Mrs Lyndsay McIntosh

Answer · Mary Mulligan · 27 Feb 2003

Legislation on the provision and operation of crematoria in Scotland is set out in the 1902 and 1952 Crematorium Acts and the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 1935. Under these acts, local authorities have responsibilities for authorising any new crematoria.

Answer · Ross Finnie · 26 Feb 2003

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-34133 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>. We do not hold information on the percentage of registered charities that might qualify for assistance from the Water Industry Hardship Fund.

Answer · Ross Finnie · 26 Feb 2003

The Water Industry Hardship Fund was established to assist organisations that are not eligible to be exempted from water and sewerage charges under the Water and Sewerage Charges (Exemption) (Scotland) Regulations 2002, but which can demonstrate that they are suffering hardship as a result of having relief on their water and sewerage charges withdrawn. The fund is administered on behalf of the Scottish Executive by the Scottish Community Foundation.<P>I cannot comment on whether individual cases, such as South Lanarkshire Volunteering Enterprise, will qualify for assistance under the hardship fund. This is a matter for Scottish Community Foundation who administer the fund on behalf of the Scottish Executive.

Answer · Des McNulty · 20 Feb 2003

The aim of the Scottish Executive's support for credit unions is to remove barriers to credit union growth and ensure credit unions have access to support and development services. To date, the Executive's funding is providing support through compliance training, health checks and business planning. Funding has also been provided for capacity building that will help credit unions to extend their membership and the services they offer. We are currently monitoring the outcomes of the Executive's investment. To inform the next phase of the Executive's work, we have funded the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations to carry out research on credit union IT capacity. This has been made available to the Scottish Credit Union Partnership. Executive funded research will begin shortly looking at volunteer training needs with a summary of research findings to be published in the Scottish Executive Social Research Series at <A HREF="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch">www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch</A> in June 2003.<P>A Community Banking initiative currently exists in Wester Hailes. This was originally supported with a Pathfinder grant from the Scottish Executive. Communities Scotland is currently undertaking an evaluation of this model which will look at the potential of replicating it in other areas. <P>Communities Scotland is currently supporting Capital City Partnership's Edinburgh-wide financial inclusion strategy which aims to co-ordinate financial inclusion work across Edinburgh's Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIP). Part of this support funds the production of a baseline study which will establish the nature and scale of financial exclusion in Edinburgh SIPs and help develop local solutions <P>In the North and East of Scotland, Communities Scotland is supporting a consortium of housing associations who are currently undertaking a feasibility study to inform the development of a joint financial inclusion project. This will include looking to identify the demand for a community banking facility.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald · 21 Jan 2003

These are reserved matters, although the Scottish Executive is closely involved in the government response. It is not government policy to disclose details of security measures taken in response to existing or new threats.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm · 30 Oct 2002

An interim Judicial Factor has been appointed to manage the affairs of Facilitate (Scotland). <P>If a decision were made to close the charity, then any closure would have to be made in an orderly fashion. The Scottish Charities Office has already made the Factor aware of the need to consider the requirements of Facilitate's existing clients and telephone helpline service. <P>In the meantime, the Executive has contacted Greater Glasgow NHS Board, Samaritans and Childline Scotland, and these organisations are currently considering what support they are able to offer Facilitate's clients.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson · 19 Jun 2002

We want to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life. Through programmes such as Sure Start Scotland and Starting Well we are providing a wide range of support to vulnerable and deprived families with pre-school children. This includes parental support, outreach services, childcare and specialist projects for families affected by drugs misuse.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson · 2 Jul 2002

We are continually looking at ways to protect vulnerable children and young people.<P>The current review of child protection is due to report in the summer and is expected to make recommendations to assist in reducing abuse and neglect, as well as improving services for abused children. Legislation will be introduced in the autumn, to establish an Index of Adults Unsuitable to Work with Children.