Parliamentary questions
Margaret Smith
931 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
11 Mar 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the National Qualifications Steering Group last met.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-32355 on 17 March 2010.</p> <p >All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament…
11 Mar 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what role the National Qualifications Steering Group has in the development of the Curriculum for Excellence and the new national qualifications.
Answer · Michael Russell: The National Qualifications Steering Group (NQSG) last met on 18 February 2009. The Group''s role in providing the Scottish Government with advice on the development of National Qualifications has been subsumed within (a) the expanded role, remit and membersh…
1 Mar 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes there have been between 1999-2000 and 2009-10 in its (a) revenue, excluding student support, and (b) capital funding for colleges and (c) further education student support in (i) cash and (ii) real terms, as expressed as percentages.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Funding Council provides funding for revenue and student support to Scotland''s colleges. However, ring-fenced capital funding was not introduced by the SFC until 2000-01 for colleges. </p> <p >In order to provide a consistent measure of allocat…
1 Mar 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes there have been between 1999-2000 and 2009-10 in its (a) teaching fund, (b) research and (c) capital funding for universities in (i) cash and (ii) real terms, as expressed as percentages.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Funding Council funds teaching and research in Scotland''s higher education institutions. However, ring-fenced capital funding was not introduced by the SFC until 2005-06 for universities. </p> <p >In order to provide a consistent measure of all…
1 Mar 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what changes there have been between 1999-2000 and 2009-10 in its (a) overall university, (b) overall college and (c) student support funding in (i) cash and (ii) real terms, as expressed as percentages.
Answer · Keith Brown: The overall budget allocation to (a) higher education institutions increased by around (i) 82 per cent in cash and by around (ii) 43 per cent in real terms between 1999-2000 and 2009-10. </p> <p >The overall budget allocation to (b) further education college…
11 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to support supply teachers unable to secure permanent positions.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government has taken a number of actions to support supply teachers unable to secure permanent positions and has worked with partners, including local authority employers, to ensure that they also play their part.</p> <p >It is crucial that thos…
11 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to encourage local authorities to use the funds available under the teacher refresh scheme.
Answer · Michael Russell : Consultation on the draft scheme closed on 22 January 2010. The scheme is currently being finalised and will be available to all local authorities very shortly. We shall be encouraging local authorities to use the funds available under the scheme through our…
11 Feb 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authorities have used the funds available under the teacher refresh scheme.
Answer · Michael Russell : Consultation on the proposed scheme closed on 22 January 2010. Responses from Local Authorities indicated that they would prefer the scheme to operate for 2010-11. The Scheme is currently being finalised and will be issued shortly.</p>
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has that team teaching brings the same benefits to children as smaller class sizes.
Answer · Michael Russell: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31177 on 9 February 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps…
28 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has of the effectiveness of team teaching in primary schools.
Answer · Michael Russell: Team teaching happens in some primary schools in some parts of Scotland reflecting local circumstances and needs. The deployment of team teaching approaches is a matter for schools and local authorities. It offers potential for pupils to experience wider rang…
28 Jan 2010 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether secondary schools receiving funding under the school building programme are being replaced on a like-for-like basis, including space for sports and community centres, and, if not, what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer · Michael Russell: The offer of Scottish Government funding has been made on a like for like basis of current facilities. Where possible, and within the parameters of the school building programme''s overall budget, I have asked that the Scottish Futures Trust are flexible to l…
12 Jan 2010 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated number of students is in each local authority area who travel at least (a) 20 and (b) 50 miles to their further education institution.
Answer · Michael Russell: The following table provides an estimate of the number of Scottish domiciled students attending Scottish Colleges whose home address is (a) 20 miles or more from their college of enrolment and (b) 50 miles or more from their college of enrolment. This is a st…
17 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the impact on tourism of HM Revenue and Customs’ changes to tax relief on furnished holiday letting properties has been considered.
Answer · Jim Mather: HM Revenue and Customs have published a draft Regulatory Impact Assessment on the proposed tax relief changes for furnished holiday lettings. This, and draft Regulations, is available for consultation until 26 February 2010. The Scottish Government has been l…
16 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what different (a) sources and (b) levels of financial support are available to (i) medical, (ii) teaching and (iii) nursing students, broken down by (A) age and (B) mode of study.
Answer · Michael Russell: The different sources and levels of financial support, for academic year 2009-10, available to medical, teaching and nursing students, broken down by age and mode of study is publicly available and can be found on the Student Awards Agency for Scotland websit…
16 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what different (a) sources and (b) levels of financial support are available to (i) further and (ii) higher education students under the age of 25.
Answer · Michael Russell: The different sources and levels of financial support available, for academic year 2009-10, to further education students under the age of 25, including details on residency, previous study and age criteria are publicly available and can be found on the Scott…
16 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what different (a) sources and (b) levels of financial support are available to mature (i) further and (ii) higher education students.
