Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-32112 on 12 March 2007. All answersto 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/wa.search.

This will form part of thework plan for the Scottish Youth Parliament for 2007-08, which has still to beagreed.

The Scottish YouthParliament will receive £250,000 in 2007-08. The future level of funding isstill to be determined.

The information on fundingup to 2006 is available on the Scottish Executive website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/FOI/Disclosures/2006/06/youthparli.

A further £251,125 was madeavailable in 2006-07 for core activities and £25,000 in capital funding.

I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-32112 on 12 March 2007. All answersto 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/wa.search.

The Education Department.

The Scottish Executive iscommitted to implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of theChild (UNCRC). The UNCRC is not directly enforceable but the Scottish Executivelooks to reflect its provisions wherever possible in the development of policy,practice and legislation.

There are a number ofrelevant examples in relation to UNCRC Article 12, which confers the right onchildren to express their views on matters affecting them and for those viewsto be given due consideration.

For example, sections 6 and17 of the Children (S) Act 1995 require agencies in taking decisions or actionsthat impact on children in need or at risk to have regard so far as practicableto the views of affected children, taking account of age and maturity. TheVulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 requires courts to ascertain the views ofchildren about the way in which they wish to give evidence as witnesses incourt proceedings.

We are consulting on thedraft Children’s Services (Scotland) Bill, section 3 of which deals with ascertaining,recording and considering children’s views. The consultation - accessible at  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/12/18140606/0- closes on 31 March 2007.

The Scottish Executive hassupported the Scottish Youth Parliament to develop a legal structure thatensures that it is run by its members. We have always been clear that while wehave a legitimate public interest in ensuring that grant funding is spentappropriately in accordance with grant conditions and an agreed work plan, the Scottish Executive has no interest in seeking to influence the views of the Scottish Youth Parliament.

Further to my answer toquestion S2W-31839 on 28 February 2007, no significant costs were incurred by either advertisingthe helpline on the Scottish Executive website or by issuing a news release.£111.28 was paid to INCAS to meet the costs of a mailing to its membership.All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-32112 on 12 March 2007. All answersto 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/wa.search.