Chamber and committees

The bard was established to regulate the provision of conveyancing and executry services by persons who are not solicitors, the policy intention being to promote competition in relation to such services. The expectation was that the board would become self-financing in due course from income from the registration fees paid by qualified conveyancers and executry practitioners.

The very low numbers of practitioners who have registered with the board since 1997 have not allowed the board to become self-financing or to provide any significant level of competition for solicitors. Only independent qualified conveyancers can provide such competition, but only one is currently registered with the board, 10 out of the 11 registered practitioners being employed by law firms. This position indicated that alternative more cost-effective arrangements should be considered.

The Law Society of Scotland has indicated that it is prepared in principle to assume responsibility for qualified conveyancers and executry practitioners. The society has in place a regulatory structure for solicitors and their employees and the regulation of qualified conveyancers and executry practitioners can be seen as a natural extension of its activities. Discussions will be taken forward on suitable arrangements for transfer. It will be important in that context that the interests of the consumer in terms of service and cost are fully considered.

The proposal to abolish the board reflects the fact that the policy of introducing competition with solicitors in relation to conveyancing and executry services has had very limited success. Since reopening for business in March 1997 after a period of suspension, the board has only registered 13 practitioners, of whom three have since resigned. Of the 10 practitioners currently registered, nine are employed by law firms; only one is practising independently, and thus providing a degree of competition to solicitors in the area in question.

The annual operating costs of the board currently fall to be met by the taxpayer and are approximately £130,000. The annual cost of the board to the taxpayer is thus disproportionate to the overall level of competition being provided by independent practitioners to date. The board's own forecasts do not suggest that the position is likely to improve significantly or to reach the stage in the foreseeable future by which the board will become self-financing, as originally intended.

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that there are no plans to dye any meat products used to produce school food.

It is a matter for local authorities (where appropriate) or schools themselves to decide whether specific ingredients should be omitted from school meals. Current legislation requires that all foods or food ingredients containing approved GM soya, maize, additives or flavourings sold to caterers must be labelled. Additionally, school caterers, in line with caterers in general, must ensure that, either through labels, notices or access to oral advice, the final consumer can obtain information about any GM ingredients in the food on sale.All genetically modified foods are subject to a rigorous safety assessment before they can be marketed in the EU. The Food Standards Agency is the UK competent authority for approving GM foods and is satisfied that the only GM ingredients currently approved and on sale in the UK, soya and maize, are as safe to eat as their conventional counterparts.

The Food Standards Agency Scotland reports that it has no evidence that food being served in schools is unsafe. Direct responsibility for the safety of food served in schools rests with the environmental health department of each local authority. Were there to be evidence that food safety had been compromised, the Food Standards Agency would respond quickly and a full investigation, through the local authority enforcement officers, would be carried out.

It is the policy of the Food Standards Agency to ensure that the public is informed quickly and effectively whenever it is aware that there is a risk of unsafe food entering the food chain.Recent identification of the illegal use of meat designated for pet food in foods for human consumption, led to comprehensive product recalls, advertisements being placed in national newspapers and the issuing of statements to the media. The agency in Scotland has no evidence to suggest that any of the products concerned were used in school meals.

The Scottish Diet Action Plan Eating for Health Model Nutritional guidelines provides the framework for the Scottish Executive's drive towards healthier eating, makes it clear that schools should take steps to ensure that school meals, tuck shops and vending machines provide a range of healthy food and drink choices. The aim is for all schools, both primary and secondary, to provide high quality food and drinks which are attractive to children and which result in consistent nutritious balanced meals and snacks. We are undertaking a range of measures to encourage authorities to adopt these guidelines.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-16130.

The Food Standards Agency has advised that direct responsibility for the safety of food served in Scottish schools rests with the environmental health department of each local authority. They ensure that the relevant caterers meet the standard required of all food businesses; this includes ensuring the food is fit for human consumption. The agency has no evidence to suggest that meat designated for pet food has illegally been used in the preparation of school meals.

NHS 24, the Scottish equivalent to the NHS Direct service in England, will provide the people of Scotland with nurse-led advice, guidance, referral and information on healthcare services in one phone call.To ensure that this service is as integrated as possible with existing NHS services in Scotland, the Scottish Executive Health Department has carried out an extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including GP out-of-hours services, accident and emergency departments, the Scottish Ambulance Service and patient representatives. This process was designed to ensure NHS 24 meets the particular needs and circumstances of the Scottish public and NHS Scotland.The establishment of NHS 24 as a national service, requires detailed planning and design in order to address many complex issues. A detailed blueprint and implementation plan is currently being developed.