Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish Executive is determined to improve both the range and quality of information provided to the business community, and to increase electronic access where appropriate. For example, we are currently working with Scottish Enterprise to improve the consistency and quality of support provided to small businesses in the SEn area, and this will include an enhanced web-based information system. I hope to announce details shortly.

This information is not held centrally.

The needs of small and medium-sized enterprises are integral to the Executive's education and training policies. Through the enterprise network, priority is given to support for learning and skills development in SMEs. National Training Organisations have a duty to assess SME skills and training needs, and to influence education and training provision to ensure that these needs are met. The new Investors in People standard launched in April this year is designed to make the IiP process more accessible to small organisations. One of the key functions of the Scottish University for Industry - learndirect scotland - will be to assist businesses of all sizes access learning opportunities, in the right place, at the right time, and at the right cost.

We are currently working with Scottish Enterprise to enhance the quality and consistency of support provided to businesses in the SEn area. This will include improved support arrangements for high growth start-ups. The new arrangements will provide greater consistency in core support for such companies, while ensuring that detailed assistance continues to reflect the specific needs of the businesses involved. I hope to announce details shortly.

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.

The level of grant Glasgow City Council will receive from the Scottish Executive for 2001-02 has yet to be determined. I expect to announce the provisional local government settlement for that year in December. The assumption used by the council in its forward-looking strategy can only be speculative at this stage.

All health boards have or are developing a register of patients with diabetes. Work is continuing in all areas to ensure that all patients with diabetes are included. The Scottish Executive is supporting a range of initiatives in diabetes including work to support and encourage integrated care. A pilot project is underway to support the central collation of data about diabetes.

The Scottish Executive is keen to ensure that small and medium-size companies are able to access sufficient finance to develop their activities.

Scottish Development Finance, the investment arm of Scottish Enterprise, currently operates two specific schemes in partnership with the private sector - the Scottish Equity Partnership and the Scottish Technology Fund - aimed at providing venture capital support for new and expanding Scottish companies.

SDF maintains strong links with the financial sector and the Scottish Executive is currently working with SDF to consider ways in which additional venture capital support for SMEs might best be delivered. The establishment of Scottish Development Finance as an independent fund management business - due to take place in July - will allow SDF to attract additional investment into this important area.

The Framework for Mental Health Services in Scotland encourages all care agencies to promote mental health and engage actively in health promotion, including action to de-stigmatise mental illness.

We are monitoring the distribution of lottery funds and are addressing with distributors measures to encourage applications from areas of social and economic need.