Chamber and committees

There are no statutory proceduresspecifically covering such a situation. It is open to an objector to bring theirconcerns to the attention of the planning authority.

Whilst the Scottish Executive provides advice on the provision of music tuition in the classroom, primarily inthe form of curriculum guidelines, it is the responsibility of individual education authorities and headteachers to make decisions on how best to provide music educationin their schools.

The Prime Minister's Initiative(PMI), launched in June 1999, aims to attract more overseas students to the UK. The Scottish Executive is involved with the funding and development of this strategy in partnershipwith other devolved administrations, UK government departments, British Council and Trade PartnersUK. Measures to enhance overseas student recruitment as part of the PMI includea three-year branded global marketing campaign, expansion of the Chevening scholarshipscheme and streamlining work and visa regulations. A Scottish version of the brandlogo and marketing materials have been developed as part of the PMI strategy foruse by Scottish institutions and EducationUKScotland on their own promotional materials.In addition, EducationUKScotland(formerly Scottish Education and Training) is an initiative supported and fundedprimarily by the education sectors and also by British Council Scotland. The Scottish Executive has agreed to provide £50,000 per annum to support the activities of theorganisation in 2003-04 and 2004-05. In return for that investment, we expect theorganisation to take forward some of the recommendations related to overseas studentscontained in the Framework for HigherEducation in Scotland, in partnershipwith the sectors and other stakeholders. EducationUKScotland’s primary objectiveis to promote Scottish education effectively in overseas markets with the aim ofattracting more overseas students to Scottish institutions in all sectors.

In addition to the activitiesoutlined above, the Executive is also looking more broadly at ways of attractingand retaining fresh talent for Scotland’s longer term prosperity.

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the Home Office on matters related to UK immigrationpolicy, including the recent introduction of charges for applications to extendleave to remain in the UK.

The financial arrangement referredto is not with Communities Scotland but Scottish Homes.

The financial arrangements enteredinto at the time of transfer were part of the overall sale agreement. However, Iunderstand that it is open to Cube Housing Association to explore with ScottishHomes the option of either re-financing the loan with an alternative financial institutionor re-scheduling the loan with Scottish Homes. This will be subject to any contractualobligations or relevant prescribed regulations.

The last review of witness expenseswas conducted in February 2001.

Witness expenses in respect oftravel and subsistence rates, childminding rates, fees paid to professional witnessesand fees paid to expert witnesses are currently under review. Revised rates willbe implemented in the near future.

The vast majority of witnessessubmit a claim in person at the local cashier’s office and receive payment for courtexpenses on the day they attend court. Where claims are submitted by post to theCrown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Finance Section, the claimant can expect,on average, to receive reimbursement within five working days of receipt of theclaim by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Finance Section.

The Scottish Executive does not provide support for overseas students, with the exception of studentsfrom EU member states who are entitled to the same tuition fee support as Scottishdomiciled students. The Executive has no plans to review the position in this area.

The Executive does not hold dataon the number of overseas students who returned to their home countries on completionof studies at Scottish institutions.

First Destination Surveys, conductedby the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) and the Scottish Further EducationFunding Council, provide some information on the destinations of higher educationlevel graduates and diplomates immediately on completion of studies at Scottishfurther and higher education institutions. Available data indicates that for academicyear 1997-98, 13% of overseas higher education level graduates and diplomates fromScottish institutions took up opportunities for work or further study in Scotland. Thecomparable figure for academic year 1998-99 was 18%. Since 1999-2000 informationon first destinations of non-EU graduates and diplomates has not been collectedby HESA.

Information on destinations ofstudents at further education level is not available.

Notes:

1. The term “graduate” refersto a student who has successfully completed a course at first degree level or above;the term “diplomate” refers to a student who has successfully completed a courseat higher education (sub-degree) level.

2. The figures quoted are onknown destinations of primarily full-time graduates and diplomates.

3. Figures exclude all open anddistance learning students from higher education institutes and furthereducation colleges.

4. Source: Higher Education StatisticsAgency and Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

The following table shows thenumber of overseas graduates and diplomates completing courses lasting sixmonths or less at Scottish higher education institutions in academic years1997-98 to 2001-02 inclusive.

1997-98	27
1998-99	21
1999-2000	37
2000-01	54
2001-02	7

Source : Higher EducationStatistics Agency (HESA).

Notes:

1. The term “graduate”refers to a student who has successfully completed a course at first degreelevel or above; the term “diplomate” refers to a student who has successfullycompleted a course at higher education (sub-degree) level.

2. Overseas is defined hereas non-UK domicile.

3. These figures exclude allopen and distance learning students as those students are not deemed to be “studyingin” Scotland.

4. Data shown is for courseswith length of six months or 26 weeks and below.