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Adequate supplies of polysacharine vaccine for Scottish needs were achieved. Vaccine supplies for use in Scotland are initially delivered to the national holding centre in Cumbernauld and from there distributed to local holding centres with onward delivery to GPs and student health services. The Scottish Executive Meningococcal Vaccine Implementation Group appointed a subgroup to oversee vaccine distribution. This subgroup, acting in conjunction with Health Board Immunisation Co-ordinators and Trust Chief Pharmacists, helped to achieve equitable and appropriate vaccine distribution.

When health professionals were advised in July of the introduction of the immunisation programme, it was believed that polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine for students would become available during September. In the event less vaccine was available at the start of September than had been hoped, but adequate supplies for all appropriate students were received in the following weeks.Communications from the Scottish Executive Health Department to students and general practitioners made it clear that vaccine would become available gradually during September and that relevant students should discuss vaccine availability with their general practice. It was also made clear that vaccine availability, and varying dates of commencement of term, would mean that a number of students would have to be immunised after arrival at their place of study, rather than by their own GP.

The Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust has advised that there have been no cancer bed closures at Ninewells Hospital and that there are no nurse shortages in the cancer service.

The Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust has advised that there are currently no staff shortages at Ninewells Hospital.

We recognise the importance of advice and support for people making the transition from benefits to work, and encourage a client-centred, joined-up approach. The delivery of advice on benefit entitlements and on the implications of moving into employment are operational matters for the Benefits Agency and the Employment Service, responsibility for which is reserved. Advice about entitlement to housing and council tax benefit is an operational matter for local authorities.The Scottish Executive's £10m Working for Communities programme is considering how more integrated services can ensure people have easy access to all the information and services they need.

Health Boards are given an annual general allocation. It is for Health Boards to determine, within the funds available, how to manage and deliver local health care services that meet the health care needs of their resident populations. The Scottish Executive expects the NHS in Scotland to give priority to promoting public health. This should be reflected in every aspect of Health Boards' and NHS Trusts' activities and in their Health Improvement Programmes and Trust Implementation Plans. Expenditure on health promotion in 1997-98 was as follow:-

	1997-98 Expenditure
Health Board	£000
Argyll & Clyde	529
Ayrshire & Arran	831
Borders	429
Dumfries & Galloway	515
Fife	589
Forth Valley	675
Grampian	2205
Greater Glasgow	3093
Highland	456
Lanarkshire	1132
Lothian	1139
Orkney	113
Shetland	268
Tayside	691
Western Isles	207
Total	12872

Data on health promotion activities are only collected centrally for Health Promotion Teams and Divisions within Health boards. The above figures may not cover all health promotion expenditure by boards, for example time spent by district nurses on health promotion issues will not be included. For this reason comparisons between Health Boards can be misleading.

I would refer Ms Robison to my answer to her question number S1W-00977. I look to Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust to deliver the highest standard of care within available resources.

Details of all appointments made to Non-Departmental Public Bodies since 6 May 1999, are as follows:

Body	Appointments	Re-appointments	Total
Executive NDPBs
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh	1		1
Scottish Arts Council	1		1
Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board		3	3
Scottish Higher Education Funding Council	3	1	4
Scottish Homes	2	2	4
Sport Scotland	1		1
Advisory NDPBs
Central Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace (Scotland)	1		1
Justice of the Peace Advisory Committee (32)	4		4
Scottish Advisory Committee on the Medical Workforce	5		5
Scottish Records Advisory Council	4		4
Public Corporations
East of Scotland Water Authority	4		4
North of Scotland Water Authority	6		6
West of Scotland Water Authority	6		6
NHS Bodies
Forth Valley Primary Care NHS Trust	1		1
Lothian Health Board	1		1
Clinical Standards Board for Scotland	1		1
Nationalised Industries
Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd	1		1
Tribunals
Children's Panel (32)	445	500*	945
Rent Assessment Panel		1	1
Totals	487	507	994

* Approximate figure - exact number not available.Appointments between 6 May-1 July were made by the Secretary of State for Scotland.

The topics proposed by the UK Government for the 2001 Census of Population were announced in the White Paper (Cm 4253) published on 4 March 1999. The White Paper contained a proposal to include, for the first time in a Census in the UK, a question on the provision of care. The precise wording of the question is still undergoing research.The Scottish Executive is reviewing the proposals of the UK Government for the Census and later in the year will make proposals about the content of the Census in Scotland, in an Order for approval by the Parliament.

Promoting public health is one of the Scottish Executive's priorities for the NHS in Scotland and I expect to see this reflected in every aspect of Health Boards' activities. Data on health promotion activities is only collected centrally for Health Promotion Teams and Divisions within Health Boards. I am aware that this may not cover all health promotion expenditure by Health Boards, for example time spent by the district nurse on health promotion issues will not be included. For this reason comparisons between Health Boards can be misleading.