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The Scottish Executive has issued no such guidance, but advice is available from the Health and Safety Executive.

The West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group involves Argyll & Clyde, Ayrshire & Arran, Forth Valley and Lanarkshire NHS Board areas as well as Greater Glasgow.I understand that the proposed structure and membership of the West of Scotland Regional Cancer Advisory Group is the subject of current discussions with these NHS Boards, trusts and health care professionals and other staff and that arrangements are expected to be finalised in the near future.Once fully established, membership details for all three Regional Cancer Advisory Groups in North, South East and West of Scotland will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Details will also be made available through the Scottish Health on the Web website (www.show.scot.nhs.uk).

As a consequence of the (then rumoured) impending resignations of three consultant oncologists, the Chief Executive of North Glasgow University Hospitals Trust was asked by the Chief Medical Officer on 2 November 2001 to confirm that local plans were in hand to ensure continuity of services for all patients with cancer, regardless of tumour type or hospital/centre of referral and treatment. A further full report subsequently requested, on my behalf, was received as requested from Mr Divers, Chief Executive of Greater Glasgow NHS Board. The report sets out a clear timetable of action to ensure continuity of cancer services in Glasgow.

I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-19754.

Information on consultant vacancies is collected annually by ISD Scotland.This data does not reflect recent staffing changes in the Greater Glasgow NHS Board area, where there are currently three vacant consultant oncology posts which are subject to the normal process for filling vacancies. In addition, interviews will shortly be held for two newly created consultant oncology posts in Greater Glasgow.Information on anticipated future vacancies cannot be predicted with any accuracy, because these are affected by individual decisions to retire or move to another post.

Cancer Scenarios: An aid to planning cancer services in Scotland in the next decade was published by the Executive in May 2001. It sets out projected patient numbers and looks at possible future influences on cancer services and models these to provide a foundation on which to plan care for people with cancer.

Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change was launched in July 2001, setting out a clear strategy and future direction for cancer services in Scotland.

On 6 November the first annual Implementation/investment plans to support implementation of Cancer in Scotland: Action for Change, and totalling more than £10 million, were published. More than £5 million has been allocated to West of Scotland regional cancer services to secure additional oncologists and other specialists, more specialist nurses and professions allied to medicine as well as support staff. Replacement and additional equipment to secure more rapid diagnosis and treatment will also become available during the coming months as these plans are put into place. All of these plans and investments - which are over and above existing local and national investment in cancer services - are aimed at improving access to cancer services.

Detailed national and regional plans are available on both the Scottish Executive and Scottish Health on the Web (SHOW) websites - www.scotland.gov.uk and www.show.scot.nhs.uk. Copies have also been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.

So far as radiotherapy treatment is concerned investment of more than £10 million has already seen the building and commissioning of the new Beatson Oncology Centre out-patient linear accelerator facilities at Gartnavel Hospital. Two of the planned three new linear accelerators are up and running and the third is expected to come on line within the next few weeks. In addition, the on-going linear accelerator modernisation programme, funded by the Scottish Executive, is now in its third wave. This will see a further two linear accelerators and a replacement tracking system commissioned in Glasgow during 2002-03.

A £44 million capital building programme is planned to provide a new Cancer Centre for the West of Scotland, which it is anticipated will be sited at Gartnavel Hospital.

I refer the Member to the answer given to question S1W-19756.

The employing authority of individual professional members of the Scottish Cancer Group (SGC) was not taken into consideration when planning its restructuring. Nor was it the intention to have individual representation from each and all of the professions or disciplines involved in cancer care or from every geographic area. All SCG members are expected to communicate freely with their colleagues across cancer networks, the voluntary sector and among patients and to ensure appropriate feedback to the group.Full details of the membership of the Scottish Cancer Group have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Membership is also available through Scottish Health on the Web at www.show.scot.nhs.uk.

The Executive is represented on the Sheriff Court Rules Council and provides the Secretariat to that Council. The Sheriff Court Rules Council has taken account of the potential effect of the Orders in the course of its review of the summary cause and small claim rules. There have been no discussions with the Court of Session Rules Council but regular contact is maintained between officials in the Court of Session and of the Justice Department.

Judicial expenses are fixed by the Court of Session by Act of Sederunt. The effects of these Orders on the tables of judicial expenses are for the Court. The Lord President's Advisory Committee on solicitors' fees is aware of the proposed changes, is engaging in discussions with the Law Society of Scotland and will advise the Lord President on revised tables of fees taking into account the effects of the orders and new procedure rules in summary causes.