David Mundell

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what research has been carried out by the Scottish Further Education Funding Council into what examples of information and communications technologies support for learning work best in a further education context as set out in point 11 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotlan…

Answer · Wendy Alexander: SFEFC is working to implement this recommendation through a range of initiatives set out in its information and communications technology (ICT) strategy. For example, the council is funding eight strategic projects which are piloting a range of innovative act…

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will describe the Memorandum of Understanding between the Scottish University for Industry and the National Grid Team as set out in point 9 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Scottish UfI Ltd and the National Grid for Learning team are in the process of finalising a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). We expect the main elements of the MoU to focus on:<P>identifying and pursuing projects and policies that are of mutual interest whe…

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the role of Learning and Teaching Scotland is in educational technology as set out in point 8 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The information requested is set out in <I>Learning and Teaching Scotland's Aims and Objectives</I>, <I>Strategic Plan 2001-2004 and Annual Plan 2001-2002</I>, all of which can be found on the internet at http://www.ltscotland.com/about/corporate.asp.

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has undertaken or plans to undertake, to promote discussion among education authorities about being providers of information and communications technologies services as set out in point 7 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland:…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Since April 2000, the Executive, through the NGfL Scotland programme of seminars and events, has supported seven seminars at which education authorities have been encouraged to meet and discuss their experience of obtaining and delivering a range of ICT servi…

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail how the Metropolitan Area Networks fit into its plans for digital inclusion as set out in point 6 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Recommendation six of the Digital Scotland Task Force report related to a broadband network for schools. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-21268 on 16 January 2002.

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it has been working with the BBC in developing the BBC's digital broadcasting strategy as set out in point 5 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive continues to work with the BBC to ensure that Scottish interests are represented in policy on production of digital material for schools and more generally. I intend to meet senior BBC representatives shortly.

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what agreements it has reached with education authorities on the handling of educational copyright, licensing and intellectual property rights issues as set out in point 4 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: There is as yet no consensus with education authorities and others on the handling of intellectual property issues. Learning and Teaching Scotland is working closely with all the local authorities, through the Inter-Authority Collaborative Network, to ensure …

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it and Learning and Teaching Scotland ensure that commercial providers are aware of the opportunities for working in collaboration in providing software of educational content as set out in point 3 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: Th…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Building on the experience gained from existing partnerships with commercial providers, the Executive and Learning and Teaching Scotland are developing a procurement strategy covering the financial years 2002-03 and 2003-04 that will continue to raise the awa…

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made on developing the number of information and communications technologies learning centres through Learndirect Scotland as set out in point 2 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward, and where these centre…

Answer · Wendy Alexander: As at 30 November 2001, 223 learning centres had gained learndirect scotland branding. Of these, 111 are in areas of social deprivation. A comprehensive list of the learndirect scotland learning centres and their locations has been lodged with the Parliament'…

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the next annual progress report on the Scottish National Grid for Learning strategy.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive plans to publish the next annual progress report on the Scottish National Grid for Learning in 2002 once key data from the latest School Census have been analysed.

19 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken, or plans to take, to encourage the co-ordination of innovative and exploratory work on information and communications technologies in schools as set out in point 1 of its response to the report of the Digital Scotland Task Force, Digital Scotland: The Way Forward.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive's strategy for developing the National Grid for Learning (NGfL) in Scotland has a range of programmes and projects in place to encourage and co-ordinate innovative and exploratory work on ICT in schools, covering the main themes of training, con…

6 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of staff working on Opportunities and Choices in order to increase the level of work carried out by that project.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: As of October 2000 the Scottish Executive has been fully staffed for the work on Opportunities and Choices. The project involves other agencies, notably Scottish Enterprise who have recently allocated additional resources to increase the level of work involve…

6 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S10-3907 by Mr Jack McConnell on 4 October 2001, whether (a) the deadline for local authorities' bids in respect of Public/Private Partnerships for improving school buildings and (b) the expected date for deciding and announcing funding allocations have …

Answer · Nicol Stephen: There has been no change in these dates.

6 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19774 by Ms Margaret Curran on 21 November 2001, whether the present coverage of the Social Inclusion Partnership programme meets the needs of any groups or individuals suffering from social exclusion in rural areas like Dumfries and Galloway.

