Chamber and committees

People suffering from anorexia nervosa are currently treated and supported through mainstream mental health and social work services. While some specialist psychiatric services are available, there are at present no dedicated facilities for anorexia nervosa either in Grampian or in Scotland as a whole.

The Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland encourages service development to be made on the basis of alliances involving NHS services, social work, voluntary organisations, sufferers and carers. An effective alliance exists at national level in the Scottish Eating Disorders Interest Group. Service developments under discussion include the creation of a managed carer network for eating disorders, a fundamental part of which would be provision of an inpatient facility for the care and treatment of these disorders.

I met representatives of the Scottish pig industry at the Royal Highland Show where representations were made about the need to introduce the special aid measures for this sector as soon as possible. This is being pursued urgently with the European Commission. The state of the industry has been helped by an increase in the price of pigmeat from 60p per kilo at the height of the crisis to just over £1.00 per kilo currently.

I have discussed the benefits of identifying the origin of pigmeat and pigmeat products, which in this country are produced to very high welfare and health standards, with Nick Brown, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, on various occasions.

I have also drawn these attributes to the attention of the major retailers I have met. I strongly support the introduction of a Scottish Pork label, which would enable the consumer to make an informed choice.

I replied to the letters on 28 June 2000.

The disabled have full access to all the assistance schemes available, and will be given every help to start up a business. There is no extra financial assistance generally available to people with disabilities for the purpose of starting a company in the field of e-commerce. In the Highlands and Islands area disabled people are a priority group for assistance in starting a business through the StartUp programme which provides a fortnightly allowance towards living costs while the business is being established.

I replied to the letters on 16 June 2000.

I replied to the member on 26 June 2000.

I shall reply to the member as soon as possible.

The letter of 8 March to Ross Finnie was passed to me to reply in view of my responsibility for meat hygiene issues. I apologise for the delay in responding. This was due to the administrative hand-over from the Scottish Executive to the new Food Standards Agency who now has operational responsibility for small abattoirs.

I have now seen and responded to the correspondence referred to, and the member for Banff and Buchan should recently have received my reply.

PQ S1W-5968 was answered on 6 June.