The collection of council tax statistics from local authorities is ongoing. This data will inform the Scottish Government’s report to Parliament during the summer on energy-efficient discount schemes, as required under section 66 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009.

In my Statement to Parliament on 6 June 2012 I confirmed our plans for a National Retrofit Programme to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions. This government remains committed to eradication of fuel poverty, as far as is reasonably practicable.

Currently there is no requirement by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for a company, or the person in control of any premises, to notify anybody of the results of any sampling that is undertaken.

Matters relating to the HSE are reserved to the UK Government.

The responsible body for matters relating to health and safety in the UK is the Health and Safety Executive and such matters are reserved to the UK Government. There is no requirement for a company to notify their responsible person to any organisation.

The effect of the Legionella outbreak has brought a significant increase in the number of people requiring investigation and treatment in both primary and secondary care. However, NHS Lothian has confirmed that the actual number of elective procedures cancelled as a result of the impact on critical care has been minimal and the board will continue to monitor the impact until the end of the outbreak has been confirmed.

During the course of the week commencing 4 June NHS Lothian cancelled eight elective procedures, all of which have already been rescheduled.

An Incident Management Team (IMT) was set up by NHS Lothian on 3 June when the fourth case of Legionnaires disease was confirmed. The IMT is led by NHS Lothian, and involves the Environmental Health Service of Edinburgh City Council, the Health and Safety Executive and Health Protection Scotland. Others are engaged as necessary in the work of the group, for instance the Met Office regarding weather patterns.

An Incident Management Team and Outbreak Control Team perform the same function - the terminology is interchangeable.

The City of Edinburgh Environmental Health team and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), working as part of the Incident Management Team (IMT), are actively investigating the source of the current outbreak.

The Scottish Government Resilience Committee has considered NHS resource issues at every meeting. NHS Lothian is reporting that it is coping with the current pressures. Should the position change then the Scottish Government would ensure the required resources were available.

Additional specialist public health resources have already been provided to NHS Lothian from other boards, on a mutual aid basis.

It is standard procedure in all public health incidents and outbreaks such as this for a report to be produced at the end of outbreak by the lead NHS Board Incident Management Team. This is set out in guidance published in October 2011 Management of Public Health Incidents: Guidance on the Roles and Responsibilities of NHS led Incident Management Teams. This report, including its lessons learned, will inform handling of future public health incidents.

The Scottish Government is fully committed to the delivery of the new Royal Hospital for Sick Children on the Little France site. This will fulfil the ambition to have specialist children’s services located on sites which also support maternity and adult services.