Michael Russell

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support has been provided to the National Library of Scotland to assist in the development of its information and communication technologies facilities in each year since 1999, as referred to in key priority 2.2 of strategic objective 2 of Creating our Future: Minding our P…

Answer · Elaine Murray: The financial support provided to the National Library of Scotland by the Scottish Executive from 1999-2000 to 2003-04 is set out in the table. Increases in running costs for 2001-02 to 2003-04 were awarded in November 2000 to allow the National Library of Sc…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on the commitment made in key priority 2.2 of strategic objective 2 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past to review the existing statutory framework relevant to museums and galleries and consider the case for a comprehensive national framework.

Answer · Elaine Murray: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29020 on 19 September 2002. 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.…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much financial support has been provided to support the development of education services, including the production of digital and other education resources, in museums, galleries and sites in the care of Historic Scotland in each year since 1999, as referred to in key priority 2.2 of…

Answer · Elaine Murray: The financial support provided to the National Museums of Scotland and the National Galleries of Scotland by the Scottish Executive from 1999-2000 to 2003-04 is set out in the following tables. Increases in running costs were awarded in November 2000 to allow…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who participates in the action group established to consider how the languages and cultural traditions of Scotland's ethnic communities can be supported, as referred to in key priority 2.1 of strategic objective 2 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past; how many meetings the group has h…

Answer · Elaine Murray: As stated in the first annual report of Scotland's National Cultural Strategy, published October 2001, the Executive considered the proposal to establish such a group in light of a commitment in the Executive's Equality Strategy's to develop consultation meth…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it defines "where demand is sufficient" in relation to support for Gaelic-medium pre-school and primary education, as referred to in key priority 2.1 of strategic objective 2 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past.

Answer · Mike Watson: In the publication, <I>Improving Our Schools, A Consultation Paper on National Priorities for Schools Education in Scotland (2000)</I>, ministers declared themselves to be sympathetic to the suggestion that where a sufficient number of parents wish their chil…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funds have been made available to support the production of education resources that encourage language diversity in each year since 1999, as referred to in key priority 2.1 of strategic objective 2 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past.

Answer · Elaine Murray: As stated in the second annual report of Scotland's National Cultural Strategy, published 12 November 2002, core funding of £80,000 from the Scottish Arts Council, with £30,000 for establishment costs, has secured the new body, Scottish Language Dictionaries,…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to examine the feasibility of a centre for the languages of Scotland, as referred to in key priority 2.1 of strategic objective 2 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past and what conclusions have been drawn from any such examination.

Answer · Mike Watson: A feasibility study is being undertaken with the support of the Carnegie Trust and this will report later in the year.

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specific action has been taken to promote partnerships by public and private bodies that support the production of the highest standards of cultural work, as referred to in key priority 1.3 of strategic objective 1 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past.

Answer · Elaine Murray: As stated in the second annual report of Scotland's National Cultural Strategy, published 12 November 2002, Arts and Business Scotland's New Partners funding scheme, supported by Government, continues its good work investing in projects which promote partners…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specific action has been taken to identify and promote the national roles and responsibilities and realise the full potential of the funded companies that work across Scotland, as referred to in key priority 1.3 of strategic objective 1 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past.

Answer · Elaine Murray: The Scottish Arts Council provides core funding to those arts bodies it considers have strategic national and regional roles to play. The council works closely with those bodies to ensure that such responsibilities are fully discharged. One hundred and ten ar…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made on establishing a national product design network, as referred to in key priority 1.2 of strategic objective 1 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past.

Answer · Elaine Murray: A number of meetings took place with potential members to progress the idea of a national product design network, as part of the Glasgow Design Project, but this network has not yet been established.<P>However, the Lighthouse's Creative Entrepreneurs Networki…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a national film charter has been established, as referred to in key priority 1.2 of strategic objective 1 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past.

Answer · Elaine Murray: As reported in the <I>Scottish National Cultural Strategy Annual Report 2002</I>, Scottish Screen is encouraging and working with local authorities to develop a film charter for Scotland. <P>Scottish Screen is liaising with COSLA in the preparation of guideli…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what actions have been taken to work with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to assure the contribution of the broadcast media to Scotland's cultural life, as referred to in key priority 1.2 of strategic objective 1 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past.

Answer · Elaine Murray: Extensive discussions, at both official and ministerial level, have taken place with the Department of Media, Culture and Sport to ensure that these issues are taken into account in the Communications Bill.

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what actions have been taken to promote the contribution of new technologies to cultural life, as referred to in key priority 1.2 of strategic objective 1 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past.

