Chamber and committees

Work is currently progressing on the development of a successor individual learning account (ILA) scheme. I intend to launch the successor scheme when I am satisfied that it will incorporate the required improvements from the first programme. I expect to make an announcement on ILAs in the context of the wider Lifelong Learning Strategy early in 2003.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland, the professional body for teachers, has issued to local authorities criteria to be used when establishing a training post for probationer teachers.

None.In my reply dated 27 June to your letter of 4 June specifically about the Seafield Waste Water Treatment Plant, I explained that the monitoring of aqueous effluent from waste water treatment plants is the responsibility of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. That letter also explained that the local authority concerned has legal powers relating to monitoring.Scottish Water arrange regular community liaison meetings during periods when its operations may impact on the community or when particular communities experience an on-going inconvenience or disruption as a result of the activities of Scottish Water or their contractors. An example is the Seafield Waste Water Treatment Works (WWTW) Community Liaison Group that meets bi-monthly to address local concerns regarding odour.Community Liaison groups have also been established for Shieldhall, Daldowie and Dalmuir WWTW (Glasgow) and another is about to be set up for Ardoch WWTW (Dumbarton). Liaison groups include local community councillors, politicians, business representatives and affected residents.Scottish Water is also invited to attend regular public meetings organised by the Water Industry Commissioner for Scotland. These meetings address both water and waste water issues.

I understand that monitoring systems for odour from treatment plants vary according to location and particular circumstances and are largely dictated by local planning conditions. Turning to health risks from airborne particles, available evidence suggests that the risk to public health from airborne particles emanating from waste water treatment plants is very remote.

There is scope for teachers to address the issue of crime, and where appropriate, railway crime, through a range of curriculum guidelines at both primary and secondary level. These are principally within the context of Personal and Social Development, and through specific programmes in Personal and Social Education. The Health Education guidelines also encourage awareness in relevant areas including personal and community safety as does the discussion paper Education for citizenship in Scotland.The British Transport Police make visits to schools to talk about railway safety issues.

Healthy Respect, the national health demonstration project currently running in Lothian, has launched its innovative postal testing kit for chlamydia, which is now available from non-medical settings such as music stores and pharmacies.The Executive has funded one recently completed and two on-going studies investigating the feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of screening for chlamydia in a range of clinical settings and populations.I have also recently announced the membership of the group taking forward the development of a national Sexual Health Strategy for Scotland. The strategy will include measures to tackle the rise in sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, and to enhance the provision of sexual health services around Scotland.

I recently announced our plans for taking forward the development of a national Sexual Health Strategy for Scotland. The strategy will include measures to tackle the rise in sexually transmitted infections and to enhance the provision of sexual health services around Scotland.The initiatives undertaken by the Health Education Board for Scotland and NHS boards in the sexual health field will also contribute to the aim of reducing the incidence of sexually transmitted infections.

This is an operational matter for Scottish Water. I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves, Chief Executive to respond. His response is as follows: Local communities are normally involved in the development of waste water treatment plants through the statutory planning process. In addition Scottish Water hold community meetings to discuss proposals and often set up community liaison groups which meet regularly to discuss and influence local developments.

In my written reply of 27 June to your letter of 4 June, I explained that Scottish Water was putting pressure on the operators to resolve the odour problems as a matter of extreme urgency.Since, however, this is an operational matter for Scottish Water, I have asked Dr Jon Hargreaves to respond. His response is as follows:Seafield WwTW is part of the Almond Valley, Seafield and Esk PFI project. The contractor is Stirling Water. Scottish Water is pursuing action with Stirling Water, and the operators Thames Water, and have a detailed action plan in place to address this issue.

Safety on the rail network is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government, local authorities and other relevant bodies about a wide range of issues, including safety.