Chamber and committees

It is possible that the geographies to be adopted for the purposes of a more strategic and competitive approach to procurement of social housing, as indicated within Firm Foundations, will be informed by housing market areas. However, no decisions have yet been taken in respect of the size and location of procurement areas. The new approach is still under development and more detailed proposals from the Scottish Government will be subject to consultation later this year.

No decision has yet been made about the criteria to be used. The Scottish Government will consult on detailed proposals for a more strategic and competitive approach to allocating funding for social housing later this year.

The research undertaken to underpin the proposed introduction of a more strategic and competitive approach to allocating funds for social housing in Firm Foundations consisted of: examination of the Communities Scotland''s data on housing association grant (the results of which were included in Firm Foundations); review of the earlier competition pilots run by Scottish Homes; examination of the housing corporation''s approach to grant allocation and competition, and discussions with stakeholders.

No. Local authorities have a responsibility to undertake Pathways assessments and planning with eligible young people prior to leaving care which should set out what kind of accommodation best meets the needs of the young person and how this is to be obtained.

This is a matter for local authorities. They should ensure that they have a range of suitable accommodation to meet the needs of their young people leaving care. Guidance on the Regulations on Supporting Young People Leaving Care makes clear that while there is no one model of accommodation provision, supported lodgings, shared accommodation and independent tenancies should be available for young people. Accommodation and support services should be flexible and focus on the individual needs of the young person.

It is for local authorities to put in place after-care arrangements to ensure that young people leaving care have appropriate accommodation. It is not generally appropriate for local authorities to require care leavers to apply as homeless in order to obtain accommodation.

Furthermore, the statutory code of guidance on homelessness states that the use of bed and breakfast should only be used as a last resort for all homeless people. Homeless hostels can be a useful form of short-term accommodation if they are reasonably small-scale and deliver support if required.

The Scottish Government strongly welcomes the report by Scotland''s Commissioner for Children and Young People. The important issues identified therein are consistent with the key themes identified and work being taken forward through Looked After Children and Young People: We Can and Must Do Better. We are considering the recommendations contained within the children''s commissioner''s report and will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that the transition from being in care to independent living is a positive experience for young people.

Number of crimes and offences recorded by the police in which a firearm was fired resulting in fatal or non-fatal injury, 2005-06 to 2007-08.

Police Force	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08
Northern	1	1	4
Grampian	7	4	5
Tayside	31	26	39
Fife	2	7	7
Lothian & Borders	37	45	52
Central	4	3	4
Strathclyde	109	157	95
Dumfries & Galloway	6	5	5
Total	197	248	211

Source: Scottish Government Recorded crimes and offences involving firearms statistical collection.

Information about wounds caused by sharp or pointed instruments is not available in the form requested. Crimes where a sharp or pointed instrument was used are recorded by the police as ˜having in a public place an article with a blade or point''. It is not possible to identify whether this led to a wound.

However, information about the number of homicides where a sharp instrument was the main method of killing is available in the statistical bulletin Homicide in Scotland, 2007-08 which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre “ Bib. number 47922.

Discharge from supervision is a matter for individual Children''s Hearings. However, members of the children''s panels receive training which contains specific provision on the factors to consider when a hearing is being asked or is considering termination of a supervision requirement. In the light of the recent report by the Scottish Commissioner for Children and Young People on the Age of Leaving Care the officers responsible for delivering training will review the material and reinforce it as necessary.

The planning and provision of services is a matter for NHS boards. The Scottish Medicines Consortium has made recommendations regarding certain treatments for age-related macular degeneration. NHS boards are required to take full account of these recommendations in the planning and provision of NHS services.