Answer · Elaine Murray: As reported in the <I>Scottish National Cultural Strategy Annual Report 2001</I>, there are in place a number of actions to promote the contribution of new technologies to cultural life. There are further examples in the <I>Scottish National Cultural Strategy…

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what specific action has been taken to create opportunities for networking amongst those working in the culture sector to stimulate sharing of experience and good practice and the agreement of common objectives, as referred to in key priority 1.1 of strategic objective 1 of Creating our F…

Answer · Elaine Murray: As stated in the second annual report of Scotland's National Cultural Strategy, reviews of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen will report shortly. These have considered the sectoral interface and opportunities for networking and creative dialogue, …

15 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who participated in the review of existing forums for gathering the views of those working in the cultural sector about ways in which national arrangements might be adjusted and improved, as referred to in key priority 1.1 of strategic objective 1 of Creating our Future: Minding our Past;…

Answer · Elaine Murray: As stated in the second annual report of Scotland's National Cultural Strategy, a review of the Scottish Arts Council will report shortly. The review has considered Scottish Arts Council's external links and partnership working with other agencies and the cul…

13 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what complaints from interested parties (a) it, (b) its executive agencies, (c) non-departmental public bodies and (d) relevant police forces have received with regard to the eviction of the tenants of Powhillon Farm, Dumfriesshire on 15 June 1999; what the outcome of any such complaints …

Answer · Ross Finnie: Complaints were received from relatives of the tenant involved in the eviction. These were investigated but found to be without substance. No outstanding complaints are under investigation.

13 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what involvement it had in the eviction of the tenants of Powhillon Farm, Dumfriesshire on 15 June 1999.

Answer · Ross Finnie: None.

13 Nov 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill introduced on 13 November 2002.

Answer · Mike Watson: The Scottish Executive recognises the aspiration for legislation within the Gaelic community but does not consider that the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill meets that aspiration; a formal response will be made within the normal parliamentary timetable.

11 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its organisational and financial relationship is with the Scottish Libraries and Information Council.

Answer · Elaine Murray: The Scottish Libraries and Information Council (SLIC) is an independent organisation. <P>In 2002-03 the Executive provided £160,000 towards SLIC's annual operating costs, and an additional £25,000 for continued funding of Network Project Officers.<P>SLIC will…

11 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation took place with the Scottish Libraries and Information Council with regard to the recent appointment of a new chair for that organisation.

Answer · Elaine Murray: No consultation took place. The Scottish Libraries and Information Council is an independent organisation.

11 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29152 by Mr Andy Kerr on 11 October 2002, whether Mr John McTernan sought permission to take up a post with the Scottish Arts Council at any time in the last six months and, if so and permission was given, what the reason was for giving such permissi…

Answer · Andy Kerr: The answer given to question S1W-29152 explained the rules on the acceptance of business appointments within two years of leaving Crown employment. Former special advisers are subject to the rules and it is for their judgement whether, in the circumstances, a…

6 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what external assessment has taken place of the performance of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in terms of its contribution to the support and development of the arts in Scotland.

Answer · Elaine Murray: The Executive recognises the reputation the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art enjoys internationally and considers this of positive value to Scotland.

6 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art publishes the cost of acquiring each item on display alongside that item together with a brief explanation of why the item was acquired for the gallery's collection.

Answer · Elaine Murray: To display the cost of each item acquired would reduce the value of the works of art solely to their monetary value. The gallery already writes explanatory labels about nearly all the works it has acquired and these may indicate a reason for the acquisition w…

6 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art publishes, on a regular basis, the list of acquisitions it has made, along with the price of each acquisition and an explanation of why the item was acquired and how it fits into the gallery's official role.

Answer · Elaine Murray: The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art already publishes a list of its acquisitions in its reports. It does not at present publish the price of each acquisition nor give an explanation for the acquisition of each item. This is consistent with the policy …

6 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the official role is of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art; to whom the trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland are responsible with regard to ensuring that the gallery fulfils that role; what performance monitoring with regard to that role is undertaken, and by what …

Answer · Elaine Murray: The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art was founded in 1959 with the following remit:<DIR><DIR><P>"to acquire and exhibit works by some of the most significant artists, both international and Scottish, active from the 1890s to the present day"</DIR></DIR>…

6 Nov 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what policy it expects the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to follow with regard to supporting artists working in Scotland.

Answer · Elaine Murray: The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art was founded in 1959 to continue the international collections of the National Gallery into the 20th century. It has never been the specific responsibility of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to support ar…

30 Oct 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve the performance of students in Higher English, as referred to by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) in its recent report on the 2002 exam diet.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Ministers take very seriously the Assessment Panel report on Higher English and recognise the importance of the SQA taking forward the recommendations for action.<P>Separate from these recommendations the Scottish Executive is involved in a series of initiati…

29 Oct 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that pupils from Scottish schools applying for entry to universities and colleges in Scotland are not at a disadvantage if they hold A and AS level passes as well as Higher and Advanced Higher passes.

Answer · Iain Gray: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-31061 today which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/web…

29 Oct 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Scottish universities and colleges with regard to their approach to pupils applying for entry from Scottish schools who have A and AS level qualifications as well as Higher and Advanced Higher level qualifications.

Answer · Iain Gray: The Executive has had no discussions with universities and colleges on this issue. <P>Institutions are autonomous bodies and specific admissions policies are a matter for them. Through its new condition of grant and scrutiny of the Strategic Plans of higher e…

29 Oct 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on schools offering pupils the opportunity to take A and AS level examinations as well as examinations offered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Our policy on flexibility and innovation within the school curriculum enables education authorities and schools to adopt the particular approaches to teaching and learning that best meets the needs of all pupils. It is for education authorities and schools th…