Friday 9 March 2012

SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE

Enterprise and Environment Jean Urquhart (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it can take to address the difficulties being faced by the Scottish whitefish fleet after being excluded from Faroese fishing grounds. (S4W-05594) Richard Lochhead: The recent talks in Reykjavik did not result in an EU/Faroes agreement for 2012, as a consequence of which there will be no access to Faroes waters by Scottish vessels again this year. That is regrettable in view of the interest of Scottish vessels in fishing these waters. I anticipate now that the European Commission will return quotas to Member States which would otherwise have been transferred to the Faroes Home Government in return for access. In that event, I will reflect on how best to allocate those quotas to Scottish vessels, taking into account the interests of the Scottish fleets and associated onshore economic interests.

Tavish Scott ( Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial target it has for total penalties being applied or to be applied to crofters and farmers under the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) of land measurement. (S4W-05602) Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government does not have a target for levying financial penalties on farmers and crofters who over declare land in support of CAP subsidies (IACS). Any penalties that are applied arise from non-compliance with the definition of what constitutes eligible land and are calculated in accordance with a set formula. These aspects (definition and formula), however, are determined by European regulation and not by Scottish ministers.

Claudia Beamish (South ) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04383 by Richard Lochhead on 19 December 2011, whether it will identify (a) the 10 special protection areas with marine extensions that Marine Scotland has considered licence applications for, (b) the seven licence applicants, (c) the seven licence applications that have had appropriate assessment and (d) on what basis the four licence applications that received consent were considered to have no significant impact on the favourable conservation status of the special protection areas. (S4W-05608) Richard Lochhead: The four marine licences that have received consent were granted to , Aquamarine Power (2a), Wello Oy, and Shapensay Sound. The three applications which are still under consideration are Nova Innovation, Aquamarine Power (2b & c), and Scappa Flow. Marine Scotland had originally considered the possible impacts on 10 special protection areas with marine extensions. They are; Fetlar, , Marwick Head, Sule Skerry and Sule Stack, West , , Calf of , North Caithness Cliffs, Copinsay, and Hermaness, Saxa Vord, and Valla Field. A recent update of the Shapensay Sound appropriate assessment has added North Rona and Sula Sgeir special protection area to this list. The appropriate assessment for the Shetland Islands Council application concluded that loss of 0.002% of habitat and the utilisation of a non driven pile construction method would not adversely affect the integrity of the Fetlar SPA. The appropriate assessment for the Shapensay Sound application concluded that based on the results of the collision risk modelling for the relevant birds species there would not be an adverse affect on the integrity of the following SPAs; Hoy, Marwick Head, Sule Skerry and Sule Stack, West Westray, Rousay, Calf of Eday, North Caithness Cliffs, Copinsay, North Rona and Sula Sgeir. The appropriate assessment for the Wello Oy application concluded that the permanent surface visibility of the device meant that potential collision risk was minimal. Potential displacement was also considered to be minimal for the relevant birds species and therefore would not adversely affect the integrity of the following SPAs; Hoy, and Marwick Head. The appropriate assessment for the Aquamarine Power application concluded that the frequent surface visibility of the device meant that potential collision risk was minimal. Potential displacement was also considered to be minimal for the relevant birds species and therefore would not adversely affect the integrity of the following SPAs; Hoy, and Marwick Head.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Marine Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage or any other public body records and monitors the accidental bycatch of seabirds in the fishing gear of vessels operating out to 200 nautical miles. (S4W-05609) Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has established if the accidental bycatch of seabirds in fishing gear in the waters around Scotland out to 200 nautical miles has a negative impact on seabird populations. (S4W-05610) Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how it ensures that the accidental bycatch of seabirds in fishing gear does not impact negatively on the favourable conservation status of special protection areas. (S4W-05611) Richard Lochhead: The UK by catch observer programme, between 1996 and 2010, has records for 1,552 observed trips on vessels using static net fishing gear in ICES Area IV and ICES area VII. These trips have resulted in 10,666 hauls being observed with only 74 hauls resulting in accidental bycatch of seabirds For 2010 and 2011 Marine Scotland’s observer programme was active on 129 pelagic and demersal trawl fishing trips in ICES Area IV and ICES area VI. No accidental by catches of seabirds were observed on these trips. In 2011 there was a bycatch of 17 fulmars in the longline fishery by vessels from other member states, operating in ICES area VI. Additional monitoring in this fishery is currently being investigated to ascertain any impacts. Based on the low level of observations of accidental by catch it is unlikely that there is a negative impact on seabird populations, or the favourable conservation status of special protections areas.

