Chamber and committees

Following the 21st Century Teaching Profession agreement reached in January 2001, arrangements are now in hand to establish an Induction Implementation Group to take forward the many logistical, development and administrative issues surrounding the implementation of the new teachers' probation arrangements. This group will consider the transitional arrangements for those people who are currently provisionally registered as well as those who are placed on the provisional register this year.

As of the end of March 2001, sportscotland had offered lottery awards to 23 local authorities and 11 individual secondary schools covering 294 posts.

The air quality objectives set under the Air Quality Strategy are kept under a rolling review. Consideration is currently being given to whether it will be possible to set a more stringent objective for particles than the existing one for PM₁₀. The Scottish Executive hopes to be in a position to consult on a new objective for particles this summer.The Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards (EPAQS) was set up in 1991 to advise the Government on air quality standards. As part of the current review of particles, the panel was asked to consider whether a different component of the particle mixture in air would be more appropriate for an air quality standard for the UK. The panel published a report entitled Airborne Particles: What is the appropriate measurement on which to base a standard? on 3 April 2001. (The report can be viewed at http://www.environment.detr.gov.uk/airq/aqs and copies are available from the Parliament's Reference Centre). The panel concluded that the particle fraction PM₁₀ remains the most appropriate. In doing so they noted that the health studies suggest that the toxic effects of particles are not limited to fine particles, but that bigger particles are also associated with effects. Measurement of PM₁₀ allows the capture of both the fine and course fraction.However, the panel recommended that the development of a standard which better represents the toxic components of the particle mixture might be technically possible with further research. We have already introduced measurement of a wide range of particle metrics (including PM_2.5, particle numbers, chemical composition and a trial on surface area measurements) into the national monitoring networks to support such studies in the future.

As I made clear in my Statement to the Parliament today the decision on whether or not to vaccinate will be made by the Scottish Executive, taking account of the situation in Scotland and Veterinary advice.

As part of our commitment to improve the position of children and young people looked after by local authorities, I am concerned about the place of adoption services within the range of options that should be considered when their needs are being assessed. With my colleagues, I have concluded that there should be a review of adoption law and practice in Scotland focussing initially on children and young people in the care system.Changes in adoption law were last introduced in the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. The key change was to place the lifelong interests of the child at the heart of the adoption process. The time is now right to review the operation of the relevant provisions in the 1995 Act, including their impact upon the lives and life chances of young people within the care of local authorities.We have already signalled our intention to close a number of loopholes within the legislation governing inter-country adoption. The review will concentrate therefore on domestic adoption arrangements. I propose to set up an Adoption Policy Review Advisory Group with former Sheriff Principal Graham Cox as Convenor. The group will comprise representatives of the local authorities, specialist voluntary sector agencies, children's panels and legal interests. I will also ensure representation from adoptive parents and young people who have gone through the adoption process. The remit for the review will be discussed with the Education, Culture and Sport and with the Justice Committees of the Parliament. I am arranging for a copy of the memorandum to both Committees to be placed today in the Parliament's Reference Centre.I will finalise other appointments to the Advisory Group very shortly and, subject to consultations with the Parliamentary Committees, hope to see the Advisory Group start its deliberations in the course of April and submit a first report to me within 6 months. With colleagues I will consider the findings and recommendations together with any other points made to me by the Group about possible further work that may be required.

Containment and eradication of Foot and Mouth disease in Scotland is the Scottish Executive's first priority and we are taking all steps necessary to achieve this. Guidance has been issued which makes clear the requirement to thoroughly disinfect all transport used for authorised livestock movements. Lessons can be learnt from all disease outbreaks and the Scottish Executive will carefully review the circumstances of this outbreak.

There are no current plans to vaccinate against Foot and Mouth Disease although supplies of vaccines are of course available.The EU does not permit the use of FMD vaccine by member states. Their policy like that of the UK Government and the Scottish Executive is to eradicate the disease through a compulsory slaughter and compensation policy. There is a provision for member states to make a special case for vaccine use where this is considered beneficial on the basis of veterinary advice.The use of vaccines is by no means straightforward. Problems can arise where disease is masked and therefore spread. There are also adverse trade implications because other member states and many third countries demand FMD freedom to permit trade in most animals and animal products.

Our National Health: a plan for action; a plan for change commits the Scottish Executive and the NHS to take steps to work closely with patient support groups to ensure that the needs of those with chronic conditions are met effectively. This will be done through the "Partners in Change" programmes also announced in the plan. Detailed change programmes will be published later this year.

The Scottish Executive is today publishing the Scottish farm income figures. The estimated figures show that Total Income from Farming (TIFF) fell by 13% in 2000 to £228 million. The fall in agricultural incomes reflects the lower prices for many agricultural commodities due to the continued strength of the pound during 2000. Average net farm income is estimated to have fallen marginally, with some variation across sectors. Detailed estimates of the outputs, inputs and income of Scottish agriculture at both the aggregate level and by farm type will be published this morning and will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

Mr Jack McConnell's answer of 6 July (question S1W-8578, Karen Gillon) announced a preliminary examination of nine organisations to establish whether the option of relocation from Edinburgh should be examined further or in detail. The announcement also covered the setting up of three new bodies, where there is a presumption against an Edinburgh location, and the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency where a scientific review had been initiated into the feasibility of relocating to a site near Dundee.

In relation to the new bodies I can confirm that, if the Parliament passes the necessary legislation to enable them to be established, the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care and the Scottish Social Services Council will not be located in Edinburgh. Decisions on the location of these bodies are expected in February 2001. The Minister for Justice announced on 11 October that the Public Guardian's Office, which will eventually employ some 40 staff, will be located in Falkirk.

The preliminary reviews of the other bodies are now complete. Further studies into the location of each of the following organisations will now be undertaken, and they will be completed by the dates shown. The studies will include detailed work on alternative locations and consider the individual circumstances of each body on a case-by-case basis.

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency; decision by March 2001

The Health Education Board for Scotland; decision by mid 2001

Sportscotland; decision by the end of 2001

The Common Services Agency of the National Health Service in Scotland; decision by mid-2002

The Scottish Arts Council; decision before 2003 in line with general review announced in Creating our Future: Minding our Past

Registers of Scotland; decision by the end of 2004

The dates set for completion of each review reflect operational factors, the timing of any lease breaks and the time necessary to secure new property if this proves necessary.

The detailed reviews do not mean that a decision has been taken to relocate these organisations. The option of an Edinburgh location will be considered along with alternatives.

In relation to the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporter's Unit, we have postponed a decision about further consideration of the relocation issue until uncertainty about the status of the body flowing from the County Properties Ltd judgement is resolved. We have also decided that, because of particular operational links to other bodies in Edinburgh, further consideration should not be given to the Crown Office Management Services Group or the Scottish Council for Post-Graduate Medical and Dental Education's facilities in Edinburgh.

The scientific review undertaken to investigate the feasibility of locating the scientific work of the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency at a site adjacent to the Scottish Crop Research Institute near Dundee has been concluded. Its results indicate that ground conditions are not compatible with the agency's work on the certification of seed potatoes. Accordingly, the agency will take forward its existing plans for relocation of this work in the Edinburgh area.

As stated previously, our principal consideration is to ensure that government business is conducted efficiently, that high quality services are delivered to the public, and that Scotland as a whole benefits from sound decisions about the location of the Executive's work. In considering alternative locations we will have regard to the aims of the policy and the position of staff, and we will seek the views of their trade union representatives and of the management of each organisation.

The Scottish Executive will write to Local Enterprise Councils and local authorities about the process setting out the cost, efficiency and other criteria which will inform decisions.