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The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) consulted the relevant parties under Section 29 (4) of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007 in January 2009. There is no requirement under the Act for a copy of the consultation to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. The finalised budget was laid in Parliament in April 2009 in accordance with Section 29 (10) of the Act.

I understand that some of the larger retail outlets already accept the euro in every day transactions. Most banks make available foreign exchange and international banking facilities for many major currencies “ including the euro.

These can help to facilitate retail outlets in the acceptance of other currencies as payment, in that they provide the means for the acceptor to obtain value.

Historic Scotland (Scottish Government agency) properties throughout Scotland have been accepting euro notes since 1 July 2002 in relation both to entrance fees and retail outlets. The decision to take the euro was based on the desire to provide the highest standards of customer service. There has been a strong take up of this service especially at sites with substantial numbers of European visitors.

The Scottish Government engages with the retail industry on a range of issues. Scottish Government and Scottish Retail Consortium officials are due to meet in early June and this matter will be discussed.

As a result of the 16+ Learning Choices: First Step Activity and Financial Support consultation, we announced on the 13 May 2009 several changes which target our support system more effectively at those young people who are most in need. This includes taking account of the number of dependent children in the household. The details of these and other changes are set out in a letter sent to the Convener of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee, a copy of which is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48116).

As a result of the 16+ Learning Choices: First Step Activity and Financial Support consultation, we announced on the 13 May 2009 several changes which target our support system more effectively at those young people who are most in need. This includes changes to the calculation used in determining eligibility for Education Maintenance Allowance. The details of these and other changes are set out in a letter sent to the Convener of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee, a copy of which is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 48116).

The UK Budget Red Book confirmed that the Scottish Government''s Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) budget would be reduced by £496 million in 2010-11 in comparison with original spending plans.

Assuming that this reduction is spread evenly between revenue and capital expenditure it is estimated that it will threaten approximately 9,000 jobs at the national level during 2010-11. Breakdowns by parliamentary constituency and local authority area are not available.

Possible health concerns related to the provisions of European Framework Directive 2005/32/EC and the related Working document on possible ecodesign requirements for general lighting equipment are being taken forward on a UK-wide basis as this is a reserve matter.

The UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs responded to the Commission on behalf of the UK, and this included reference to particular concerns raised by clinicians and patient support groups that some medical conditions could be affected by phasing out incandescent lamps.

Further to this correspondence, the UK Health Protection Agency carried out work to characterise the output from low energy output bulbs and their impact on health, and their findings have been taken into account by the EU Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) in providing advice on Light Sensitivity. This SCENIHR opinion was published on 3 October 2008 and can be viewed on:

http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scenihr/docs/scenihr_o_019.pdf.

The committee found that the only potential risk factor for the aggravation of the light-sensitive symptoms associated with emissions from energy saving lamps was UV/blue light, and noted that the use of double envelope energy saving bulbs or similar technology would mitigate this risk.

The Scottish Government along with relevant UK Government Departments are continuing to work with HPA, the lighting industry and patient groups to improve standards further on ultraviolet emissions from low energy lamps.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23604 on 14 May 2009. The analysis was conducted using the Expenditure and Food Survey which does not provide a breakdown by National Statistics Socio-economic Classification or by Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation categories.

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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The temporary cut in the standard rate of VAT from 17.5% to 15% announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 24 November is estimated to increase the average Scottish household''s income by approximately £4 a week in 2009-10.

Table 1 summarises the estimated average impact of the VAT cut on the weekly income of different household types in Scotland during 2009-10. The results presented assume that the cut in VAT is passed on in full to consumers; if this does not occur, the average impact on households will be less.

The analysis was conducted using the Expenditure and Food Survey which does not provide data at the sub-Scotland level.

Table 1 “ Estimated Average Weekly Change in Net Income by Family Type (2009-10)

Family Type	Average Weekly Change (£)
Single Non-Pensioner	£1.90
Married w/o Children	£5.30
Married with Children	£6.10
One-Parent Families	£3.00
Single Pensioners	£1.40
Married Pensioners	£3.30
Households comprising Multiple Taxpayers	£5.40

Note: Results have been rounded to the nearest 10p.

We do not intend to carry out a review of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission in the near future. It is too early to assess the effectiveness of the commission, as it has only been operational since October 2008.

Under the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007, the commission is required to publish a report every year, as soon as practicable after the end of the financial year, reporting on the discharge of its functions in that year, and such action as the commission proposes to take in the following year. Scottish ministers lay these reports in Parliament.

The Scottish Legal Complaints Commission (SLCC) published its draft rules on 28 April 2008. At that time the SLCC consulted the relevant parties required under section 32 of the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Act 2007. The finalised rules are published on the SLCC''s website, www.scottishlegalcomplaints.com.