Chamber and committees

The budget for Education Maintenance Allowances is determined on a financial year basis rather than by academic years. In financial year 2009-10 the budget for the scheme is £33.25 million.

Both National Park Authorities have a key role in promoting and managing responsible visitor access. One of the statutory aims of the National Parks is to promote understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public. The two National Park Authorities, in their National Park Plans, make it clear that this is a priority.

The estimated number of visitors to the Cairngorms National Park is shown in the following table:

Year	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
No. Visitors (Millions)	1.420	1.408	1.420	1.459	1.502	1.481

 

The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority do not have year-on-year visitor numbers; however visitor numbers in 2003 were estimated at 2.18 million. The National Park Authority hope to carry out work to ascertain a figure for 2010.

Estimates for both parks are derived from the STEAM model used throughout the UK tourism sector.

I have signed off the Strategic Review of National Park Authorities. A report setting out the next steps, taking account of the public consultation on the Review recommendations, was published on 19 August. The report is available through the following link http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/08/17105408/0.

This information is available on the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland''s website at www.mhtscotland.gov.uk.

This information is available on the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland''s website at www.mhtscotland.gov.uk.

This information is available on the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland''s website at www.mhtscotland.gov.uk.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the body responsible for monitoring and enforcing the disability equality general and specific duties. Interested parties may also challenge an organisation''s failure to comply with the general duty by means of a claim to the Court of Session for judicial review.

It is for individual local authorities to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the disability equality duties and Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The DDA 1995 makes it unlawful for goods, facilities and service providers, including local authorities, to discriminate against someone because of their disability, and the service provider must make reasonable adjustments to make sure disabled people are not put at a disadvantage and are able to access the goods or services offered. What constitutes a reasonable adjustment depends on a number of factors and it is for individual organisations to determine.

The disability equality duties requires all public authorities (including local authorities) to be pro-active in tackling discrimination against disabled people and to look at ways of promoting equality for disabled people.

It is up to individual NHS boards to decide what circumstances are considered as priorities for selection for IVF treatment. For example, within some NHS boards storage of eggs or embryos prior to oncology treatment is considered a priority for selection for IVF treatment.