Chamber and committees

The licensing of medicines is a reserved matter and is the responsibility of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Information about the agency and its work can be found at www.mhra.gov.uk.The agency has advised that the following drugs containing new active substances have been granted UK marketing authorisations since 1 June 2002:Varilrix vaccine; Flucis injection; Migard tablets; Fromig tablets; Puvasoralen capsules; Zyfetor capsules; Avodart capsules; Loterox eye drops; Avelox tablets; Octegra tablets; Crestor 10mg, 20mg, 40mg tablets.Medicines can also be licensed through the European Commission. Information about the EC licensing system can be found on the website of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products at www.emea.eu.int.Information on which NHS boards have included these drugs in their formularies is not held centrally. The Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) provides advice to NHS boards about newly licensed medicines as soon as possible after the product is marketed. We would expect boards to take into account any advice and evidence from the SMC and ensure that recommended medicines are made available to meet clinical need. Further information about the SMC can be found on www.htbs.co.uk/smc.

We have frozen the business rate poundage for 2003-04 at the 2002-03 level and made a commitment to limit increases to no more than inflation for the following two years. Changes in the rateable value of a business occur only at the time of a general revaluation, which takes place every five years; as the result of a successful appeal, or when a ratepayer makes alterations to a property. Local authorities are responsible for issuing revised bills.

Yes. The aim of the teacher workforce planning exercise is to produce new teachers when they will be required in the workforce.

This is a matter for the NHS boards concerned.I refer the member to the answer given to question S2W-511 on 10 June 2003. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

The Scottish Executive carries out an annual teacher workforce planning exercise. As part of that exercise a twice yearly survey of the vacancies in education authorities is carried out. The results of the 2002 survey do not indicate a particular shortage of modern language teachers.Newly qualified teachers are not the only means by which local authorities can fill vacant posts. There are other sources such as those who will be seeking a permanent job after having completed the Teacher Induction Scheme this year, returners to the profession and supply teachers seeking permanent posts.

The information requested is not held centrally.

The information requested is not held centrally. Individual general dental practitioners, who are independent contractors, may hold lists of patients wishing to be treated in their practice.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:The SPS is currently considering whether such access can be safely and cost-effectively provided.

The Scottish Executive is working with a wide range of public and private sector organisations to make both town and village centres more attractive and accessible, which in turn will enhance their potential for commercial and business development. Funding is available from various sources to assist in this work.

We have no such plans.