Chamber and committees

The Scottish Executive consulted Scottish business interests widely on filling the vacancy on Group I of the Economic and Social Committee that was created by the resignation of Ms Sheila Ritchie. Scottish ministers have endorsed the nominations of Mr Kenneth W Fraser, proposed by CBI Scotland and the Institute of Directors Scotland and Mr John Downie, proposed by the Federation of Small Businesses in Scotland, as candidates for the vacancy on Group I of the UK delegation to the European Union’s Economic and Social Committee.

Patients whose hospital consultantsconsider CD portable cylinders to be clinically necessary can obtain them free ofcharge through the hospital service.

CD portable oxygen cylindersare not available for GP prescribing. However, where a hospital consultant considersa CD portable cylinder to be clinically necessary, it can be supplied to the patientfree of charge through the hospital service.

The Scottish Executive and First ScotRail are both members of the Prestwick Rail Improvement Group which I announced during my visit to the airport in September. The first meeting of the Group, led by Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive, will be held on 16 December.

Pursuing success in global markets is a key theme of the refreshed A Smart, Successful Scotland strategy published last week. We recognise that there is huge potential in China and we are committed to a long-term approach to helping Scotland grasp the opportunities.

The First Minister made a week-long visit in October to raise Scotland’s profile and support the links with China being developed by Scottish businesses and educational bodies like the Scottish Qualifications Agency. I myself will travel to China in January next year to lead a mission of life science companies and deepen our relationships with senior contacts. And given its growing international significance, China will continue to be a priority for future ministerial programmes overseas.

Tailored assistance for Scottish companies to navigate complex Chinese markets is available from Scottish Development International (SDI). SDI first opened an office in China 10 years ago and now has two bases in Beijing and Shanghai. Firms can also access further support through the wider network of Scottish and UK trade bodies operating in China.

In 2005 SDI will mount a targeted campaign across Scotland to raise awareness of business opportunities in China. SDI plans to double staff numbers on the ground from four to eight to cope with the expected increase in demand for support.

Ministers take every suitable opportunity to promote the role of the Care Commission and the regulation of care services.

The Care Commission’s role and responsibilities are clearly set out in the National Care Standards for care services published by Scottish ministers under, and in support of, the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001.

It is important that people using services and their carers are aware of the National Care Standards and the work of the Care Commission. The standards explain clearly what the public can expect from a care service and how to raise concerns. The Care Commission is working closely with the Executive to promote greater awareness of its role and of the standards.

Specific joint actions currently underway or being considered include:

Briefing local newspaper editors about the standards and the work of the Care Commission;

Redesigning, reprinting and distributing the general information leaflet about the Standards and the regulatory role of the Care Commission, and

Research to benchmark the level of awareness of the Standards and the Care Commission.

The initial funding allocation for the Scottish Ambulance Service for 2003-04 was £120.278 million. The initial allocation for 2004-05 was £128.096 million, an increase of 6.5% on the previous year.

The staffing of ambulances is primarily an operational matter for the Scottish Ambulance Service. If the ambulance service assesses that an area shouldbe served by an accident and emergency unit, then a double crewed unit is what should be provided. Where, in exceptional circumstances, such as staff sickness,it is not possible to dispatch a double-crewed ambulance in response to an emergency call, a single-crewed vehicle may be sent. In response to concerns, I have written recently to the Chairman of the Scottish Ambulance Service asking for a reduction in the number of occasions when a single crewed ambulance is dispatched.

It is for the presiding sheriff/judge to be satisfied on the evidence before them that an accused is medically unfit to stand trial.

The evidence is usually in the form of a medical report and/or certificate from a suitably qualified doctor/consultant.

The information is not held centrally.