Michael McMahon (Uddingston and Bellshill) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many times ministers have contacted court appointed administrators regarding companies entering administration in each year since 2007; which administrators were involved, and what companies were subject to the administration. (S4W-05910) Fergus Ewing: This information is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, the Scottish Government does publish, on a monthly basis six months in arrears, details of all engagements carried out by all Ministers since 1 April 2008. The link to the website is: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/14944/Events-Engagements/MinisterialEngagements

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many seal licences were issued during 2011 under section 110 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 to the nominated marksmen who (a) had undertaken and passed and (b) were still required to complete the relevant seal management course. (S4W-05923) Richard Lochhead: A Professional Development Award in Seal Management was developed and approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and local colleges commissioned to produce the necessary materials to deliver this course. Seal licences are issued to licensees and not individual marksmen, who are nominated by the licensees. At the start of 2011, 27 nominated marksmen had completed the relevant course and another 37 completed it during that year. 62 nominated marksmen have still to complete the relevant course.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of fish farms was on each licence issued under section 110 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012, and what the largest and smallest number of fish farms was per licence. (S4W-05924) Richard Lochhead: The average number of fish farms on each licence issued under section 110 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 in (a) 2011 is 6.6 and (b) 2012 is 7.4. The largest number of fish farms on any single licence is 32 and the smallest number 1.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what staff resources are available to (a) administer and (b) monitor the seal licensing scheme operated by Marine Scotland under section110 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. (S4W-05925) Richard Lochhead: Three staff posts are available, one each at B2, B1 and A4 grades respectively, to administer and monitor the seal licensing scheme. It should be noted, however, that seal licensing represents significantly less than 50% of each of their duties.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many site visits Marine Scotland has made to assess the use of non-lethal methods of deterring seals. (S4W-05926) Richard Lochhead: Marine Scotland has made no site visits specifically to assess the use of non- lethal methods of deterring seals. Instead Marine Scotland is currently supporting a number of scientific research studies on seal predation and the practicality and effectiveness of non-lethal measures in preventing this with a view to producing advice for both fisheries and fish farms.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what data was used to establish the limits for the use of potential biological removals (PBR) of (a) grey and (b) common seals in 2012, broken down by seal management area. (S4W-05927) Richard Lochhead: The basis for the potential biological removal (PBR) figures, which takes account of the latest population trends, can be found on the Marine Scotland web-site at: http://scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/Licensing/SealLicensing/PBR.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there is a reduction in the number of potential biological removal of seals (PBR) used in 2012 when compared with the same period in 2011 and, if so, whether it considers that this is because of the further depletion of seal populations. (S4W-05928) Richard Lochhead: The potential biological removal (PBR) figures for common seals in two seal management regions were marginally reduced. In one of these regions seal numbers had increased and in the other seal numbers had reduced.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many seal licences were granted under section 110(1)(f) of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 for new fish farms prior to the commencement of their operations in (a) 2011 and (b) 2012. (S4W-05929) Richard Lochhead: In both 2011 and 2012 licence applications were only considered for fish farm which were already registered by Marine Scotland. If a new fish farm site is established during the year they must either apply for their own seal management licence or apply to be added to an existing seal management licence, if they wish to manage seals.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration the National Marine Plan will give to the siting of new fish farms away from seal haul-out sites. (S4W-05930) Richard Lochhead: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-39492 on 4 March 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what non- lethal methods have been reported to Marine Scotland as having been used by river fisheries and netting stations before applying for seal licences under section 110 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010. (S4W-05931) Richard Lochhead: A wide variety of non-lethal options have been reported as having been attempted in river fisheries and netting stations but this has been accompanied by little or no scientific assessment of their effectiveness. The increasing use of practical and effective non-lethal seal management measures in river fisheries and netting stations depends on progress with scientific research on seal predation and the practicality and effectiveness of non-lethal measures in preventing this. Marine Scotland is currently undertaking important research in this area with a view to producing advice for fisheries.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what reports of the illegal killing of seals were received by Marine Scotland in 2011. (S4W-05932) Richard Lochhead: No reports of the illegal killing of seals were received by Marine Scotland in 2011.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many seals were shot in 2011 (a) in open sea, (b) at or near fish farms, (c) in rivers or estuaries and (d) at seal haul-outs under the seal licensing scheme. (S4W-05933) Richard Lochhead: The seal licence conditions specify that seals cannot be shot on land. In the first three quarters of 2011, 162 seals were shot near fish farms and 200 seals were shot in rivers, estuaries and near coastal netting stations. None were shot in the open sea outwith these areas.

