Malcolm Chisholm

1 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many drug-related deaths there were in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Scotland in each of the last five years.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The information requested is given in table C1 of Drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2007 published by the General Register Office for Scotland in 2008, a copy of which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 46403).</p>

1 Sep 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people committed suicide in (a) Edinburgh and (b) Scotland in each of the last five years.

Answer · Shona Robison: Between 2003 and 2007, the following numbers of suicides were recorded for the City of Edinburgh and for Scotland (see table 1). Suicide numbers were higher in 2007 than in 2006, both in Edinburgh and in Scotland. However, numbers fluctuate from year to year,…

20 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish further work on international promotion and reputation management.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: We published details of work on international promotion and reputation management on the Scotland Performs website in June 2008.</p>

20 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its plan for engagement with North America.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The recently published International Framework and the Government Economic Strategy set the strategic context within which the Scottish Government now expects to take forward all its international activities. In that context the government is currently review…

20 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to develop Scotland Week in any other countries around the world.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government is actively considering opportunities to promote Scotland as a great place to live, learn, visit and do business. Homecoming Scotland 2009 will take that message to Scots and those who love Scotland overseas throughout the next year. M…

20 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what it will do to further promote Scotland’s creative industries during Scotland Week 2009.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Scottish Development International is responsible for the promotion of all Scottish business interests, including the creative industries, throughout the year. The Scottish Government will work with SDI, to look for appropriate opportunities to promote the cr…

20 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that there will be a stronger, more integrated cultural programme for Scotland Week 2009.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Promoting Scottish cultural excellence is a year round activity which the Scottish Government will continue to support throughout North America. Events such as Homecoming Scotland and Scotland Week provide additional opportunities to showcase examples of Sco…

20 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland Village will be used in Scotland Week 2009 and, if so, for what purpose.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scotland Village was featured within Grand Central Station between 2005-07, but did not feature during Scotland Week 2008. The Scottish Government have no plans for the Scotland Village to be replicated during Scotland Week 2009.</p>

20 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there will be any changes to the geographical focus of Scotland Week 2009.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: In 2008 we successfully extended the reach of the Scotland Week programme further than ever before. Although the programme for 2009 is still in the planning stage, our aim is to continue to explore new opportunities and locations to use Scotland Week as a maj…

20 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money will be made available for Scotland Week 2009.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Scotland Week 2008 delivered the most ambitious programme of events ever undertaken by Scottish ministers at a significantly reduced cost compared with previous Tartan Weeks. We expect to achieve equally good value for money in 2009.</p>

20 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what timetable it has established for planning Scotland Week 2009.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Planning for Scotland Week 2009 has already begun.</p>

12 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what reports about costs of setting up Creative Scotland were provided to it prior to 18 June 2008.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Scottish Government officials have been working closely with the joint board to progress plans and transition costs for establishing Creative Scotland prior to 18 June 2008. Ministers received on 22 August 2008 the joint board''s report on potential transitio…

12 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimate is of the costs of setting up Creative Scotland.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Government is currently considering a paper from the joint board on potential transition costs. These costs will be made public when they are submitted to the Parliament as part of the Financial Memorandum of the Public Services Reform Bill. It w…

6 Aug 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has abandoned the SNP manifesto commitment to introduce a new grant enabling artists to reclaim the cost of the tax paid on work they have sold up to a maximum of £15,000.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: No. The Scottish Government views support for individual artists as an important part of funding and I have asked the Creative Scotland Transition Team to include such support as part of their broader examination of future funding models for the sector.</p>

29 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money from the International Development Fund will be allocated to the Indian Subcontinent Development Programme.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Indian subcontinent programme is being developed at present and decisions on how funding is to be allocated will be announced in due course.</p>

29 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what development priorities have been identified in respect of the Indian Subcontinent Development Programme and by whom.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Indian subcontinent programme is being developed at present and discussions with relevant stakeholders are underway. Decisions on development priorities will be announced in due course.</p>

