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The survey due to be published in November contains data showing the amount of outstanding student loan debt in the context of overall student borrowings.

The survey was run on the same terms as any other Social Research study. It was commissioned by the Scottish Executive from independent researchers, who are experts in the field – they completed several similar studies for the Department for Education and Skills.

The project was overseen by a Research Advisory Group consisting of Scottish Executive officials and external members. The day-to-day management of the project was undertaken by the Analytical Services Division responsible for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning. Project management included detailed exchanges on all aspects of the project, including emerging results, which were discussed by the Research Advisory Group in the presence of the researchers. The final report emanating from this process contains the facts that were found by the researchers and carries their name. Ministers were briefed on the final report recently and have not requested any changes.

I look forward to a full, public and informed debate of the findings after publication.

The DEL cost of student loans issued by the Student Loans Company is currently 31p for every £1 of loan issued.

There is also a DEL cost of the unwinding of the write-off and debt sale subsidy provisions. This unwinding cost is not a static annual amount but is obtained by multiplying the opening balance on these provisions with the RPI rate and the cost of capital. In 2004-05 these amounts were £10.8 million and £4.6 million respectively (unaudited figures).

The Scottish survey of Student Income, Expenditure and Debt runs to 260 pages and contains over 100 tables.

Many individuals, including people with communication impairments, can require additional support in their dealings with health professionals. This was one of the reasons for establishing a strategic partnership between the Scottish Executive, the NHS and the Disability Rights Commission. This Fair for All - Disability project aims to support the development of local NHS services that are responsive to the needs of all service users, including those with communications impairment.

The Fair for All – Disability Project is currently consulting on draft guidance which contains advice on promoting effective communication and support for service users who, for example, are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have a learning disability or mental health problem.

The Scottish Executive Health Department is aware of voice recognition technology in the clinical setting, but has no current plans to instigate work in this area. There are isolated incidences in Scotland of its use in practice where staff in local board areas are able to obtain funding for such work. There may be opportunity to pursue the use of voice recognition technology at a later date.

The Scottish Executive’s spending plans are published following our internal Spending Review process. The plans for 2005-06 through 2007-08 were set out in Building a Better Scotland: Enterprise, Opportunity & Fairness, published in September 2004. These spending plans include the allocation of additional funding to the Scottish Block received as a result of our agreement on funding policy with HM Treasury.

It is for each NHS board to decide how best to apportion the resources available to it so as to best meet the needs of the whole of the population within its area of responsibility. The Chief Scientist’s Office has confirmed that they are unaware of any research being funded in this specific area. No information on specific projects or research into such devices or procedures is held centrally and further information should be sought from individual health boards.

It is for each NHS board to decide how best to apportion the resources available to it so as to best meet the needs of the whole of the population within its area of responsibility. Accordingly, information on the routine use of communications devices and procedures is not held centrally and further information should be sought from individual health boards.

The Executive is fully committed to playing its part in delivering the targets set out in Sport 21. We cannot do that alone and all partners involved including local authorities, who are by far the biggest provider of sporting opportunities in Scotland, must play their part. Sport 21 was developed with the full support of the Scottish Executive, local authorities, sports governing bodies and other partners who all accepted their responsibilities in securing its objectives. The partners commitment and specific roles and responsibilities are set out in the Sport 21 target strategies which can be found on sportscotland’s website at www.sportscotland.org.uk. The Scottish Executive has demonstrated its contribution towards the delivery of Sport 21 targets by working with local authorities on the development of Active Schools. With £24 million invested to date, this programme is delivering a wide range of opportunities aimed at stimulating an interest and commitment to sport and increased levels of physical activity in and around the school day. Active Schools provides local authorities with a excellent foundation at grass roots level on which to build. With the review of Sport 21 due, it is now appropriate to consider how each partner can further secure their contribution towards the delivery of Sport 21’s aims.