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The Scottish Labour Market Intelligence Unit is being established to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of information which informs decisions and actions in the labour market. One of the roles of the new Unit will be to ensure that information and intelligence is available to employers to predict movement, trends and demands.

Total Mental Illness Specific Grant has remained stable at £18 million per annum since 1996-97 and is provided on a 70:30 ratio between the Scottish Executive and the local authorities through their Grant Aided Expenditure. The Scottish Executive's contribution is shown in the table below:

Financial Year	Mental Illness Specific Grant
	ACTUAL (£ million)	REAL TERM (£ million)*
1995-96	£12.229	£13.737
1996-97	£12.521	£13.625
1997-98	£11.966	£12.669
1998-99	£12.571	£12.885
1999-2000	£12.445	£12.445

* Based on 1999-2000 as reference year, using GDP deflator.

One of the key functions of the Scottish University for Industry - learndirect scotland - will be to assist businesses access the learning opportunities required, in the right place, at the right time and at the right cost. To be launched in the autumn, the learndirect scotland helpline and website will provide information and advice and take telephone or online bookings. Particular attention will be paid to the needs of small businesses: learndirect scotland will commission materials to fill gaps identified in existing provision.

There is no specific timescale attached to the completion of a Scottish Vocational Qualification at any of the five levels available. SVQs demonstrate a candidate's ability to undertake a particular job to national standards of occupational competence rather than record the completion of a particular course of study or training.

Completion of an SVQ reflects the gathering of evidence to demonstrate that a candidate meets defined performance outcomes. The length of time this will take will depend upon a number of factors, including the number of outcomes, the complexity of the job, the extent of evidence required and the needs and ability of the candidate.

The content of vocational training for general practitioners (GPs) in the UK is a matter for the Joint Committee on Postgraduate Training for General Practice (JCPTGP). The JCPTGP works in close collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) to set high quality standards in the training of GPs. During their training vocational trainees will spend time learning about mental health. We would expect all GPs to keep up to date with current practice in a key clinical priority such as mental health as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

A range of impacts from confusion to misunderstanding can apply. The role of carers, family and practitioners is key to helping the patient reduce this additional stress where it occurs. The aim of all concerned is to provide appropriate support and care to meet the assessed needs of individuals.

No action on such a definition is envisaged by the Executive in advance of the report of the Millan Committee which is reviewing mental health legislation.

I refer Mr Kenneth Gibson to the answer I gave to question S1W-8052 on 29 June 2000.

The Scottish Further Education Funding Council has allocated almost £16 million to further education colleges for investment in capital works in 2000-01. It is for the colleges to decide on the details of capital investment programmes, according to their own assessment of needs and priorities.

In addition to this, I announced on 16 June that I would make available a further £10 million for colleges' capital expenditure this year, particularly to enhance physical access to buildings for students with special needs.

Locate in Scotland, in consultation with the Scottish Enterprise Biotechnology Team, is working to attract biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to Scotland. In the Pacific Rim area, this work focuses particularly on Japan.