29 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings have taken place with officials from the Indian subcontinent to discuss working arrangements for the Indian Subcontinent Development Programme.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Initial meetings have taken place informally with both the India and Pakistan Consul Generals. Further meetings with stakeholders will be set up in due course including the Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland (NIDOS).</p> <p >In ad…

29 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings or events have taken place between its officials and the relevant communities of Scotland in taking forward proposals for the Indian Subcontinent Development Programme, in establishing a focus for Indian subcontinent development engagement and in setting out a process and ti…

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Indian subcontinent programme is being developed at present and an engagement process with relevant communities in Scotland will start later this year.</p> <p >A process and timetable for funding will be announced in due course.</p>

29 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring and reporting procedures are in place in order to assess the progress and effectiveness of the Fair Trade Scotland Programme.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Fair Trade Forum receives a grant from the Scottish Government International Development Fund to drive forward the Fair Trade Scotland programme.</p> <p >Within the grant conditions, the forum is required to provide six-monthly and annual report…

29 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which of the priorities highlighted by the Government of Malawi in its Malawi Growth and Development Strategy and in other relevant development documents it has chosen to focus on in its Malawi Development Programme and on what basis.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: As stated in the policy guidance published on 26 June 2008, the Malawi Development Programme is focusing on the cross-cutting themes of vocational education and training, gender issues and equality, enterprise development and strengthening the context for enh…

29 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has agreed a date for the next meeting of the Scotland Malawi Joint Commission.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The Scotland Malawi Joint Commission Review took place at official level on 2 August 2008 in Malawi. A date for the next meeting has not been confirmed yet.</p>

21 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the outcome of its current funding round for the Sub-Saharan Africa Development Programme.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: Decisions on concept notes will be made available to applicants by Friday 12 September 2008.</p> <p >Successful applicants will be invited to submit more detailed application forms, by 12 noon on Monday 13 October 2008.</p> <p >Final decisions will be mad…

21 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what national priorities have been identified, and by whom, for development aid in Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda and the Darfur region of Sudan.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: As stated in the International Development Policy launched on 7 May and defined more clearly in section 1.2 of the guidance to our new policy, launched on 26 June, we will not predefine sectors or specific policy areas to address in delivering the Sub-Saharan…

21 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings it has had with officials of Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda and the Darfur region of Sudan in preparation for its international development work in these countries.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: As stated in the new international development policy and subsequent funding guidance, the Sub-Saharan Africa Development Programme is not operating through a direct government-to-government relationship but through the use of block grants to established orga…

21 Jul 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have been made to monitoring and reporting procedures in relation to its international development policy.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: As stated in the International Development Policy, published in May 2008, the Scottish Government is committed to rigorous monitoring and evaluation procedures for all Scottish Government funded activity.</p> <p >Six monthly and annual reporting for all proj…

5 Jun 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Scottish Water about the removal of the stench from the Seafield waste water treatment plant.

Answer · Stewart Stevenson: My officials have regular discussions with Scottish Water on a number of issues which include odour at Seafield waste water treatment plant.</p>

19 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the level of funding support for drama courses, in view of funding shortfalls for such courses at Queen Margaret University and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Any review of the level of funding support for drama courses is a matter for the Scottish Funding Council to take forward in discussion with the institutions concerned, namely Queen Margaret University and the Royal Scottish Academy for Music and Drama.</p> …

19 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list any national indicators and targets that relate to support for the arts by local authorities.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: The national outcomes, indicators and targets are listed in Annex A of the concordat between the Scottish Government and local government, which can be found on the Scottish Government website at <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/11/130922…

19 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what capital investment it will provide to the national industrial museums.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: As I have made clear on a number of occasions, the Scottish Government will consider capital investment in the national industrial museums on the basis of a detailed business case, and, in the case of the Mining Museum, following a review of the technical det…

19 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will provide to Scottish Language Dictionaries when funding from the Scottish Arts Council is discontinued at the end of 2008-09.

Answer · Linda Fabiani: I have recently commissioned an audit of the measures that are currently in place to promote the Scots language and what opportunities exist to make further progress. The Scottish Government''s future funding priorities for Scots provision will be considered …