Chamber and committees

The Scottish Executive has taken several measures at national level which will have the effect of encouraging take-up of further education. These include the development of an all-age careers service and the establishment of the Scottish University for Industry (SUfI). SUfI, through its learndirect branded services, promotes a range of routes to lifelong learning in the national press and broadcasting media.Scotland's 46 further education colleges are autonomous bodies with a statutory responsibility for meeting local demand needs. These diverse needs are met by offering a large number of courses at different levels, in different modes (full-time and part-time), in a wide range of subjects. It is for colleges to advertise their prospectuses within the communities which they serve.Participation data for 1999-2000 shows that there were 434,435 enrolments in further education, in both colleges and higher education institutions, an increase of some 3% over the previous year.

I recently announced my intention to bring together nursing leaders and education providers for a 'summit' on recruitment and retention.

In addition Our National Health: a plan for action a plan for change, makes clear that all NHS employers will be required to meet or exceed best practice guidance on family friendly policies as part of the new Staff Governance Standard. To help employers guidance on family friendly policies was issued in January covering areas such as flexible working; childcare; breastfeeding and career breaks.

For the future negotiations on NHS Pay Modernisation are continuing on a UK basis. The proposed new system will seek to underpin better career progressions, modern conditions of service for staff and will ensure that all staff are rewarded fairly for the work that they do and the contribution that they make rather than the title they hold.

Student nurses receive funding support by way of a non means-tested bursary and other allowances where appropriate. Increased awards of around £500 per year were announced in July 2001.

The Strategy for Nursing and Midwifery in Scotland Caring for Scotland, published in March 2001, sets out specific action to address issues in nurse and midwifery education and training including the availability, use and standards of practice placements.

Support and co-ordination of continuing professional development is currently provided by the National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting for Scotland (NBS); and will continue and develop under the new Special Health Board being created to provide an overarching education and training body for healthcare staff when the NBS is abolished on 31 March 2002.

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including European and International railway services.

The identification of the most appropriate software for children suffering from dyslexia is carried out at the school or education authority level. Resources provided by the Scottish Executive under the National Grid for Learning programme of the Excellence Fund can be used to purchase such software.

The Scottish Executive has allocated £22.6 million over the next three years 2001-2004 to take forward the recommendations of the Beattie Committee in relation to helping young people make the transition to post-school education and training or employment. £4.5m of this has been provided to the Scottish Further Education Funding Council to improve support for students with additional needs in further education including the development of a National Co-ordinating Access Centre, the promotion and development of Inclusiveness Policies and the provision of staff training.

Students in further education who suffer from dyslexia can claim additional support under the Special Educational Needs Allowance. This provides assistance towards additional study and travel-related expenses arising from the student's attendance at college which they incur as a result of their disability. The allowance is means-tested but there is no upper limit to the level of support available.

Students in higher education who suffer from dyslexia, including both part-time and distance learning students who are studying for at least 50% of a full-time equivalent course, are eligible to claim the Disabled Students' Allowance. This is a non means-tested allowance which provides assistance towards additional expenses students incur as a result of attending their course. The amount paid will depend upon the needs of the student and the requirements of the course and can be up to £1,420 for basic costs and up to £10,755 for non-medical personal help each year. An additional amount, for the duration of the course, of up to £4,255 for specialist equipment can also be provided.

Students who receive the Disabled Students' Allowance are also exempt from liability for the Graduate Endowment.

The Scottish Executive's report Sensing Progress reported on social work services for people with sensory impairment - one of the key recommendations in the report is that Future Needs Assessments of children with sensory impairment should be reviewed.

This year, the Executive has published the Report of the Certification and Registration Working Group (Social Work Services for People with a Sensory Impairment) which highlights that NHS Trusts and local authorities should ensure that full assessments of visual impairment are undertaken by multi disciplinary teams, and the Scottish Executive will be supporting pilot studies to develop assessment criteria.

In addition, there is a UK National Screening Committee that advises all the Government Departments on screening issues, including advice on neonatal hearing screening and vision screening.

No. The Scottish Executive has no such plans. Planning authorities are already required to advertise any potential departures from an approved development plan.

We will, however, be consulting later in the summer on measures to secure more effective public involvement in the planning process.

Consultation on The Nature of Scotland ended on 29 May and comments are now being analysed from over 100 organisations who responded.

The storage and use of pesticides, and their effect upon Scottish wildlife, is one of the issues under consideration. It is also an issue being examined by Scottish Natural Heritage as part of its response to Scottish ministers following the publication last year of the Raptor Working Group. Advice from SNH on this matter is expected in July 2001.

No. NHS dental fees are reviewed annually by the independent Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB).