Michael Russell

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what minimum standards of warden cover for sheltered housing complexes it expects local authorities to provide; what system exists for ensuring that such minimum standards are observed; what legislation covers this matter, and how many local authorities are failing to provide such a minim…

Answer · Margaret Curran: There are currently no minimum standards of warden cover for local authority housing complexes.<P>However, such services which fall within the definition of "housing support services" in the Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 will be regulated by the Care…

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has given to the request from a range of academics, historians and others for support in order to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the first voyage of the Charlotte Dundas on the Forth and Clyde Canal.

Answer · Mike Watson: A reply was sent to Professor Harvie, explaining that the Scottish Executive does not directly fund projects of this nature. His expectation that the event be commemorated by debate in the Parliament is precluded because of the imminent dissolution.

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make available, in full, the responses to the consultation process on the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill to replace the present Record of Needs legislation.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: All written responses to the consultation on the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill will be held in the Scottish Executive library. Unless individual respondees have indicated otherwise, responses will be available for public sc…

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek confirmation from every school and local authority that parents likely to be affected by the proposals in its draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill on the replacement of the present Record of Needs legislation were informed of the proposals…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Over 7,000 copies of the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill have been sent out. Every school in Scotland - mainstream, grant-aided, self-governing and independent - has been sent a copy, as have all education authorities, parent…

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its proposals to replace the present Record of Needs legislation fully conforms with the European Convention on Human Rights and whether it will give information on that matter to parents that are concerned about the impact of the proposed legislation on their children.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The proposals do not raise any issues in relation to the European Convention on Human Rights. It is a requirement in terms of the Scotland Act 1998 that when a bill is introduced to Parliament, the minister and the Presiding Officer will each certify that the…

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will inquire into the effectiveness of the process of consultation on the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill to replace the present Record of Needs legislation and whether the consultation process enabled parents to be heard.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-34793 today. 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/webapp/searc…

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will extend the period of consultation on the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill in regard to the replacement of the present Record of Needs legislation, in light of any concerns from parents of children that will be affected by the proposals.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive has no plans to extend the period of consultation. Parents of children who will be affected by the legislation have expressed a range of views about the proposals in the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill.…

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ask the Scottish Qualifications Agency to review the Higher Still art examinations with the aim of introducing detailed moderation at the school of a portfolio of work from each student that is representative of achievement throughout the year.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: No. This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority itself.

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the Scottish Qualifications Agency consults with English-based exam boards about the provision of courses and examinations in photography that are appropriate to Scottish students particularly in S5 and S6.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: No. This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority itself.

17 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will investigate the provision of appropriate Scottish Qualification Authority courses in photography, particularly at Intermediate and Higher grades.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: No. This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority itself.

13 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether its subsidy to Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd makes any provision for free access to assistance for disabled or infirm passengers.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: No. Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd makes no charge for the provision of assistance to passengers with special needs at its airports. The responsibility for handling all passengers, including those with special needs, rests with airlines or their appointed…

13 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the charges levied by some airports for the provision of wheelchairs for disabled or infirm passengers.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: The Scottish Executive is not aware of any charges being levied by airports in Scotland for the provision of wheelchairs. The responsibility for handling all passengers, including those with special needs, rests with airlines or their appointed handling agent…

10 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many proposals it has received from local authorities in respect of the new round of approvals for schemes for school rebuilding and refurbishment and how many such proposals seek to utilise not-for-profit trusts as the vehicle for the development.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: We have received proposals from 14 authorities, one of which proposes a public private partnership described as a not-for-profit trust approach.

10 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it or any of its special advisers or civil servants, acting officially or in any other capacity, has supplied any information to any organisation or individual outwith the Executive about proposals from Falkirk Council in respect of utilising a not-for-profit trust approach to a …

Answer · Andy Kerr: The main aspects of the proposal had already been publicised by Falkirk Council. Falkirk Council proposed a novel and untried delivery vehicle in its schools public private partnership bid. To assist in assessing its viability, discussions were held on the st…

10 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce the successful bidders in the latest round of applications for school rebuilding and refurbishment under the public private partnership scheme.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer to Cathy Jamieson's letter of 18 March 2003 to the Convener of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee, which was copied to you. Copies are also available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 27153).

10 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has received any proposals from Falkirk Council in respect of utilising a not-for-profit trust approach to a scheme for school rebuilding and refurbishment and, if so, on what date.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: We received from Falkirk Council, on 24 December 2002, an Outline Business Case for a public private partnership described as a not-for-profit trust approach to work on school buildings. The proposal does not involve the establishment of a trust.

