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None: But following the coming into force of The Teachers Registration (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2004 we will work with local authorities to prepare guidance.

Yes. Independent research has been commissioned into the use of Antisocial Behaviour Orders (ASBOs), which will include information on orders pursued and granted in each local authority area. Information can also be collated from the records of orders which local authorities will be required to maintain under section 15 of the act.

Requirements for the provision of patient information leaflets are reserved matters which come under the remit of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

The agency has advised that new legal requirements which will come into force from October 2005, will place an obligation on medicines manufacturers to make available on request patient information leaflets in formats suitable for visually impaired patients. In the meantime, companies are encouraged to do this voluntarily.

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that the current legislation governing wild game processing will be revoked, and replaced by horizontal food hygiene legislation on 1 January 2006. These new rules, which aim to consolidate and simplify existing food hygiene legislation, will apply across the EU. All game processors involved in wholesaling operations will then be subject to the same requirements, regardless of the market that they are supplying.

Certain exemptions are made from the new legislation whereby member states are required to set national rules to cover the direct supply, by the producer of small quantities of wild game and wild game meat to the final consumer or to local retail establishments directly supplying the final consumer. These exemptions are made in recognition of the close relationships that can exist between producers and consumers. The EU legislation requires that national rules must be in place in relation to these exemptions to achieve the objectives of the EU regulations, and the FSA intends that the hygiene provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 will apply.

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that game processors currently exporting wild game meat to other EU member states, or to third countries, must be licensed under the Wild Game Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995. If game processors currently only produce wild game meat for the domestic market then they are subject to local authority supervision under the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995.

On 1 January 2006, these regulations will be revoked, and replaced by horizontal food hygiene legislation. These new rules, which aim to consolidate and simplify existing food hygiene legislation, will apply across the EU. All game processors involved in wholesaling operations will then be subject to the same requirements, regardless of the market that they are supplying.

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that there is currently no requirement for traceability in the hygiene legislation for the wild game sector, although game dealers must be licensed under the Game Acts and maintain certain records in accordance with the Deer Acts. However, new legislation to implement the EU General Food Law Regulation (EC 178/2002) that will apply from 1 January 2005 will require all food businesses, regardless of size, to implement traceability systems. Food businesses will be required to keep records of their suppliers and businesses they supply to, and make such records available to the competent authorities on demand. This legislation will apply to food businesses involved in the supply of wild game.

Whilst not yet a legal requirement under hygiene legislation, many wild game processors currently have traceability systems in place that apply from the time that an animal is shot.

I am advised by the Food Standards Agency that the Wild Game Meat (Hygiene and Inspection) Regulations 1995 enact in the UK, with regard to the export trade, EU Directive 92/45/EEC which sets out requirements relating to the killing of wild game and the placing on the market of wild game meat.

Game processing premises must be licensed under these regulations before they can export wild game meat to other EU member states or to third countries.

Suitably licensed wild game processors can then compete in export markets and gain income from EU member states and third countries. They may also supply wild game meat to the UK domestic market if they wish.

In Scotland there are currently 15 licensed wild game plants that can export meat to member states and third countries.

Yes. The preparation and development of all new food hygiene legislation, for which the Food Standards Agency is the lead department, is accompanied by a Regulatory Impact Assessment in accordance with Scottish Executive guidelines.

I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, acting Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency, to answer. His response is as follows:

The new regulations and guidance documents will be published at the end of October.

I have asked Dr Paul Stollard, acting Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Standards Agency, to answer. His response is as follows:

Whilst the extent to which electrical installations are dealt with under building regulations does differ between Scotland, England and Wales and Northern Ireland, a common standard is applied to installations.

All UK regulators recognise the most appropriate way of providing a safe installation is through compliance with the recommendations of BS 7671, the British Standard for electrical installations (also known as the IEE Wiring Regulations).

The Association of British Insurers is one of many organisations consulted on proposed changes to building regulations.