Michael Russell

20 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the (a) average and (b) target times are for resolving parent appeals with regard to record of needs.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The average time for completion of the 20 record of needs appeals, for which decisions were reached in the period April 2001 to March 2002, was 66 weeks. The process is time consuming and the length of individual cases can be influenced by a variety of factor…

20 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received about a national strategy for minerals extraction and whether it has consulted any individuals, organisations or commercial concerns about any such strategy.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Executive continues to receive representations from the industry about arrangements for national mineral planning. Future arrangements were considered as part of the <I>Review of Strategic Planning</I> and will be taken forward as a follow-up to research …

20 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many local authority minerals plans it has approved since 1 July 1999.

Answer · Hugh Henry: None. Mineral plans are prepared and adopted by local authorities and generally do not require the approval of the Scottish ministers.

20 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to devise a national strategy for minerals extraction and how plans produced by local authorities will fit into, or be influenced by, any such strategy.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Executive's policies for minerals planning are set out in NPPG 16 for opencast coal and NPPG 4 for other types of minerals. National guidance and policies should be taken into account by local authorities when preparing their structure and local plans. Fo…

20 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it received the minerals plan from South Lanarkshire Council and what process it will undertake before it approves the plan.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The Executive was notified of the council's intention to adopt the plan on 24 July 2002. A Direction was issued on 14 August deferring adoption of the plan to allow more time for the Executive to consider the plans contents. Following such consideration, it w…

20 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation process local authorities are required to undertake when devising a minerals plan and what process it undertakes before it approves such plans.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Local authorities must take account of all the relevant interests at a number of key stages during plan preparation. A public local inquiry must be held if there are unresolved objections. The reporter's recommendations are then sent to the planning authority…

20 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive which local authorities have produced minerals plans either as stand alone policies or as part of local structure plans.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Planning authorities can choose to deal with minerals extraction either as part of a comprehensive Local Plan or (usually in areas with significant minerals extraction activity) as a Minerals Subject Local Plan. The former North East Fife District Council ado…

12 Aug 2002 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer what procedures the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body are following to ensure that the Gaelic Development Officer and Gaelic translator positions in the Parliament are filled as soon as possible.

Answer · David Steel: The standard recruitment procedures will be followed as outlined in the answer to S1W-28326 today.

12 Aug 2002 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer what the timescale the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has set for the appointment of a Gaelic Development Officer and a Gaelic translator in the Parliament.

Answer · David Steel: The advertisements for the posts of Gaelic Information Officer and Gaelic Outreach Officer were published on Friday 16 August. The deadline for applications is Friday August 30. Thereafter, all phases of the standard Parliament recruitment procedures will be …

2 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make a formal submission to the European Council Education and Youth Committee, based on the agenda for the committee's meeting on 3 September 2002.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive will not make a formal submission to the meeting of the European Council's Education Committee on 3 September. It is not usual practice for any member state to make a formal submission to the European Council's Education Committee, eith…

2 Aug 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will attend the European Council Education and Youth Committee meeting in Brussels on 3 September 2002.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: An official from Scottish Executive Education Department will attend the European Council's Education Committee on 3 September.

19 Jul 2002 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on its proposals for music tuition in schools.

Answer · Mike Watson: Proposals relating to music tuition for children and young people are currently being considered by ministers. An announcement will be made as soon as possible.

17 Jul 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the remarks made in the Sunday Times on 5 May 2002 attributed to Susan Stewart, First Secretary for Scottish Affairs in the British Embassy in Washington DC, reflect its official policy pertaining to the Gaelic language.

Answer · Mike Watson: The newspaper article referred to does not comment on the Executive's policy on Gaelic.

8 Jul 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to offer production incentives in the form of tax based funding, such as equity investment or production credit grants, to Scottish and international film and TV producers in order to encourage a sustainable production industry in Scotland.

Answer · Mike Watson: We have no plans to do so. Tax is a reserved matter. Tax reliefs are available on the production of British films made in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK.

