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The finalised Scottish Borders Structure Plan is still under consideration by the Scottish ministers. However, an announcement on the plan will be made soon.

Under the School Premises (General Requirements and Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1967, there is a requirement for every school to have available to it playing fields of an area related to the school roll. Town and country planning legislation provides certain safeguards in relation to proposals to develop playing fields, including school playing fields. National Planning Policy Guideline (NPPG) 11: Sport, Physical Recreation and Open Space sets out the planning policy framework that planning authorities should have regard to when considering proposals for the redevelopment of playing fields. Sportscotland must also be consulted on all planning applications and developments likely to prejudice or lead to the loss of playing fields. Planning authorities are required to notify the Scottish ministers where they are minded to grant planning permission for any proposal which would involve the loss of a playing field where sportscotland have advised against the proposal.

Waiting times for all services, including sleep apnoea, depend on clinical priority. The highest priority of patients referred to the Sleep Centre in Edinburgh, have their initial appointment within four to six weeks, while routine cases may at present wait 10 months for their initial assessment.There are 1,042 people on the waiting list for a first appointment at the Sleep Centre. The Scottish Executive is concerned about long waiting times and is determined that the NHS should reduce them.

The research on Huts and Hutters in Scotland was published in May 2000 and can be accessed on the Scottish Executive website. The responses received to the consultation exercise, carried out last year, are being considered in the light of that research and the report of the Justice and Home Affairs Committee.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. His response is as follows:Once the new escorting contract is in place, the posts of those SPS staff who are currently involved in escorting prisoners will no longer be required by SPS, for that purpose. Some staff are scheduled to escorting duties; others have to be drawn from other duties, often at short notice.The latter is the main cause of disruption to regimes and routines of prisons, including withdrawing staff from in-prison duties. The new service will mean that the main cause of disruption will cease, allowing these staff to be available for in-prison duties, for all or most of the time.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:It is SPS policy not to discuss matters of internal security in any prison establishment. Security matters, including supervision, are a matter for the operators of HMP Kilmarnock. SPS is satisfied with the performance of the establishment.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20382 on 10 December 2002, in which I have already provided the information requested.For convenience, I confirm that neither Mr Anthony Taylor, Chair of Borders NHS Board, nor Mrs Eileen McDermott, Staff Side Chair of Borders Area Partnership Forum, nor Dr Ian Lowles, Chair of Borders Area Clinical Forum, has been involved in any political activity within the last five years.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:No.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The contract was published on 8 March.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-23282 today.