- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 30 January 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether its policy of encouraging the traditional arts will be adversely affected by the closure of Balnain House.
Answer
In implementing the Cultural Strategy the Executive, through the Scottish Arts Council, will continue to promote and support the traditional arts throughout Scotland.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 13 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 30 January 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with interested parties regarding the closure of Balnain House in Inverness and the impact of this closure on the promotion of Scottish traditional music.
Answer
The question of closing Balnain House is a matter for the operating company. Nevertheless, the Scottish Arts Council and local partners, who have supported Balnain House for many years, have explored all possible options for maintaining it as an arts centre. The Arts Council is keeping the Executive informed of developments, including collaboration with local partners to place support for traditional arts and music in the Highlands on a more secure basis from now on.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 16 January 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 30 January 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what estimate it has made of the total cost of bringing Scotland's school buildings up to an acceptable standard.
Answer
The overall management of their school building stock is a matter for individual education authorities. Detailed consistent information of the kind requested is not available centrally. We will be discussing with local authority representatives aspects of school building needs with a view to clarifying the level of need for improvement, and agreeing a shared approach to establishing priorities in meeting that need.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 25 October 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 24 January 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial borrowing permissions are in place for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and when any such permissions were granted and under what statute.
Answer
Under the Education (Scotland) Act 1996 and the Scottish Qualifications Authority's Management Statement and Financial Memorandum, the approval of Scottish Ministers is required "in relation to any borrowing and any related security, guarantee or indemnity granted or given, with the exception of bank overdrafts for normal cash-flow purposes".No such approval has been sought or granted.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 23 January 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Youth Parliament will be invited to be represented on the Ministerial Review Group established to monitor the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
Answer
The Executive is in contact with the Scottish Youth Parliament on a number of issues and recognises its importance as a voice for Scotland's young people. While the Scottish Youth Parliament is not represented on the Ministerial Review Group, the group does include students from schools and colleges with direct experience of this year's exam round.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 22 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Colin Boyd on 22 January 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the Lord Advocate on 29 November 2000 (Official Report, col. 413) on the Chhokar case, whether Sir Anthony Campbell will appoint his own staff and choose which senior Scottish counsel are to assist him with the inquiry.
Answer
A member of legal staff from Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service has been appointed on secondment to act as Secretary to the inquiry by Sir Anthony Campbell. This appointment was by the Crown Agent. During the inquiry this member of staff will be subject to the direction and control of Sir Anthony Campbell.Mr G Moynihan QC, Advocate will act as Counsel to the Inquiry. Mr Moynihan QC was appointed at the request of Sir Anthony Campbell on the recommendation of the Lord Advocate.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 22 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Colin Boyd on 22 January 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the Lord Advocate on 29 November 2000 (Official Report, col. 413) on the Chhokar case, whether the Crown Office will be providing support staff to Sir Anthony Campbell and, if so, under whose control they will be during the inquiry.
Answer
A member of legal staff from Crown Office and the Procurator Fiscal Service has been appointed on secondment to act as Secretary to the inquiry by Sir Anthony Campbell. During the inquiry this member of staff will be subject to the direction and control of Sir Anthony Campbell.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 18 January 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it currently provides for the Scottish Youth Parliament.
Answer
The Scottish Executive provided funding of £25,000 for the Scottish Youth Parliament in its first year of operation and a community education worker has recently been seconded to work one day a week with the Scottish Youth Parliament. Officials keep in touch with Youth Parliament representatives and understand that an application for grant funding will be received early this year.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 18 January 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to fund the Scottish Youth Parliament in future years and at what level.
Answer
Ministers are keen to support the Scottish Youth Parliament. Officials keep in touch with Youth Parliament representatives and understand that an application for grant funding will be received early this year.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 December 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 18 January 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it plans to take to enable the Scottish Youth Parliament to extend its activities.
Answer
I understand that the Scottish Youth Parliament are currently finalising their development plans. These will be submitted to the Scottish Executive as part of an application for grant funding and I hope to bring forward proposals to develop and support their plans shortly thereafter.
