Chamber and committees

The information about house condition that is available to individuals selling and buying houses is being considered by the Housing Improvement Task Force. The task force will consider whether there are barriers in the current arrangements to the provision of appropriate energy efficiency information.

As part of its work to examine issues which inhibit or encourage housing improvement, the Housing Improvement Task Force will consider the likely effect of providing better information as part of the house purchase process, taking account of proposals for sellers' surveys and sellers' packs.The Task Force will consider these issues and report back in two separate stages. The first stage report will be published early next year and will identify the barriers to housing improvement. The second stage report will identify solutions and make recommendations for change.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-15252.

The Scottish Executive, along with the other UK Health Departments, is currently undertaking a joint review of section 24 of the General Whitley Council Handbook which covers car leasing and mileage rates for all NHS staff.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-3168 on 22 March 2001.

The Scottish Executive undertakes continuous review and revision of the building regulations and their associated Technical Standards. As part of this regular updating of standards, the sixth amendment to the Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 will be published in September this year. The package of proposed amendments to regulations will include higher thermal insulation standards for all new buildings.More generally, following the issue in April 2000 of an initial consultation paper, Improving Building Standards, a review team has considered all the responses and further evidence provided, and has considered a range of specific issues in detail, including quality in construction and enforcement. I expect to consider the report of the review team in the summer, after which it is expected that a Green Paper will be issued.

The contractual arrangements between builders and buyers of new houses are the responsibility of the buyer. Most builders will offer purchasers of new homes warranties from insurance bodies such as the National House Building Council (NHBC) or Zurich Building Guarantees.Consumer protection is a reserved matter, and the UK Government has encouraged these organisations to improve their inspection regimes.Building standards are a devolved matter, and I expect that a Green Paper on this matter will be issued later this year.

The document, Protecting our Rights. A Human Rights Commission for Scotland? Consultation Document, is being launched today. The consultation period lasts until the end of June. Copies are being distributed widely and can be obtained from the Parliament's Reference Centre.

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including Ministry of Defence contracts.

I welcome the prospect of a redesign of south side hospitals services in Glasgow. The Scottish Executive Health Department will play its full part in ensuring that the plans eventually agreed are pursued.The Health Department will assess any Business Case received from Greater Glasgow Health Board for the provision of redesigned hospital services on the south side of the city.Current guidelines indicate that all available funding routes should be fully explored at the capital planning stage.