Chamber and committees

We understand that the latest recruitment figures in England indicate a modest increase in the proportion of men amongst applicants to courses of initial teacher training. However, it is not clear whether this is directly related to actions taken by the Training Development Agency or to wider economic and employment related circumstances.

The Scottish Government is aware of the range of evidence about the importance of a male role model in a child''s education. However, it believes that the focus should be on attracting the highest quality and best motivated people into teaching irrespective of their gender. This is consistent with the conclusion drawn by many researchers in this field.

In the September 2009 teacher census 35 per cent of publicly funded primary schools, accounting for 25 per cent of pupils, have no men on the teaching staff. This represents a reduction since 2008 in the proportion of primary schools that do not have men among their teaching staff. There are no publicly funded secondary schools without men on the teaching staff.

The Scottish Government has not commissioned any further research into why there are fewer male, compared with female, primary school teachers in Scotland.

Better Cancer Care recognised that early detection of cancer is crucial to increase the chance of a positive outcome for the patient. Through the Scottish Cancer Taskforce, the Scottish Government is working to improve awareness of possible symptoms of all cancers amongst the public and medical staff. This activity includes supporting the wider sharing of GP data and best practice on cancer diagnosis as this will contribute to more effective and efficient primary care pathways, increasing the possibility for earlier detection.

Medical training includes the ability to diagnose a range of conditions, both common and rare, from the signs and symptoms presented by patients. For GPs in training, the new Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) curriculum includes as one of its key competencies, managing primary care contact with patients dealing with unselected problems. The curriculum recognises that doctors cannot be experts in everything but do need to know where to access information in order to make appropriate and speedy referrals.

Furthermore, to support GPs to refer patients with suspected cancer as early as possible, referral guidance was published in 2007, called the Scottish Executive Health Department Letter (2007) 9: Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer. In early 2009, the guidelines were shortened into a user-friendly version for quick reference. All GPs across NHS Scotland have been sent a copy of this guidance, which is also available on the Scottish Government website:

www.scotland.gov.uk/quickreferenceguide/suspectedcancer.

In determining applications for offshore wind farms, Scottish ministers will give careful consideration to all material factors, including effects on tourism and local businesses. Scottish ministers will undertake a thorough consultation process as per due process and will take full account of responses from consultees and public representations.

In February, Scottish Ministers approved a late application by Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC) to register an interest in land on land that includes the ex-RAF Machrihanish Airbase using the community right to buy provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. This has allowed MACC to proceed to submit a community right to buy application to Scottish Ministers. As ministers are currently considering this application, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at present.

The Scottish Government has and continues to work closely with the Machrihanish Airbase Community Company (MACC) in order to provide impartial advice on the community right to buy provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The act has enabled MACC to secure a pre-emptive right to buy on the former RAF airbase. It will continue to provide impartial advice to the community body throughout the right to buy process.

Article 3(1)(b) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive sets out that it only applies to coastal waters in so far as particular aspects of their environmental status are not already addressed by the Water Framework Directive or other European legislation. The Marine Strategy Framework Directive will apply to coastal waters for other aspects of Good Environmental Status. The Draft European Commission Decision on criteria and methodological standards for Good Environmental Status notes that the assessment and methodologies should take into account and, where appropriate, be based on those applicable under existing European legislation, including the Water Framework Directive. Links between the two Directives will be explored further during the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

Currently it is not possible to give average fuel usage per operation for this vessel as the relevant timetable set out the Scottish Government''s contract with CalMac is under discussion and still to be finalised.

Average fuel usage will depend on the speed the vessel needs to operate at to meet the requirements of the timetable.