Chamber and committees

This is a matter for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Food Standards Agency. The informationis not held centrally.

We hope to issue theguidance this month.

The European Commission haspublicly reminded all member states of the provision for socio-economicmeasures under its financial instrument for fisheries guidance (FIFG) andencouraged their use to offset the impacts of reduced fishing opportunities. Thescope to make significant adjustments to around £60 million which is availableto the 2000-08 Scottish FIFG programmes without adversely impacting on thesupport available to other groups is limited but priorities are being keptunder constant review. In 2003 the Scottish Executive therefore made available anadditional £50 million of national, non-FIFG, resources to the fisheries sectorto support a £40 million decommissioning scheme and a £10 million transitionalaid scheme.

A working group has been establishedto consider a mutually acceptable framework for assessing the cost of providingnursing and residential care for older people from 2005-06. The working groupconsists of representatives from COSLA and the independent care sector. Thegroup is looking at a wide range of costs, including utility charges. It is dueto report by the end of February.

Local authorities and thecare sector will discuss shortly the level of fees that are to be applied in2004-05 in accordance with the recommendations of the national review groupreport.

This is an operationalmatter for Scottish Water. I will ask the Chief Executive to write to you onthis matter.

Care services registeredwith the Care Commission under the Regulation of Care (Scotland)Act 2001 (the Act) are required by statute to use only premises which are fitto be used for the provision of such a service. This would include taking intoaccount any fire safety requirements. Responsibilities under the act rest withthe care service provider, who may or may not also be the manager.

This is a matter for Nirex.

Local authorities can, andshould, require the provision of sustainable development measures within theirschools PPP project. The long-term and integrated nature of PPP incentivisescontractors to consider the synergies between the design of an asset and itsultimate operating performance. This offers the opportunity to deliver publicservices in a more environmentally friendly way.

The firemaster, on behalf of the Fire Authority, has a general responsibility with regard to the supply of water for firefighting by virtue of section 13 of the Fire Services Act 1947. When provision of water hydrants for firefighting purposes is being recommended or required, supply pipe size is normally specified, and the firemaster would take into account supply pipe size and water flow potential. Water pressure will be characteristic of the supply network. The firemaster will then, using risk assessed judgements, consider if the proposal specified is appropriate for the specific premises concerned. The firemaster may be consulted by the Care Commission in respect of fire safety in individual care premises as part of the registration process, and may make recommendations. Where the individual premises under assessment are remote from the water undertakers' ground hydrants, the provision of water for firefighting may be included in the assessment.

We have no current plans to do so. A Strategic Framework for Scottish Aquaculture commits the Executive, with other key stakeholders, to continued collaborative working to minimise the effects of sea lice.The Executive-chaired Tripartite Working Group is establishing voluntary Area Management Agreements, which contain a range of management operations and good working practices. This includes measures to manage and control sea lice on farmed fish, and to monitor sea lice burdens on farmed and wild fish.