Michael Russell

5 Jul 1999 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer how many "Gaelic essential" posts in the Scottish Parliament have been or will be advertised.

Answer · David Steel: There are currently no posts in the Scottish Parliament which have been identified as being "Gaelic essential". The SPCB looks to encourage all staff to develop their skills including languages and training in Gaelic is available for those with an …

5 Jul 1999 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer when there will be one or more Gaelic officers appointed in the Scottish Parliament.

Answer · David Steel: There are currently 2 members of staff in the Scottish Parliament with a knowledge of Gaelic. There are also a number of staff in the process of undertaking training in the language. Training in Gaelic is available to all staff along with other world l…

5 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will urgently instruct Scotland's National Galleries to co-operate speedily and completely with those investigating the provenance of works of art in order to identify any items possibly stolen by the Na'is from Jewish owners during or immediately before the Second World War.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Care of the collections of the National Galleries of Scotland (NGS) is a statutory function of the Board of Trustees. However, the Government has asked the UK national institutions to investigate their collections to establish whether any objects may have be…

2 Jul 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to establish, as a matter of urgency, a task force to support and co-ordinate medical treatment and care for gulf war veterans in Scotland.

Answer · Susan Deacon: I am satisfied that appropriate arrangements are already in place for Gulf War Veterans in Scotland.<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The clinical needs of veterans in Scotland are assessed by their doctor. Should concerns exist that the patient's health may have been aff…

24 Jun 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it intends to make to lay the Annual Report of BBC Scotland before the Parliament for consideration.

Answer · Rhona Brankin: Copies of the Annual Report will be made available to Members in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.

23 Jun 1999 · SPCB Written Question

To ask the Presiding Officer whether provision will be made for the inclusion of Gaelic, in a meaningful and not token way, in the opening ceremonies and events of 30 June and 1 July.

Answer · David Steel: It is appropriate that that there should be a gaelic element in the opening ceremony. That is why the Inverness Gaelic choir have been asked to sing in the courtyard of the Assembly Hall to welcome MSPs and The Queen to the ceremony in the Chamber.

25 May 1999 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward policy proposals on freedom of information in Scotland.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I hope to be able to make a statement before the summer recess.