Claudia Beamish (South Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of seal licence returns for 2011, it will amend seal licence conditions to specify that seals may not be killed or taken when females of the species of seal for which the licence has been issued are likely to be in an advanced stage of pregnancy or have dependent pups. (S4W-05934) Richard Lochhead: A number of seal licences issued in 2011 and also in 2012 include, where considered appropriate, specific additional conditions restricting the numbers of seals killed during key breeding seasons. Marine Scotland will continue to monitor this issue and introduce additional restrictions if necessary.

Liam McArthur ( Islands) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive what (a) weight and (b) value of seafood has been exported directly from Scotland to China in each quarter of the last two years, broken down by species. (S4W-05969) Richard Lochhead: Due to the way data is reported by HM Revenues and Customs (HMRC) the weight and value of each individual seafood species exported from Scotland to China is unavailable. However, the HMRC Regional Trade Statistics data for “Fish, Crustaceans, Molluscs, Aquatic Invertebrates and Preparations Thereof” by weight and value exported from Scotland to China is shown on the following table. This information covers Quarter 1, 2010 to Quarter 3, 2011(the latest data available). Value Weight (£) (Tonnes) Q1 2010 200,000 208 Q2 2010 1,400,000 2,628 Q3 2010 1,100,000 1,886 Q4 2010 5,100,000 4,180 Q1 2011 7,900,000 2,038 Q2 2011 6,800,000 1,111 Q3 2011 3,100,000 676

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the benefits of compulsory microchipping of dogs with regard to (a) reuniting dogs and owners, (b) combating dog theft, (c) tracing puppy farms and (d) tackling owners of dangerous dogs. (S4W-05985) Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government recognises the benefits of microchipping in helping to re-unite dogs with owners where dogs have been lost or stolen, which is why it is recommended as best practice in the Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs (published in 2010). In addition, the owners of dangerous or out of control dogs can already be required to microchip their dogs by the issue of a Dog Control Notice under the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Acts 2010. However, since there are currently no plans to introduce compulsory microchipping more widely, no in-depth assessment has been made.

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to introduce compulsory microchipping of dogs and, if so, whether it considers that introducing secondary regulation under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 is the most appropriate means of doing so. (S4W-05986) Richard Lochhead: The owners of dangerous or out of control dogs can already be required to microchip their dogs by the issue of a Dog Control Notice under the Control of Dogs (Scotland) Acts 2010. The Scottish Government has no current plans to introduce compulsory microchipping more widely.

Health and Social Care Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what the current salary is of the chief executive of Healthcare Improvement Scotland. (S4W-05614) Nicola Sturgeon: The salary for the Chief Executive of Healthcare Improvement Scotland is in the range approved by Ministers for Executive Grade F (£84,411 - £115,046). The post is currently filled on an interim basis through a secondment of the former Medical Director of NHS Fife on her existing terms and conditions. The remuneration paid to NHS Fife for the full cost of the secondment is in the range of £170,000-175,000, which includes all taxable benefits and employer pension contributions.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current chief executive of Healthcare Improvement Scotland was appointed on a temporary basis. (S4W-05615)

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current chief executive of Healthcare Improvement Scotland was seconded to the post and, if so, from where. (S4W-05616) Nicola Sturgeon: The role of Healthcare Improvement Scotland Chief Executive is being filled on an interim basis through a secondment of the former Medical Director of NHS Fife.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what the salary was for the chief executive of Healthcare Improvement Scotland when the post was advertised in September 2010. (S4W-05618) Nicola Sturgeon: The salary for the Chief Executive of Healthcare Improvement Scotland advertised in August 2010 was in the range approved by Ministers for Executive Grade F (£84,411 - £115,046).

