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We are committed to delivering a single integrated system of health and social care that will improve outcomes for people. This will build on our plans for reshaping care of older people and the work we have carried out on the Integrated Resource Framework over the last two years. We will discuss our plans with all relevant stakeholders over the coming weeks and months.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-280 on 7 June 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The Cabinet Secretary met with COSLA reps on 28 June 2011 regarding the subject of the rural education commission.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-138 on 6 June 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

There have been no meetings between Scottish ministers or Scottish Government officials with representatives of Argyll and Bute Council specifically to discuss the council's school closure proposals.

On 17 March 2011, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth and I met with the council leader and other members of the council to discuss finance issues and grant aided expenditure, at which general issues regarding the school estate were discussed. I also spoke to the council leader on 2 June 2011 by phone regarding financial issues relating to the proposed moratorium on rural school closures.

A short-life working group was launched in November 2010 with a remit to review and update the statutory guidance associated with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010. The group, as well as others, recognised that the legislation has not worked in exactly the way we intended and it became apparent that more work was required.

On 31 May 2011, I announced a 12 month moratorium on rural school closures and the creation of a commission on the delivery of rural education which will, amongst other things, review the legislation and its application before making recommendations on how to reflect best practice on the delivery of education in rural areas. I expect the guidance to be considered with that process.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) advise the relevant consenting authority, which is either the local planning authority or the Scottish Government, on potential impacts on the natural heritage from wind farm developments and their position is set out in Scottish Natural Heritage’s approach to Renewable Energy which is available on SNH’s website at:

http://www.snh.gov.uk/planning-and-development/renewable-energy/our-approach-to-renewables/our-approach/.

SNH’s approach is informed by Scottish planning policy and their own strategic locational guidance which provides a strategic view on onshore wind farm developments in sensitive areas, including proposals in and adjacent to national parks and developments in designated nature conservation areas.

NHS boards and their partners are expected to plan and deliver services in line with relevant legislation including the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 which has at its heart fundamental principles to ensure equal access to health care: participation; non-discrimination; respect for diversity; reciprocity; and equality.

We are currently supporting the LGBT Centre for Health and Wellbeing, in partnership with NHS Lothian, to conduct a project which is contributing to the understanding of LGBT communities and their mental health and wellbeing needs, and delivering specialist mental health support to LGBT people in Lothian. The outcome of this work will assist NHS boards across Scotland in the planning and provision of mental health services for LGBT people.

We will work with our partners and continue to build on the success of delivering a wide range of policies including the towards a mentally flourishing scotland (TAMFS) policy and action plan designed to improve mental health and wellbeing and making a step change in how we, as a society, look after our own and others’ mental health.

TAMFS demonstrated the Scottish Government’s continuing commitment to promoting mental health improvement and has driven further progress in addressing stigma, preventing common mental health problems, suicide and self-harm; and improving the quality of life of those experiencing mental health problems.

Integration of policy and practice on mental health promotion and mental health service delivery will be a key challenge for this work in the future.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-00074 on 2 June 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.