Chamber and committees

The need for medical adaptations reflects demand and can vary from year to year. Programme agreements with Registered Social Landlords make clear Scottish Government''s readiness to agree arrangements that ensure that medical adaptations can be prioritised.

We recognise the benefit which can flow from adapting houses, allowing people to stay in their own homes for longer. In allocating resources for this purpose, Scottish Government has to take account of overall funding available and competing priorities including pressure for additional new homes and also the capacity of the housing association to meet or contribute to the cost.

Section 1.1(c) of the Scottish Ministerial Code would apply in such instances.

Data on numbers of pre-school teachers is collected in two ways in the Scottish Government''s annual pre-school and childcare census “ head count, or physical numbers of teachers and whole-time equivalent (WTE). The question asked by Margaret Smith on 25 September used the headcount figures, and was answered by the First Minister on that basis. In the process, he also referred to the change in methodology between the 2007 and 2008 census. The 2008 census removed double-counting of peripatetic teachers which featured in the 2007 census.

In the census for 2008, pre-school centres were asked for the first time to report numbers of peripatetic teachers, who work across more than one centre, separately from teachers employed in their centre only. In 2008, the headcount figures for teachers employed in only one centre was approximately the same as that for all teachers in 2007. In addition, a head count of 600 was reported for peripatetic teachers, equating to 204 whole-time-equivalent staff.

This government has made significant progress in the last 18 months in terms of improving the position of pre-school children in Scotland, in line with our manifesto commitments. We have made the most significant enhancement to pre-school education since 2002, increasing the entitlement to 475 hours from the start of the last academic year with a further increase to 570 hours from August 2010. We have also included our commitment to deliver access to a teacher for all pre-school children as quickly as possible in our concordat with local government.

The removal of asbestos is subject to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and I can confirm that in compliance with these regulations NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has an asbestos register in place for the dental hospital and school that, based on surveys carried by specialist consultants, identifies the existence of asbestos within the building.

If contract works are being carried out on the premises the register is consulted to determine whether asbestos is present in that area. If so present and the asbestos requires encapsulation or removal then the Health and Safety Executive is notified and the appropriate works carried out by a licensed, specialist contractor. The register is then updated to reflect the works carried out.

I have been assured that the removal of asbestos from the facility is being carried out in accordance with health and safety legislation in particular the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

If asbestos is present and to be removed the area is isolated and sealed off and the removal works carried out in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 by a licensed, specialist contractor. In addition to these regulations, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde carry out perimeter air monitoring to the surrounding areas adjacent to the scope works to ensure the integrity of the sealed area and providing advance warning of any breaches. The area remains isolated until an Air Clearance Certificate and a Certificate of Re-occupation are issued by an independent analyst confirming that the asbestos has been successfully removed and the area free from contamination. Only then can the area be put back into use.

Scottish Government Health Directorates property management policy requires all NHSScotland bodies to comply with all requirements laid down by statutes bearing upon the health, safety and welfare of staff, patients and visitors in relation to and in respect of the management of the property which they own or occupy.

The removal of asbestos from existing buildings is subject to health and safety regulations, in particular the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have confirmed that the removal of asbestos from the facility is being carried out in accordance with these regulations. I am therefore confident that all necessary precautions are being taken to protect staff, students, patients and all visitors to the facility whilst this work is carried out.

The responsibility for the implementation of the Administration of Medicines in Schools guidance is a local issue for NHS boards to work with their education authority partners. There is no routine monitoring of the implementation of the guidance currently in place as previous surveys carried out on NHS boards and education authorities showed the guidance to be working well in practice in most areas. We have no plans to carry out further monitoring at this time.