Chamber and committees

No.

The statutory consultation being conducted by Scottish Natural Heritage on the proposal for a Cairngorms National Park is required to address the matter of funding. That report is due on 13 July. Scottish Ministers will wish to take note of these findings in determining the funding levels through the usual processes of the public expenditure round.The National Park authority will determine exactly how they use their funding, but this must be consistent with the purpose of furthering their aims, one of which is "to promote understanding and enjoyment (including enjoyment in the form of recreation) of the special qualities of the area by the public".

The UK Government expects the effect of its climate change levy on business energy use to be broadly neutral across business as a whole. No separate assessments of the impact on rural areas have been made.

No, the Scottish Executive has no plans to review planning legislation in this regard.The current contractual arrangements between the Road Network Management and Maintenance Division (RNMMD) and the Operating Companies managing the trunk road network on their behalf require the Operating Company to visit all planning application sites, take photographs and make a report to RNMMD to include accident statistics and all other relevant information. There is no requirement to consult with applicants, although RNMMD would, where appropriate, carry out such consultations themselves. Any subsequent objection by RNMMD does not necessarily lead to a case being called in, nor does a case being called in necessarily lead to a public local inquiry being held.

The Supply of Teachers report, 1st Edition - January 2001, details the background to the current position on the collection of information relevant to teacher supply and outlines planned improvements to current methods. Copies of the report are in the Parliament's Reference Centre (SPICe - Bib. no. 10751) and it is on the Executive's website. As reported in this edition, we are presently unable to provide detailed answers to questions about teacher supply and shortages in specific areas. The position is outlined at paragraphs 28-36 of the report. In light of this, initiatives are being developed to identify the current number of teachers relevant to demand.As proposed in this first edition of the report, the department is currently piloting an exercise with a sample of education authorities to gather data on teacher vacancies and shortages aimed at establishing a reliable baseline figure from which to improve the planning of teacher supply across Scotland.Updates of The Supply of Teachers report will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre and on the website as the position develops and new systems of gathering information are put in place. The regular publication of the report will ensure all relevant current information is available to members of the Scottish Parliament and also in the public domain.

Scotland does not currently participate in the Open University (OU) Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme. Institutions are able, however, to offer any course on a part-time basis provided it meets the requirements set out in the Guidelines for Initial Teacher Education in Scotland. No proposals have been received for such a course from the OU since 1992.Registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) is a requirement for teaching in all education authority schools in Scotland. All teachers who have not trained in Scotland and who wish to teach here must seek exceptional admission to the GTCS register. As long as a teacher with a qualification through the OU in England fulfils the council's requirements with regards to academic qualifications, professional training and relevant experience there should be no difficulty in gaining entry to the register of persons entitled to teach in Scotland.

The sites of all planning applications are visited to assist in determining whether the development would be likely to have a detrimental effect on trunk road traffic. It is not normal practice to inspect individual premises as sufficient information indicating the nature of the development should accompany the planning application.

To encourage the movement of freight by rail, the Scottish Executive has committed £39 million over the next three years (2001-04) towards the Freight Facilities Grant and Track Access Grant schemes. The Executive will consider applications for grants under these schemes from industry throughout Scotland, including the Highlands. Applications are assessed against value for money and environmental benefits criteria.

In common with all planning applications affecting a trunk road, the Scottish Executive is consulted and offers advice to the Planning Authority. In this case, the site was visited by the previous Management Agent, Mouchel Scotland Ltd and a report submitted to the Scottish Executive.

The Scottish Executive has had regard to the Statement of Practice on Staff Transfers in the Public Sector. The new maintenance term contracts require the successful bidder to fulfil any obligations arising from TUPE. Each of the winning contractors has transferred affected staff under TUPE terms.Specimen copies of the Instructions for Tendering and Part 11 of the Contract Agreement which refers to TUPE have been lodged in the Parliament's Reference Centre.