Chamber and committees

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-767 on 18 June 2007. Allanswers 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/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-752 on 18 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website; the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-767 on 18 June 2007. Allanswers 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/webapp/wa.search.

Funding under the New Entrantsmeasure will be allocated through Rural Development Contracts. It will be availablethroughout Scotland and the amount committed in any particular region orarea will be a matter for the Regional Project Assessment Committees and dependenton the number and quality of proposals.

The aims and remit of the child protection review are:AimsTo promote the reduction of abuse or neglect of children, and to improve the services for children who experience abuse or neglect.RemitTo review, throughout Scotland, the practice of medical, nursing, social work, police, children's reporters', education and other public, voluntary and private sector staff to examine how well these:identify those children who may be being abused or neglected;reduce such abuse and neglect; meet these children's needs, andmake plans for the future well being of these children.To review how well agencies work together and public and professional confidence in these services.To review how well professionals work together and public and professional confidence in the way they work.To identify best practice.To learn lessons from international developments in this field.To report and make recommendations to improve professional working and the regulatory framework in which professionals operate.ConsultationA letter seeking the views and comments of individuals and agencies involved in child protection will shortly be sent out. In addition a website is to be launched that, as well as providing information on the review, will offer anyone the opportunity to have their say. The review team is also carrying out a number of initiatives, in partnership with voluntary agencies, designed at getting the views of children and parents. A consultative group has been formed that represents a wide range of statutory and voluntary agencies involved in child protection in Scotland. The review team is carrying out individual discussions with experts in child protection and children and parents will be consulted as part of the audit.

The Scottish Executive attaches a high priority to animal welfare and seeks to ensure in various ways that the welfare of farm animals is protected. Proposals to implement EU Directives on the welfare of laying hens and also of pigs are currently under consideration. Legislation will be brought forward when these considerations are complete.

European structural funds, worth around £1 billion to 2006, complement a range of Scottish Executive policies aimed at meeting the social justice agenda. The funds are designed to improve the social and economic cohesion of member states, through economic and social development and enhancing employment opportunities.

Guidance has been issued to Primary Care Trusts advising that existing superannuation benefits for GPs (both independent contractors and salaried) providing Personal Medical Services (PMS) under a pilot scheme remain unchanged for the period of the pilot.

For permanent PMS schemes, there will be no change to the superannuation arrangements for GPs who provide PMS under a practice-based agreement. We are in discussions with SPPA over the position of permanent salaried PMS GPs.

The reduction in adoption applications has been a statistical trend now for around 10 years. To tackle this and other concerns, I established an Adoption Policy Review earlier this year and it started work earlier this month. It will aim to modernise the system, strengthen adoption as a choice for young people in the care system and improve recruitment and selection procedures.

We are progressing a far-reaching package of measures to tackle financial exclusion - 13% of Scots currently have no financial products. We launched an Action Plan for the credit union movement in March, backed by £1.5 million and announced a pilot telephone debtline. Working with local authorities and the banks, we are promoting basic bank accounts and insurance products.