Seòmar agus comataidhean

The appointment of Sally Kuenssberg as chairperson of the Yorkhill NHS Trust was announced on 27 July 2001.

The number of Occupational Therapists working in NHSScotland has increased by 216 WTE (24%) since 1996.An additional 61 funded student places for certain Professions Allied to Medicine groups including Occupational Therapists have been made available by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council from October 2001.

This was not, I understand, specifically part of the remit. But in considering how to take matters forward I would expect the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Glasgow colleges to take into account relevant experience from elsewhere.

The report was commissioned jointly by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Glasgow Colleges Group, not by the Scottish Executive. The report itself makes clear that the commission was to generate and evaluate strategic options for the provision of further education in Glasgow which will be both efficient and effective in meeting the needs of learners, and additionally, will be cost effective in the use of estates.

The Scottish Executive will set no such timetable. Any action stemming from this report will be for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council and the Glasgow colleges.

The funding of the Scottish further education sector, including any funding support for strategic change within the sector, is a matter for the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

I have now received Sir Anthony Campbell's report of his inquiry into the decision-making process in this case. The report has been sent for translation. Dr Jandoo's report is awaited but I understand that I can expect to receive it in August. That report will also require to be prepared for publication. I intend to present both reports to the Parliament as soon as possible after the summer recess.

Any decision on the development of the Kelvin Hall is a matter in the first instance for Glasgow City Council. The council are aware of the requirements of both sportscotland and the Scottish Athletics Federation. A consultation meeting has taken place and sportscotland are content with arrangements for future consultation as are the Scottish Athletics Federation.

I am publishing today a consultation paper that puts forward proposals for strengthening the independence of the police complaints system in Scotland. This fulfils the commitment we made in responding to Sir William Macpherson's report on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. It will also provide a means for taking forward a number of the recommendations made by HMIC in its thematic report, A Fair Cop? on the handling of police complaints.The consultation period will run until 12 October this year.

In autumn 2000 the European Commission published a proposal for a Regulation on action by member states concerning public service requirements and the award of public service contracts in passenger transport by rail, road and inland waterway. This contains a number of key objectives, including the aim to update current regulations "to promote the best deal for the public by introducing controlled competition for public transport operation and opening up the markets between member states." As drafted, Glasgow Underground, along with light rail operations throughout Europe, would be covered by this Regulation and would need to be put to competitive tender at regular intervals.The draft Regulation is currently being discussed by member states and will be considered at the EU Transport Council in June, which I will attend. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom Government on a wide range of issues, including EC Regulations.