To ask the Scottish Executive, for the years 1997-99, why the percentage of accident and emergency patients (a) triaged within five minutes and (b) seen by a doctor within 90 minutes decreased significantly, and why the median waiting times (i) to see a doctor; (ii) for completion of treatment increased significantly, and what steps it proposes to address these trends. While the March/April 1999 snapshot survey of waiting times in A&E Departments in Scotland showed a decline in performance, a subsequent, independent survey undertaken by the Scottish Association of Health Councils in January this year indicated an improvement in waiting times in Accident and Emergency Departments across Scotland in comparison with their previous survey in January 1999.On 20 March 2000, the First Minister announced an additional £11 million to provide new and upgraded accident and emergency services across Scotland.