Chamber and committees

The number of non-Scottish domiciles from within the UK entering pre-clinical or clinical medicine courses at higher education institutions in Scotland between 1997-98 and 2006-07 (the latest data available) are given in the following table.

UK domiciled entrants from outside of Scotland to clinical medicine and pre-clinical medicine at Scottish higher education institutions by region of domicile: 1997-98 to 2006-07:

Academic Year	Preclinical Medicine			Clinical Medicine
	England	Wales	Northern Ireland	England	Wales	Northern Ireland
1997-98	290	15	55	80	5	10
1998-99	200	5	65	80	0	15
1999-2000	280	5	80	55	0	5
2000-01	260	5	70	90	0	5
2001-02	250	10	95	50	0	5
2002-03	230	10	85	50	5	0
2003-04	245	10	100	60	0	5
2004-05	235	10	130	55	5	5
2005-06	205	5	95	75	0	5
2006-07	160	5	75	80	5	5

Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Figures in this table have been rounded to the nearest five. Zero, one and two have been rounded to zero.

Entrants from Channel Islands and Isle of Man have been excluded from this table.

Government consults parent councils and other parent representative bodies directly. For example, the chairs of all parent councils and various parent organisations were sent copies of the consultation paper and invited to comment on our proposals for legislative change in relation to rural schools and school consultation procedures. Other appropriate means of ascertaining parents'' views are also used, including open meetings, use of focus groups, the commissioning of surveys, research and via the parentzone website.

Yes. The government has made clear how it values, seeks and listens to the views of parents on a wide range of matters to do with the education of their children.

We have yet to receive the results of the survey and will then wish to give them proper consideration.

The Scottish Parent Councils Association is a wholly independent organisation which charges member schools an annual fee. It does not receive government funding.

Yes. At the first national conference for Parent Councils in June 2008 the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning made clear her agreement with the many parents who think that there should be such a national body. That is why we have commissioned a survey of all parent councils on this issue.

We have yet to receive the results of the survey although they are expected soon.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0312-01.htm

The Report of the Beauly Denny Public Inquiry was submitted to the Scottish Government on 18 February 2009. Ministers are now considering the report and aim to take a decision by the end of December 2009. Until that decision is made it would be inappropriate to comment any further.

Revisions to building regulations are being considered for introduction in October 2010, with a range of topics presently under review.

In 2008, the Scottish Government consulted on proposed revisions in the following areas:

a range of procedural, environmental and safety topics related to improving sustainability;

means of escape in the event of fire, and

the control of noise between and within dwellings.

Further consultation in the following areas is proposed during 2009:

further improvements to energy standards, with a 30% improvement on current standards proposed;

a range of structural issues, including on disproportionate collapse, the introduction of structural Eurocodes and revised guidance on small buildings, and

improving compliance with building regulations.

All of these review topics will have implications for new domestic buildings.