Questions and answers

Question reference: S2W-22472

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2006
Current Status: Answered by Patricia Ferguson on 26 January 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21876 by Patricia Ferguson on 12 January 2006, how the Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 relates to the Nations and Regions Group.

The Nations and Regions Group is a UK level group which has been established to ensure that the London Olympic Games provide benefits to all nations and regions within the UK. Each nation and region represented on the Nations and Regions Group has been asked to form its own committee to consider how that particular nation or region will contribute to and benefit from London 2012. The Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 is the relevant committee for Scotland. Julia Bracewell, chair of sportscotland, chairs the Scottish Steering Group for London 2012 and is Scotland’s representative on the Nations and Regions Group.

Question reference: S2W-22475

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 18 January 2006
Current Status: Answered by Patricia Ferguson on 26 January 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to the organisers of the London 2012 Olympics to assess the veracity of the statement allegedly made by a “senior figure” in the organisation team for that event in respect of the Scottish Football Association’s decision not to participate in a British football team, “Does this make us more inclined to forget about Hampden Park and consider other options? Sure it does, of course it does”, as reported in The Scotsman on 12 November 2005.

Question reference: S2W-22524

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 January 2006
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 26 January 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities in respect of reducing the amount of material going to landfill.

There have been extensive discussions with local authorities on this issue and waste management generally is frequently discussed at my regular meetings with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities. We have provided authorities with significant resources through the Strategic Waste Fund to prevent waste arising, improve recycling and composting facilities and divert residual waste away from landfill and we have also asked local authorities to submit Strategic Outline Cases by the end of January on further proposals to divert waste away from landfill.

Question reference: S2W-22552

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 20 January 2006
Current Status: Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 26 January 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21582 by Cathy Jamieson on 22 December 2005, whether, during discussions with Her Majesty’s Government on the issue of US agencies using Scottish airports for refuelling for flights in which it is alleged that suspected terrorists are being carried to countries where the practice of torture is used for the purposes of interrogation, it was made aware at any stage of the opinion expressed in a written memorandum to the Prime Minister that the papers found by those compiling the memorandum suggest the existence of more cases of US agencies requesting to use UK territory to facilitate rendition flights than those acknowledged by the Home Secretary, as reported by the BBC on 19 January 2006.

Question reference: S2W-22071

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 January 2006
Current Status: Answered by Nicol Stephen on 26 January 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made with the re-introduction of individual learning accounts; how many delivery organisations are participating in the scheme; what the breakdown is of participating learners by delivery agent, area and subject; how many employees have participated in the scheme, broken down by size of company and Local Enterprise Company (LEC) area; whether it will provide a breakdown and overall totals of the grants awarded; what outcomes such grants have achieved or are expected to achieve; whether there have been any complaints about the design or delivery of the scheme; which LEC areas are covered by the scheme; what budget has been allocated to the scheme in each of the financial years in which it has been operating; how much has actually been spent in each financial year; what budget has been set aside for the scheme in 2006-07; how many consultants have been involved in the scheme in each LEC area; what the total cost of these consultants has been in each financial year; whether the scheme has been evaluated and, if so, what the outcome was; who undertook any such evaluation and at what cost, and what the Executive's plans are for the future of the scheme.

Individual Learning Accounts (ILAs) were re-introduced in December 2004 with the launch of the ILA Scotland scheme. The first phase of ILA Scotland has made available a funding offer of up to £200 per year (ILA200) to adult learners on low income or on benefits to fund a wide range of learning. A further ILA Scotland funding offer of up to £100 per year (ILA100) was rolled out in August 2005. This can be used to fund computer courses which are at or up to SCQF level 5 and which lead to a qualification or recognised certification.

There are 208 delivery organisations (learning providers) registered to offer courses. This comprises 10 higher education institutions (HEIs), 44 further education colleges (FECs), 28 community-based providers and 126 private providers.

