To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a shortage of specialist thoracic surgeons in the NHS in Scotland and, if so, how many vacancies currently exist. The latest available information from ISD Scotland, indicates that there were three consultant vacancies and no staff grade vacancies in the specialty of cardiothoracic surgery, at 30 September 2000.The number of higher specialist training posts available in Scotland is regularly adjusted to meet the projected number of new consultants needed to meet known and anticipated turnover and local service developments.