Parliamentary questions
Fergus Ewing
2,894 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
8 Sep 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the Ministerial Statement by the Minister for Children and Education on 6 September 2000 and in particular his statement on the need for the truth of this year's events to be impartially evaluated and his commitment that all necessary documents will be made available to the Pa…
Answer · Sam Galbraith: As I indicated in my responses to questions following my statement on 6 September, I wish to be as helpful as possible in providing information to the Education, Culture and Sport Committee which is relevant to their inquiry into the issues surrounding the is…
8 Sep 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost will be of the report commissioned by it from Deloitte & Touche referred to in the Ministerial Statement by the Minister for Children and Education on 6 September 2000 and what their agreed rate of remuneration is per hour.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The value of the contract awarded to Deloitte and Touche is in the region of £80,000. As usual, the contract is based on the outputs which will be delivered, not the number of hours to be worked.
31 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made any representations to Her Majesty's Government regarding any economic impact which the closure of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Collection and Co-ordination Unit in Paisley would have.
Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the United Kingdom government on a wide range of issues including the Customs and Excise network.
31 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any representations from the Public and Commercial Services Union regarding the implications which the closure of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise Collection and Co-ordination Unit in Paisley would have for devolved matters, in particular the tackling of the drugs …
Answer · Jim Wallace: No representations have been received. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a range of subjects. HM Customs and Excise have sought to give assurances that a reduction in the number of Collection and Co-ordination Units would …
31 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in respect of which Advanced Higher courses materials were not supplied to schools in time for the start of term and, in each case, what the date is by which all relevant materials will have been provided.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: I refer Fergus Ewing to the answer I gave to question S1W-9243 on 7 September. Further to that reply, I can advise that the Higher Still Development Unit wrote to centres on 31 August.
25 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will quantify the impact on the number of school pupils admitted to further or higher education this year of any difficulties with the examination marking process.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service announced on 13 September that the number of Scottish students entering UK higher education institutions is 3.3% higher than this time last year. Information on admissions to further education colleges is not c…
25 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or any person or body acting on its behalf sought to influence statements by Professor Lindsay Paterson of Edinburgh University regarding the examination system.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: No. A Scottish Executive official contacted Professor Lindsay Paterson on 11 August to ask him to assist in resolving the difficulties by sharing with the Executive the evidence of problems with the production of this year's exam results which he had referred…
25 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of any additional costs which will be incurred by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) or itself arising from the situation in relation to this year's Scottish examinations; whether it has received from the SQA an estimate of any such costs; whether it will pla…
Answer · Sam Galbraith: Officials are discussing with SQA their resource needs. In addition, there may be expenditure implications that flow from inquiries that are underway. Estimates of any additional costs will be notified to Parliament in the usual way.
25 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has been given by the Scottish Qualifications Authority regarding the ability of the SQA to discharge efficiently its functions in relation to this year's examinations and whether any of this information has been inaccurate.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: Since March the Scottish Executive has received information and reassurances from the Scottish Qualifications Authority about every stage of the examination system, in response to concerns we had raised. The extent to which this information was inaccurate wil…
24 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Qualifications Authority used probationary teachers as markers for this years exams, whether it approved such measures, when it became aware of whether such measures were being taken and whether it considers that such measures should not be taken in future years.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The recruitment of markers is an operational issue for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and does not require approval by the Scottish Executive. As I said in my statement on 6 September, I was informed by SQA that they have now identified eight probation…
24 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it first became aware of any inadequacies in quality control measures to ensure consistent marking of this year's exam papers.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Qualifications Authority has long-established quality assurance procedures for the marking process. The inquiry which I have commissioned will determine whether they were used correctly this year and make recommendations about how quality assuran…
24 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the work of markers in this year's exams has been checked adequately and, if not, what failures it has identified.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: I have confidence in the professional judgement of those who undertook the making of scripts this year. The Scottish Qualifications Authority have long-established quality assurance procedures for the marking process. The inquiry, which I have commissioned, w…
24 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether more markers will be needed if any difficulties encountered in the marking of this year's examination papers are to be avoided next year and, if so, what arrangements should be put in place to ensure that persons with sufficient skill and experience to act as markers are recruited…
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The recruitment of markers is an operational issue for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. However, the independent inquiry into this year's exam results which I have commissioned will look at recruitment of markers and will make recommendations about how …
24 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the statement on 20 August 2000 by the Deputy Minister for Children and Education on the BBC Radio Scotland programme Eye to Eye that necessary resources would be made available applies only to this year's situation in relation to examinations or also for subsequent years.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) have been offered additional resources to ensure the efficient running of the awards system on several occasions over the past year. The Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning and I have asked our officials t…
24 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review and reallocate subject areas of ministerial responsibility in the light of the division between existing departments of responsibility for matters arising from the examination marking process.
