Chamber and committees

The estimated average cost of answering Scottish Parliamentary Questions which was provided in previous answers was calculated by asking Departments of the Scottish Executive to take a sample of such questions and to make an assessment of the time spent at each grade on preparing an answer. The standard costs for each grade were then applied, giving an average figure of £100 per question in the sample. Not surprisingly, and for a range of reasons, there were significant variations in the cost per individual question. As has been explained in my responses to previous questions on this issue, this was a preliminary exercise, based upon a relatively small sample and was intended specifically to provide a broad indication of costs quickly to members who had asked for that information. That is why we have undertaken to provide a better and more comprehensive assessment of the costs of answering Scottish Parliamentary Questions, based on a larger sample.

On 4 November I announced to Parliament that, after extensive consultation, the Executive would not legislate in the forthcoming Transport Bill to permit motorway or trunk road charging on existing roads. Our proposals to allow local authorities, subject to the consent of the Executive in each case, to introduce local road user charges and workplace parking levies will still feature in that legislation, and this is entirely consistent with the original announcement which stated that we would undertake road user charging only where it was sensible to do so.

The Scottish Executive is unable to confirm the estimate of the cost to the pig industry of compliance with the regulations to eradicate BSE. Any such estimates depend on a range of assumptions relating to costs and market returns.

A number of research projects on BSE and pigs have been carried out. Whilst not all of these experiments are complete, there is no evidence that BSE can be transmitted orally to pigs.The Scottish Executive remains of the view that it is in Scotland's interests to maintain vigorous and effective controls to eradicate BSE.

The treatment for prostate cancer involves a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy in different measures according to factors such as the stage of the disease and the patient's degree of fitness. GPs would not normally decide on the treatment, but appropriate GP involvement can be secured through referral protocols and communication. Through the provision of electronic links to all GP practices, steps have already been taken to ensure that GPs in Scotland have access to the best possible information about treatment for prostate cancer.

The Scottish Executive does not have the information requested as the fuel duty is a reserved matter.

Section 65 of the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Bill proposes a prohibition on leases for periods of more that 125 years. Apart from that we have no plans to review the law in relation to commercial leases.

I am satisfied that the water supply at Bracara does not pose any health risk to consumers. The treatment necessary to protect public health has however resulted in some taste problems. The long-term solution to this is investment to improve the treatment works, in line with our programme for Government commitment.

he Scottish Executive has no immediate plans to introduce such changes to the law, but will keep the matter under consideration.

The Scottish Executive has received the annual report of the Accountant in Bankruptcy for 1998-99 and is considering reform of the law of sequestration in relation to protected trust deeds.

The number of Protected Trust Deeds registered in each of the years is:

1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99
525	532	890	1,574