Over 100,000 enquiries have been made to the ILA Scotland helpline since the scheme was launched. 24,200 people have opened an Individual Learning Account, 12,200 courses have been booked using ILA funding and nearly 9,000 account holders have already used their ILA funding to undertake learning. There have been 103 complaints in total since the start of the scheme, 45 regarding the design and 58 on delivery. However, there is currently only one opened complaint.

Breakdown of number of learners by learning provider:

Learning Provider	Number of Learners
@Ccess 2	4
Aberdeen City Council - Community Training Unit	24
Aberdeen College	417
Access North Ayr - Flexible Learning Centre	22
Ad Services (Scotland) Ltd	48
Adam Smith College – Fife College	150
Adelphi Flexible Learning Unit	15
Airhouse Studios	11
Angus College	122
Anniesland College	165
Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre	14
Argyll College	73
Argyll Training (Dunoon)	1
Argyll Training (Lochgilphead)	2
Argyll Training Ltd (Oban)	19
Auchincruive Enterprise Learning Centre	6
Ayr College	261
Badenoch Learning And Resource Centre	5
Balloch Trust Enterprise Ltd	54
Banff And Buchan College Of Further Education	355
Barony College	5
Bc Business Consultants - Hawick	1
Bell College	49
Bestworks Training Ltd	1
Borders College	126
Business Training Services (UK) Ltd	48
Cairellot Learning Centre	10
Cardonald College	306
Castle Douglas Community It Centre Ltd	71
Central College Of Commerce	155
Clackmannanshire Training and Learning Centre	6
Clydebank College	92
Coatbridge College	10
Columba Centre Islay - Ionad Chaluim Chille Ile	1
Cothrom	6
Craibstone Enterprise Learning Centre	22
Cumbernauld College	180
Dumfries and Galloway College	324
Dumfries and Galloway Libraries, Information And Archives	108
Dundee College	141
Dunfermline High School Community Use	30
East Renfrewshire Council - Barrhead Library	23
East Renfrewshire Council - Busby Library	3
East Renfrewshire Council - Clarkston Library	17
East Renfrewshire Council - Mearns Library	20
East Renfrewshire Council - Neilston Library	9
Ec-Pc	19
Edeta (Training Services) Ltd	22
Edinburgh Chamber Of Commerce	5
Edinburgh University Settlement (Eus) Community Learning Centre	1
Elgin Library Learning Centre	196
Elmwood College	90
Evolve International Safety Training Ltd	36
Eyemouth Learning Centre (Elttc)	4
Fife Women's Technology Centre	8
Forth Valley College - Clackmannan	67
Forth Valley College - Falkirk	188
Glasgow Caledonian University
Glasgow College Of Nautical Studies	37
Gosta Training	11
Grainshore Training Centre	3
Gtg Training	55
Hairnet Computer Training	1
Heriot Watt University	3
Instep Initiatives Ltd	10
Interalia	5
Inverness College	179
Itca Ltd	3
Itec Integrations Ltd	1
James Watt College	185
Jewel And Esk Valley College	294
Jhp Edinburgh Business Centre	39
Jhp Group Ltd – Ayr	2
Jhp Group Ltd – Dumfries	11
Jhp Group Ltd - Motherwell	13
Jhp Group Ltd – Stirling	7
Jhp Training Paisley	7
Jim Mair Driver Training	9
John Wheatley College	25
Kilmarnock College	95
Lagta Group Training Ltd	13
Langside College	91
Lauder College	373
Learning It Ltd	5
Lews Castle College	31
Lochaber College	56
Lothian Training And Development	74
May-Tag Ltd.	4
Merkinch Technology Centre	9
Mettech (Grangemouth)	12
Microcom Training Ltd - Coatbridge	42
Microcom Training Ltd - Inverness	7
Minerva People Limited	14
Moray College	92
Motherwell College	159
Mycourse Ltd	46
National Counselling Service	22
National Extension College	16
Nisus Scotland	18
North Glasgow College	34
North Highland College	70
North West Training Centre	4
One36 Computing Ltd	44
Onsite Training Services	11
Orkney College	45
Pct Partnership	4
Perth College	136
Pitman Training - Forres	24
Pitman Training Centre (Edinburgh)	486
Prospects (Glasgow)	19
Reid Kerr College	267
Rewards (Scotland)	36
Ritchies Training Centre	43
Rosemount Lifelong Learning Flexicentre	28
Routes To Work South	20
Sabhal Mor Ostaig	68
Sanctuary Learning Centre Llp	8
Scotnursing Ltd	4
Sibbald Ltd	4
Skye And Lochalsh Learning Centre Network	58
Sos Training And Office Services	50
South Carrick Open Opportunities Project (Scoop)	11
South Lanarkshire College	112
Stevenson College Edinburgh	89
Stow College	66
Success Training (Scotland) Ltd	7
Support Training - Aberdeen	9
Support Training - Perth	15
Support Training Ltd (Shetland)	32
Support Training Ltd (Edinburgh)	12
Support Training Ltd (Orkney)	35
Telford Training And Consultancy Services	3
Tell Organisation	2
Training For Development	10
Training Initiatives Ltd (Tigers)	13
University Of Abertay Dundee	13
University Of Glasgow - Adult And Continuing Education	36
University Of Glasgow - Universal Training Solutions	18
University Of Paisley	62
University Of Strathclyde - Centre For Lifelong Learning	278
User Friendly Computer Services	6
Varis Training (Division Of Varis Engineering Ltd)	1
West Lothian College	206
Total	8,746

