§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress made by the Government in tackling social exclusion in Scotland. [74118]
§ Mr. DewarSocial exclusion is a pernicious phenomenon and we have made clear our determination to confront it. Since coming into office we have put in place a wide-ranging and well resourced programme of action. We have today published a social inclusion strategy for Scotland, which has been developed and endorsed by the Scottish Social Inclusion Network, chaired by my noble Friend Lord Sewel. The strategy aims to ensure that action already underway achieves the greatest possible impact, and that future action to promote social inclusion is integrated, evaluated and informed by new ideas and existing best practice.
A statement of the Government's programme of action is set out in a companion document to the strategy, also published today. Copies of both documents are available from the House Library.
From 1 July 1999 action taken forward under the social inclusion strategy will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.