Chamber and committees

We set up the Throughcare and Aftercare Working Group to advise on appropriate arrangements for a one stop shop approach to providing advice and assistance for careleavers. I expect the Group's report later this year following completion of research currently underway by York University on behalf of the Executive into current service provision by local authorities.

Provisional figures indicate that last year the total sick absence rate in the whole Executive amounted to an average of 8.51 days per staff member. Stress-related illness, however caused, accounted for 6.76% of the total days lost because of these absences. Training on stress management is available and staff who are experiencing difficulties can obtain support from the Counselling and Welfare Service. There are plans to introduce new policies and procedures aimed at improving the management of all types of sick absences. The possible introduction of further support measures is being discussed with the trade unions.

A broad estimate of the incidence and impact of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in Scotland, prepared by the Health Department in 1999, suggested that there might be approximately 69,000 cases annually in Scottish hospitals.

Information about deaths resulting from HAI is not available, as HAI is not a notifiable cause of death.More information about the incidence of HAI is expected to become available from the planned national surveillance system, once it is introduced.

The Scottish Executive does not provide model cleaning contract specifications to NHS Trusts. Responsibility for ensuring adequate cleaning in NHS hospitals in Scotland lies with the management of NHS Trusts.

Audit Scotland published its report on hospital cleaning entitled A Clean Bill of Health? in April 2000. The report made a number of recommendations for action by NHS Trusts. The Scottish Health Plan, Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, published in December last year, makes clear that the Scottish Executive expects every NHS Trust to act on the recommendations of the Audit Scotland report by June 2001.A joint Scottish Executive Health Department/NHS working group is currently preparing standards on hospital cleanliness and other matters for use throughout NHSScotland.

The Scottish Executive actively encourages purchasers in its departments and executive agencies, and in non-departmental public bodies and NHS organisations in Scotland to use Constructionline when sourcing contractors and suppliers of professional services. During the first half of 2000 the Executive worked with Constructionline in the presentation of seminars to existing users and other public sector bodies to encourage the wider use of the register. The Executive is a member of the Constructionline Scottish Advisory Committee.

Following a suggestion from the Scottish Executive last year, the Parliament's Education, Culture and Sport Committee is conducting an inquiry into the issue of a possible Children's Commissioner in Scotland. The committee invited written evidence on 26 February.The Scottish Executive is sympathetic to the possibility of a Children's Commissioner but would wish to be clear about the functions a Commissioner might have and the added value he or she might bring. We will wait for the committee to report before considering the issue further.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1F-00910 on 15 March 2001.

The lease on New St Andrew's House was held by the Secretary of State for the Environment and the responsibility for the maintenance of the building rested with UK agencies (firstly the Property Services Agency (PSA) and latterly Property Holdings). The PSA commissioned a technical report entitled New St Andrew's House Preliminary Study: Asbestos Removal and Office Refurbishment (March 1989) and Property Holdings commissioned the final report entitled New St Andrew's House Feasibility Study (October 1990).We have arranged with Property Advisers to the Civil Estate (PACE, successor body to the PSA and Property Holdings) to place copies of both reports in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

We are still considering the composition of the committee but expect to be in a position to make an announcement shortly. The proposed remit of the committee will be:"To review all aspects of liquor licensing law and practice in Scotland, with particular reference to the implications for health and public order; to recommend changes in the public interest; and to report accordingly."

We are abolishing the upper age limit for Modern Apprenticeships to match people of all ages to the job opportunities available.