Chamber and committees

I replied to the report on 4 December in a letter to the Chairman of the Scottish Committee of the Council for Tribunals. A news release on the Scottish Executive response was issued on 9 December. The release may be accessed through:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news.

Grant-aided expenditure assessments are not ring-fenced allocations. They are elements in a distribution formula which determines the allocation of block grant to local authorities. We expect authorities to make their own decisions about how to spend that block grant, taking into account national priorities and local circumstances. We discuss and agree those priorities with COSLA and are developing local outcome agreements, linking national priorities with local service outcomes. A small proportion of funding to councils is provided through ring-fenced specific grants.

The standardisation of the role of the reporter is primarily a matter for the Principal Reporter. It is responsibility of the Principal Reporter to ensure consistency of practice. Practice guidance is currently under review.

I have been advised by the Food Standards Agency that the packaging of all milk products within the EU must have a health mark which indicates the country of origin among other things. Milk products imported into the EU must be accompanied by a health certificate signed by the competent authority of the exporting country.The Food Standards Agency is encouraging country of origin labelling for a wider range of food on retail sale, and has recently revised its guidance for industry.

Individual children's hearings can review social work recommendations as part of their decision-making process. Once the children's hearing determines the child's needs and makes a decision, it is the duty of the local authorities to give effect to the decision. We have no direct evidence of the practice suggested in the report.

The Executive supports the continuation of milk quotas which is the main element of the EU support regime providing market stability. We will continue to fight for the interests of Scottish dairy producers in the current discussions under the Mid-Term Review of the Common Agricultural Policy, which is considering alternative future arrangements for quotas and dairy policy more generally.The Executive has funded, at a cost of £50,000, a strategy document titled Pooling Resources - A Strategy for the Scottish Dairy Industry (2001-2006), and will shortly be discussing its implementation with the Scottish Milk Forum. Research results due out early next year will also highlight the reasons why milk prices in the UK, including in Scotland, are consistently lower than the EU average.

The Scottish Executive does not hold any such information. The responsibility for giving effect to decisions by children's hearings rests with local authorities.

The Scottish Children's Reporter Administration advises that it aims to have all core properties compliant with the property standards schedule by October 2004.

I intend to respond to the report in the near future.

Schools, as places of work, are subject to the provisions of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997. These regulations place general duties on employers regarding the provision and maintenance of fire safety measures. The regulations are enforced by local fire authorities who have powers to inspect schools and take appropriate enforcement action where necessary.