Chamber and committees

In response to the consultation paper published last year, we received 90 formal responses. At the same time the Executive also received over 120 letters from members of the public, many of whom went to great lengths to describe the difficulties they were experiencing as a result of high boundary hedges. We consider that though the experience of such problems is not so widespread in Scotland as south of the border, the suffering in individual cases is just as acute.We have accordingly decided in principle that a statutory remedy of last resort is required, involving complaints to the local authority and enforcement action in appropriate cases, where other avenues have been exhausted. No commitment can be given at this stage as to when legislation can be brought forward.

We have had discussion with the Scottish Society for Autism about their proposal to implement recommendation 7 of The same as you report of the review of services for people with learning disabilities. The society is also a member of the Users' and Carers' Reference Group for people with learning disabilities, which continues to meet regularly and which Scottish Executive officials attend.The society has also been awarded funding of £209,000 for several projects under the Scottish Executive's Special Educational Needs Innovation Grants Programme.

There have been no discussions between the Executive and the Home Office about this matter. It is for Chief Constables to make local arrangements for the practical care of individuals coming to its attention. Each force will have agreed a course of action or protocol with local hospitals, social services, and possibly other agencies, of which local officers should be aware.

We are presently considering proposals jointly submitted by the Scottish Society for Autism and the National Autistic Society to take forward the establishment of a national network, as recommended in the review of services for people with learning disabilities. While it will be for the network itself to decide how best to raise awareness and understanding of the needs of people with autistic spectrum disorder, we would expect it will wish to consider existing Departmental guidance to the police on how they deal with people with learning disabilities and consult Chief Constables in the development of further good practice.

The Scottish Strategy for Victims, and the Scottish Executive Justice Department Action Plan which sets out what the Justice Department plans to do to support the strategy, is published today. A copy of each document will be placed in the Parliament's Information Centre and additional copies made available in the Document Supply Centre. (Bib. no's 10680 and 10681).

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-11351.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-10424.

Services for individuals diagnosed within the autistic spectrum disorder are provided by health boards and local authorities, based on their assessment of the needs of their respective areas. Increased awareness and better understanding of all mental illness are part of our social inclusion agenda for all, and of our work to maximise the life opportunities for all vulnerable individuals and groups.

The Scottish Executive is committed to improving the quality of health and social care services, and the general wellbeing of people with learning disabilities and mental health problems, to enable them to play a full part in society. The Learning Disability Review Report, launched on 11 May, recommends the establishment of a national service network to improve awareness and understanding of the needs of people within the autistic spectrum disorder. Together with a new Scottish Centre for Learning Disabilities, both will have important roles in how future services are designed and delivered.

The report also recommends that local authorities and health boards should jointly draw up "partnership in practice" (PiP) agreements by June 2001 which will serve as the strategic planning document for meeting the needs of all people with learning disabilities. A key component of these first PiP's should include proposals for how local authorities and health boards will meet the needs of those within the autistic spectrum disorder in their area, and cover mainstream and specialist support services.

We are providing £36 million over the next three years for a Change Fund to assist local authorities implement the report.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

Information about staff turnover at Kilmarnock is not collected by the SPS as it is a matter for Premier Prison Services who operate the establishment.

The level of staff turnover through resignations at SPS managed prisons was 4.6% for the financial year 1999-2000. Details for each prison and for previous financial years could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

We aim to publish a new code of practice to help local authorities improve their recruitment, selection and assessment of foster carers early next year. We are currently involved in discussion on the development of UK national standards for adoption and will be assessing the implications for current guidance in Scotland.