Chamber and committees

We have no plans to meet at present. However, I met with both councils during 2002 and would be happy to consider requests to meet again.

There are no plans to reverse the decision.

This is a matter for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) rather than the Scottish Executive.I understand that SEPA is aware of occasional intermittent instances of untreated sewage being discharged into the River Dee. Each reported incident is investigated by SEPA.SEPA will continue to proactively control sewage discharges to the River Dee and react promptly to reported incidents, taking action in accordance with its enforcement policy and available statutory powers.

There have been no reductions in funding to Grampian NHS Board due to the Arbuthnott formula. Since the formula was introduced in 2001-02, Grampian NHS Board's unified budget has increased by over 20% and is currently £483.662 million.

The full-time equivalent number of permanent staff employed in the core departments of the Scottish Executive, executive agencies and associated departments are provided in the following table. Information on staffing levels for each non-departmental public body (NDPB) can be found on the Scottish Executive website (www.scotland.gov.uk/government/publicbodies) under the Scottish Public Bodies Directory.There are no plans to increase capacity in the Scottish Executive core departments beyond existing staffing levels over the Spending Review 2002 period. The focus for the period ahead will be to prioritise what the organisation does, and where necessary to reshape the organisation to ensure resources are aligned with the key delivery priorities. It will be for executive agencies, associated departments and NDPBs to decide what staffing levels are appropriate for their own particular circumstances and within their approved budgets.Civil Servants (Full-Time Equivalents) in the Scottish Executive Core Departments, Agencies and Associated Departments, as at 1 April 2003

Total	15,333.1
Scottish Executive Core Departments	4,332.6
Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal	1,449.3
Agencies and Associated Departments	9,551.2
Accountant in Bankruptcy	80.3
Communities Scotland	379.5
Fisheries Research Service	325.7
General Register Office for Scotland	213.6
Historic Scotland	735.2
HMI Education	150.2
National Archive of Scotland	147.2
Registers of Scotland	1,338.5
Scottish Agricultural Science Agency	134.9
Scottish Court Service	941.1
Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency	259.2
Scottish Prison Service	4,483.2
Scottish Public Pensions Agency	232.4
Student Awards Agency for Scotland	130.2

The Scottish Executive has had no meetings of the type specified but my officials and I have had a number of meetings with SAC over their rationalisation proposals. I have raised a number of concerns with SAC about its proposals for rationalisation and I expect SAC to address those concerns and submit revised proposals to the Executive.

The Scottish Executive has no plans to visit the college's campus at Craibstone. However, I have raised a number of concerns with the college in relation to its proposals for rationalisation and have asked it to submit revised proposals. When considering these I will be taking account of the comments and representations I have received in relation to SAC's strategic review.

There have been no discussions with the UK Government following the Scottish Executives decision, announced on 26 March, that de-regulation of community pharmacy control of entry arrangements was not the way forward for Scotland.

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the oil and gas industry about a wide range of matters. We work with the sector as a whole through PILOT, the government and industry task force of which I am vice-chair, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry.

No decision has been taken yet.