Michael Russell

13 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the syllabus for standard grade and higher history gives due prominence to Scottish figures and issues and teaches young people about their own nation's history rather than someone else's.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Units in the Standard Grade and Higher courses offer many opportunities to study aspects relating to Scottish figures and issues. However, it is important that young people learn about Scotland's history in a UK, European and international context to understa…

13 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the current standard grade history syllabus covers the issue of the Scottish campaign for women's rights, education and suffrage; if so, whether the issue is covered in a solely Scottish context or is covered as part of the consideration of the campaign in other parts of the UK, …

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Both standard grade and higher courses offer opportunities to study women's rights, education and suffrage. Schools determine the balance of attention between Scottish aspects of the suffrage movement and examples from elsewhere in the UK. The women's suffrag…

12 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any markers appointed by the Scottish Qualifications Authority for the 2002 examinations diet were not currently serving teachers of at least three years experience.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

12 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to The Scotsman article of 23 August 2002, what investigation it is undertaking into the decline in the pass rate for mathematics examinations in the Higher Still programme and whether any such investigation includes consideration of and comparison with the pass rate for math…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29232 on 26 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…

12 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to The Scotsman article of 23 August 2002, what investigation it is undertaking into the decline in the pass rate for English and communication examinations in the Higher Still programme and whether any such investigation includes consideration of and comparison with the pass…

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Following publication of overall pass rates for 2002 showing a 2.2% drop at Higher level compared to the previous year, I asked the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to undertake a more detailed analysis to ensure standards are being maintained across t…

12 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make the feasibility study for the establishment of a Gaelic Centre in Glasgow available free of charge to all interested parties and, in particular, the Highlanders' Institute.

Answer · Mike Watson: The study is the property of the bodies which commissioned it and paid for it. The commissioning was led by Comunn na Gaidhlig.

12 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking in order to ensure that the Highlanders' Institute and its members are fully involved in the development of Gaelic policy and, in particular, in the development of Gaelic resources and facilities in the west of Scotland.

Answer · Mike Watson: The Highlanders' Institute and its members are entitled to put forward their proposals for Gaelic. Following the Report of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic, we are establishing a new body, Bord Gaidhlig na h-Alba, to plan and co-ordinate activities in…

12 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what bodies it funds in support of Gaelic education.

Answer · Mike Watson: The Scottish Executive funds the following bodies in support of Gaelic education:<P>Sabhal Mor Ostaig;<P>Storlann;<P>Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich (CNSA);<P>Cli, and<P>Comunn na Gaidhlig.<P>In addition 21 local authorities in Scotland receive support from th…

12 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what bodies it funds in support of Gaelic arts.

Answer · Mike Watson: The Executive provides funding for Proiseact nan Ealan (the Gaelic Arts Agency) and An Comunn Gaidhealach, which is responsible for the Royal National Mod. The Scottish Arts Council also provides funding support for the Gaelic arts.

10 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will inquire into the appointment by the Scottish Arts Council of John McTernan as a consultant; whether a public tendering process was used for this post and, if so, what process was involved and, if not, what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Elaine Murray: This is a matter for the Scottish Arts Council. Recruitment practice is a matter for public bodies themselves although they are required to comply with employment legislation and the framework of guidance that is made available to them.<P>In this case, Mr McT…

10 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what contact John McTernan has had with civil servants or ministers since leaving his post as a special adviser to the former First Minister Henry McLeish MSP and what subjects were discussed during any such contact.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Comprehensive records of contacts are not held centrally. However, I am aware of two contacts on official business since John McTernan left his post as a Special Adviser to the First Minister. The first of these was a meeting with an official for a general di…

10 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what procedures for appointing consultants must be undertaken by public bodies which it funds either directly or indirectly.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Procedures relating to the appointment of consultants are a matter for the individual bodies concerned, subject to any overarching principles in the <I>Scottish Public Finance Manual </I>and the EC Public Procurement Directives.

10 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what restrictions it places on the future employment of special advisers when they leave its employment.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Under the terms of the Model Contract for Special Advisers (Bib Number. 22440 in the Parliament's Reference Centre), Advisers are required in certain circumstances to obtain agreement before accepting an offer of employment outside the civil service which wou…

5 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any implications for the retailing of books, the supply of books to libraries and the selling of books published in Scotland as a result of take-overs and commercial failures in the publishing sector and what action it is taking to address any such implications.

Answer · Iain Gray: The Scottish Executive acknowledges that market forces and the consolidation of retail bookselling have caused large-scale competition in the bookselling trade.<P>The supply and selling of books published in Scotland is a commercial issue between the publishe…

5 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it attaches to the ability of writers resident in Scotland to achieve publication and what steps it is taking to ensure that writers achieve that objective.

