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I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-28757 today. 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/search_wa. The National Autistic Society has provided autism awareness training to a number of key local authority staff across Scotland.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-20730 on 20 December 2001. 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/search_wa.

The Public Health Institute for Scotland's Autistic Spectrum Disorders Needs Assessment Report, published on 7 February 2002, recommended that resources for the systematic development of services for those with ASD should await completion of an audit of current service provision, expenditure and training by joint planning groups in each NHS board and local authority.

The same as you? review of services for people with learning disabilities recognised the need to improve support for people with autistic spectrum disorder and recommended that local agencies should identify the training needs of front-line staff, to improve awareness and understanding of people with an autistic spectrum disorder.

The information requested is not yet available. The Scottish Court Service is currently undertaking a review of all court buildings to determine current compliance with disability discrimination legislation. The full extent of work needed and costings have yet to be determined.

The feasibility report on the refurbishment of Peebles Sheriff Court, which was prepared by consultants for the Scottish Court Service, will be made available to interested parties together with the consultation document once the consultation process commences. This will ensure that all relevant material is available at the same time.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The contract was awarded in November 1997. The prison was opened in March 1999.

The Scottish Executive do not believe that there is any discrepancy between the Care Development Group Report, the Community Care and Health (Scotland) Act 2002 schedule 1 and the subsequent guidance CCD/4/2002 issued to councils on the implementation of the policy.The Care Development Group recommended that there should be sufficient flexibility in the definition and in turn application of personal care to ensure an individual's care needs can be properly met. "Assistance with the preparation of food" was therefore included in the definition to encompass those with severe physical and/or mental frailty who may need support for certain tasks. The Executive will continue to monitor the practical effect of the policy across all local authorities and keep the guidance under review.

I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Court Service to respond. His response is as follows:All major new legislation is reviewed to identify resource implications for the Scottish Court Service. The impact of increasing the financial thresholds in small claims and summary causes and the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Bill would not be expected to affect materially the level of business of the courthouse at Peebles.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-28957 today. 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.