Chamber and committees

Those improvements to public private partnerships I announced on 24 June which relate to matters covered by contract will have no impact on the Falkirk Council scheme for the construction of 5 new schools. This is because, with the exception of the announcement on pension provisions, these changes took effect from 24 June and will not be applied retrospectively. It is worth noting however, that the Council has an option to purchase the schools at market value, capped at £5 million, at the end of the initial contract, if it wants to do so.The provisions for better protection for staff pensions came into effect on 14 June. I promised to publish more financial information for PFI projects on a sector by sector basis and have already made details of estimated service payments available in answer to a question from Andrew Wilson (S1W-00357). Figures for the Falkirk project were included in the local authority sector.

I refer the Member to my earlier answer, S1W-00598.

The steering group for the review of the contribution made by nurses to improving the public health has not yet been established. The Chief Nursing Officer wishes to ensure that all relevant professional and public interests are appropriately involved in the work of the review. Details of the membership of the review steering group will be available in the autumn.

Following the publication of the Acute Services Review, it became apparent that a number of studies into student nurse attrition were already taking place. This included research by Stirling University, practical initiatives by other Scottish providers of nurse education, and a comprehensive study funded by the Welsh Office.

The Scottish Office convened a seminar in April 1999, attended by representatives of all seven Scottish providers of diploma level pre-registration nurse education, and of a number of NHS Trusts. The findings from the various studies were presented, and ideas on how to reduce unnecessary attrition were shared. In view of the amount of knowledge already available, the seminar concluded that a further study by the Scottish Office was not a high priority. All seven institutions are tackling attrition in collaboration with their local Trusts. Their attrition rates are monitored annually by the Scottish Executive.

Establishment of the Chief Nursing Officer's review of the contribution made by nurses to improving the public's health has been postponed pending the completion of the Chief Medical Officer's review of the public health function. Given the importance we attach to improving the health of the people of Scotland it is vital that these important pieces of work are complementary and focus the efforts of both professions on the considerable task facing us.Work on the Chief Medical Officer's review is nearing a conclusion and it is anticipated that a detailed proposal for the Chief Nursing Officer's review will be brought forward in the autumn.

The Scottish Executive will seek to ensure that all people in Scotland, irrespective of ethnic origin, benefit from its housing policies and the housing programmes of Scottish Homes and local authorities. The new Race Equality Advisory Forum will advise on a strategy dealing with broader racial equality issues, including housing. It will also encourage the creation of long term partnerships across communities to address such issues effectively.

Our forward plans for health and social work generally already allow for increased expenditure of £680 million over the next two years. The review itself will consider whether the significant resources already spent are being used effectively and whether new resources may be needed. The review will report to Ministers around the end of the year.

Alterations additional to the requirements of the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 were made during the refurbishment of the City of Edinburgh Council buildings and the Church of Scotland Assembly Hall to form the Scottish Parliaments interim accommodation. The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has at present no plans to make further improvements. Suggestions will be considered with due regard to budgetary constraints and the temporary nature of the accommodation.Improvements carried out to PHQ include

• widening the wheelchair access ramp at the front entrance to PHQ and lengthening the hand rail beside it
• Upgrading the lifts to include tactile control buttons and a voice system.

Improvements carried out to the Assembly Hall include

• providing access to, and accommodation in, the Debating Chamber for MSPs using wheelchairs
• providing wheelchair access to the public gallery with suitable space and positioning within it
• All desks within the Debating Chamber incorporate general sound enhancement that would assist the hard of hearing, and some outlets have been provided to allow the addition of specialist systems, for those with more profound disabilities.
• Upgrading of the Hall's lift to include tactile control buttons and a voice system
• Installing up to date infra red audio assistance equipment in the Press and Public Galleries to assist the hard of hearing

Upgrading of the directional and safety signage throughout

The Members' Allowance Scheme provides that constituency offices should be suitable for public access. This includes disabled people and those with sensory impairment. Accordingly, the SPCB would expect individual members to take account of the needs of these groups when securing constituency or regional office premises.

I refer the member to the answer I gave today, to Mr Keith Raffan's question number S1W-00488.