³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

The Scottish Labour Market Intelligence Unit is being established to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of information which informs decisions and actions in the labour market. One of the roles of the new Unit will be to ensure that information and intelligence is available to employers to predict movement, trends and demands.

The needs of small and medium-sized enterprises are integral to the Executive's education and training policies. Through the enterprise network, priority is given to support for learning and skills development in SMEs. National Training Organisations have a duty to assess SME skills and training needs, and to influence education and training provision to ensure that these needs are met. The new Investors in People standard launched in April this year is designed to make the IiP process more accessible to small organisations. One of the key functions of the Scottish University for Industry - learndirect scotland - will be to assist businesses of all sizes access learning opportunities, in the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost.

General Practitioners (GPs) do not specialise in the sense that hospital doctors do. For information on the training of GPs in the area of mental health, I refer to my answer to question S1W-8024

The Scottish Executive is determined to improve both the range and quality of information provided to the business community, and to increase electronic access where appropriate. For example, we are currently working with Scottish Enterprise to improve the consistency and quality of support provided to small businesses in the SEn area, and this will include an enhanced web-based information system. I hope to announce details shortly.

The content of vocational training for general practitioners (GPs) in the UK is a matter for the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP). The JCPTGP works in close collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to set high quality standards in the training of GPs. During their training vocational trainees will spend time learning about mental health. We would expect all GPs to keep up to date with current practice in a key clinical priority such as mental health as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Locate in Scotland, in consultation with the Scottish Enterprise Biotechnology Team, is working to attract biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to Scotland. In the Pacific Rim area, this work focuses particularly on Japan.

NHS Trusts are responsible for the operation of staff disciplinary procedures. The Scottish Executive has worked with Trusts and others to put in place a range of measures to improve and streamline the disciplinary process for medical staff. Trusts have been encouraged to consider alternatives to avoid unnecessary suspensions. Where suspension is considered necessary, the new measures will shorten the time that individuals spend on suspension and therefore reduce costs.

We are currently aware of two NHS hospital doctors suspended on full pay. The doctors have been suspended since April and May 2000 respectively. One other doctor, an honorary consultant employed by a University, has been suspended for three years. This suspension pre-dates the recent work to improve the disciplinary process. The circumstances surrounding this case would not have occurred under the revised arrangements but these arrangements cannot be applied retrospectively. We expect those concerned to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

The SPCB's "Policy on Smoking in the Workplace" (Personnel Policy: No 1/1999) was issued by the Personnel Office on 19 November 1999. It was placed in the public folders and all members and staff were advised of this at the time. The policy is currently available in the Personnel pages of SPEIR.

The policy includes the provision of smoking cessation group sessions and nicotine patches at a cost. The Personnel Office will shortly issue a reminder drawing the availability of this service to the attention of those covered by the policy.

Following the publication of the McCrone Committee's Report, I announced that over the summer months a series of bilateral meetings are scheduled with the key parties leading to implementation discussions in the autumn. During this period a number of issues arising from the report will be considered, including the recommendations on early retirement.

Locate in Scotland (LiS) is keen to market Glasgow as a location for inward investment projects in suitable cases. In the last financial year (1999-2000) LiS attracted 19 projects to Glasgow which, if fully developed, will provide 2,915 new jobs and safeguard a further 261 jobs. Of these, 190 new jobs will be in manufacturing and a further 113 manufacturing jobs will be safeguarded.