Chamber and committees

The joint management board will be multi-disciplinary in nature with members drawn from across the Beatson Oncology Centre, senior management representatives from the North Glasgow University Hospitals Trust and NHS Greater Glasgow. It will report to the Chief Executive of the North Glasgow University Hospitals NHS Trust.

As agreed at the debate on this issue on 24 May, an audit of current levels of swimming provision is under way. A questionnaire seeking a wide range of information has been sent to local authorities and will provide an up-to-date picture of opportunities available for school pupils. Responses are expected early this month. We will announce the findings of this survey and any subsequent action thereafter.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-19754 on 26 November 2001.

Consultation on individual Public Transport Fund projects is a matter for the promoting authority, in this case Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority. However, I have been assured by the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority that a public consultation exercise is being planned once key legal and contractual issues have been resolved.

Under the scheme announced on 15 November, it is for the Primary Care Trust to agree with the dental profession locally how best to target the available funding. One of the areas in which we have indicated we wish to see this funding used is to make practices more child-friendly.On 21 November, there was also an announcement about the introduction of a caries prevention scheme, including fissure sealing and preventative work, for six and seven-year-olds in Scotland.

The company's performance against agreed targets as set out in its annual report gives no grounds for concern.

The new Alternative Landing Ship Logistics contract was signed on 19 November by BAE SYSTEMS Marine for the Clyde yards. Whilst a substantial part of the work will be carried out at Govan, the increasingly integrated nature of the company's two Clyde yards and the increased flexibility and mobility of its workers will have positive benefit for workers at both Scotstoun and Govan. In addition, whilst all steel production will be carried out at Govan, all manufacturing work will be carried out at the manufacturing centre of Excellence at Scotstoun. In total, the contract will sustain up to 600 jobs on the Clyde and a further 200 among outside contractors when construction is at its peak. It will provide continuity in workload until construction of the Type 45 Destroyers gets under way. Taken together with the latter, it will provide a secure base of work for the Clydeside yards for some time to come.

I expect the report of Adoption Policy Review Group to address issues relating to post-adoption services. However, changes to the existing regulations that govern parental leave, including those for adoptive parents, is a reserved employment matter being taken forward by the UK Government. I would therefore not expect the review group to make recommendations on this.

They will be made available to MSPs.

A consultation paper is being widely distributed to a range of interests, including planning authorities, regular users of the planning system, community councils, the Citizen Advice Bureau and equality groups. The Executive is also actively promoting full public participation by placing an easy read consultation paper and questionnaire in planning offices and public libraries, and on the internet. It is also proposed to hold seminars for special groups; ensure contact with appropriate organisations through the Scottish Civic Forum, and appoint consultants to assist in generating feedback from members of the public.