Chamber and committees

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-953 on 21 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The legislation governingthe registration of private landlords set out in the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 includes provision for the suspension of thetenant’s liability to pay rent where the landlord should be and is not registeredwith the local authority. Housing benefit is not payable where there is no rentliability. We have worked with the Department for Work and Pensions to make registrationofficers and housing benefit officers aware of the importance of communicating toensure that housing benefit is not paid in these circumstances. The Scottish governmentwill monitor the implementation of these provisions and determine their effectiveness.

There have been noministerial meetings with housing groups, local authorities or private landlordorganisations to discuss implementation of private landlord registration. However,officials meet with these groups regularly.

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-953 on 21 June 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can befound at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Delivering environmentaljustice will, of course, be part of the key cross-cutting programmes to deliverthis Government’s five strategic objectives. All communities and individuals havethe right to expect a fairer, safer, healthier and greener environment to live,work and relax in.

More immediately,and at a very practical level, I expect to announce shortly the names of the successfulprojects from across Scotland which will receive grants from the £2 millionEnvironmental Justice Fund. This work will enhance specific areas that have sufferedfrom environmental blight.

This news will bewarmly welcomed in the communities concerned.

I do not presentlyhave meetings set up with groups and organisations but anticipate meeting a widerange of these organisations in due course.

One of the principlesof Hungry for Success, the report of the Expert Panel on School Meals publishedin 2002, was eliminating stigma. A key recommendation within the report was thatschools should explore processes to protect the anonymity of those in receipt offree school meals. The Scottish Executive has supported Local Authorities and schoolsin taking this forward through the funding provided for Hungry for Success,£120 million up to 2008, and by sharing good practice. Progress has been made, buta new duty under the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) Scotland Act 2007will require all local authorities to ensure that anonymised systems will be inplace in all of their schools. This new duty is intended to commence in August 2008.

I referthe member to the answer to question S3W-904 on 22 June 2007. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I referthe member to the answer to question S3W-904 on 22 June 2007. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

As with any proposalsfor significant service change, I will carefully consider all the available informationbefore coming to a final decision.