Chamber and committees

Greater Glasgow Health Board currently has under way two reviews involving full public consultation exercises, one on its proposals to modernise acute hospital services across the city, the other specifically about the future role of the Yorkhill NHS Trust. The kind of questions which the member has asked about proposals for the future delivery of services currently provided by Yorkhill are at the heart of the review and consultation process and I shall ask the board specifically to take her questions into account. But it is far too early to say what conclusions will be reached. The board hopes to be in a position to draw up a firm set of proposals by December. Whatever the outcome of the reviews, the Scottish Executive will want to ensure that any proposals will form part of a robust framework of integrated children's services across Scotland.

I refer to the answer I gave to question S1W-7271.

This is a matter for Greater Glasgow Health Board.

I have, however, made it clear that before taking decisions affecting local communities, it is essential that those providing the services enter into full and meaningful consultation involving all stakeholders.

I refer to the answer I gave to question S1W-7507.

I refer to the answer I gave to written question S1W-7507.

Figures are not held centrally on any targets set by individual higher education institution for the number of applications to engineering courses.

As at 16 May 2000, there had been 11,669 applications for engineering and technology courses to Scottish institutions for entry in 2000. However, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) process still has some way to go and final figures will not be available until autumn 2000.

The last year for which final figures are available, in 1999-2000, there were 13,370 applications, resulting in 2,658 acceptances in engineering and technology.

Scottish Ministers are determined to break down the old barriers to participation in careers in engineering. A number of Career Service companies are now tackling stereotype images through project work with children from primary 6 and 7. These projects introduce young people to a range of jobs through employer visits to schools and project work and are designed to broaden perceptions of the range of careers available.

Young people can also pursue careers in engineering through the Modern Apprenticeship programme. Scottish Engineering produces an annual newspaper advertising Modern Apprenticeships, Scottish Engineering Connections, which is distributed to schools and FE colleges across Scotland. There are currently almost 3,300 Modern Apprentices training in engineering in Scotland.

The Scottish Executive's recent publication Created in Scotland: the Way Forward for Scottish Manufacturing in the 21^st Century outlines the problems in attracting young people into manufacturing industry and, in particular, engineering. I have established a Manufacturing Image Group which met for the first time on 2 June to form a campaign to raise the image of manufacturing industries.

The Scottish Executive is committed to improving child health and children's health services across Scotland. In order to achieve this the best use will be made of expertise from all areas of the health service in Scotland.

There may be a number of reasons why students choose not to pursue a career in their choice of subject following graduation. According to latest figures available, 75% of engineering graduates who obtain full-time permanent employment, either in the UK or abroad, do so in an engineering-related career.

We recognise that it is important that we continue to attract skilled graduates into engineering. The Manufacturing Image Group which I launched recently will look at new and innovative ways of improving the image and development of manufacturing in Scotland. The group will draw up a campaign to show that manufacturing is exciting, challenging and has a strong role to play in our future. It will also outline ways of driving forward the future development of manufacturing throughout Scotland.

Scottish Ministers have instructed that proposals are developed to prevent an accused person charged with a sex offence from cross-examining a victim personally and to strengthen provisions restricting cross-examination on sexual history. Work has already begun on considering how this can be done while ensuring that the accused receives a fair trial.