Chamber and committees

It is clear to me that the recommendations contained in the report of the Audit of Current Scots Language Provision in Scotland cannot be taken forward seriously without involving the Scots language community.

My predecessor Linda Fabiani also shared this view, and shortly after publication of the audit hosted a conference on 9 February 2009 for individuals and organisations with an interest in Scots language matters, where the findings of the research were formally presented and possible ways forward to better promote and develop the Scots language in future were discussed.

I intend to capitalize on the suggestions and views expressed by delegates at the conference and as a next step will soon carry out more focused consultation on the emerging issues with representatives from the Scots language community.

The Audit of Current Provision for the Scots Language was not intended to be exhaustive and could not capture every single act of provision in Scotland during the time available to the staff undertaking the research. However, the Scottish Government recognises the potential that such a resource offers to policy makers and language practitioners, and will take steps to enable individuals or organisations whose acts of provision were not captured in the first instance by the audit to send reports on their activities. Our intention is that the table of provision contained within the audit becomes a living document, so that a broader picture of provision in Scotland may be presented throughout the year, as reported by Scots language providers.

Information regarding non-ministerial events held at Bute House is not held centrally.

Initial evidence on how the abolition of the graduate endowment fee has impacted on young peoples'' decision to study should be available from the Student Income, Expenditure and Debt Survey (SIEDS) which is due to be published in late spring 2009. We will consider commissioning specific research into the impact of the abolition of the graduate endowment fee once the findings of this survey have been analysed. This will also be subject to sufficient resources being available to fund any further work.

The Sport Legacy emerging from the 2014 Commonwealth Games focuses on building a robust infrastructure for sport at local level and developing a network of Community Sport Hubs across Scotland.

By having a better infrastructure in place we will increase the opportunities for participation in sport supported by co-ordinated developments in the provision of coaching, volunteering and sports leaders and also develop stronger communities around school/club links.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-19785 on 30 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning announced on Friday 20 February that a study visit for 51 pupils and nine teachers from Scottish schools will take place this summer. The visit will last for about two and a half weeks and involve pupils in 30 hours of immersion language training plus other cultural and learning activities. Participants will be drawn from schools actively involved in the eight Confucius Classroom hubs being launched before Easter. Funding support will be provided by the Scottish Government and by the Hanban (the Office of the Chinese Council International). Further details will be announced in due course.

A copy of the press release is available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2009/02/20104349.

The meeting on 21 October 2008 between the First Minister, myself, the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Director of CBI Scotland and the General Secretary of the STUC discussed a number of issues of importance to Scotland, including the actions of the Scottish and UK Governments in response to the economic downturn.

The Scottish Government has today published the multi-agency guidance Safeguarding Children in Scotland who may have been Trafficked. The guidance, which was subject to detailed public consultation in 2008, will support professionals in identifying, assessing and providing appropriate support for children who may have been victims of trafficking. Copies have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47563).

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0205-01.htm