Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29860. All answers to written PQs are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29860. All answers to written PQs are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

One senior civil servant was recruited from a civil service department outwith the Scottish Executive.

The General Agreement on Trade in Services is not a key motivating factor in increasing the use of private finance initiative and public private partnership projects in public services.

The Executive is committed to ensuring that good quality and co-ordinated services are provided to all asylum seekers and refugees living in Scotland and continues to work in partnership with a range of bodies to achieve this.I and my officials are in regular contact with the Home Office on a range of issues.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29657 on 2 October 2002. 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/webapp/search_wa.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29657 on 2 October 2002. 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/webapp/search_wa.

The Scottish Executive has made it very clear that we are intent on ensuring that Scotland is a welcoming place for all people coming to live here. Specifically, we have established the Scottish Refugee Integration Forum, which I chair and which has been charged with developing action plans to enable the successful integration of refugees in Scotland and the provision of more accessible, co-ordinated and good quality services. The forum has been undertaking a great deal of work and a draft action plan will be available for comment shortly.

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on the GATS as it relates to education services. Universities Scotland, the National Union of Students and the Association of University Teachers have all been consulted by the Executive and we expect to consult these bodies further throughout the process. The Department of Trade and Industry intends to publish in early October a public consultation document on the GATS. Copies will be sent to each of these bodies and others with an interest in education in Scotland.

The regulation of international trade is a reserved matter. However, the Executive continues to be in regular contact with the Department of Trade and Industry and other UK Government Departments on trade issues and how these may impact on the Executive's responsibilities.The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) applies to measures affecting trade in services taken by central, regional or local governments and authorities, and by non-governmental bodies in the exercise of powers delegated by such governments and authorities. Progressive liberalisation under the GATS concerns the reduction or elimination of the adverse effects on trade in services of such measures as a means of providing effective market access for foreign service suppliers. The GATS makes clear that liberalisation shall take place, if at all, with due respect for national policy objectives. The agreement recognises the right of World Trade Organisation member governments to regulate, and to introduce new regulations, on the supply of services within their territories in order to meet these objectives.