8 Jul 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the decision by the Health Board for Scotland to locate the production of its most recent health awareness advertisement in Eastern Europe was based on consultations with Scottish Screen.

Answer · Mary Mulligan: Scottish Screen was not consulted on this matter. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27435 today.

8 Jul 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why the Health Education Board for Scotland located the production of its health awareness advertisement "Club Smoking" in Eastern Europe.

Answer · Mary Mulligan: The Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS) must ensure value for money when delivering health awareness campaigns. HEBS use The Bridge advertising agency which always seeks tenders from Scottish production companies and directors. The recent &quot;Club Sm…

1 Jul 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is acceptable to have a period of three months and one week between the issuing of a holding answer and the provision of the substantive answer.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The Scottish Executive aims to provide substantive answers to questions as soon as practicable.

1 Jul 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive why it took three months and three weeks to provide substantive answers to questions S1W-23860, S1W-23861 and S1W-23862 on the English Quality Teacher Status qualification.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Unfortunately this was due to an administrative error.

1 Jul 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many students have been employed as markers by the Scottish Qualifications Authority in each of the past three years.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I will ask the chairman to write with the details requested.

1 Jul 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in what circumstances the Scottish Qualifications Authority is permitted to use students to mark examination scripts.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I will ask the chairman to write with the details requested.

24 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the terms and conditions of employment for staff of the National Galleries of Scotland adequately reflect their roles and responsibilities.

Answer · Mike Watson: The trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland are responsible for ensuring that the terms and conditions of their staff are consistent with their roles and responsibilities. The trustees are responsible for developing pay proposals that meet guidance on …

24 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what impact a strike by staff of the National Galleries of Scotland will have on tourism.

Answer · Mike Watson: Following negotiation between National Galleries of Scotland and the trade unions, a three-year pay offer has been accepted by staff.

24 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the National Galleries of Scotland in regard to the present dispute over staff salaries.

Answer · Mike Watson: The Trustees of the National Galleries of Scotland are responsible for developing pay proposals that meet guidance on public sector pay and are affordable. National Galleries of Scotland has reviewed its pay systems, a Pay Remit for the organisation has been …

20 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the current average charge made by each local authority is for musical instrument tuition per pupil receiving such tuition.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The information requested is not held centrally.

20 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many composite classes there currently are in primary schools, broken down by local authority area and primary level.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Composite classes are classes with more than one primary stage. The information listed in the following table shows the number of composite classes recorded in the September 2001 School Census, broken down by sequential year group and by education authority. …

20 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in reducing the number of composite classes in schools.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Composite classes are a traditional feature of Scottish schools. Local authorities and head teachers are responsible for determining a class organisation which best suits the circumstances of individual schools, including the formation of composite classes wh…

20 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on Audit Scotland's recent report on the effectiveness of Public Private Partnerships as compared to other public sector funding options.

Answer · Andy Kerr: As I stated in a press release on 12 June, I welcome the Accounts Commission examination of the evolving Public Private Partnership (PPP) landscape. The report is very positive about the difference which PPP projects have made to schools in Scotland. It is cl…

20 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the scale of any Public Private Partnership in South Lanarkshire would be; when monies would become available, and what the timescale and conditions would be for any such project.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: As indicated in the answer given to question S1W-27026, the Scottish Executive will provide revenue support towards a schools Public Private Partnership (PPP) project in South Lanarkshire involving capital investment of up to £150 million. The Executive will …

20 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether a Public Private Partnership is to be announced involving South Lanarkshire Council.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27026 on 25 June 2002.

7 Jun 2002 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether meeting the ScotXed requirements will assist in diminishing the burden of administration on teachers.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The ScotXed (Scottish Exchange of Educational Data) project is a partnership of the Scottish Executive Education Department (SEED) with local authorities, schools, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, HM Inspectorate of Education and Learning and Teaching S…