Chamber and committees

Cervical screening is and will remain an important part of the Scottish Government''s strategy on reducing the burden of cancer through early detection for many years to come. The introduction of the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programme is expected to have an impact on the prevalence of HPV, and so cervical cancer, amongst women in Scotland in the long term, and this may in due course lead to changes in the screening programme.

The vaccination programme will not have an immediate impact upon the screening programme given that we will need to continue to offer cervical screening to those women who were out with the age range to receive the vaccine. We will continue to take account of epidemiological and surveillance information when taking decisions about the screening programme. The screening programme will also change as new technologies evolve such as automated imaging for cervical cytology and HPV testing.

As a result of research into women''s attitudes to screening, NHS Health Scotland will publish new information leaflets for women which will be sent with the women''s invitation to screening. These will be available later this year. In addition, new leaflets which give more specific information for women attending for the first time and lesbian and bisexual women will be published.

The Scottish Government recognises the valuable contribution swimming can make to the health and wellbeing of the nation. Many local authorities already offer free or discounted access to public swimming pools for targeted groups, despite the current challenging economic climate.

Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to ensure there is adequate provision to allow their residents to take part in sporting and recreational activities. It is for them to determine the level and range of services offered accordingly to local needs and circumstances. Scottish ministers have no role to play in the local decision making process.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-33181 on 28 April 2010. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32717 on 22 April 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32717 on 22 April 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx. "Ti

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32717 on 22 April 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32717 on 22 April 2009. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) and Forest Research have established a programme of field research to look at all aspects of short rotation forestry including biodiversity, soils, carbon balance and hydrology, and covering a wide range of species, including eucalyptus. Data has begun to be collected from five research sites and will feed into future guidance and policy development. Further information on these trials will shortly be available on the FCS website. Presentations from a seminar held in November 2009, setting out current knowledge, can be found at:

http://www.usewoodfuel.co.uk/PastEventPresentations.stm#Energy%20Forestry%20in%20Scotland.

Guidance on the establishment of short rotation forestry, including eucalyptus, funded under the SRDP can be found at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/forestry.nsf/byunique/infd-7rlm3l.

Short Rotation Forestry must comply with the UK Forestry Standard and appropriate design criteria. The Standard and associated guidelines are currently being reviewed. The UK Forestry Standard is available at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/planting and associated guidelines at the FCS online library at http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/publications.nsf/$$search.

The Scottish Government is currently considering proposals for consulting in Scotland on the introduction of generic substitution into the NHS. The timetable for implementation will be influenced by the outcome of the consultation.

We are currently working with Scottish Swimming, sportscotland and others to ensure we offer more and better opportunities for our young people across Scotland to enjoy and benefit from swimming. Our investment of over £1.3 million to Scottish Swimming this year, the biggest ever single investment in a Scottish governing body of sport, shows our commitment to swimming in Scotland.