Chamber and committees

We plan to publish the IntegratedEarly Years Strategy this summer.

The second annual report of the Scottish ministers on progress towards implementation of the Freedom of Information(Scotland) Act 2002 is today being laid in Parliament and will be made availableon the Executive’s FOI website. The report describes the work that has been carriedout during the year from May 2003 in putting in place the necessary infrastructurefor the freedom of information regime. Good progress is being made towards ensuringthat the implementation date of 1 January 2005 is met. Copies of the document areavailable in the Parliament’s Reference Centre (Bib. number 32829).

I refer you to the answers givento questions S2W-6895 on 29 March 2004, S2W-7379, S2W-7380 and S2W-7381 on 28 April 2004. All answersto written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the searchfacility for which can be found at:http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

The responses to the second publicconsultation on the proposals to establish a Scottish Human Rights Commission, alongwith a report providing an analysis of those responses, were published on 4 May 2004. Those responsesare being considered by the Executive, and an announcement on the way forward willbe made once that consideration has been completed.

The Executive is carrying out a wide rangingreview of affordable housing in consultation with key stakeholders. Work is underwaywithin this review to estimate current andfuture requirements for affordable housing including social rented provision atboth national and local levels. This will draw on current research by Heriot Watt University andthe assessment of local authority housing strategies by Communities Scotland. The review, which will report later this year,will set out measures including proposals for the supply of social rented provisionto address assessed requirements.

The Executive has no plans toremove provision of free travel to school.

As yet there are no plans in place arising from the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development.

I do, however, support in principle the objectives for the Decade, which go far wider than just formal education, and officials in the Executive and Department for Education and Skills are considering what action, if any, is necessary.

We have no plans at present toincrease the maximum fine for operating a house in multiple occupation without alicence. The specific fines imposed in particular cases are, of course, a matterfor the courts.

I understand from StrathclydePolice that they are not aware of any specific issues relating to raciallydiscriminatory entry policies in nightclubs and have received no complaintsfrom the public. Refusal of entry to a nightclub on the grounds of a person’srace could amount to discrimination in the provision of facilities or services,which is unlawful under section 20 of the Race Relations Act 1976. It isprimarily for the Commission for Racial Equality to enforce the 1976 Act.

The Executive is not awarethat local authorities have any specific powers to take action in thecircumstances described. Nightclubs and other premises which are open to thepublic are subject to the Race Relations Act 1976.