Seòmar agus comataidhean

Training dealing specifically with autistic spectrum disorder is not provided for police officers. General awareness of the need to deal sensitively with people who may have special needs will, however, be addressed through the new National Equal Opportunity Training Strategy which is presently being rolled out at the Scottish Police College.

The Performance Audit Group (PAG) is appointed by the Scottish Executive to audit and monitor the activities of BEAR Scotland Ltd. BEAR's physical performance is monitored and audited throughout the year by PAG's Field Engineers. During winter months PAG pays particular attention to reviewing BEAR's strategic planning as described in their Winter Maintenance Plan. This involves monitoring the management of BEAR's plant and labour resources and the deployment of these resources. PAG communicates its observations to the Executive by means of various reports either periodically or as particular matters arise.

The new guidance published is designed to show agencies what needs to be in place where and when to provide good psychological interventions and eating disorder services.The workforce skills, recruitment, training and retention issues are recognised and are under active consideration. Meantime, the Mental Health and Well Being Support Group, the Scottish Health Advisory Service and others will consider and report on local responses and progress in delivering the care and support needed in each case added to which will be the reviews under the new Performance Assessment Framework which will include consideration of progress made by agencies across the mental health agenda.

During pre-service training panel members receive general information on child development and special needs, including reference to autistic spectrum disorder. Recent in-service training and locally organised training events have also addressed autistic spectrum disorder.

The information requested is not held centrally.

It is for health services and local authorities to work together to organise eating disorders services that meet the assessed needs of their area. To aid local considerations we have published a template for the best organisation of eating disorder services. The template guidance acknowledges the specialist support networks, knowledge and advice available through organisations such as the Scottish Eating Disorder Interest Group, Health Education Board for Scotland and other specialist voluntary and professional organisations. Planners are also encouraged to respond positively to the views of service users and carers whose insights are particularly relevant in the planning of services.

Fife Constabulary, in discussion with other enforcement agencies, is taking steps to ensure that, following the introduction of the proposed ferry service, a commensurate level of policing would be in place at the port to counter the assessed threat posed by criminal and other interests.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:The SPS operates a system of induction and sentence management for prisoners. This, together with the health checks carried out on admission, aims to identify prisoners with serious problems as a result of, for example, autism. Education staff working in prisons draw up individual learning plans for and with prisoners. A diagnosis of autism would result in particular care being taken to engage the learner appropriately.

The principal responsibility for school provision in rural and urban areas lies with the education authorities. There are statutory consultation requirements which authorities must undertake where they propose to close a school. This ensures that there is a full opportunity for all relevant issues surrounding any proposed closure of a school to be aired and considered.

The detailed management and delivery of the curriculum in Scotland rests with education authorities and schools. To support the role of schools and education authorities, advice and guidance on the curriculum is provided by the Scottish Executive and other agencies. National guidelines on the 5-14 curriculum for environmental studies provide schools with the opportunity to promote the teaching and learning of skills associated with the countryside. There are also opportunities within the National Qualifications framework for the development of such skills.