Chamber and committees

There has been record investment in the Health Service in Scotland this year. From £300 million extra allocated to health in Scotland, each health board received a substantial increase above inflation to meet the health care needs of their resident population including any pressure on services which might emerge throughout the year but especially during the winter. A further £2 million was invested in a flu vaccination programme so that the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, could be immunised against the flu.

The Inquiry Team's Report into the circumstances which gave rise to the problem with the cervical screening call/recall system in Fife, Forth Valley and Tayside Health Boards was published on 15 December 1999. I have asked the three health boards to take immediate action to put in place the operational changes recommended in the report and to complete their work and deliver a full and final report to me by spring 2000. Dr Jocelyn Imrie's, Quality Assurance Director of the Scottish Cervical Screening Programme, review of the call/recall system across Scotland, is due to be completed by the end of March 2000. I understand that the Inquiry Team has referred their report to Dr Imrie. In addition, I have asked the Cervical Cancer Screening National Advisory Group and the National Co-ordinator of the Screening Programmes to consider the recommendations in the report, and to provide me with their views on any further steps required to make the screening service more effective.

Given that BSE controls apply throughout the UK, it is almost certain that the EU would not approve measures for Scotland alone under article 87(2)(b) of the Treaty. The most significant BSE-related cost borne by the pig industry has been the prohibition of porcine MBM in animal feed. Commissioner Fischler, however, in his letter to Ben Gill queried whether the effects of the BSE crisis could continue to be regarded as exceptional circumstances. Nevertheless, the Scottish Executive, in conjunction with other UK Agriculture Departments, will continue to explore whether there are factors which would meet the State Aid requirements, bearing in mind the need to target those most in need, namely the pig farmers.

I have invited the football authorities in Scotland and the Scottish Federation of Football Supporters to let me have their views in writing by 11 February on the ideas discussed in the Co-operative Party's pamphlet Mutualism - A Golden Goal?. The issue was raised at a meeting Mr Sam Galbraith and I had with these and other bodies on 18 January. At their request, I met Ms Cathy Jamieson MSP, Mike Watson MSP and Mr Joe Hill (Co-operative Party) on 25 January to discuss the issue of supporter involvement in football clubs.I have no plans to meet the Aberdeen Football Club Supporters Association or any other group associated with an individual club; but if they or any other bodies or individuals wish to submit views in writing, we would be pleased to consider them.

The statutory duty to secure adequate and efficient provision of further education in Scotland is now principally exercised by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council on behalf of Ministers. When questions about standards in FE colleges arise, Ministers would expect the Council to investigate matters and, if needs be, take appropriate action.Standards in FE colleges are being considered as part of the review of management currently being carried out by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council. The review will identify best practice with a view to promulgating such examples throughout the FE sector.

The Executive has no target percentage for private funding in the higher and further education sectors. As autonomous bodies, the institutions themselves are free to attract private funding as they wish. The Executive does not own higher and further education institutions but retains an interest in the disposal of assets that were publicly funded.

I have nothing to add to my answer of 23 December.

The Scottish Executive recognises the serious difficulties presently facing the Scottish pig industry and the impact which this is having on employment both on farm and in the processing sector. It has taken a number of measures to strengthen the marketing position of the industry and despite the very tight EU pigs regime and State Aid constraints which severely limit the scope for providing any direct aid is exploring every avenue to assist the sector.

The Spring Supplementary Order was laid on 21 January. As the Order affects the transitional year it must follow the Westminster format and will be similar to the Autumn Supplementary Order.

No. Clinicians are expected to base their prescribing decisions on the clinical needs of patients taking into account available evidence of the clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of drugs.