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We have no plans at this stage to amend the level of tuition fees for undergraduate medical courses at Scottish Medical Schools.

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.

In 2006-07 there were 160 entrants to preclinical medicine courses at Scottish institutions whose prior domicile was in England, five from Wales and 75 from Northern Ireland. All entrants to preclinical medicine courses at Scottish institutions in 2006-07 would be expected to pay the higher rate of fees introduced in 2006-07. Students who began their course of study prior to 2006-07 and continued to study in each successive year, i.e. without taking gap years, would be expected to pay fees according to the fee structure applicable at the time of entry into their first year of study.

The above figures have been rounded to the nearest five.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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: