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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.

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.

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 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.

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

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.

A Modern Apprenticeship in construction follows a framework designed by the Construction Industry Training Board. It includes an SVQ Level 3 and core skills. The SVQ is competency-based and as such there is no prescribed period of training. However, in practice, the MA in construction takes around four years to complete.

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.

This information is not held centrally.

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.