Michael Russell

9 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places on courses of more than one year exist for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, in which institutions the places are offered and how many places are offered in each institution.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Recommended intakes to primary and secondary courses of more than one year set by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) for academic session 2000-01<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=583><TR><TD WIDTH="40%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Institu…

9 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many one year postgraduate teacher training places exist for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, in which institutions the places are offered and how many places are offered in each institution.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Recommended intakes to primary and secondary postgraduate certificate in education courses set by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) for academic session 2000-01:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=583><TR><TD WIDTH="51%" VALIGN…

9 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher training places exist for (a) primary, (b) secondary and (c) special educational needs teaching, in which institutions the places are offered and how many places are offered in each institution.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Recommended intakes to primary and secondary initial teacher education courses set by the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council (SHEFC) for academic session 2000-01:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=508><TR><TD WIDTH="59%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>In…

8 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13519 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 2 March 2001, whether adherence to the ministerial code is checked or supervised by the First Minister and, if so, whether the First Minister will provide an answer to the question, rather than the Minister whose actions …

Answer · Henry McLeish: I am satisfied that the Minister has complied with the terms of the Ministerial Code.

8 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13048 by Henry McLeish on 16 February 2001, how many copies of Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government have to date been (a) distributed free of charge to recipients and (b) sold, and how many people have accessed the document on th…

Answer · Henry McLeish: 1,867 copies of <I>Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government</I> have been distributed free of charge to recipients, and 35 copies have been sold through The Stationery Office Bookshop.<P>Information on the number of people who have accessed t…

8 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-13203 by Mr Alasdair Morrison on 22 February 2001, when it will announce the date of commencement of training of Gaelic-medium teachers at Lews Castle College.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: The establishment of the proposed course is a matter for the College in consultation with Strathclyde University and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. I expect an announcement to be made in due course.

8 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consult widely within the tourist industry and, in particular, with tourist businesses in Dumfries and Galloway so that it is fully aware of any hardship and difficulties being caused for the industry as a result of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, and whether it wi…

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: I am fully aware of the problems that the tourism industry is facing. I met representatives of tourism businesses in Dumfries and Galloway on 16 March. I had a meeting earlier in the week with businesses in Perthshire. We are looking at ways in which we can a…

8 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what estimates it has made of (a) the loss to tourism in the light of the immediate restrictions on travel and visiting recommended as a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak, (b) the medium-term impact on tourism and tourist businesses if the restrictions were to continue in plac…

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: Visitscotland estimate that the cost to the tourism industry in Scotland is currently £10 million per week. The month of April is normally worth around £230 million. Looking further ahead, we have put in place an Economic Impact Group to estimate the effects …

8 Mar 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation it is undertaking on providing support for tourism in Dumfries and Galloway in the light of the anticipated downturn as a result of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: I visited Dumfries and Galloway Tourist Board on Friday 16 March, to discuss the position at first hand with tourism businesses.

27 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what increases in the pensions of teachers and their dependants will be applied in the coming year, taking into account the impact of the McCrone settlement.

Answer · Jack McConnell: The pensions of retired teachers and their dependants are increased under the powers in the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 and the Social Security Act 1975. Pensions in payment for a year or more will increase by 3.3% from 9 April 2001. Any pension in payment f…

27 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proposals it has for developing teacher training to meet the demand for new teachers arising out of the McCrone settlement.

Answer · Jack McConnell: We have consulted with all of the main stakeholders on the scope and shape of the review of initial teacher education which the agreement asks the Executive to take forward. I announced the details of the review on Thursday 15 March 2001. Details are availabl…

19 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will call in the planning application relating to Scottish Coal's plans for opencast mining at Broken Cross Muir, Lanarkshire.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: No. On 14 February South Lanarkshire Council indicated their intention to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and the satisfactory conclusion of a legally binding agreement under section 75 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1997. There are no …

16 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the first supplementary answer to question S1O-2995 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 15 February 2001, whether the answer was in accordance with the statement in paragraph 3.1 of the Scottish Ministerial Code that the Executive will be accountable, open and responsive.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: Yes.

16 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what evidence it has received, or sought, regarding the issue of structural underfunding of Scottish Opera.

Answer · Sam Galbraith: The Scottish Arts Council will address this issue in its consideration of Scottish Opera's budget plans.