As ILA Scotland is available throughout Scotland, all LEC areas are covered. It has not been possible to provide a breakdown by LEC area or by employer.

Breakdown by subject:

Subject	Courses Booked
Business; Management; Office Studies	826
Sales Marketing and Retailing	20
Information Technology and Information	6,121
Humanities (History; Archaeology; Religious Studies; Philosophy	43
Politics; Economics; Law; Social Sciences	108
Area Studies; Cultural Studies; Languages; Literature	919
Education; Training; Teaching	427
Family Care; Personal Development; Personal Care and Appearance	703
Arts and Crafts	251
Communication; Media; Publishing	301
Performing Arts	13
Sports Games and Recreation	42
Catering; Food; Leisure Services; Tourism	101
Health Care; Medicine; Health and Safety	924
Environment Protection; Energy; Cleansing; Security	21
Sciences and Mathematics	274
Agriculture Horticulture and Animal Care	88
Construction and Property (Built Environment)	59
Services To Industry and Commerce	20
Manufacturing; Production Work	17
Engineering	100
Logistics; Distribution; Transport; Driving	299
Other	550
Total	12,227

The total amount of learner funding awarded to date is £1.2 million.

ILA Scotland is expected to achieve the following policy objectives: to widen participation in adult learning by increasing interest and uptake; to introduce new learners to adult learning and to provide an opportunity for those who have not recently participated in learning to do so; to encourage more learning progression; to encourage individuals to invest in (and take ownership of) their own learning; to prioritise the learning needs of certain groups of learners (in particular those on low incomes), and to support the development of a quality learning provider base in Scotland.

Budget allocated and actual spend by financial year:

	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07
Budget Allocated	£18.8 million	£19.3 million	£19.3 million
Actual Spend	£4.95 million	£4.3 million	-

There have been no consultants involved in ILA Scotland in the LEC areas.

Independent evaluation of the scheme is under way. A report of the first phase of evaluation will be published later this year. The British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) Scotland has been contracted to carry out evaluation of the scheme with learners. The total value of the contract is £135,125 inclusive of VAT. The Centre for Research in Lifelong Learning (CRLL) at Glasgow Caledonian University has been contracted to carry out evaluation of the scheme with learning providers and intermediary groups. The total value of the contract is £61,443 inclusive of VAT.

The outcomes of the evaluation, along with feedback from regular liaison with stakeholder and user groups, will inform policy review of ILA Scotland during 2006 and shape the future development of the scheme.

