Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer I gave today, to Mr Keith Raffan's question number S1W-00488.

I refer the member to the answer I gave today, to Mr Keith Raffan's question number S1W-00488.

I refer the member to the answer I gave today, to Mr Keith Raffan's question number S1W-00488.

I refer the member to the answer I gave today, to Mr Keith Raffan's question number S1W-00488.

The review of services for people with a learning disability recognises the need to promote more positive public attitudes towards people with learning disabilities. It has already commissioned a study of how public attitudes might be changed for the better. We would expect this to address bullying and harassment. Its findings will be taken into account in the review which is to report to Ministers at the end of the year.The Moray House Institute of Education manages the national anti-bullying network. This is funded by the Scottish Executive and provides support and advice to all levels of school education through sharing good practice. It offers support to schools and authorities in tackling bullying.

The Scottish Executive has no plans to change the current situation whereby the provision of home-based tuition is a matter for individual educational institutions and authorities.

On 20 July I will be publishing an action plan to take forward in Scotland the recommendations of the Macpherson Report into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. I will also be setting up and chairing a Steering Group to ensure that progress is made on the recommendations. The Lord Advocate has already accepted some of the recommendations relevant to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and has introduced initiatives to improve racial awareness training. In addition, the Scottish Executive is committed to mainstreaming equal opportunities and tackling racism through the public sector as a whole.

The need for services in any particular circumstances is best assessed by authorities at a local level. In making those assessments, I would expect authorities to take account of the information mentioned in my reply to question S1W-00330 today.

The review of services for people with a learning disability recognises the need to promote more positive public attitudes towards people with learning disabilities. It has already commissioned a study of how public attitudes might be changed for the better. Its findings will be taken into account in the review which is to report to Ministers at the end of the year.

Tackling social exclusion is a top priority of the Scottish Executive. We believe that black and ethnic minority communities should have the same opportunities as other households in Scotland to obtain good quality, affordable housing. We will seek to ensure that they benefit fully from relevant housing programmes and initiatives.