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The school education needs of children of asylum seekers is a matter for consideration by the education authority for the area concerned.

The consultation period for both these reviews concluded at the end of March. On the Teaching Review, it is expected that revised proposals will be put to the council for consideration in the autumn and for the Research Review, by the end of the year.I have asked the council to keep me in touch with developments prior to any final decisions being taken.

The provision referred to has now become Clause 14 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill. Clause 14 requires local education authorities and schools in England and Wales to plan, to increase participation in the curriculum and physical access to school premises and also to improve the delivery of information for disabled pupils.The Executive is considering a number of legislative and other routes to give effect to the new duty in Scotland.

Following representations received about different dates set in different areas, officials wrote to authorities in February last year to ask how holidays were currently co-ordinated between authorities and what could be done to improve liaison in the future. In response, most authorities indicated that they held discussions with their neighbours with a view to securing a consistent approach although complete consistency could not always be achieved because of local circumstances and local holidays. I am considering the detailed responses further.

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Home Office about a wide range of criminal justice matters. Scottish Police forces also work closely with other national and international law enforcement agencies. Anyone with information which relates to trafficking of women for sexual exploitation should report this to the Police. While the action taken by the Police is an operational matter for individual forces, the Police first need grounds to act. Thereafter, a number of agencies might be involved in providing support for any victims.

The trafficking of women for sexual exploitation is a serious matter. The Police will rigorously investigate any information or complaints made to them about this. Scottish Police forces also work closely with other national and international law enforcement agencies. Anyone with information which relates to any suspected criminal activity in this area should therefore report it to the police.

The Scottish Executive deplores trafficking in people for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Responsibility for the laws on immigration and international trafficking of this kind is reserved to the United Kingdom Government.However, those involved in sexual exploitation could, under Scots law, be committing one or more of a variety of crimes, the most serious of which can attract up to life imprisonment.

Responsibility for contacts with international authorities and for the laws on immigration and international trafficking in persons is reserved to the United Kingdom Government, with which the Scottish Executive is in regular contact on a wide range of issues.There are already provisions in Scots law to protect individuals from exploitation and abuse. No specific further legislation is presently planned, but the position is kept under review.

The Drug Court Working Group, chaired by Sheriff Principal Bowen, submitted its report on 1 May. This set out its proposed model for a pilot Drug Court at Glasgow Sheriff Court and opens the way for the establishment of the first drug court in Scotland. The plans are for it to be in operation before the end of this year. I am placing a copy in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib number 13259).

Phasing in of water charges to all organisations affected by the decision to withdraw reliefs is being made over a period of 5 years. Additionally, the water authorities have offered to install water meters free where this will reduce costs. This should have the effect of reducing further any additional liability that these organisations have to face.However, the Scottish Executive recognises the concerns of a number of organisations about the immediate impact of the first phase of withdrawals this year, and we are in contact with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations on this.