Chamber and committees

The Scottish Executive will not be reconsidering its policies at present in respect of contracting with the independent sector to provide clinical care. Thousands of patients across Scotland have benefited already from our use of the independent sector, and we have been able to use the extra capacity provided to drive down waiting times across Scotland. However, we expect the same high standards for our patients wherever they are treated. It is for NHS boards to satisfy themselves that, in contracting with an independent sector provider, appropriate governance and monitoring arrangements are in place.

Yes. Copies of both the Skye Bridge Assignation Statement and the subsequent Concession Agreement assigning the then Secretary of State’s right to charge and collect tolls at the bridge, were held by the concessionaire.

These details were not published when tolling began. There was no statutory requirement to do so.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-16388 on 20 May 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Decisions about where, and how, pre-registration nursing and midwifery programmes are provided, are a matter for the higher education institutions who deliver them, in consultation with all other stakeholders including NHSScotland.

I have sought assurance that, before any decisions are reached, Dundee University will undertake a demonstrably robust and comprehensive consultation with staff, students and key stakeholders and discuss the outcome with the Chief Nursing Officer. Any discussions should include the effect of this proposal on recruitment and retention of students and nurses in NHS Fife.

I refer the member to the question S2W-22526 answered on 2 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

refer the member to the question S2W-22526 answered on 2 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the question S2W-22526 answered on 2 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the question S2W-22526 answered on 2 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the question S2W-21675 answered on 17 January 2006. That reply referred to the statement by the Minister for Local Government on 2 December 2006 in the House of Commons which confirmed that the UK Government had concluded that the Rule of 85 is to be removed from the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales from 1 October 2006, and that this was necessary to comply with the terms of Directive 2000/78/EC.

In considering the legal opinion presented by COSLA on the removal of the Rule from the scheme in Scotland, the Executive took separate legal advice. It would not be appropriate to divulge the individual or individuals who gave that advice. That advice was given in confidence and I do not intend to publish it. It is a well-established principle that there is strong public interest in maintaining the right to confidentiality of communications between legal adviser and client.

The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA) has also received actuarial advice in respect of the affordability of the Rule of 85. That advice has been shared with COSLA and the trade unions and will inform the on-going discussions with them about possible transitional protection  for existing staff. It is available on the SPPA website.