Chamber and committees

The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVR) 2000 is reserved to Westminster. This legislation sets out that all new buses have had to be accessible since 31 December 2000. All other buses must be fully accessible by 1 January 2017 at the latest and all coaches by 1 January 2020 at the latest.

None of the accessibility regulations for buses and coaches, which are reserved to Westminster, cover the carriage of mobility scooters. This is because scooters are outdoor vehicles generally intended for use as an alternative to public transport for short trips.

The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998 (as amended) is reserved to Westminster. This legislation specifies a maximum authorised weight limit of 18,000kg for a two axle coach and 26,000kgs for a three axle coach.

The General Dental Council (GDC) determines the appropriate UK standard of proficiency required for a person to practise competently and safely, and also the content and standard of the education and training (including practical experience) it considers is necessary for imparting the knowledge and skills required for individuals to obtain that proficiency.

Presently there are two GDC approved courses available to NHS employees wishing to manufacture and fit dentures. The Edinburgh Dental Institute (EDI) offers a 37-week full-time course and Kent, Surrey and Sussex Deanery (KSSD) offer a two-year distance learning programme.

Those who successfully complete GDC approved educational and training requirements which qualify them to manufacture and/or fit dentures, including those who become NHS employees, are expected to maintain their skills and knowledge as necessary through continuing professional development.

Further information is available from the GDC website http://www.gdc-uk.org/.

In the UK, the role of denturists is now recognised as a clinical dental technician, who may make and fit dentures.

Clinical dental technicians may be directly employed by NHSScotland boards to make and fit dentures, or work to a dentist in a general dental practice providing an NHS service, under general dental service arrangements.

Denturist is not a title recognised for registration purposes by the regulatory body the General Dental Council (GDC). Dental technicians (who make dentures) and clinical dental technicians (who make and fit dentures) can register with the GDC if they hold a qualification approved by the GDC. It is a legal requirement for dental professionals to register with the GDC in order to work in the UK.

Further information on registration is available from the GDC website:

http://www.gdc-uk.org/Potential+registrant/.

Only dentists and clinical dental technicians registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) can legally make and fit dentures.

Currently local authorities are required to follow a range of statutory procedures set out in the Education (Publication and Consultation Etc.) (Scotland) Regulations, 1981 as amended. If proposing to close a school, they must engage in a formal consultation process, lasting a minimum of 28 days.

This government is legislating through the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Bill to update and strengthen consultation practices, in order to improve their coherence, openness and transparency, to extend the consultation period and range of required consultees and to improve public confidence and trust in the whole consultation and decision making processes.

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/sor1008-01.htm

Changes to a registered social landlord''s governance and structure are a matter for the organisation to decide themselves with appropriate consent from the Scottish Housing Regulator. Housing Investment Division does not decide such changes.