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what pancreatic cancer survival rates are in Scotland and what information it has on how this compares with the rest of the (a) UK and (b) world. (S4W-05633) Nicola Sturgeon: Information on survival rates from pancreatic cancer in Scotland can be found on the Information Services Division cancer statistics website: http://www.isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health- Topics/Cancer/Cancer-Statistics/Pancreatic/. Survival rate estimates for Scotland and the UK as a whole can be seen on the Cancer e-Atlas provided by the National Cancer Intelligence Network at: http://www.ncin.org.uk/cancer_information_tools/eatlas/network/atlas.html?select=Eav&indicator=i0. Due to the differences in data collection between countries, it is difficult to make true comparisons between countries. However, survival rates from cancers which can be compared amongst countries are often estimated as part of international studies. Some studies have attempted to compare survival estimates from a number of countries including Scotland, for example, EUROCARE www.eurocare.it.

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on whether survival rates for pancreatic cancer in Scotland have improved since 1992. (S4W-05634) Nicola Sturgeon: Data showing improvements in survival rates of pancreatic cancer can be found on Information Services Division Scotland's cancer statistics website at: http://www.isdscotland.scot.nhs.uk/Health-Topics/Cancer/Cancer-Statistics/Pancreatic/. One year relative survival from pancreatic cancer has improved from 13.7% (diagnosis period 1993- 97) to 17.3% (diagnosis period 2003-07). However, there has been no increase in five year relative survival (4.0% in 1983-87; 3.9% in 2003-07).

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to assist in the early detection of pancreatic cancer. (S4W-05635) Nicola Sturgeon: Our “Detect Cancer Early” initiative is initially focusing on the three most common cancers, lung, bowel and breast, which represent 45% of all cancers diagnosed in Scotland per year. To allow the early stages of the programme to be appropriately managed and be the most effective, we have decided to focus on these three cancers to enable us to have the greatest impact both in terms of patient numbers and in addressing cancer in areas of deprivation where survival has historically been poorest. Once this initial phase is completed, we will consider which others cancers need to be addressed in a similar way and pancreatic cancer will certainly be considered as part of this process.

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of operable pancreatic cancer cases result in an operation being carried out in (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK. (S4W-05636) Nicola Sturgeon: Information on the proportion of operable cancers cases which result in an operation being carried out in Scotland is not held centrally. Similarly, a figure for England is also not available.

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley) (Scottish National Party): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of operable pancreatic cancer cases result in an operation being carried out in (a) Scotland and (b) the rest of the UK. (S4W-05636) Nicola Sturgeon: Information on the proportion of operable cancers cases which result in an operation being carried out in Scotland is not held centrally. Similarly, a figure for England is also not available.