6 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many classroom assistants were working in state schools in each academic year since 1999.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Information on the number of classroom assistants employed in state schools in each academic year from 1999 is not held centrally. However, information on the number of classroom assistants employed through the Excellence Fund for each financial year since 19…

6 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many registered secondary school supply teachers there were in each local authority area in each year since 1995, broken down by subject.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Information is available from 1995 to 1999 for most local authorities from local authority returns to a survey of teachers employed centrally or mainly outwith schools. The survey stopped in 1999. A summary of results has been placed in the Parliament's Refer…

5 Mar 2003 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average percentage salary increases for local authority chief officers and manual workers will be in 2003-04.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Under the terms of the pay agreement between the trade unions and local authority employers in 2001, chief officers will receive an increase of 2% and manual workers 4% with effect from 1 April 2003.

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many schools in each local authority area have not been inspected by HM Inspectorate of Education within the last (a) seven and (b) 10 years.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Graham Donaldson, Chief Executive of HM Inspectorate of Education, to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Details of the number of schools in each local authority area not inspected in the last seven years are given in the following table. For…

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made towards the aim of HM Inspectorate of Education of a "generational cycle" of school inspections, whereby every parent can expect both a primary and a secondary school report as their child moves through school education.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Graham Donaldson, Chief Executive of HM Inspectorate of Education, to respond. His response is as follows:<P>We are aiming to complete the delivery of the first generational cycle by 2008 for secondary schools and 2009 for primary schools. In 200…

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the annual budget for HM Inspectorate of Education is for 2003-04.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Budget (Scotland) (No. 4) Bill includes a cash budget for HM Inspectorate of Education for 2003-04 of £8.2 million.

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support is provided to schools to deal with drug and alcohol problems of pupils.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: All of the recommendations from the<I> Final Report of the School Drug Safety Team</I>, published in January 2001 are being implemented. £3 million over the three years from 2001-02 is being provided to support this. The recommendations cover all aspects of d…

27 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-3812, S1W-3813 and S1W-3814 by Mr Jack McConnell on 1 February, 24 January and 1 February 2000 respectively, when the last volume of the Scottish Abstract of Statistics was published and what plans there are for future volumes.

Answer · Andy Kerr: <I>Scottish Abstract of Statistics</I> was published annually up to 1996 and then in 1998. Following consultation with users, there are no plans to publish future volumes. Updated versions of information which appeared in the 1998 Abstract have already been p…

27 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any minister or official attended the meeting of sports ministers in Brussels on 24 and 25 February 2003 to discuss education, youth and culture policies and, if so, whether it will report back on the matters raised.

Answer · Elaine Murray: No minister or official from the Executive attended the meeting at which discussion focussed on the draft World Anti Doping Agency Code.

27 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scotland is represented in the European Commission's Culture 2000 programme and what projects have (a) been supported by and (b) received funds from the programme.

Answer · Mike Watson: The Culture 2000 programme has EUCLID as its official Technical Information Office in the UK, providing support and assistance for potential applicants to the programme. The next Scottish workshop takes place in Glasgow on Wednesday, 4 June 2003. A range of p…

27 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received about why the United Kingdom entry in the listing of national websites in the European Culture Portal in the European Commission's area of the Europa website gives links only to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Arts Council for England a…

Answer · Mike Watson: The Scottish Executive is investigating further the possibilities for establishment of a direct weblink to its site from the national website section within the European Culture Portal. Sport and art are devolved matters. Whilst the Executive takes responsibi…

27 Feb 2003 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body is keen to encourage the work of the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) and whether it will assist the SYP by ensuring that it has access to the debating chamber for its major meetings, subject only to the requirements of other parliamentary b…

Answer · David Steel: The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is keen to encourage the work of the SYP. SPCB staff have met with the SYP to discuss how this might be progressed. Hosting debates in the Chamber, whilst the Parliament is at the Mound, is an option that is st…

27 Feb 2003 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) will ensure that the Scottish Youth Parliament is given access to the debating chamber for its annual general meeting on 29 and 30 March 2003.

Answer · David Steel: The Scottish Youth Parliament has booked a venue in Glasgow for their meeting on 29 and 30 March 2003 so the SPCB is not required to ensure access to the Chamber.

26 Feb 2003 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce its proposals for the future funding and organisation of the museum and heritage sector.

Answer · Mike Watson: The Executive has not, as yet, decided when to make an announcement on the action plan for the museum sector. Eighty-three detailed responses were received and are being carefully considered.