Chamber and committees

We are committed to a long-term safe and sustainable future for the Vale of Leven Hospital.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde started public consultation on its proposals for the future of the Vale on Friday 31 October. This will run until the end of January and I would encourage all interested parties to get involved in this important process.

Any proposals for change will ultimately need to be submitted to me for consideration and a final decision.

We have today published the final Efficient Government Outturn Report for the 2005-2008 Efficient Government programme. It shows that efficiency gains of £1.74 billion were made in 2007-08, against the previous administration''s aspirational target of £1.5 billion. Copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 46783) and the report is also available on the internet at www.scotland.gov.uk//Publications/2008/10/Outturn2008.

Responsibility for the core funding of Scotland''s colleges of further education lies with the Scottish Further and Higher Education Funding Council. The funding council is also able to provide colleges with support for capital projects and for other purposes. I have arranged for the funding council to write to the member with details of how it funds colleges in the West of Scotland.

The Scottish Government recognise that charities, voluntary groups and social enterprises will face tough challenges, particularly in raising donations, while demand for their services is likely to go up. We are working closely and on an on-going basis with sector leaders to determine the impact on Scottish organisations are affected. The sector''s regulator, OSCR, is providing advice and guidance for charities and their trustees via its helpline and website.

The vital contribution of a vibrant third sector to a more successful Scotland is recognised in £93 million available to the third sector over the next three years, a 37% increase on the last spending review intended to make the sector more sustainable.

The 12 local authorities currently using biometric technologies in their schools are Aberdeenshire Council, Angus Council, Clackmannanshire Council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, East Dunbartonshire Council, Glasgow City Council, Highland Council, Midlothian Council, Perth and Kinross Council, Renfrewshire Council, Stirling Council and West Lothian Council.

We do not hold that information centrally. However, we know that currently there are 12 local authorities using biometric technologies in their schools.

We do not hold that information centrally. However, we know that currently there are 12 local authorities using biometric technologies in their schools.

We do not hold that information centrally. However, we know that currently there are 12 local authorities using biometric technologies in their schools.

We do not hold that information centrally. However, we know that currently there are 12 local authorities using biometric technologies in their schools.

There were 30.2 whole-time equivalent General Teaching Council for Scotland registered teachers providing pre-school education in East Dunbartonshire Council as at September 2007.