Chamber and committees

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 continues to promote teaching at careers fairs and takes any opportunities that arise at such events to actively encourage men to consider teaching as a career. However, in the current situation of teacher over‘supply we consider that it would be inappropriate to mount any sort of active campaign related to teacher recruitment.

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.

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.

CalMac Ferries Ltd

CalMac Ferries Ltd has commissioned a carbon footprint study to identify options to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from its operations.

The objectives of this project were to:

1. Calculate a carbon footprint of CalMac''s shipping and onshore activities

2. Identify potential options for reducing CO₂ emissions from CalMac''s shipping and onshore activities

3. Assess the feasibility of options in light of CalMac''s operational restraints

4. Recommend the next steps to reduce CalMac''s carbon footprint.

The programme has commenced with plans to change the propeller blade types on four of the ships from the major vessel fleet which is calculated to reduce fuel and save 2000 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

The project is ongoing.

NorthLink Ferries Ltd

Hamnavoe was converted to allow the main engines to run on 40cSt (centiStokes) fuel instead of the more expensive Marine gas oil (MGO).

This change of fuel type is on track to deliver significant benefits in terms of lower fuel costs and lower fuel volume consumption given the higher energy content.

Hascosay and Clare were both moved from MGO to lower cost 40cSt which also has a higher energy content.

In 2010 Hildasay replaced Hascosay and this vessel operates on 220cSt fuel.

Hjaltland and Hrossey are designed to minimize the fuel used for the different design speeds. An example of this is the ability to run on one or two engines through a single propeller with the second propeller fully feathered and stopped with two of the blades aligned with the propeller shaft A-frame “ hence minimizing the underwater drag.

In 2009 NorthLink replaced the underwater antifouling paint on Hjaltland and Hrossey with a newer Teflon type product which has an improved environmental action and which through reduced drag reduces the volumes of fuel used. Indications to date suggest that the percentage fuel volume saving claimed by the paint manufacturers is being exceeded.

Shore procedures have been tightened to ensure that vessels are able to depart quickly after the last check-in time and maximize the time available for a crossing. This ensures the minimum engine power and fuel consumption is used to achieve an on time arrival.