Answer · Margaret Curran: A network of 48 Social Inclusion Partnerships (SIPs) has been established in both urban and rural areas across Scotland. The network includes both area-based partnerships, and partnerships which are tackling exclusion in particular groups.<P>SIPs are broadly-…

6 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what evaluation it has carried out of the educational standards in, and classroom environment of, primary schools with (a) one teacher and (b) two teachers.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: We have not carried out such an evaluation. A sample of one and two teacher schools are included each year in the annual inspection programme carried out by HM Inspectorate of Education (HMIE). HMIE publishes a report on every school inspection, which include…

6 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues on the maximum distance primary schoolchildren should travel from home to school each day.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has issued no guidance on maximum distances for home to school travel. Under provisions in the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, education authorities provide free school transport for pupils attending their designated school where that sc…

6 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19775 by Nicol Stephen on 21 November 2001, why, in light of its involvement in the Personal ICT project on classrooms of the future announced on 23 November 2001, it would not be appropriate for it to comment on aspects of Dumfries and Galloway Coun…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive is committed in <I>Working Together for Scotland</I> to support and evaluate "Future School" projects, which encourage local authorities and schools to explore new ways of delivering learning and teaching to meet the needs of their pupils. We ar…

4 Dec 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring learndirect scotland undertakes of the number of people with disabilities who use its services.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Learndirect scotland monitors the number of people with disabilities who have declared this when they have contacted the freephone helpline. To date this totals approximately 800 callers (0.46% of all callers) in 2001.

28 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to the second supplementary question to question S1O-4155 by Rhona Brankin on 22 November 2001, whether it has any plans to review its policy on new nuclear power stations.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive position, which was made clear both in response to that question and in our September submission to the UK Energy Policy Review, remains unchanged. We take the view that no decisions on policy about the future of nuclear energy, and its…

23 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what lifelong learning opportunities are available for those who wish to develop their career in the Merchant Navy.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: <I>learndirect scotland</I> provides a freephone helpline with trained advisors to provide information and guidance on learning opportunities to improve an individual's career prospects. Searches of the database of learning opportunities, which can also be ac…

20 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to use the Marriage (Scotland) Bill to the advantage of the tourism industry in Scotland.

Answer · Mike Watson: VisitScotland already markets Scotland as a romantic setting for a wedding. Romance is one of the themes of the current winter campaign. In their future campaigns, VisitScotland will take account of the arrangements introduced by The Marriage (Scotland) Bill,…

20 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what lifelong learning opportunities are available for those who wish to pursue a career in the Merchant Navy.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Learndirect scotland, the Scottish Executive's flagship lifelong learning initiative can help people to gain the skills they need to pursue the career of their choice. Advisors on the freephone helpline can help people to identify their learning needs, and gu…

14 Nov 2001 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in discussions with Her Majesty's Government on the possibility of a national top-up to the Sheep Annual Premium.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I initiated contacts with other UK ministers about a top-up payment for 2001 in the early days of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The matter remains under review. The final Sheep Annual Premium rate for this year will not be known until January.

8 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to bring forward legislation equivalent to the Animal Health Bill which has been introduced in England and Wales.

Answer · Ross Finnie: I believe that changes to Animal Health Legislation will be necessary in the light of experience gained during the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. However, a Scottish Bill will not be introduced before industry and other interests have been consulted …

7 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools were closed in each of the past five years, broken down by school name and location.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The number of schools closed in each of the past five calendar years is shown in Table 1, and the school details are listed in Table 2. The tables cover both local authority and independent schools, and include schools that have merged to form new schools and…

7 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce a scheme equivalent to the Small School Support Fund operated by the Department for Education and Skills.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: There are significant differences in school management arrangements north and south of the Border, and the Scottish Executive does not mirror the detailed school funding arrangements which apply in England. <P>There are currently no proposals to extend the sc…

7 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it endorses the definition of the expression "school of the future" contained in Dumfries and Galloway Council's Schools Option Appraisal document.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: This document is a matter for Dumfries and Galloway Council and it would not be appropriate for the Scottish Executive to comment on particular aspects of it.

7 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to review the coverage of area-based Social Inclusion Partnerships.

Answer · Margaret Curran: We currently have no plans to review the coverage of the Social Inclusion Partnerships programme beyond its present 48 partnerships.

6 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it provides to businesses for them to translate sales and marketing material into foreign languages.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: Scottish Development International, which is a joint venture between the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise, delivers a Market Access Programme to companies in Scotland. The programme offers support to companies seeking to develop international busine…

1 Nov 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it is supporting or is intending supporting to promote Glasgow's status as the UK's second retail city.

Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive, through its Enterprise Network, is committed to delivering sustainable local economic development. Specifically in relation to Glasgow and the retail sector, the local enterprise company is providing support in a number of ways: infras…