Chamber and committees

BT has confirmed that, as of 3 September 2009, the telephone exchanges in Angus which are at full capacity for broadband are Fern and Menmuir, and that the exchange in Perth and Kinross which is at full capacity for broadband is Strathardle.

The Scottish Government announced on 23 September 2009 that it has agreed with BT a programme of upgrade work for exchanges to resolve the capacity issues currently being experienced. Please refer to our news release at the following website:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/09/23114104.

It is generally accepted in the university sector that public funding for Scottish universities is broadly comparable with that in other parts of the United Kingdom. Most recently, Professor Steven Smith, President of Universities UK, said while at the Universities UK conference in Edinburgh on 8 and 9 September, that funding levels were roughly comparable (reported in The Times, 11 September 2009).

The first meeting of the Tripartite Advisory Group (TAG) agreed to set up a technical sub-group to support TAG''s work on comparative funding. To keep the sub-group to a manageable number, TAG agreed the sub-group would comprise some six to 10 members drawn from the three TAG members (the Scottish Government, the Scottish Funding Council and Universities Scotland).

The agreed remit for the Tripartite Advisory Group (TAG) is available on the Scottish Government website at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/UniversitiesColleges/16640/hetaskforce/TripartiteToR.

It does not include looking at comparative funding for student support or discretionary funds.

All Scottish Government funding for the development of sport is routed through sportscotland.

Sportscotland operates a number of funding programmes, such as Awards for All and the Sports Facilities Fund, to which individual golf clubs are eligible to apply.

No feasibility study has been undertaken, however, in the event of a planning application being made, the impact of a supermarket on existing shops would be one of a number of considerations taken into account by the planning authority in reaching a decision.

The Scottish Government relocation and asset management policy is aimed at ensuring the best use of the existing government estate, providing the best value for money for the Scottish Government as a whole, and maintaining or improving operational effectiveness. This approach means that relocation is an option that will be pursued following a rigorous and transparent process that shows there are efficiencies for Scotland and that the move provides best possible value for money. Opportunities for relocation continue to be assessed.

Details of the decisions on relocation can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/finance/papers-06/fip06-32.pdf.

VisitScotland spends £1 million annually on the promotion of golf tourism and marketing is targeted at specialist golf groups as well as more widely across those consumer segments where golf may be an element of the visitor''s trip.

Marketing activity includes publications, direct mailings, sponsorship of major tournaments, a dedicated golf website and presence at the International Golf Travel Market. The promotion of Perth and Kinross as a golfing destination is included in this activity.

VisitScotland''s publication The Official Guide to Golf includes a 36 page section on the Historic Heartlands covering all golf courses in Perth and Kinross. This publication is circulated on-line to 115,000 consumers and includes a feature on the Ryder Cup which will expand in the run up to 2014. In addition to this, The Perthshire Golf Guide, a comprehensive guide to golf courses in Perth and Kinross, is available through VisitScotland''s local and national Visitor Information Centres, from VisitBritain, at golf courses and at golf events and exhibitions throughout the UK and Europe.

Some of VisitScotland''s partners from Perth and Kinross join them at their exhibition stand at the International Golf Travel Market, including the Murrayshall House Hotel and the Gleneagles Hotel who have the opportunity to promote their own specific brands.

The Ryder Cup logo and branding cannot be used in the promotion of golf in Scotland or Perth and Kinross until after the competition at Celtic Manor in 2010. After this point, VisitScotland will integrate the branding into all of its relevant marketing activity.

VisitScotland spends £1 million annually on the promotion of golf tourism and marketing is targeted at specialist golf groups as well as more widely across those consumer segments where golf may be an element of the visitor''s trip.

Marketing activity includes publications, direct mailings, sponsorship of major tournaments, a dedicated golf website and presence at the International Golf Travel Market. The promotion of Perth and Kinross as a golfing destination is included in this activity.

VisitScotland''s publication The Official Guide to Golf includes a 36 page section on the Historic Heartlands covering all golf courses in Perth and Kinross. This publication is circulated on-line to 115,000 consumers and includes a feature on the Ryder Cup which will expand in the run up to 2014. In addition to this, The Perthshire Golf Guide, a comprehensive guide to golf courses in Perth and Kinross, is available through VisitScotland''s local and national Visitor Information Centres, from VisitBritain, at golf courses and at golf events and exhibitions throughout the UK and Europe.

Some of VisitScotland''s partners from Perth and Kinross join them at their exhibition stand at the International Golf Travel Market, including the Murrayshall House Hotel and the Gleneagles Hotel who have the opportunity to promote their own specific brands.

The Ryder Cup logo and branding cannot be used in the promotion of golf in Scotland or Perth and Kinross until after the competition at Celtic Manor in 2010. After this point, VisitScotland will integrate the branding into all of its relevant marketing activity.

The Ryder Cup 2014 will deliver significant economic impact to Scotland''s economy and project the country, its golfing credentials and heritage around the world through extensive international press and broadcast coverage.

All partners involved in the delivery of the Ryder Cup are working to ensure these benefits are maximised and the Scottish Government is represented on a Ryder Cup Steering Group, along with EventScotland, VisitScotland, SportScotland, Scottish Development International, Scottish Enterprise, Perth and Kinross Council and the Gleneagles Hotel.

As part of the build up to the Ryder Cup in 2014, EventScotland has committed to developing a range of golf events hosted annually in Scotland. These include the Senior Open Championships, the Scottish Challenge, which is beneficial to Scotland''s future golf stars, and the Ladies Scottish Open which demonstrates a commitment to women''s golf in Scotland. This support package has been in place since 2003 and will continue to 2018 and beyond to ensure Scotland retains a portfolio of quality, sustainable golf events beyond the completion of the Ryder Cup in 2014.