Answer · Donald Dewar: I shall consider all aspects of the relationship between Ministers and the SQA in the light of the review of the authority which was announced on 6 September.
24 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or anyone acting on its behalf approached the bodies in England responsible for awarding 'A' level results to ask whether the English bodies would delay release of their results and, if so, who made the approach, on what date, and what response was received, and whether it cons…
Answer · Sam Galbraith: No.
24 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has powers in relation to the Scottish Qualifications Authority and what these powers are; whether it considers that its powers are sufficient, and whether it will take steps to widen such powers.
Answer · Henry McLeish: The Scottish Qualifications Authority was established under the Education (Scotland) Act 1996. The Act sets out the authority's functions and the powers which Scottish Ministers have in relation to SQA. As a Non-Departmental Public Body, the relationship betw…
24 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any decisions taken by the Scottish Qualifications Authority in relation to this year's exams were mistaken and, if so, which decisions.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The independent inquiry which I have commissioned will determine what caused the problems with the production and issue of this year's exam results and how these can be avoided in future.
22 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons who this year undertook for the first time the task of marker of Scottish Examination papers did not attend the day-long markers' meetings.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chairman to reply to you, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).
22 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to reduce the amount of internal assessment of pupils from the level that was required in the first year of Higher Still and, if so, whether it will consult teachers on what amount and type of assessment is in the best interests of pupils' education.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: As I announced at the end of June, SQA are consulting on changes to the English and Communication course, which could involve changing the level of internal assessment. I am meeting the organisations represented on the Higher Still Liaison Group on 13 Septemb…
22 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it received any assurances from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service that no pupils would be disadvantaged by delays in the proper completion of the process of marking exam papers and, if so, what was the nature of these assurances, on what date or dates such assurance…
Answer · Henry McLeish: UCAS confirmed in regular telephone calls with officials in the Executive and with Mr Galbraith on 11 August, that they would process data required to progress Scottish candidates affected by delays in finalising their exam results as quickly as possible. Thi…
22 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will appoint a Minister solely responsible for tourism and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer · Donald Dewar: No. The Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning has responsibility for tourism.
22 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Scottish pupils will this year be disadvantaged in respect of (a) being unable to attain a place in a degree course of their preference and (b) being unable to attain a place in the institution of their first choice as a result of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Servi…
Answer · Henry McLeish: Conditional offers of university places had been held open while final queries on Higher results were resolved. This has now been done, and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service has passed the information to institutions. Places are being confirmed…
22 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) (a) commenced and (b) completed the issue of instructions to individuals to act as markers for this year's exams and whether there was a delay in this work by the SQA and, if so, of what duration.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chairman to reply to you, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).
22 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was made aware by the Scottish Qualifications Authority of any delay in the recruitment of markers for this year's exams and, if so, when.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The Executive became aware of concerns about the appointment of markers in June and discussed these immediately with the SQA.
22 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it approved a reduction in the rate of remuneration paid to examination markers or, if this was a matter for which the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) were responsible, whether it was aware of a decision of the SQA to make such a reduction; whether it expressed concern to …
Answer · Sam Galbraith: The payment of markers is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. There is no requirement for approval by the Scottish Executive and no documents dealing specifically with this matter passed between the Executive and SQA.
22 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre all documents including letters, memoranda, reports and assessments relating directly or indirectly to the communications between the Scottish Executive and the Scottish Qualifications Authority concerning this year's Sco…
Answer · Sam Galbraith: I would expect to make this information available to the Education Committee; it has decided to conduct an investigation into this year's exam results.
22 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) first made it aware of difficulties in the discharge of the SQA's functions in relation to this years Scottish Examinations.
Answer · Sam Galbraith: As I explained in my statement on 6 September, the Scottish Executive took the initiative by raising with SQA in March concerns raised by schools and colleges.
14 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much the planned improvements to the A95 between Granish and Keith will cost in total and how much the (a) A95 Cromdale scheme, (b) A95 Kinveachy scheme, (c) lay-by provisions, (d) A95 Advie Bridge scheme and (e) A95 Gaich to Craggan scheme will cost (i) in total and (ii) in each of t…
Answer · Sarah Boyack: The planned improvements to the A95 trunk road between Granish and Keith will cost £435,000 this financial year and £425,000 next financial year, making a total of £860,000.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The scheme specific costs are as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=…
14 Aug 2000 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there has been adequate and effective communication with the communities served by the A95 with regard to the various works to be carried out on the road and, if there has not, what measures it proposes to take to address this matter.
Answer · Sarah Boyack: Yes.