mary Scanlon's questions, within the next week.
Are you happy with that, Mary?
Yes. That is fine. Thank you.
In the spirit of co-operation, we are happy to accept that, minister.
Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning) (West Coast) (No 8) (Scotland) Order 2001<br />(SSI 2001/374)
The Subordinate Legislation Committee had nothing to report on the order.
Motion moved,
That the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning) (West Coast) (No 8) (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/374) be approved.—[Malcolm Chisholm.]
Motion agreed to.
Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) (East Coast) (No 2) (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/387)
The Subordinate Legislation Committee had nothing to report on the order.
Motion moved,
That the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning) (East Coast) (No 2) (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/387) be approved.—[Malcolm Chisholm.]
Motion agreed to.
Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning) (West Coast) (No 9) (Scotland) Order 2001<br />(SSI 2001/388)
The Subordinate Legislation Committee had nothing to report on the order.
Motion moved,
That the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning) (West Coast) (No 9) (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/388) be approved.—[Malcolm Chisholm.]
Motion agreed to.
Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning) (Orkney) (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/391)
The Subordinate Legislation Committee had nothing to report on the order.
Motion moved,
That the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning) (Orkney) (Scotland) Order 2001 (SSI 2001/391) be approved.—[Malcolm Chisholm.]
Motion agreed to.
We now move to consideration of statutory instruments subject to the negative procedure.
I can go now.
You are free to go, minister. Thank you very much for your attendance.
Feeding Stuffs and the Feeding Stuffs (Enforcement) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SSI 2001/334)
The regulations were originally circulated to members on 5 October. No members' comments have been received. The Subordinate Legislation Committee has made comments to the Executive and is satisfied with the Executive's response on drafting matters. No motion to annul the regulations has been lodged; therefore, the recommendation is that the committee does not wish to make any recommendation in relation to the instrument. Are we agreed?
Members indicated agreement.
National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Amendment (No 2) Regulations 2001 (SSI 2001/368)
The regulations were originally circulated to members on 9 October. No members' comments have been received. The Subordinate Legislation Committee has made comments to the Executive and is satisfied with the Executive's response. No motion to annul the regulations has been lodged; therefore, the recommendation is that the committee does not wish to make any recommendation in relation to the instrument. Are we agreed?
Members indicated agreement.
That brings us to the end of our public business for this morning.
Meeting continued in private until 12:05.