Chamber and committees

When the Human Rights Act 1998 comes into force in October this year, it will be possible for the actions of fire authorities, in common with those of other authorities, to be challenged in the domestic courts on the grounds that they are incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. We are not aware that any of the functions of fire authorities are particularly vulnerable to successful challenge. To the extent that challenges to the actions of fire authorities have to be responded to or are successful, there may be additional costs for them, but it is not possible to anticipate what these costs would be.

Centrally collected data includes numbers of surgeons and oncologists employed in the NHS in Scotland. Recognised specialist/specialty functions are identified, for example, urological surgery, plastic surgery, ear/nose and throat surgery. Tumour specific interests are not in themselves a separate and distinct specialty and this information is not therefore available.

Some surgeons do seek to sub-specialise or have a special interest in disease-specific areas but, in general, surgical treatment of lung cancer is undertaken by cardiothoracic and/or general surgeons.

Similarly, some oncologists may have a special interest in specific tumour types but, in general, provide oncology services for all patients with cancer regardless of tumour type.

Table 1 attached shows the number of consultants in cardiothoracic surgery and general surgery, by health board and by whole time equivalent (WTE) posts and numbers of staff at 30 September 1999.

The numbers of consultant clinical and medical oncologists employed at each of the Trusts containing the five specialist cancer centres in Scotland were previously provided in response to question S1W-2232 on 29 November 1999.

Table 1: Consultants in cardiothoracic surgery and general surgery by health boards at 30 September 1999.^p*

	WTE			Headcount
	General surgery	Cardiothoracic surgery	Total	General surgery	Cardiothoracic surgery	Total
Totals	184.0	20.3	204.3	200	22	222
Ayrshire and Arran	11.0	-	11.0	11	-	11
Borders	4.0	-	4.0	4	-	4
Argyll and Clyde	14.5	-	14.5	15	-	15
Fife	10.5	-	10.5	13	-	13
Greater Glasgow	37.2	11.3	48.4	40	13	53
Highland	11.0	-	11.0	11	-	11
Lanarkshire	17.3	2.0	19.3	20	2	22
Grampian	15.6	3.0	18.6	16	3	19
Orkney	2.0	-	2.0	2	-	2
Lothian	29.1	4.0	33.1	34	4	38
Tayside	17.8	-	17.8	20	-	20
Forth Valley	8.0	-	8.0	8	-	8
Western Isles	1.0	-	1.0	1	-	1
Dumfries and Galloway	4.0	-	4.0	4	-	4
Shetland	1.0	-	1.0	1	-	1

Source: Medical and Dental Manpower Census, ISD Scotland, Ref. 2000/0183.p - provisional

The Scottish Executive is reviewing systematically all its activities in order to ensure compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights. The local authorities will similarly require to identify issues where there is a risk of challenge.

I wrote to the Convenor of the Local Government Committee about this matter on 23 March, a copy of which is available in SPICe.

In October 2000, provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998 will come into force that will make it unlawful for any public authority to act in a way that is incompatible with the ECHR.

I have no such plans.

The debates on the proposal to repeal section 2A as part of our consideration of the Ethical Standards Bill will be informed by a wide range of views, comments and representations from people throughout Scotland. It then falls to members of this Parliament to take the decision.

The information requested is not collected centrally.

The Executive has no such plans at present. However, a clearer picture of the operation of fines arrangements generally should emerge from a research study we have commissioned on fines and fines enforcement. The study should be completed by the end of this year, and will cover all types of fines including conditional offers, or 'fiscal fines'.

I refer Mr Harding to my answer to question S1W-3438.