Chamber and committees

The Non Profit Distributing Organisation model currently being developed with Argyll and Bute Council's schools public private partnership project will take over a year to reach the stage where we can properly assess whether this variant model has been successful as a new delivery vehicle. That timing will not be suitable for most local authorities that were awarded funding in the 25 June 2002 announcement. However, dependant on the progress and outcome of the NPDO model, local authorities in the second tranche of Outline Business Cases may be able to be considered.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29612. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa

refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29612. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-5476 on 5 September 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

One of the conditions of receiving funding in SEED Circular 8/2001 is that the Full Business Case should be made publicly available having due regard to issues of commercial confidentiality. Argyll and Bute Council was one of the councils to be awarded funding in the schools investment announcement of 25 June 2002.

There are no instances where the Executive has waived the contractual obligation of the contractor to obtain a contract of insurance nor are there instances where it has provided insurance policies for private contractors. Other PPP contracts are a matter for the authority concerned.

The following table shows which road schemes were delayed by the impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, by how long and the resultant budget carry forward in each case:

Name of scheme	The length of delay (approx.)	Budget carry forward£ million (approx.)
A1 Bowerhouse-Spott	3 months	0.050
A1 Haddington-Dunbar	3 months	3.000
A1 Howburn-Houndwood	6 months	3.120
A75 Cairntop-Barlae	3 months	0.028
A8 Baillieston-Newhouse	3 months	0.225
M77 Fenwick-Malletsheugh	3 months	0.550
A90 Glendoick	2 months	0.033
A90 Inchmichael	3 months	0.156
A90 Inchture	3 months	0.320
A90 Kinfauns	2 months	0.043
Total

The number of dentists working in Scotland has increased constantly over the last 30 years and by 300 in the last eight years. We are committed to increasing numbers further. The Scottish Advisory Committee for the Dental Workforce (SACDW) advises on the most effective way to achieve this, and increasing the student intake is only one of the various options that the committee considers. SACDW increased dental student numbers in 2000, to set a target graduate output of 120 per annum. There are currently no plans for a further increase, though SACDW will consider issues of recruitment, retention and supply when it next meets on 23 August 2002.

A full programme of training in what the act involves has been offered to GPs over the past 18 months. This included:

• four seminars on the act which were funded by the Scottish Executive;
• multidisciplinary training events;
• a training video which was circulated widely;
• leaflets and aides memoire for doctors, and

• guidance produced in consultation with the British Medical Association.

Information on training on assessment of patients is not collected centrally. The assessment of whether a patient lacks the capacity to make decisions about medical treatment is a matter for the clinical judgement of the individual doctor. If a doctor considers that he or she requires additional training to be able to conduct assessments then it is for the GP as an independent practitioner to seek the training as necessary. Guidance and assistance on training needs for GPs is available from NHS Education for Scotland via the postgraduate Directors of General Practice Education. Under the Statement of Fees and Allowances for GPs, each GP principal is eligible to receive an annual Postgraduate Education Allowance to support an agreed amount of training.

The Executive has no plans to review the funding for dentists. Increases in the level of fees paid to dentists for undertaking NHS general dental services are recommended annually by the Doctors' and Dentists' Review Body (DDRB), which is independent of government. The DDRB's recommendations are based on all the evidence laid before it by the Health Departments and by representatives of the profession, including both the British Dental Association and the General Dental Practitioners' Association.The Executive monitors the provision of dentists and I recently announced a package of measures aimed at recruiting and retaining dentists within the general dental services. Further measures are being discussed with the dental professions' representatives.