Seòmar agus comataidhean

This is a matter for local authorities who are responsible for making concessionary travel schemes under the Transport Act 1985.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-28378. All answers to written PQs are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

This is a matter for Scottish Water. The Chief Executive's response is:Each of the three authorities had their own charges scheme and charged differently for water services. In the former west and north areas the surface water drainage charge covered drainage from both roads and private property, whereas in the east the surface water drainage charge only covered property drainage. Road drainage costs were included as part of the volumetric sewage charge. In the former east area, if a customer's property does not drain to the public sewer then the surface water drainage charge is cancelled but the customer still pays road drainage charges as part of the volumetric sewage charge. In the former north and west areas, the surface water drainage charge is reduced for properties not draining to the sewer and only the cost of road drainage is charged.Scottish Water is continuously reviewing its charges and will be evaluating how customers are charged for surface water drainage as it develops a harmonised charging structure across Scotland.

The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland has made clear that baton guns will be used to deal with firearms incidents and that they will only be deployed where a Chief Constable is satisfied that an incident involves risk to life or serious injury.

There are no plans to vary the number of unified NHS boards, which were established as recently as September 2001. However, a longer-term review of management and decision-making in NHSScotland is now under way. We have made it clear that the review is not intended to result in structural upheaval, although NHS organisations might evolve and change where this will produce tangible benefits for patients, staff and local communities. Whatever the outcomes of the review, we do not expect to spend the coming months discussing structures: we will concentrate on helping the NHS deliver better front-line care for patients.

This is a matter for the organisations concerned.

For the purposes of crofting legislation a croft is defined by section 3 of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993. The Crofters Commission policies apply to all land undisputedly covered by that restrictive, statutory definition. All crofts should be recorded in the Register of Crofts and the Crofters Commission has an obligation under section 41 of the 1993 act to ensure that they are. Only land that falls within the definition of a croft in the 1993 act can be recorded in the Register of Crofts. Land which does not fall within the definition of a croft in section 3 of the 1993 act is not croft land and the Crofters Commission has no policies in relation to such land.

The Patient Focus and Public Involvement framework - published in December last year - indicated that we would consult on a proposal to establish a Scottish Health Council as a national body with a local presence to replace local health councils. Our paper will draw on pre-consultation work being carried out by the Scottish Consumer Council and Scottish Health Feedback which will be completed in September. We plan to publish the consultation paper during October.

The convener will make appointments to each panel in accordance with guidance from the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Prior to making the appointments the Convener must consult the Water Industry Commissioner and such bodies representing consumers interests as the Scottish ministers may direct. The appointment of panel members will be completed as soon as practicable following the appointment of the convener.

Scotland produces in the region of 150,000 tonnes of aquaculture products which constitute some 40% of Scottish food exports. The principal benefit of developing this market would be the creation of jobs in areas where other sources of employment are not readily available.