Homeopathic treatment is for NHS boards to provide on the basis of their assessments of local need and local priorities. The Executive does not hold full information on NHS provision centrally, but Greater Glasgow, Highland and Lothian all provide homeopathic treatment through hospitals and clinics. Approximately 25% of GPs hold qualifications in homeopathy or have undergone some homeopathic training , and so have other medical professionals. Napier University has recently established a BSc course in homeopathy for nurses, which will lead to further integration of homeopathic treatment within the NHS in Scotland. Referral for homeopathic treatment in any given case is a matter for clinical judgement, in consultation with the patient.

I refer the member to the answer given to S2W-9719 answered 16 August 2004. All answers 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/search_wa.

The current grant distribution methodology takes into account a wide range of factors influencing the costs of delivering services in different areas of Scotland, including island communities. This results in different councils receiving different levels of funding per head of population. In the case of Orkney Islands Council, it receives over 20% less per head than Eilean Siar orShetland but over 46% more than any mainland council.

The distribution methodology has been agreed with COSLA and the local authorities, including Orkney, following extensive and collective consultation over a number of years. Any changes to the current distribution methodology must be agreed through the appropriate mechanism, the Executive’s discussions with COSLA.

I have asked Angiolina Foster, Chief Executive of Communities Scotland to respond. Her response is as follows:

Further to the answer to given question S2W-9398 on 13 July 2004, the following table details how many homes were approved for purchase through the Scottish Executive’s housing investment programme low-cost home ownershipschemes in each of the last five years.

Scottish Executive - Housing Investment Programme - Low Cost Home Ownership Approvals for Purchase (2000-01 to 2004-05) (Number.)

2000-01	1,134
2001-02	374
2002-03	623
2003-04	1,372
2004-051	875

Note: Planned.

Any investment proposed by Scottish Water within the Cairngorms National Park would be subject to the same planning controls as would apply to any other organisation intending to develop there. The Cairngorms National Park Authority also has call in powers on any planning application made in its area.

The extent to which Scottish Water’s current investment programme is constraining development in any part of Scotland is an operational matter for Scottish Water. However, I launched on 20 July public consultations on Scottish Water’s next investment programme (Investing in Water Services 2006-2014) and future charging policies (Paying for Water Services 2006-2010). These consultations provide an important opportunity for all affected parties to make their views known on the future investment priorities and who should pay for them.

This is an operational matter for Deer Commission Scotland as an executive non-departmental public body. I have asked the commission to reply direct.

It is for local Alcohol and Drug Action Teams to plan and commission services for people with alcohol problems in their areas. Decisions on the most appropriate treatment for individual patients are taken by local clinicians, taking account of the needs and circumstances of each patient.

We are keen to encourage public bodies to release surplus land for affordable housing.

 In general, where public land is surplus to requirements, it can be sold on the open market in accordance with the public finance guidelines which would normally require it to be sold at market value. Local authorities can, however, seek consent to disposals at less than the best consideration from Scottish ministers including disposals to provide land for affordable housing. In handling sales of surplus land, the Forestry Commission Scotland provides a preferential opportunity for Registered Social Landlords, supported by Communities Scotland, to acquire land for affordable housing in rural areas.

The release by public bodies of land for affordable housing is being given further consideration in the context of the review of affordable housing.

Consultative guidance providing practical advice to local authorities and other practitioners on setting up home zones was published by the Executive in 2002. Final guidance will be produced in due course reflecting experience of the pilot schemes currently underway.

The Executive hosted a conference in February 2004 to promote home zones to people involved in designing, building and improving new housing developments.

A new planning advice note (PAN) on residential streets is in preparation. It will encourage home zones as good practice and include them as a case study. The PAN will be finalised in the autumn and sent to all local authorities.

Funding of £27 million over the period 2003-04 to 2005-06 has been made available by the Executive to local authorities for 20mph schemes around schools and related safety projects including the development of home zones. Local authorities can also support the provision of home zones from the dedicated funding, currently £8.2 million per annum, for cycling, walking and safer streets projects.

Section 9 of theHomelessness etc (Scotland) Act 2003 allows for the making of an order tospecify temporary accommodation which is unsuitable for the purposes offulfilling certain homelessness duties. We are currently assessing theresponses to a consultation exercise carried out in the Spring, with a view tolaying an order before Parliament later this year.

All newly created temporaryaccommodation must meet the relevant requirements of the building standardsregulations. We have also announced the Scottish Housing Quality Standard witha target date of 2015 for local authorities and Registered Social Landlords toachieve that standard across all their housing stock. Plans to introduceregistration and accreditation of private landlords will also raise standardsin that sector.