Chamber and committees

There are currently no proposals to use the Thin Prep Pap test to screen simultaneously for human papilloma virus, chlamydia and cervical cancer.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-18133 .

£3.1 million of the additional resources, announced on 28 June 2001, is being made available to health boards for drug treatment services. It is for them, and the local Drug Action Teams, to determine how that funding will be used, taking into account local and national priorities and targets.

In June 2000 the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) indicated that, while Liquid Based Cytology (Thin Prep Pap test) was effective, further evidence was required on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the technique and that a programme of pilots should evaluate this. Further information will be available once the pilot studies in England and Scotland have been completed and have been evaluated further by NICE. This is likely to be in 2002-03.

Best practice governing substitute prescription of opiates, including guidance on dispensing, is set out in Drug Misuse and Dependence - Guidelines on Clinical Management (1999). There are no plans to review these guidelines. Decisions about the use of methadone as a treatment model are taken by clinicians on a case by case basis.

It is for Drug Action Teams, in conjunction with local authorities, health boards and other key partner agencies, to determine what additional drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities are required locally, depending on local need and circumstances.

We do not collect information about the costs of treating specific conditions in mental health services.

This information is not available centrally.

Orkney and Shetland's ancient legal heritage, which is distinct from that of the rest of Scotland, continues to exist in a number of areas. These are linked to the ancient system of Udal land ownership, the chief feature of which is that grants of land do not emanate from the Crown as feudal superior. Another distinguishing feature of this system is that the foreshore in Orkney and Shetland is treated in the same way as land above high water mark across the rest of Scotland. Consequently, it is possible for Udal titles to land to include the foreshore as property.

Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd prepares an annual budget and corporate plan which consider the company's priorities for future years. HIAL will continue to maintain its airport charges at levels which reflect their commitment to the maintenance of the air network in the Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Executive endorses this approach.