The Scottish Executive has no plans to provide additional funds for this purpose.

Safety of medical instruments is a high priority withinNHSScotland, and there has been significant national and local investment indecontamination of instruments in recent years. A letter from SEHD toNHSScotland on 18 September (HDL(2003)42) gave details of the continuing andextensive programme of improvements in decontamination of instruments under theguidance of the Glennie Group, which was set up by SEHD in 2001. This requiresprimary care establishments to produce action plans for compliance with fullGlennie technical requirements by 31 March 2004 and implementation by 31 December 2004. In broad terms, the Glennie Groupencourages the use of single-use disposable instruments where practicable interms of medical suitability and cost.

With regardto cervical smear tests, a safety alert notice on decontamination of vaginalspecula was distributed to NHSScotland in August 2003.

It is veryimportant that women continue to attend for a cervical smear tests when invitedto do so and discuss any concerns they may have with their smear taker. NHS boardsare responsible for the promotion of the cervical screening programme in theirarea.

The amount to be spent will depend on the precise number of dwellings which lack central heating. About £2,500 will be spent on heating and insulation for each dwelling as part of the post-transfer investment programme. If the tenants vote for transfer the measures will be installed by the new landlord. The cost will be reflected in the valuation of the stock. If transfer does not proceed the Scottish Executive will make the necessary resources available. The time period for the works depends on the outcome of the ballot on stock transfer. This will be the case for all seven authorities currently on the path to a ballot on whole stock transfer.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-10150.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-10150.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-10150.

For the period covered by the Spending Review, that is 2001-02 to 2003-04, the answers are as follows: (a) £7 million; (b) £103 million: (c) none; (d) and (e) no resources have been reallocated, but presumptions for future years have been adjusted; and (f) we are still in discussion with the companies concerned. Investment to the value of £94 million will be provided through the stock transfer programme. The balance of the resources from the Scottish Executive beyond March 2004 will be set out when the next spending plans are published.

The new landlords referred to are those acquiring council houses following a vote by tenants in favour of transfer. These landlords will be required, in submitting transfer proposals to councils, to include the provision of heating and insulation in their capital investment programmes. On the basis of the transfer of an estimated 37,500 council houses without central heating and insulation, this would account for investment to the value of about £94 million of the total £350 million. The costs of providing heating and insulation will be reflected in the valuations of the houses to be transferred.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-10150.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-10150.