Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Scottish and UK Governments have previously secured flexibility within the Regulation that will aid implementation. We have secured the delayed introduction of electronic identification until 31 December 2009 and have delayed the introduction of individual movement reporting until 31 December 2010. We have also agreed that animals born before 31 December 2009 and moving directly to slaughter will not have to be individually recorded at all. The Scottish Government is continuing to work with the Commission and the other UK government departments to examine possible further flexibility measures within the Regulation that will reduce the implementation burden for all of Scotland''s sheep industry.

A pre-school screening programme is in place in NHS Ayrshire and Arran; NHS Borders; NHS Dumfries and Galloway; NHS Fife; in two areas in NHS Forth Valley; in all areas in NHS Grampian by end of May 2009; NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde; in two areas in NHS Highland; NHS Lanarkshire; in one area in NHS Lothian, and in two areas of NHS Tayside.

We are aware of variations in the implementation of certain aspects of Health for all Children across NHS board areas. However, the Scottish Government is currently working with NHS boards through the Hall 4 Implementation Network to address the variation. We hope to issue further advice on aspects of Hall 4 to boards in late 2009.

Officials have been advised by Orkney Islands Council that the review has resulted in there being no waiting list and in direct payments being offered to all eligible clients. Any such applications will be subject to the usual care management processes of assessment and regular review.

At national level, the intention is to visit each local authority to hear at first hand how direct payments policy is being developed locally and Orkney has agreed to participate.

The Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre is not a Scottish Government facility but is part of the Scottish Agricultural College''s (SAC) network of veterinary laboratories. SAC are a private company limited by guarantee and independent of government. Questions relating to operation matters should be directed to them.

The Scottish Government currently provides SAC with £4.3 million per annum to provide a veterinary surveillance programme. We have no plans to alter this programme.

The Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre is not a Scottish Government facility but is part of the Scottish Agricultural College''s (SAC) network of veterinary laboratories. SAC are a private company limited by guarantee and independent of government. SAC have been reviewing the structure of their veterinary laboratories and operational decisions are for them.

Following the untimely death of the veterinary manager Dr Sandy Clark, SAC moved rapidly to secure the services of two local veterinary practitioners who have been contracted to provide an uninterrupted service. An agreement has been reached with the local veterinary practice, DS McGregor and Partners, to ensure that appropriately trained vets will continue to provide a post mortem service from SAC''s existing Janetstown premises. Laboratory samples will also be sent to Thurso from other parts of Scotland to supplement this work.

Veterinary officials are satisfied that these arrangements will meet the requirements of the Scottish Government''s surveillance programme and they will continue to monitor the situation.

The Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre is not a Scottish Government facility but is part of the Scottish Agricultural College''s (SAC) network of veterinary laboratories. SAC are a private company limited by guarantee and independent of government. Questions relating to operational matters should be directed to them.

The Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre is not a Scottish Government facility but is part of the Scottish Agricultural College''s (SAC) network of veterinary laboratories. SAC are a private company limited by guarantee and independent of government. Questions relating to operational matters should be directed to them.

The Thurso Disease Surveillance Centre is not a Scottish Government facility but is part of the Scottish Agricultural College''s (SAC) network of veterinary laboratories. SAC are a private company limited by guarantee and independent of government.

Due to the specialist nature of this post, in a remote part of Scotland, recruitment of a suitably trained and experienced veterinary surgeon is difficult. Recognising this challenge SAC moved rapidly to secure the services of two local veterinary practitioners who have been contracted to provide an uninterrupted service. An agreement has been reached with the local veterinary practice, DS McGregor and Partners, to ensure that appropriately trained vets will continue to provide a post mortem service from SAC''s existing Janetstown premises. Laboratory samples will also be sent to Thurso from other parts of Scotland to supplement this work.

Veterinary officials are satisfied that these arrangements will meet the requirements of the Scottish Government''s surveillance programme and they will continue to monitor the situation.

Housing Association Grant can be used to fund renewables in registered social landlord (RSL) projects which meet our published grant benchmarks or other published value for money criteria such as the New Indicatives Cost System.

Otherwise we will expect RSLs to obtain additional funding contributions from partners, principally the Energy Saving Trust, who specialise in the energy efficiency sector and support innovative energy-saving approaches or technologies with grant schemes to complement investment in housing.

Guidance on the New Indicative Costs System and HAG Subsidy Target Benchmark can be accessed at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/investment/guidancenotes/nic.

http://www.scotland.gsi.gov.uk/Topics/Built-Environment/Housing/investment/guidancenotes/hign0903.