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it has budgeted to treat people with PIP implants who have sought help from the NHS. (S4W-05679) Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04849 on 18 January 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Margaret McDougall (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people from Scotland have had elective surgery in (a) NHS facilities in England and (b) NHS commissioned facilities in the independent sector in England in each of last five years. (S4W-05851) Nicola Sturgeon: Information on the number of patients from Scotland who had elective surgery in NHS facilities in England and NHS commissioned facilities in the independent sector in England is provided in table 1. Table 1 - Activity in English NHS Hospitals and English NHS commissioned activity in the independent sector - Count of Elective1 Finished Admission Episodes (FAEs)2 with a main procedure whose SHA (of residence) is Scotland, for the years 2006-07 to 2010-11 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Total 2,717 2,750 2,927 3,102 3,580 NHS 2,708 2,743 2,925 3,099 3,572 Private 9 7 2 3 8 Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Health and Social Care Information Centre. Notes: 1. Elective admissions include inpatients and day cases. 2. A finished admission episode (FAE) is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. FAEs are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is regarding NHS Lothian's waiting list times management process. (S4W-05946) Nicola Sturgeon: An external audit of NHS Lothian’s waiting times management process is currently underway. We await the findings of the final audit report and will expect the board to take forward any recommended actions to ensure that patients in Lothian receive the best possible care as swiftly as possible.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it continues to support NHS Lothian's decision to appoint an external auditor to examine its waiting list times management process. (S4W-05947) Nicola Sturgeon: In the interests of appropriate corporate governance, the Scottish Government has taken over the management of the external audit. This will ensure not only that the governance arrangements for this piece of work are independent and transparent but that they are seen to be so.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that NHS Lothian is in a position to oversee an external audit review of its waiting list times management process and, if not, whether this is due to elements of appropriate corporate governance in the board’s audit of the process being missing. (S4W-05948) Nicola Sturgeon: In the interests of appropriate corporate governance, the Scottish Government has taken over the management of the external audit. This will ensure not only that the governance arrangements for this piece of work are independent and transparent but that they are seen to be so.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any failings in corporate governance at NHS Lothian. (S4W-05949) Nicola Sturgeon: The Scottish Government takes its assurance on the corporate governance arrangements of NHS Lothian from the external auditors; in this case Audit Scotland. The following is an extract from the most recent audit report, for the fiscal period 2010-11: Corporate Governance is concerned with the structures and process for decision making, accountability, control and behaviour at the upper levels of an organisation. Overall, the high level corporate governance and control arrangements for NHS Lothian operated satisfactorily during the year, as reflected in the Statement on Internal Control. The Permanent Secretary is required to sign a Statement on Internal Control in respect of the Scottish Government consolidated accounts. To enable him to sign the statement, which forms part of the accounts, he requires assurance on the maintenance and review of internal control within or affecting the Scottish Government. Within the Health and Social Care portfolio, this assurance is provided by statements from each of the accountable officers. Their statements are supported by, among others, statements of assurance from the sponsored bodies, including NHS boards and special health boards. Chairs of the audit committees of sponsored bodies are required to write to the Chair of the Health and Social Care Audit and Risk Committee to advise of: Any significant issues arising locally or specifically highlighted by internal or external audit; Any disclosures in their Accountable Officer’s Statement on Internal Control in respect of weaknesses or deficiencies, and Any significant frauds notified during the year. No issues were reported in the Statement of Assurance from NHS Lothian for the fiscal period 2010- 11.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to review corporate governance arrangements at NHS Lothian. (S4W-05950) Nicola Sturgeon: There are no plans to review corporate governance arrangements at NHS Lothian. The Scottish Governments seeks assurance on these arrangements from NHS Lothian’s external auditors, Audit Scotland.

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the results of the audit of NHS Lothian's waiting list times management process. (S4W-05951) Nicola Sturgeon: The external audit of NHS Lothian’s waiting list times management process is still underway. On completion, the full findings will be shared with NHS Lothian and will be made available to parliament via SPICe. We will expect the board to take forward any recommendations arising from the audit.

Michael McMahon (Uddingston and Bellshill) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the appointment to the Scotland Committee of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) of the Head of Patient Focus, Equalities, in its Directorate of Healthcare Policy and Strategy (a) compromises the EHRC's independence and (b) undermines the principles underpinning its A status as a UN national human rights institution; whether the appointment has been cleared with the UN, and, if so, whether the Scottish Government will publish the UN’s confirmation on this matter. (S4W-05968) Nicola Sturgeon: Under the Equality Act 2006, the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (“EHRC”) is required to establish a Scotland Committee. The appointment of members to that Committee is the responsibility of the EHRC. Matters relating to any potential conflict with the status of the Commission as a UN national human rights institution is therefore the responsibility of the EHRC and the sponsoring department. The EHRC is a reserved body accountable to the UK Government.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what it considers would be a reasonable condition to be applied to treatment of people with PIP breast implants by private providers. (S4W-05979) Nicola Sturgeon: That is a matter for the private healthcare provider and patient to agree.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what mechanisms it can use to recover costs from private sector providers for NHS treatment provided to people with PIP breast implants. (S4W-05981) Nicola Sturgeon: As the number of patients who fall into this category are small, there are no plans to recover costs from private healthcare providers at present. This will, however, be kept under review and recovery of costs considered if required.

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the number of people resident in Scotland whose PIP breast implant surgery took place in (a) England or (b) abroad. (S4W-05982) Nicola Sturgeon: No information is held on the number of patients resident in Scotland whose PIP silicone breast implants were implanted in either England or abroad.

The following questions received holding answers: S4W-05607 S4W-05911