Margaret McCulloch

14 Sep 2011 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the career destinations are of mechanical engineering graduates from Scottish universities.

7 Sep 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth has had with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on improving the flexibility and responsiveness of Partnership Action for Continuing Employment.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottish ministers meet regularly to discuss all aspects of Scottish Government policy. In June 2009, we established the PACE Partnership which brings together 18 organisations with the Scottish Government to oversee a continuous improvement programme to enh…

31 Aug 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it promotes the teaching of first aid and life support skills in schools.

25 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the level of (a) numeracy and (b) literacy among school leavers was in each year since 2007, broken down by local authority.

Answer · Michael Russell: Information on the level of literacy and numeracy of school leavers is not collected. However, information on the percentage of school leavers achieving qualifications at SCQF level 3 or higher (includes Access 3, standard grades and higher level qualificatio…

25 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how food standards in NHS hospitals are monitored and how complaints regarding these are (a) processed and (b) dealt with.

Answer · Nicola Sturgeon: The review process has two key parts: local self-assessment and external peer review. Each NHS board assesses its own performance against the NHS QIS Food, Fluid and Nutrition Standards and external peer review teams further assess performance both by conside…

25 Aug 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether all (a) local authorities and (b) NHS boards are compliant with section 259 of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003.

Answer · Michael Matheson: Independent advocacy was one of several new rights around patient representation introduced by the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003. Advocacy is provided, or its provision secured, at local level with most local authorities contracting …

28 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the performance of Tourism Intelligence Scotland.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Scottish Enterprise project manages the Tourism Intelligence Scotland project, however it is important to note that it is a collaboration between SE, HIE and VS and as such all of the agencies are involved in monitoring its performance through a steering grou…

28 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the performance of the Tourism Innovation Fund and the projects it supports.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Support for winning projects typically consists of a combination of financial (grant) support, SE Innovation Specialist advice and independent tourism consultancy support. The Tourism Innovation Fund (TIF) Project Manager and respective Innovation Specialist …

28 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it promotes the Tourism Innovation Fund.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Scottish Enterprise has adopted a flexible approach to the promotion of the Tourism Innovation Fund throughout the duration of the project. While there are a number of promotional channels available, not all are used for every round. This is because the proje…

28 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Tourism Innovation Fund will be renewed after 2012.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: No decision has yet been taken on whether to extend the Tourism Innovation Fund (TIF) beyond the current financial year (2011-12). This decision will be informed by the findings of the forthcoming evaluation of SE’s wider Tourism Innovation Programme, of whic…

28 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what criteria are used when considering applications made to the Tourism Innovation Fund.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: A number of different criteria are used when appraising Tourism Innovation Fund (TIF) applications. Initially all applications are screened against some basic eligibility criteria. These include ensuring applicants are based in the SE area; that the lead bus…

28 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it (a) promotes and (b) facilitates co-operation between the tourist accommodation sector and visitor attractions.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: All VisitScotland marketing activity is focused on attracting more visitors to Scotland, and the methods with which tourism businesses can encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more while they are here. VisitScotland recognises the most effective of the…

28 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many applications have been made to the Tourism Innovation Fund since the fund was established and how many of these have been successful.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: A total of 82 full applications have been made to the Tourism Innovation Fund (TIF) over the seven rounds completed so far, resulting in 20 winning projects. There are two further rounds of TIF remaining (September 2011 and January 2012).

28 Jul 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how its proposed strategy for tourism will recognise the contribution made by museums and galleries.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: Scottish Government and its agencies are supporting the Tourism Leadership Group (TLG) in their work to bring forward a fresh industry led strategy for the future development of Scotland’s tourism industry. The TLG is keen to ensure that all stakeholders, inc…

29 Jun 2011 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to publish a new strategy for museums and galleries.

16 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects that universal high-speed broadband will be available across Scotland.

Answer · Alex Neil: As set out in Scotland’s Digital Future: A Strategy for Scotland, published on 3 March 2011, the Scottish Government’s aim is for availability of next generation broadband for all by 2020, with significant progress made by 2015.

16 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will make available to urban and suburban communities affected by low broadband speeds.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government is working in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and local authorities to develop a strategic national broadband plan for Scotland. This is to ensure the rollout of next generation broadband to all…

16 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will make available to rural communities affected by low broadband speeds.

Answer · Alex Neil: The Scottish Government is working in collaboration with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and local authorities to develop a strategic national broadband plan for Scotland. This is to ensure the rollout of next generation broadband to all…

16 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the proposed Scottish futures fund will support broadband.

Answer · Alex Neil: Plans for the Scottish futures fund and how it will support broadband are a matter for the Spending Review, which will report in autumn 2011.

16 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish plans for a Scottish futures fund.

Answer · Alex Neil: Plans for the Scottish Futures Fund are a matter for the Spending Review, which will report this in autumn 2011.

16 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects a minimum broadband speed of two megabits per second to be achieved in Scotland.

Answer · Alex Neil: Following completion of the Broadband Reach project in March 2010, the Scottish Government has already delivered basic broadband (at a speed of 512 kilobits per second) to known demand. Our ambition now is for availability of next generation broadband for all…

16 Jun 2011 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects a universal broadband speed of at least two megabits per second to be available in Scotland.

Answer · Alex Neil: Following completion of the Broadband Reach project in March 2010, the Scottish Government has already delivered basic broadband (at a speed of 512 kilobits per second) to known demand. Our ambition now is for availability of next generation broadband for all…