Chamber and committees

47 registered social landlords have made representations. The majority are supportive of our plans to introduce a single social tenancy although concerns do exist principally about how the revised right to buy will impact on rural areas, the issue of whether it will be applied retrospectively, and the extent to which further exemptions are required. These areas are the subject of ongoing discussions with housing interests.

14 local authorities have made representations. The majority are supportive of our plans to introduce a single social tenancy although concerns do exist principally about how the revised right to buy will impact on rural areas, the issue of whether it will be applied retrospectively, and the extent to which further exemptions are required. These areas are the subject of ongoing discussions with housing interests.

The determination of local priorities for tackling domestic abuse at local level is provided for in COSLA's Guidance on Preparing and Implementing a Multi-Agency Strategy to Tackle Violence Against Women. Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of this guidance is a matter for COSLA. The Scottish Executive established the Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund to support local initiatives for tackling domestic abuse. I announced the results of the applications for funding on 28 March. Thirty-one out of 32 councils applied for funding and I am happy to say that all of these areas will receive funding for at least one project.

The following table sets out local authorities' estimates of the number of council houses affected by dampness and condensation as at 31 March 1998. These are the latest available figures.Local Authority Dwellings Affected by Dampness & Condensation as at 31 March 1998

	Dwellings affected by Dampness	% of Council Stock	Dwellings affected by Condensation	% of Council Stock	Dwellings affected by Dampness & Condensation	% of Council Stock
Scotland	34,903	6.3	94,904	17.1	30,169	5.4
Aberdeen City	1,585	5.5	-	-	-	-
Aberdeenshire	-	-	478	2.9	-	-
Angus	1,000	9.7	2,993	28.9	-	-
Argyll and Bute	1,071	15.0	425	6.0	799	11.2
Clackmannanshire	14	0.2	591	9.0	-	-
Dumfries and Galloway	659	4.7	3,184	22.7	818	5.8
Dundee City	336	1.5	6,905	31.4	584	2.7
East Ayrshire	730	3.8	5,532	29.2	1,305	6.9
East Dunbartonshire *
East Lothian	425	4.0	560	5.3	80	0.8
East Renfrewshire	100	2.3	225	5.2	254	5.9
City of Edinburgh	792	2.6	6,122	20.0	3,818	12.5
Eilean Siar	30	1.5	787	38.3	50	2.4
Falkirk	2,083	9.4	3,038	13.7	1,886	8.5
Fife	12	0.0	4,218	10.2	10	0.0
Glasgow City	13,879	14.0	22,236	22.4	13,104	13.2
Highland	1,131	5.9	2,937	15.3	665	3.5
Inverclyde	873	7.1	3,713	30.2	420	3.4
Midlothian *
Moray	295	4.0	992	13.3	41	0.5
North Ayrshire	246	1.3	1,356	7.4	-	-
North Lanarkshire	2,180	4.2	8,580	16.6	1,700	3.3
Orkney Islands	136	13.7	636	64.2	-	-
Perth and Kinross	65	0.6	1,146	11.2	183	1.8
Renfrewshire	2,114	9.5	2,429	10.9	1,272	5.7
Scottish Borders	53	0.7	48	0.6	39	0.5
Shetland	17	0.7	286	12.4	20	0.9
South Ayrshire	518	4.7	7,025	63.3	627	5.6
South Lanarkshire	2,657	7.0	6,629	17.6	2,094	5.5
Stirling *
West Dunbartonshire *
West Lothian	1,902	10.6	1,833	10.2	400	2.2

Note: *Figures not provided by local authoritySource: As reported by local authorities in the HRA Checklist 1999-2000.

There is no evidence held centrally to suggest any widespread recruitment and retention issues surrounding this staff group.However, the recent pay offer to biomedical scientists, if accepted, will mean, increases of up to 26% from 1 April 1999 for Trainee MLSOs, 7.1% for MLSO1s and 7.1% for MLSO2s with a further 3.25% for all these groups from April 2000.

It is for housing associations to evaluate the full implications for themselves of seeking recognition from the Inland Revenue that their association should enjoy charitable status. Charitable status could affect their tax liability, but they would also need to ensure that their activities were in line with the agreed charitable purposes. With regard to existing charity law, the Scottish Executive announced to Parliament on 3 November 1999 that an independent commission would be established to review and reform charity law in Scotland. Ministers are currently considering the chair, membership, remit and timetable of the commission and a further announcement will be made to the Parliament in due course.

It is for the statutory authorities, in liaison with local Drug Action Teams, to ensure that there is an appropriate range of treatment services for drug misusers in line with the national objectives set out in Scotland's drugs strategy. The success of methadone treatment in reducing crime, deaths, disease and drug use is well documented. In light, however, of the tragic death of Kerry-Ann Kirk, the Executive is asking all health boards to report on the steps that they have taken to ensure that, wherever practicable, methadone is taken under supervision. That includes addressing problems that may arise over weekend and holiday periods. The balance of benefit is hugely in favour of prescribing methadone, but we must ensure that its use is safe and watertight.

No such information is collected. However, we are aware of the problem, particularly through our discussions with councils on new housing partnerships. The forthcoming Housing Bill will include provisions relating to repairs by owner-occupiers.

The table below gives the relevant information about research on myalgic encephalomyelitis which has been directly funded by the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) in the past five years. CSO has no current projects or applications for future funding under consideration in this area.

CSO also supports research indirectly through its allocation of some £29 million annually to the NHS in Scotland. Some of this funding may support research with a relevance to myalgic encephalomyelitis. Details of past and current research undertaken on myalgic encephalomyelitis in the UK are available on the National Research Register (NRR), a copy of which is in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.Table: CSO annual expenditure on myalgic encephalomyelitis projects

Year	1994-95	1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	Total
£	0	29,454	23,171	0	0	52,625

Family friendly employment is key to allowing people to achieve a balance between home and family life. The Scottish Executive is in contact with Her Majesty's Government on a wide range of issues including proposals for a campaign on a UK basis. This will complement the progress we are making in expanding the provision of affordable, accessible, quality childcare.