Chamber and committees

2001-02 was the first year of the central heating programme. Central heating and insulation were installed in just over 8,500 houses. This led to an increase in the average energy rating (NHER) of the dwellings from 3.1 to 6.6. Those aged 60 or over in the private sector should benefit from annual average savings on fuel bills of over £290. There should be annual average savings of over £350 for local authority and housing association tenants. The measures provided will reduce CO₂ emissions by 19,200 tonnes. The programme has created 150 places to provide employment opportunities for those taking part in the New Deal.The Warm Deal insulated over 40,800 homes in 2001-02, bringing the total number of houses improved under the programme since July 1999 to over 128,000. The dwellings benefited from increases in average energy rating (NHER) ranging from 0.9 for tenants of private landlords to 0.4 for housing association tenants. Estimated reductions in annual average fuel bills range from £126 for tenants of private landlords to £30 for tenants of housing associations. CO₂ emissions will have been reduced by 28,900 tonnes. The programme provided around 200 places for those taking part in the New Deal. A full report, including case studies, is published today and copies will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre.Local authorities and housing associations will spend around £16 million in 2002-03 and will install central heating in a total of 6,400 homes. Eaga will spend around £14 million this year and will install around 5,400 heating systems.The two programmes, particularly the central heating programme, are central to our aim that a warm, dry and affordable home is within the reach of all Scotland's households. They provide warmth and they tackle dampness, so threats to health from cold and damp are reduced. They tackle fuel poverty. We provisionally estimate that three quarters of pensioner households that have benefited from the central heating programme will no longer be at risk from fuel poverty. More detailed research has been commissioned by the Executive to determine the precise effect on the extent and level of fuel poverty. The programmes also make a significant impact on the effects of climate change by reducing emissions of CO₂. They also provide quality training and work experience for those taking part in the New Deal. In summary, the central heating programme and the Warm Deal make a real difference to many people's lives.

The codes of practice for social service workers and employers were launched on Monday 23 September 2002. There has been very enthusiastic endorsement from all key figures in the social work field. The codes will operate across the UK and are unique in that they cover both employers and employees. They are critical to the operation of the Social Services Register that will be established in April 2003.

The consultation document Towards Better Oral Health in Children is published today. It seeks views on a range of measures which might be taken to improve oral health among children in Scotland. Copies have been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre. Responses are invited by 31 December 2002.

The assigned budget will receive approximately £3 million per year from 2002-03 as part of the allocation by the Treasury of the proceeds of the aggregates levy. Ministers have decided to allocate this to the Environment portfolio and decisions on how to distribute the monies will be made soon.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-25486.

Ministers met with local authority leaders and NHS chairs on 30 April to discuss progress and ministers will meet with individual partnerships in the coming period. Partnerships must submit local joint action plans for evaluation, prior to release of further funding, and these plans will provide the framework for achieving our targets for substantial reductions in delayed discharge.

The General Teaching Council for Scotland are currently in the process of notifying all probationer teachers of the transitional arrangements, which have been put in place for those who are not part of the Teacher Induction Scheme. These arrangements allow all existing probationer teachers with 270 days teaching experience, to apply for full registration as a teacher. Currently the normal requirement is 380 days.The deployment of teachers is a matter for local authorities. Discussions are currently under way to finalise the details of the implementation of the Teacher Induction Scheme in individual authorities, including consideration of any impact on existing probationers.

This information is not held centrally in the form requested. However, it is estimated from information derived from the Continuous Morbidity Recording (CMR) system, that approximately 17,000 people in Scotland were seen by General Practitioners in respect of osteoporosis in Scotland, in the year ending March 2001 (latest figures available).CMR data are obtained from a sample of Scottish General Practices whose population is broadly nationally representative. The above information is based on the activity of 54 Scottish General Practices with a combined population of 345,292.

We have completed the Review and I am publishing today the Tourism Framework for Action 2002-2005. This document will take forward the February 2000 Strategy, not replace it. The framework provides a clear sense of direction and way forward. It identifies the further steps that need to be taken, particularly by businesses themselves, supported by the public sector.The document is available today on the Scottish Executive website and in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 19686).

Each year, in consultation with key interests, the Scottish Executive plans and funds on a national and local press and radio recruitment campaign. This year, the Executive is also funding a series of national awareness-raising press supplements.