Answer · Michael Russell: The different sources and levels of financial support available, for academic year 2009-10, to mature further education students, including details on residency, previous study and age criteria are publicly available and can be found on the Scottish Funding C…
16 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what different (a) sources and (b) levels of financial support are available to student parents in (i) further and (ii) higher education.
Answer · Michael Russell: Further education students with children can apply to their college for help from the further education discretionary fund (FEDF) and the childcare fund (CCF). A detailed guidance document which sets out the conditions for use by colleges of the funds and gui…
16 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what different (a) sources and (b) levels of financial support are available to (i) postgraduate taught and (ii) postgraduate research students.
Answer · Michael Russell: The different sources and levels of financial support, for academic year 2009-10, available to postgraduate taught students is publicly available and can be found on both the Student Awards Agency for Scotland website:</p> <p ><a href="http://www.student-sup…
16 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what different (a) sources and (b) levels of financial support are available to (i) part-time further education, (ii) part-time higher education, (iii) full-time further education and (iv) full-time higher education students.
Answer · Michael Russell: The different sources and levels of financial support available to (i) part-time further education, (ii) part-time higher education, (iii) full-time further education and (iv) full-time higher education students for academic year 2009-10 is publicly available…
10 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has undertaken or commissioned feasibility studies about the possibility of building a tram line from Fife to Edinburgh Airport via South Queensferry.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-29942 on 11 January 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/App…
10 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to build a tram line from Fife to Edinburgh Airport via South Queensferry.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: There are currently no plans to build a tram line from Fife to Edinburgh Airport via South Queensferry.</p> <p >However, intervention 25 of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) has recommended the provision of a light rapid transit system, initial…
10 Dec 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many students are attending (a) college and (b) university, broken down by (i) local authority area, (ii) UK Parliament constituency, (iii) Scottish Parliament constituency and (iv) Scottish Parliament region.
Answer · Michael Russell: The following tables show the number of enrolments by Scottish domiciles at Scottish colleges and higher education institutions (HEIs) for the academic year 2007-08, which is the most recent data available. Data on enrolments to HEIs includes those at HEIs in…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are standard procedures or guidance that (a) schools and (b) local authorities are required to follow to support teachers that have been subject to an allegation of misconduct by a pupil or parent and, if not, whether it considers that it might be appropriate to put such pro…
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government''s Safe and Well handbook (2005) provides guidance for staff, schools and education authorities on handling allegations against teachers so that any such allegations can be promptly, fully and properly investigated. The support provide…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that teachers subject to allegations of misconduct by pupils or parents should be prohibited from communicating with colleagues.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government''s Safe and Well handbook (2005) provides guidance for staff, schools and education authorities on handling allegations against teachers so that any such allegations can be promptly, fully and properly investigated. Detailed internal p…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that teachers subject to allegations of misconduct by pupils or parents should have a right to anonymity while investigations are ongoing.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government understands the concerns of teachers who may have allegations of misconduct made against them. However, other than very limited exceptions for children and vulnerable witnesses, Scotland has an open system of court proceedings. The ide…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are standard procedures or guidance that (a) schools and (b) local authorities are required to follow when dealing with pupils that make false allegations of misconduct against teachers and, if not, whether it considers that it might be appropriate to put such procedures in …
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government has published <i >Safe and Well: Good Practice in Schools and Education Authorities for Keeping Children Safe and Well </i>(2005), which provides guidance on the protection of children in schools. This guidance contains information on …
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are standard procedures or guidance that (a) schools and (b) local authorities are required to follow with regard to publicly naming the accused when handling allegations of misconduct made by a pupil or parent against a teacher and, if not, whether it considers that it migh…
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government''s Safe and Well handbook (2005) provides guidance for staff, schools and education authorities on handling allegations against teachers so that any such allegations can be promptly, fully and properly investigated. Teachers, as employ…
5 Nov 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are standard procedures or guidance that (a) schools and (b) local authorities are required to follow when handling allegations of misconduct made by a pupil or parent against a teacher and, if not, whether it considers that it might be appropriate to put such procedures in …
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government''s Safe and Well handbook (2005) provides guidance for staff, schools and education authorities on handling allegations against teachers so that any such allegations can be promptly, fully and properly investigated.</p>
21 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates would need to be set aside in financial contingency if home loss payments were to be paid at the levels paid in England.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Any compensation due as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing project will be paid as per the procedures currently adopted by the Scottish ministers. An estimate for procedures adopted in England are, therefore, not relevant.</p>
21 Sep 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been set aside in financial contingency for home loss payments.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: With regard to the Forth Replacement Crossing project costs, a provisional sum has been included in estimates for the net cost of land acquisition and compensation. At this stage, this has not been collated on the basis of a detailed assessment of individual …