Chamber and committees

The criteria used by the Scottish Executive in determining speed limits on trunk roads are set out in Scottish Office Industry Department Circular 1/93, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17782). Requests and representations for reductions in speed limits are considered in accordance with the criteria. The Executive commends the use of the criteria to local roads authorities for application to decisions concerning speed limits on local roads. It is, however, for each authority to decide whether or not to apply the criteria in any particular case.On 17 August 2001 the Executive issued revised guidance to local authorities on 20 mph speed limits. Scottish Executive Development Department Circular 6/2001, copies of which are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17781), provides advice on the setting of mandatory and advisory 20 mph speed limits.

I understand that the Report and Accounts of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes for the year ended 31 March 2000 were published by the trustees prior to 18 December 2000. Publication and timing of publication is a matter for the trustees.It would be inappropriate to provide information which would harm the frankness and candour of discussion and advice, including the proceedings of Scottish Cabinet.

The additional £18 million secured by Scottish ministers for distribution to former members of the Scottish Transport Group pension schemes represents the estimated increase in the surplus of the schemes to 31 March 2001 of some £8 million; the remainder of the additional distribution of some £10 million is as a result of tax changes.

In accordance with the terms of their employment, special advisers are entitled to a severance payment in the event of termination of employment without notice. The amount of entitlement is currently calculated as follows:Advisers whose appointment is terminated within six months of appointment receive one month's salary regardless of age.Advisers under age 34 when appointment terminates receive three months salary.Advisers aged 34 on termination of appointment receive a severance payment at a rate half-way between three months' pay and the appropriate over 35 rate.Advisers aged 35 or over receive three months pay if appointment terminates during the first year of service and thereafter an extra one month's pay for each completed year of service after the first, subject to a maximum of six months' pay.

Under the terms of the Civil Service Order in Council 1995 as amended by the Civil Service (Amendment) Order in Council 1999, which is still in force, up to 12 special advisers can be appointed by the First Minister. There are no current plans to change that order.

The contract of employment for special advisers states that in certain circumstances Advisers should obtain the agreement of the Crown before accepting any offer of employment outside the civil service which would start within two years of leaving Crown employment. In common with other members of the public, there is nothing to prohibit former special advisers from applying for an appointment to a public body. All such appointments are made on merit after a fair, open and transparent process, which is subject to independent scrutiny.

We have put in place an independent committee, led by Sheriff Principal Nicholson, to carry out a fundamental review of Scotland's liquor licensing law and practice. The committee has received submissions on this issue. The committee is expected to report early in 2003 and we await its recommendations.

This information is not held centrally. We are aware that there are access problems to NHS dentistry in Highland and will be meeting the Primary Care Trust to discuss the situation.

I have no plans to make a statement on matters relating to the general management of Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd.Scottish Executive officials kept in close touch with the company throughout the recent industrial dispute on the Clyde with the objective of ensuring that adequate lifeline ferry services were maintained. We also funded connecting bus services to help foot passengers use the sailings that the company continued to provide to Arran and Bute.

There have been significant improvements in pay, conditions and opportunities for teachers arising from the Agreement on a Teaching Profession for the 21^st Century, in addition to the positive benefits of joining a re-invigorated profession.Negotiations on a range of issues relating to pay and conditions are continuing through the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT). A proposal from the SNCT Working Group on Conditions of Service that all probationers would start on the probationer point on the pay scale (£16,644 as from August 2002, rising to £18,000 from August 2003) will be considered at the next meeting of the SNCT on 31 January.