Chamber and committees

The information requested couldonly be obtained at disproportionate cost.

It is not possible to givean absolute time period because each case depends on its own facts andcircumstances.

If large numbers of anthraxspores or bacilli are present then a sample might be reported provisionally asbeing positive within a few hours, with confirmation in around one day. Samplesnot assessed provisionally as being positive need to be cultured for a periodof around one week to allow any bacilli present to reach a detectable level.

Scottish EnterpriseEdinburgh and Lothian is playing a key role working with Edinburgh Crystal and withMidlothian Council in its discussions with Deloitte, the administrator. To helpEdinburgh Crystal staff who may be affected, the local Partnership Action for ContinuingEmployment team stand ready to assist any who are made redundant in finding suitablealternative employment.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-27842 on 11 September 2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Current fuel poverty programmeswill continue. From January 2007 the Central heating programme will be extendedto include upgrades to partial and inefficient systems for those who claim the guaranteeelement of Pension Credit and the Warm Deal will be extended to families with adisabled child. I refer the member to the answers to questions S2W-24143 and S2W-26949on 17 March 2006 and 20 June 2006 respectively.

All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facilityfor which can be at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

In Scotland, therehave been no notifications of suspected cases of Anthrax in humans recorded since1995. The last suspected cases in animals were in 2005 and the last confirmed casein animals was in 1997.

Responsibility for nuclear weaponsstored in Scotland is reserved to the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Arrangementsfor responding to radiation accidents are covered by The Radiation (Emergency Preparednessand Public Information) Regulations 2001 (REPPIR), which provide a frameworkfor the protection of the public through emergency preparedness for radiation accidentswith the potential to affect members of the public. The Executive, Scottishministers, emergency response organisations and Ministry of Defence staff with responsibilityfor civil contingencies planning, maintain a close liaison to ensure effective responseswould be in place where necessary. Further information can be found in the CivilContingencies Act 2004 and its accompanying guidance Preparing Scotland publishedon the Scottish Executive website:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/02/27140215/0.

Advice and guidance on the potentialrisk from Anthrax to individuals and businesses who work with animal hides is amatter for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE has advised the ScottishExecutive Health Department that guidance published in 1997 on Anthrax: Safe Working andPrevention of Infection (HSG174) is available via HSE Books.

Advice and guidance on the potential risk from Anthraxto individuals and businesses who work with animal hides is a matter for the Healthand Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE has advised the Scottish Executive Health Department that guidancepublished in 1997 on Anthrax: Safe Working and Prevention of Infection (HSG174)is available via HSE Books.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-27842 on 11 September 2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.