Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.

The council's intention to carry out a fundamental review of its policies and methods of funding research was announced in March 1999. The early announcement was intended to give higher education institutions and other interested parties an opportunity to plan ahead for the review. The overall timetable for the review was published in the initial consultation document in February 2000 which included details of the timing of the second stage consultation.The timing of the review was designed to ensure that the council was able to undertake a fundamental review of its policies and methods of funding research and to consult a wide range of stakeholders including, but not limited to, higher education institutions. The timing of the second stage consultation was also designed to ensure that proposals for new funding methods could be published and consulted upon well in advance of their introduction.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15062.

In my statement to the Parliament on 29 November 2000 I indicated that Dr Raj Jandoo had been asked to submit his report into the family liaison arrangements by April this year. I did not indicate a timescale for Sir Anthony Campbell's inquiry into the professional decision making in the case.The Deputy First Minister and I have recently agreed with Dr Jandoo that his inquiry should cover not just the family liaison arrangements in the case but should also consider and comment on racism and its possible impact on the police investigation of the case because of an overlap between that and family liaison issues.In view of the extension to his remit we now expect Dr Jandoo to report by the end of May. We expect Sir Anthony Campbell to report within the same timescale. However the precise timing of the reports is a matter for Sir Anthony and Dr Jandoo.

A variety of factors affect waiting times. There is no evidence that inpatient and day case waiting times in Glasgow are poorer than those for Scotland as a whole. Across Scotland, almost 50% of patients wait less than a month for treatment, and over 80% of patients who go on to the waiting list are treated within three months.The Scottish Executive's commitment to reducing waiting at every stage of the patient's journey and to ensuring that journey is as swift and responsive as possible is reaffirmed in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change. The NHS in Glasgow shares this commitment and is moving this agenda forward for the benefit of patients in its area.

Responsibility for meeting the costs rests with the owners in the first instance. However we recognise that in the circumstances surrounding the Glasgow stock transfer the owners may require some assistance and the Framework Agreement states that a package of new initiatives will be developed to offer assistance.

Scottish Homes has established an Options Appraisal Group to consider future options for this stock. Membership of the group, which first meets tomorrow, will include Scottish Homes, the Anderston Tenants & Residents Association and individual tenants and owner-occupiers. The group is due to report on options in July of this year.

The operation of the Glasgow Underground railway system is the responsibility of Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive (SPTE). I understand that SPTE reinstated full services on 29 March.

The supply of Gaelic medium teachers continues to be a priority for Scottish Ministers. The Executive asked SHEFC to pursue ways to increase the supply of Gaelic-medium teachers for introduction in academic session 2001-2002. SHEFC have responded by allocating 10 funded places to Strathclyde University for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education specifically to support primary Gaelic-medium provision.