Chamber and committees

The information requested is not available centrally.

Information about the price paid for beta interferon by health boards is not held centrally.

However, for a number of reasons, direct comparisons of prices of products of this type are misleading. They are often supplied direct to hospitals, making list prices less significant; some countries include distribution costs and some aspects of care within the list price while others account for them separately; and, because products are priced in the currency of the importing country, currency movements will affect the price paid.

The Executive, through regular contact with the Scottish financial sector, considers a wide range of matters which could impact on overall employment prospects for the sector. Overall, further growth in employment in the financial sector is expected, as suggested by independent forecasts.

The Special General Meeting being held by Standard Life on 27 June 2000 will include a vote on the company's mutual status. The issue of demutualisation is a matter for the members and the board of Standard Life and the Executive does not therefore wish to anticipate the outcome of the vote. However, as Standard Life is a major Scottish employer, the Executive will continue to monitor developments.

The £4.4 million Freight Facilities Grant awarded to Associated British Ports will be applied over five years (2000-05). A detailed breakdown of the costs of individual elements of the project is commercially confidential.

The means test used to assess contributions in higher education has not changed materially for many years. We plan to radically review the existing arrangements and will consult on any proposals for change. Information about any particular areas of concern will be considered as part of this process.

Currently, the parental contribution is normally based on the gross income of the parent(s) for the immediately preceding financial year, less certain deductions, which for the most part are those allowable for tax purposes. Estimated income for the current financial year may be used instead where it can be shown that a parent's income is likely to drop by 15% or more compared to the previous year.

There are no plans to close the Heart Transplant Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. The Scottish Executive is working closely with the Trust in the best interests of patients and their families to do everything we can to make sure the service continues in Scotland. In the meantime, arrangements have been made to ensure that patients waiting for a transplant can be treated in Newcastle, with appropriate follow-up in Glasgow.

I have been advised by Ayrshire and Arran Health Board that Seafield Hospital, Ayr, ceased to be operational as a hospital in 1991 but was used as the Health Board Headquarters until December 1996. An offer of purchase was approved by the health board in September 1998. Missives are expected to be completed in the current financial year, once planning permission has been given and a surface drainage problem has been resolved. It will be up to the purchaser to decide how the site will be developed. Property expenses, including security costs, between December 1996 and 31 March 2000 have totalled £346,000.

Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire owns part of the land at Monktonhill Farm, Monkton. This land forms part of an 85 acre Business Park development that is situated immediately to the north of Prestwick Airport and to the west of Monkton Village. This site was acquired by Scottish Enterprise, on behalf of Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire, from CWS Limited in 1999 and is currently agricultural land.

The planning application for the Business Park is currently with South Ayrshire Council and, subject to the planning process, it is anticipated that the first phase of infrastructure will start in autumn 2000. The first serviced plots should be available in spring 2001 and the total investment in infrastructure will be £5 million over the next 18 months.

Scottish Enterprise owns 25 acres of land at Shawfarm/Prestwick International Industrial Park. This site has been allocated for runway related use to facilitate the long term potential of Prestwick Airport. Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire plans to sell this land to Prestwick Airport in April, on behalf of Scottish Enterprise.