Chamber and committees

Nutritional opinion on the merits of increasing milk consumption, other than low fat milk, is equivocal. However, drinking water or low fat milk is a healthier alternative than sugary drinks.

The Scottish Executive has agreed to provide up to £150,000 a year for three years for projects that the centre will deliver. Full details have yet to be agreed with the centre but priorities will include research into confidence and well-being and training for health care, education and social work professionals. Scottish Enterprise has agreed to provide up to £50,000 per annum for three years to support similar work. This will complement work that the Executive and others are already undertaking to improve confidence across Scotland.

Notes:

1. It should be noted that the figures quoted above show actual expenditure for previous years and anticipated expenditure and are not in real terms at 2004-05 prices.

2. Further expenditure may be brought forward for projects in 2004-05.

The following major projects are planned to be taken forward between 2005-06 and 2007-08: M74 Completion, M8 Baillieston-Newhouse and associated improvements, M80 Stepps-Haggs, A90 Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route, the new Upper Forth crossing at Kincardine, A96 Fochabers and Mosstodloch Bypass. In addition there are a number of schemes planned on the A77 to improve access to the ferry port at Stranraer, together with schemes arising from route action plans on the A68, A7, A75, A76, A9, A90 and A96. Expenditure on all these projects and their construction start dates is subject to the satisfactory completion of the statutory procedures for each scheme.

A830 Arisaig-Loch Nan Uamh and A9 Helmsdale Phases 1 and 2 are being taken forward in addition to the trunk road programme to take advantage of potential funding from the Highland and Islands Transitional European funding. Construction is programmed to start subject to the satisfactory completion of statutory procedures.

The Executive does not buy food other than through its catering contractor. Major public sector food purchasers in Scotland are the NHS, schools (local authority) and Scottish Prison Service, who are responsible for their own purchasing decisions.

The Executive has, however, published guidelines on food procurement which underline the need for those taking purchasing decisions to take full account of quality factors such as freshness, seasonality and relevant farm assurance standards.

The Executive has also commissioned a research project which will:

• estimate the value of the public sector procurement market in Scotland,
• identify the incentives and constraints currently faced by the public sector in its purchasing decisions and
• discuss how any incentives enhanced and constraints overcome.

The work is being carried out by DTZ Pieda and is a research project and not part of a public consultation. Liaison has therefore been with industry contracts and Executive policy colleagues. The project cost is in the region of £50,000

Under the terms of the new General Medical Services (GMS) contract, GPs can transfer their responsibility for providing out-of-hours services to NHS boards. In such circumstances, boards have until 31 December 2004 to put in place alternative out-of-hours arrangements which must meet mandatory accreditedstandards to ensure a safe and quality service for patients. Under these new arrangements NHS boards are using NHS 24 to triage initial calls.

GPs who decide not to transfer their out-of-hours responsibility will have their own arrangements in place which may or may not involve NHS 24 to triage calls.