Chamber and committees

The national outcomes contained in the Scottish Budget: Spending Review 2007 outline what the Scottish Government, working with our partners, aim to deliver in education and early years provision. That document also contains the set of national indicators and targets through which we will measure the achievement of these outcomes across government. The national outcomes and indicators sit alongside the continued delivery of the statutory responsibilities placed on councils and their partners to care for all people in their communities.

All P1-P3 pupils in the five local authorities participating in the free school lunch trial, including the poorest 20% in each authority, will have access to free nutritious lunches during the trial. The evaluation of the trial will investigate whether there are differences in the rate of uptake among those previously registered for free school meals and those who were not.

The information requested is not available.

We regard prescription charges as a tax on ill health. The removal of prescription charges will end the unfair system and bring equity for all Scots.

Single outcome agreements will cover all local government services in each council area. A wide range of issues, including the ways in which we tackle poverty, inequality and deprivation, will inform the development and implementation of national and local policies and priorities. These will, in turn, inform the continued development of single outcome agreements.

I am delighted that all 32 local authorities in Scotland have frozen (or, in one case, cut) their council tax rates in 2008-09. All 32 authorities will now receive a share of the £70 million identified in the concordat.

Yes, some staff from the Scottish Government''s Housing and Regeneration Directorate will continue to be based in offices around the country previously occupied by Communities Scotland. They will work with local stakeholders to help take forward the government''s agenda for housing as set out in Firm Foundations: The Future of Housing in Scotland.

The National Care Standards set out of the quality of care for a range of care services available to vulnerable people. They are based on principles for ensuring dignity, privacy, choice, safety, realising potential and equality and diversity. The Care Commission ensures through regulation that the standards are being met. Arrangements for the provision of other types of services which vulnerable people might use are made under relevant legislation. Representative organisations for vulnerable groups were involved in developing the National Care Standards and are involved in discussions on any other issues relevant to vulnerable people.

The government''s response to the Crerar Review makes clear that outcome-based agreements will form an integral part of the processes for external scrutiny of service standards and promoting a continuous improvement approach to service delivery.

The Scottish Government, in partnership with COSLA and third sector bodies, will issue any new information and guidance on community engagement if those involved in engagement work feel there is a need for it.

The National Standards for Community Engagement are a good practice tool which have a part to play in improving community engagement. They are not mandatory. A recent evaluation of the impact of the standards, which will be published soon, has shown that they are beginning to have a positive effect. The Scottish Government, working with COSLA, will continue to promote the standards as good practice.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-9808 on 27 February 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.