Answer · Elaine Murray: The Scottish Executive believes that it is crucial that writers resident in Scotland are able to achieve publication. The Scottish Arts Council Literature Department will allocate a total of £440,000 in 2002-03 to Scottish based writers, individual publishing…

5 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what connection it makes between the success of the publishing sector and a vigorous and outward-looking Scottish culture and what actions are being taken within the framework of the National Cultural Strategy in respect of any such connection.

Answer · Elaine Murray: Scotland's publishing and literary sectors have always been central to the external perception of Scotland. The National Cultural Strategy recognises this and the Executive is working with the Scottish Arts Council and the National Library of Scotland to buil…

5 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what importance it attaches to the publishing sector and what steps it is taking to ensure that the sector is operating effectively.

Answer · Iain Gray: The Scottish Executive fully recognises the importance of the publishing industry in Scotland. Not only because of the economic impact of the sector, but because of its potential to feed high-value intellectual properties into other creative sectors such as f…

5 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure that the full range of books published in Scotland is available to libraries and retail outlets and what the position of Scottish Enterprise is in regard to the supply of books published by the Scottish book trade to libraries and retail outlets.

Answer · Elaine Murray: Each local authority is responsible for its own library service, and for determining the level of resources allocated for this service. This includes the purchasing of books. Supply to retail outlets is a commercial issue between the publishers and the retail…

5 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that the full range of books published in Scotland and written by Scottish authors is supplied to libraries.

Answer · Elaine Murray: Statutory responsibility for local libraries lies with local authorities. Each local authority is responsible for determining the level of resources allocated for the library service which they provide for the residents of their area. This includes the purcha…

4 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to develop a national policy on minerals extraction.

Answer · Hugh Henry: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-28493 on 16 September 2002.

4 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many specialist officers with relevant experience or qualifications in minerals planning are currently employed by (a) it and (b) local authorities.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Minerals planning within the Executive is the responsibility of a branch within the Planning and Buildings Standards Group of the Development Department. This branch has recently been established to focus more effectively on minerals planning issues although …

4 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what expectations it has in respect of the procedure, methods and types of consultation, cost and outcomes of any local authority project to produce a minerals plan.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The statutory requirements for plan preparation are set out in the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and the Town and Country Planning (structure and Local Plans) (Scotland) Regulations 1983. Scottish Development Department Circular 32/1983 descri…

4 Sep 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on different (a) volumes of material moved by and (b) requirements of mineral quarries compared with opencast sites and whether it will ensure that any such differences are recognised in any mineral plans produced by local authorities.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Currently Scotland produces some 33 million tonnes of construction aggregate (sand and gravel and crushed rock) and seven million tonnes of opencast coal. Information is not held centrally on the production and distribution of minerals from individual sites. …

30 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the use of Global Positioning Satellites and associated software to measure the distance between a pupil's home and the school he or she attends is satisfactory, given that such measurement may take no account of any topographical variations which may increase any distance so meas…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is aware that all methods of measurement may require checks, safeguards and other factors to be taken into account to ensure an accurate and reasonable result.

30 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of variation in means of measurement applied by local authorities when assessing the distance between a pupil's home and the school he or she attends and, if so, what measures it is taking to standardise these means.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is aware that local authorities use various means to measure accurately and reasonably distances between home and school. There are no current plans to standardise these methods.

30 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what means of measuring the distance between a pupil's home and the school he or she attends it recommends to local authorities.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive has not made recommendations to local authorities on this matter. When required to measure the distance between a pupil's home and school, local authorities are responsible for doing so in a way that is accurate and reasonable.

22 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether Railtrack plc can be sued in respect of access to land whilst the company is in administration.

Answer · Lewis Macdonald: This is a legal issue and as such it is a matter for the courts to decide whether Railtrack can be sued whilst it is in Railways Administration.

20 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will ensure that, where action is taken by local authorities in respect of allegations against teachers of violence against pupils, no action for defamation may be brought by the teacher except against the authority.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive is aware of the need for pupils to be able to raise matters of concern. This must be balanced with the need to protect individual teachers against malicious allegations. This balance would not be served if local authorities were inhibit…

20 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that allegations against teachers of physical violence are handled in a way that does not result in subsequent court actions for defamation against young people and protects teachers against unjustified complaint.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Executive wishes to ensure that children are freely able to raise genuine matters of concern. Education authorities have a duty of care to their pupils and should always take appropriate action in relation to this duty. At the same time authorities should…

20 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the recent case at Dumfries Sheriff Court that resulted in damages for defamation being awarded to a teacher accused of violence towards two pupils.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Defamation actions are a matter for the courts, and an appeal has now been marked by both former pupils. It would be inappropriate for the Executive to comment on a individual case.