- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Curran on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether funding for the Millennium Volunteers programme will be extended beyond September 2003.
Answer
I have asked Volunteer Development Scotland to undertake an assessment of the effectiveness of our current strategy for volunteering, including the future of the Millennium Volunteers programme. Accordingly, funding for the programme will extend until 31 December 2003 while the review is undertaken.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will facilitate the establishment of a central unit to co-ordinate health and safety issues in respect of school trips that involve taking pupils abroad.
Answer
We have no plans to facilitate the establishment of such a unit. The review of guidance which is currently under way will consider how best practice can be shared, not just in respect of school trips abroad.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what the legislative framework is for health and safety issues on school trips.
Answer
Those responsible for schools must consider their common law obligations as well as any statutory duties in respect of the health and safety of staff and pupils on school trips. There are general legislative provisions for health and safety in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, but there may be other specific provisions applicable depending on the nature of the trip, activities being undertaken, accommodation or transport being used.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what support it gives to schools to ensure the safety of pupils on school trips.
Answer
Local authorities and other managers of schools are responsible for taking reasonable care of pupils in their charge, and it is for them to consider what support it is necessary to give to schools in that context.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Euan Robson on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what initiatives it will introduce to improve procedures, services and support for adoptive and foster parents, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is currently working with partners in local authorities and the voluntary sector to take forward policies to improve procedures, services and support for adoptive and foster parents.The report of the first phase of our adoption policy review was published last year and made a number of recommendations to improve support to adoptive parents, in particular the establishment of an Adoption Support Network for Scotland. Following consultation on these recommendations, the Executive is considering how best to take forward these recommendations. The second phase of the adoption review, which was launched in March, will consider the legal framework for adoption and fostering, including the support for adoptive parents.The Executive has invited the Fostering Network to develop their proposals for improving support for foster carers and I will be meeting with them in the near future to discuss this work.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Euan Robson on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding will be set aside to improve procedures, services and support for adoptive and foster parents, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Answer
In the spending review the Executive has allocated over £20 million for 2003-04 to 2005-06 to improving outcomes for looked-after children, which will include elements to support adoptive parents and foster carers. In addition, the Executive has allocated £30 million for 2001-02 to 2003-04 to improving family placements, including foster care.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what new initiatives will be introduced to increase teacher numbers to 53,000 by 2007, as referred to in A Partnership for a Better Scotland.
Answer
The increase in teacher numbers to 53,000 by 2007 is being discussed with education authorities, the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council and universities. Any new initiatives will be announced as and when appropriate.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it has issued to local authorities about health and safety issues on school trips.
Answer
Such guidance was issued by the Scottish Office in the form of a circular. This guidance is currently being reviewed by the Scottish Executive.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will announce proposals for the training of additional teachers in mathematics and English in order to reduce class si'es in these subjects to 20 in S1 and S2.
Answer
Discussions will be held with education authorities as to their requirements for additional teachers. Intakes to teacher training courses are a matter for the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. The Scottish Executive offers advice to the council on the overall number of newly trained teachers and that advice will take account of additional requirements arising out of the Partnership Agreement.
- Asked by: Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Friday, 27 June 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 23 July 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive when the discussions with education authorities, higher education institutions and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council on the expansion of teacher training places will take place, as referred to in its news release SEED244/2003 of 25 June 2003.
Answer
Officials are in regular contact with the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council to keep them advised of future requirements for teachers and further discussions with all relevant interests will take place in the course of the summer and autumn.
