Chamber and committees

I outlined the Scottish Executive's proposals for progressing the report's two main recommendations in a debate in this Parliament on 2 December. At present, we are making considerable progress in implementing the other recommendations through a number of initiatives.

The maintenance and repair of historic buildings and buildings within outstanding conservation areas is primarily the responsibility of owners. Repair grants are available, both from Historic Scotland and Glasgow City Council, in cases where owners are unable to meet the full cost. The Glasgow Conservation Trust - West has been established to address concern about the state of repair of many properties in the West End outstanding conservation area. The Trust is funded jointly by Historic Scotland and Glasgow City Council and has spent £680,000 over the last five years on repair grants. The Trust is currently undertaking a condition survey of Hillhead. Historic Scotland has also provided grants of £2.5 million to assist with the cost of repairs to Glasgow University and £600,000 to the City Council for repairs to the Kibble Palace, among a number of major projects in the West End.

The objective of the advertising campaign was to create interest in teaching as a career with an aim of widening the target audience and encouraging not only those choosing their first career but also suitable candidates who might consider teaching as a second career.

The setting of intake levels to courses of initial teacher education is the responsibility of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC). In setting intakes, SHEFC take account of the Department's projections of the minimum requirements for newly qualified teachers, based on pupil numbers, teacher numbers and estimates for future flows in and out of the profession, and guidance offered on other relevant factors affecting the demand for teachers.

There is no set term for the appointment of Children's Panel Chairmen. They may be appointed from one to five years with further periods of appointment as an option. The Scottish Executive takes advice from the relevant Children's Panel Advisory Committee on the proposed period of appointment.

The statutory duty to give effect to hearings' decisions rests with the relevant local authority in terms of section 71 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. The allocation of resources to comply with this duty is for the local authority to determine. Panel members and the Panel Chairman may make representations to the local authority over resource allocation.

Chairmen of Children's Panels are appointed to 15 May of any given year. New or further appointments will, where appropriate, be made to take effect from 16 May. Appointment letters are issued once advice from the relevant Children's Panel Advisory Committee has been considered.

The Scottish Executive has commissioned research into home supervision requirements made by hearings. This research compares between the decision of the hearing with the action undertaken by the local authority.

Any decision of a Children's Hearing is taken in the best interests of the child. Implementation is a matter for the relevant local authority.

Yes. I intend to bring forward a Bill to deal with various ECHR issues relating to bail, district courts and part-time sheriffs. The Bill will amend the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 by removing the present restrictions on the power of the sheriff to grant bail. It will therefore be a matter for the sheriff to determine whether to grant bail on the merits of the particular case. The Bill will also amend various aspects of the District Court (Scotland) Act 1975. In particular, it will prohibit the use of ex officio or other councillor justices in a judicial capacity, and introduce statutory security of tenure for Justices of the Peace in their judicial capacity. Finally, it will create a new judicial office of part-time sheriff with statutory terms and conditions to put their security of tenure beyond doubt.

A major research project associated with the Working Group established by the English Chief Medical Officer to devise good practice guidance is studying the causes and effects of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. The Scottish Executive Health Department has observer representation on the Group and is closely monitoring its progress.