Chamber and committees

Provisional figures indicate that the number of pupils studying mathematics at SCE Higher/National Qualification Higher level in the 1999-2000 session increased slightly from 1998-99. The number taking physics did however decline slightly over the same period. The introduction of new National Qualifications at Intermediate level have seen an encouraging rise in participation rates in physics and mathematics which are likely to result in increased participation at the higher levels of study in future years. The Executive is also preparing a science strategy which will cover science education including physics.

Scotland currently educates 14.5% of the UK total of medical students, which is significantly more than its pro rata share of 10% based on relative population size.The number of medical students should not be decided in isolation. It should be linked to the number of career grade doctors that the NHS in Scotland will need in the future, and the number of postgraduate doctors in training that are needed to provide services and to supply those career grade doctors. Our National Health, the health plan for Scotland published on 14 December, includes a commitment to a fundamental review of medical workforce planning, including the intake of medical students and the possibility of fast-track graduate-entry medical degree courses in Scotland.

None.

The main responsibility for ensuring adequate hygiene levels in NHS hospitals in Scotland lies with NHS Trusts. Our National Health: a plan for action, a plan for change, published on 14 December, makes clear that the Scottish Executive expects every NHS Trust to act on the recommendations of the Audit Scotland report A Clean Bill of Health by June 2001.A joint Scottish Executive Health Department/NHS working group is currently preparing recommendations on compliance with, and monitoring of, hospital cleanliness and other standards. These recommendations will be applied to NHS Trusts as soon as they are finalised.

As announced in Our National Health: A plan for action, a plan for change, the Department is consulting on a proposal to allow all nicotine replacement therapy products to be prescribed on the NHS by GPs. The consultation letter was issued on 14 December and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

The Executive's policies for all new retail developments are set out in National Planning Policy Guideline 8: Town Centres and Retailing.

I have today sent the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee a report on the supply of teachers. A response to your specific question can be found at paragraphs 39-45 of the report.Copies of the report have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

I have today sent the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee a report on the supply of teachers. A response to your specific question can be found at paragraphs 26-38 of the report.Copies of the report have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

The Executive has invited area-based SIPs to participate in the roll-out of the People's Jury initiative following the successful pilots and publication of guidance. The Executive will provide support for each area-based SIP which wishes to hold a People's Jury.

A working group, comprising representatives of local authorities, relevant public agencies and voluntary bodies representing the interests of young people leaving local authority care, is considering carefully the best way to achieve a "one stop" service providing advice, guidance and financial assistance.

We expect to receive its report early this year.