Chamber and committees

No such direct discussions between the Executive and colleges have taken place.

The Management Board has met on nine occasions since the inauguration of the Health Technology Board for Scotland (HTBS) in April 2000. These meetings have been largely concerned with putting together robust processes that can withstand public, professional and legal scrutiny.

The procedures for selection of topics and the assessment process are being published in January 2001. At this time, the first three topics to undergo full Health Technology Assessment by HTBS will be published, along with details of a new procedure for provision of a surveillance and rapid reaction service on all Final Appraisal Determinations from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). Details of the advisory groups that are being set up to aid the work of HTBS will also be presented, opportunities for involvement will be explained and public feedback will be sought.Alongside this work, a multi-disciplinary expert assessment team has begun work to provide a Scottish interpretation of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence's (NICE) guidance on the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the Beta Interferons and Glatiramer for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

The Executive recognises the value of employment in both preventing homelessness in the first place, and as a route out of homelessness. Through the New Futures Fund we are ensuring that intensive support is being provided to many young homeless people to help them develop their employability and work skills. We have recently announced an additional £150,000 which will be channelled by Scottish Enterprise to existing projects in Glasgow that already receive funding for employment and training initiatives for homeless people through the New Futures Fund.

We are also committed to the implementation of the recent report from the Glasgow Street Homelessness Review Team which recommended that work opportunities and the development of work orientated skills should be built into re-settlement programmes. Proposals for a possible pilot to move homeless people into jobs will be considered by the Homelessness Taskforce in the New Year.In addition last week we announced that we would provide £100,000 to co-fund the piloting of a micro-credit partnership between the Big Issue and Street UK. Loan finance will be provided by the Bank of Scotland. Through the partnership loans will be available to micro-entrepreneurs excluded from access to fully commercial business finance. Pilots will be run in Glasgow and Edinburgh offering micro-finance and support to Big Issue vendors ready to move on and those working in the informal economy to help them move into self employment.

The Executive has no plans to support this particular venture but the Executive welcomes and encourages such partnership initiatives between the voluntary and private sectors to address unemployment and homelessness.

The figure refers to the number of households which have to spend 10% or more of income on all fuel used in the home. The assessment is based on the results of the 1996 Scottish House Condition Survey.

The write-off of local taxation debts which cannot be recovered is a matter for local authorities, in line with their statutory duties, and in consultation with their auditors as necessary.

Rail freight is a reserved matter. The Scottish Executive of course has responsibility for freight grants in Scotland, and is in regular contact with the Strategic Rail Authority on a wide range of issues, including rail freight.

As I told the Justice and Home Affairs Committee on 6 September, we expect to publish a consultation paper at the end of this year or early next year.

The health issues associated with passive smoking are clear and the Scottish Executive recognises the importance for children and young people to be protected from such risks.

The Executive will consider the need for further measures on the effects of passive smoking when the results of a recent survey, commissioned by HEBS and ASH Scotland) on public perceptions of passive smoking are known, together with the impact of the Scottish Voluntary Charter on Smoking in Public Places and the HSE's proposed code of practice on passive smoking in the workplace.

We recognise the importance of purchasers having good information at a reasonable cost.

In the Programme for Government, published last September, we also indicated that we would seek to improve the house buying process by supporting measures which avoid additional costs for home buyers resulting from multiple surveys and valuations.

Since then we have been monitoring the progress of the two market-led pilots in Scotland and have had a number of discussions with interested parties on how best sellers' surveys might be taken forward in Scotland. In particular, we are liaising with the Scottish Consumer Council which has recently published a report, Home Truths, which recommended the development of voluntary "independent" survey schemes, backed by a guarantee for the buyer.

In addition the Common Repair Working Group, chaired by my Department with representatives from a number of interested parties, has commissioned the preparation of two leaflets for owners and prospective owners explaining their responsibilities in respect of the repair and maintenance of communally owned property. In addition Home Point, the housing information and advice unit in Scottish Homes, has published two more general advisory leaflets for home owners.