Question reference: S2W-21841

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 16 December 2005
Current Status: Answered by Patricia Ferguson on 25 January 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will encourage public agencies and businesses to translate the fact that “the G8 has a particularly high profile in Scotland’s main tourism markets” into economic opportunities for Scotland, as set out by SQW Economic Development Consultants in their report, Economic Impact of Hosting the 2005 G8 Summit at Gleneagles.

VisitScotland will build on theinternational TV news coverage ofScotland hosting the G8 summit, which showcased many iconic aspects of what makes this country attractive toleisure and business visitors from overseas. Business tourism in particular is a very important segmentof the overall tourism market, and for that reason VisitScotland’s Business TourismUnit was involved with aspects of the planning for G8. The unit will use the experience of the summit to strengthenthe international marketing of Scotland as a world class business tourism destination.

Question reference: S2W-22147

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 January 2006
Current Status: Answered by Nicol Stephen on 25 January 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward proposals to amend the law to allow the appointment of councillors to the Chair of college boards.

Question reference: S2W-22523

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 19 January 2006
Current Status: Answered by Ross Finnie on 25 January 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive how the proceeds of landfill tax are distributed within Scotland.

Landfill Tax is a reservedmatter.

At the last Spending Review,the Scottish Executive received consequentials arising from increases in theLandfill Tax. We agreed to use these resources to support initiativesbenefiting business and local authorities and have allocated the resources asfollows:

Initiative	Purpose of initiative	2005-06 (£ million)	2006-07 (£ million)	2007-08 (£ million)
Waste and Resources Action Programme	To develop markets for recycled products and to work on household waste prevention.	2.8	5.2	3.5
Envirowise	To provide advice to business on waste prevention	1.5	1.6	2.3
Energy Efficiency	To promote energy efficiency	1.5	2.5	1.5
Strategic Waste Fund	To support local authorities prevent waste arsing; recycle and compost waste and divert waste away from landfill			9.5
Local government finance settlement	See separate table below.	2.2	5.7	1.2
Local authority contaminated land	To support local authorities carry out their statutory duties in relation to contaminated land			5.0
Total		8.0	15.0	23.0

The resources allocated tothe core local government finance settlement were intended for the purposesoutlined as follows. These resources are not ring-fenced and local authoritiesare free to spend them as they see fit, based on local needs and priorities.

	2005-06 (£ million)	2006-07 (£ million)	2007-08 (£ million)
Landfill costs	1.0	2.5
Flytipping officers	1.2	1.2	1.2
Abandoned vehicles		2.0
Total	2.2	5.7	1.2

In addition, the LandfillTax Credit Scheme operates in Scotland. This scheme is a reserved matter. Moreinformation can be found on the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme website www.ltcs.org.uk.

Question reference: S2W-22064

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 January 2006
Current Status: Answered by Nicol Stephen on 25 January 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive what the reactions of the print and electronic media have been to A Science Strategy for Scotland and whether there is evidence of any trend towards increasing in-depth coverage of science in the media as a result of the implementation of the strategy.

Media coverage of the launchof A Science Strategy for Scotland in August 2001 was very positive.

The Science Strategy commitsthe Executive to supporting initiatives that enable the media, scientists andpolicy makers to work more closely together to effectively promote science tothe people of Scotland. The Executive supports a wide range of publicscience initiatives which frequently attract helpful media attention, forexample Science Week and the Edinburgh International Science Festival. the Executive is supporting the British Association’s Science CommunicationConference in April, which will in part consider how to engage the media in abetter coverage of science issues. The Executive plans to publish a reportshortly, detailing progress on all areas of the Science Strategy, which willprovide further details of activities in this area.

Question reference: S2W-22065

Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Monday, 09 January 2006
Current Status: Answered by Nicol Stephen on 25 January 2006

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish a technology strategy in parallel to A Science Strategy for Scotland and, if so, when.

Chamber and committees