16 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2955 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 15 February 2001, whether it will make available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre any correspondence between it, Scottish Opera and the Scottish Arts Council regarding the need for #1 million of additional fun…

Answer · Allan Wilson: No, the background to the future funding of Scottish Opera was set out in Sam Galbraith's answer to question S1W-14238 on 16 March.

16 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-2955 by Mr Sam Galbraith on 15 February 2001, whether the Minister for Environment, Culture and Sport will make a ministerial statement giving the reason for the decision to allocate an additional #1 million to Scottish Opera from the budget of the S…

Answer · Sam Galbraith: I explained in my letter of 6 February to the Convenor of the Education, Culture and Sport Committee, which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre, that payment of an additional £1 million earmarked for Scottish Opera will depend on the company's u…

16 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S1W-11262 lodged on 15 November 2000 and why it has not yet been answered.

Answer · Jack McConnell: Question S1W-11262 was answered on 1 March 2001.

8 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what information is being given to people enquiring about the Gaelic-medium teachers course at Lews Castle College and what consultation it undertook with Jordanhill College of Education and Lews Castle College regarding the course.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: The arrangements are a matter for Lews Castle College and the Jordanhill College of Strathclyde University in consultation with the General Teaching Council in the first instance. We are keeping closely in touch with developments.

8 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when the proposed Gaelic-medium teachers course at Lews Castle College will commence and what input Jordanhill College of Education is expected to make to it.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: Discussions are on going about the development of new arrangements in initial teacher education to enable more Gaelic-speaking students to train for teaching.

6 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people in the current academic year applied for the Post Graduate Certificate in Education course to teach in Gaelic medium schools and how many of these have been accepted.

Answer · Jack McConnell: In session 2000-01, 17 Gaelic speakers applied to undertake a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course (14 primary and three secondary). 12 applicants were accepted (nine primary and three secondary). One of those accepted for entry to the PGCE pri…

6 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many Gaelic-medium primary units or schools exist and what special funding it makes available for these.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: There are 60 Gaelic-medium primary schools. Funding from the Specific Grant Scheme for Gaelic education is £2,634,000, increasing to £2,834,000 for the financial year 2001-02.

6 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Perth and Kinross Council with regard to the council's proposals to cut Gaelic-medium education as part of its planned financial savings.

Answer · Alasdair Morrison: No. This is a matter for the local authority concerned.

6 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what crown rights are held and operated by the Crown Estates with regard to fishing.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13105.

6 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from anglers, angling associations and others regarding the powers and stewardship of the Crown Estate Commissioners in relation to fisheries.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: The Scottish Executive has received no such representations.

6 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what rights the Crown Estates have with regard to (a) salmon fisheries, (b) trout fisheries and (c) any other fisheries.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: I am advised that the Crown Estate has around 170 let river fishings, and owns 50 coastal netting stations, six of which are let but only one of which is currently operated. It also owns, through acquisition, other salmon fishing rights within the boundaries …

2 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what means of distribution were employed and what the target market was for Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government.

Answer · Henry McLeish: Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government was sent on publication free of charge to 663 organisations. It has been distributed on the same basis to MSPs, members of the UK Cabinet, members of the press, and internally within the Scottish Execu…

2 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many copies of Working together for Scotland: A Programme for Government were printed and what the costs were of printing and publishing the document.

Answer · Henry McLeish: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-12906 on 13 February 2001.

2 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the total salary, office and associated costs were for special advisors who act as press and information officers, or who are permitted to contact the press on behalf of the First Minister, as of (a) 1 February 2001, (b) 1 October 2000 and (c) 1 July 1999.

Answer · Henry McLeish: The total estimated annual salary, office and associated costs for the media team of Special Advisers in the Scottish Executive for the dates in question is:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=604><TR><TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP"><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY…

2 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many special advisors with responsibility for contact with the press, or with permission to brief the press on behalf of the First Minister, were employed as of (a) 1 February 2001, (b) 1 October 2000 and (c) 1 July 1999.

Answer · Henry McLeish: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-13046.

2 Feb 2001 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it is making with the Roman Catholic Church to ensure that the Scottish Qualification for Headship includes optional elements that reflect the particular duties that relate to headship of Catholic Schools.

Answer · Jack McConnell: We recognise the Catholic Education Commission's wish for an additional Catholic dimension to the Scottish Qualification for Headship and are discussing this with the Catholic Education Commission and the Higher Education Institutes.