Irene McGugan

Answer · Elaine Murray · 19 Mar 2003

The consultation paper on lottery distribution policy, &quot;Review of Lottery Funding&quot;, was published jointly by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly on 29 July 2002 for consultation until 30 October 2002. The consultation paper set out a range of issues for consideration including two major themes of making the lottery more responsive to the needs and priorities of communities, and ensuring that funding is fairly distributed to all areas and communities across the UK. <P>I have written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport conveying Scottish ministers' views in the light of the Scottish consultation responses. Copies of the letter have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 26471).<P>As part of our on-going consideration of the review, I met the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Minister for Culture, Sport and the Welsh Language of the National Assembly for Wales on 27 February to discuss a range of issues on the National Lottery, including Scottish aspects.<P>The outcome of the lottery review is expected to be announced in summer 2003.<P>The Lottery Distributing Bodies (Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen, <B>sport</B>scotland, Community Fund, New Opportunities Fund, and Heritage Lottery Fund) are meantime engaged in a wide range of activities to ensure that the distribution of lottery money in Scotland meets Scottish needs and priorities.

Answer · Des McNulty · 28 Mar 2003

No such estimate has been made centrally. The answer given to question S1W-34573 today, sets out the number of council dwellings in which central heating has been installed under the Central Heating Instalation Programme in 2001-02 and 2002-03. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa</A>.<P>Dundee Council will be given sufficient resources for 2003-04 to ensure that all council dwellings have central heating by 31 March 2004, except where the tenant has refused the offer or the building is to be demolished.

Answer · Des McNulty · 28 Mar 2003

Since the Central Heating Installation Programme for owner-occupiers and private renters began, in September 2000, Eaga have installed central heating in 892 dwellings in the DD postcode area. Dundee Council have installed central heating in 1,251 dwellings since April 2000. All council houses in Dundee will have central heating by 31 March 2004, except where the tenant has refused the offer or the building is to be demolished. All owner-occupiers and private renters in Dundee who apply for free central heating will have it by 31 March 2006.

Answer · Mike Watson · 17 Mar 2003

None. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-34419 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa</A>.

Answer · Mike Watson · 17 Mar 2003

The £600,000 will be paid into the Scottish Physical Recreation Fund and managed by it specifically for Scottish Disability Sport (SDS). This will enable SDS to provide the specialist support needed to ensure that children and young people with special needs can participate fully in the Active Primary Schools and Schools Sports Development Officer Programmes, which will attract significant additional resources over the next three years.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson · 25 Mar 2003

We have no plans to carry out such a review. Residential care plays an important part in the range of care options available for looked after children. It can be the most appropriate placement for some young people. Residential units are being inspected by the Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care against National Care Standards published by Scottish ministers to ensure that they provide a high quality service. The research for the article by Harron and Chakrabarti was completed in 1999, before the establishment of the Commission and the National Care Standards. In addition the Executive continues to invest substantially in training and development in this field through funding the Scottish Institute of Residential Child Care. The Chief Social Work Inspector is preparing plans for a review of the quality of services for all looked after children.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson · 10 Mar 2003

The Scottish Executive, in partnership with employers, has made a significant investment in the training of the residential child care workforce. In 2001 the Executive established the Scottish Institute for Residential Child Care to ensure residential child care staff across Scotland have access to the skills and knowledge they require. This has already made a significant impact.<P>The Regulation of Care Act 2001 has created a regulatory framework for staff and residential child care staff will be amongst the first group to be registered. The act has introduced national care standards for care homes for young people. The standards are explicit about the need for employers to ensure staff are suitable and properly trained for this demanding area of practice.

Answer · Mike Watson · 3 Mar 2003

The Scottish Executive considers the Scots language to be an important part of Scotland's distinctive linguistic and cultural heritage. The implementation of many of the objectives and principles in Part II of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages are for other public bodies and institutions. The Scottish Executive would expect that due recognition would be given to these objectives and principles at these levels.