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I am today publishing Social Justice - A Scotland Where Everyone Matters, which sets out our vision, targets and milestones on social justice for Scotland. This provides the framework of how working together, and in partnership with the UK Government, we can tackle poverty and injustice in Scotland and defeat child poverty within a generation. This will be followed by an Action Plan in spring 2000 and regular Annual Scottish Social Justice Reports.

Consultation on this proposal finished on 29 October. The wide range of thoughtful and considered responses from local authorities and the voluntary sector was welcomed. We have decided that the general principle of a unified fund has merit. Legislation will be introduced in Westminster enabling amendment of benefit entitlement in Scotland in order that the change may go ahead in due course.However, we consider that further detailed consideration should be given to how such enhanced local authority resources might best operate for the good of the young people concerned. We shall set up a working group with key organisations and agencies to look at the arrangements before any changes come into effect.

My answer to Question S1W-285 on 30 June to Mike Watson indicated that we hoped to commence the provisions of the Health Act 1999 relating to the management and organisation of the NHS in Scotland on 1 September 1999 and promised to keep members informed of progress.Regulations which are subject to annulment must be laid before Parliament at least 21 days before they are due to come into force. The Guide to Scottish Statutory Instrument Procedure, which has recently been issued, drew attention to the provision in article 13(1) of the Scotland Act (Transitory and Transitional Provision) (Statutory Instruments) Order 1999 that the computation of the 21 days does not include days when the Parliament is in recess for more than 4 consecutive days. That being so, in order to ensure that the 21-Day Rule is complied with, the relevant provisions of the 1999 Act will be brought into effect on 1 October 1999, which will allow necessary Regulations to come into effect on that day.

The UK Government published in March a consultation paper setting out proposals for improving local bus services. Comments were invited by 25 June. Our Transport Bill will propose changes in the way bus services are organised emphasising improvement in quality and the development of partnership.