Annual increases in dentists’remuneration are recommended by the independent Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body.A simplification of the fee-scale is also currently being considered with the intentionto reduce the current 400+ item of service fees to around 100.

We will continueto be advised by the Food Standards Agency on this matter. I am advised that theagency has recently consulted both the food industry, consumer organisations andother government departments in relation to new rules on nutrition and health claimsmade on food. Regulations implementing these requirements for Scotland will be laid in Parliament shortly. The agency will continueto liaise with all parts of Government and other stakeholders such as industry inthe respective countries of the UK in relationto food labelling and other relevant policy areas.

Yes, I expect NHS boards tocontinue to deliver the current 18 week in-patient and day case treatmentwaiting times target, whilst ensuring that Availability Status Codes areabolished and new arrangements for measuring waiting times are introduced asquickly as possible and certainly by the end of this year.

We will consult on proposalsto introduce individual waiting time guarantees in due course.

We are reviewing guidance tohealth boards to ensure that charges for NHS services are not excessive.

We recognise the benefits whichhomeopathic treatments may bring to some patients in terms of improved quality oflife. Where patients and their clinicians consider that this would be an appropriateform of treatment and where it is to be provided as an NHS service then it shouldbe made available free at the point of delivery.

Action, including researchand development, to exploit the commercial potential of the oil produced fromthe Sweet Gale plant is being taken forward by a consortium led by Highland NaturalProducts Ltd and Alliance Boots. We have been working with representatives of the consortium to provide support and advice where possible.

We also recognise the widerpotential of non-food crops and we will be exploring over the coming months theoptions for furthering our knowledge through appropriate research anddevelopment.

We will continue to be advisedby the Food Standards Agency on this matter. I am advised that the agency is currentlyconsulting on a draft saturated fat and energy programme, including the use of transfatty acids.

NHS boards have been askedto take action as a matter of urgency to address the issues raised in the Scottish Consumer Council Report and will be asked to provide regular updatesto allow us to monitor progress towards the development of a policy andstrategy in response to the report.

The Budget Reviewreport will contribute to our strategic thinking around the spending review. Itwould be inappropriate to comment on the detail or pre-empt any commitment aheadof the Spending Review 2007.

The Chief Scientist Office(CSO), within the Scottish Executive Health Department, has responsibility forencouraging and supporting research into health and health care needs in Scotland.CSO does not normally commission research but supports research projects of asufficiently high standard initiated bythe research community in Scotland. This role is well known and advertised throughoutthe healthcare and academic community.

The Pharmaceutical PriceRegulation Scheme (PPRS) is a voluntary scheme between the UK HealthDepartments and the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry. Thescheme controls the profits pharmaceutical companies make from sales of brandedmedicines in the NHS. Within the prices paid by the NHS there remain incentivesfor companies to develop new medicines and allowances for the cost of researchand development. The scheme does not cover generic medicines nor the cost ofbranded medicines bought without a prescription. It is negotiated every fiveyears; the current scheme runs until 2010.