Chamber and committees

There have been no detailed discussions concerning the Education for Mutual Understanding programme operating in Northern Ireland. However, Scottish Executive officials are aware of the programme and have had contact with Northern Ireland Executive officials. We are working with education authorities, schools and relevant organisations in taking forward our commitment to promote equality of opportunity for all and to raising the attainment levels of all our young people. Every school is expected to have an equal opportunities policy, and the curriculum offers a number of opportunities to address the issue of sectarianism.

This information is not held centrally, as the Scottish Executive does not collect information relating to the religious denomination of individual pupils.

Total policing costs in respect of Orange Order parades vary according to the size, location and timing of parades. Most parades (around 600 each year) take place in the areas covered by Strathclyde Police and Lothian and Borders Police. For local marches, where only a small police presence is required, the costs may be less than £100. However, the costs associated with the largest three or four annual events in the Strathclyde Police area are each estimated to be nearly £100,000. Total policing costs in relation to football matches with sectarian overtones also vary according to a range of factors, including the clubs involved and the importance of the match in the context of the league or cup. Policing costs will be incurred outside the stadium, for example on traffic and crowd control, as well as inside the ground. Depending on the circumstances, the overall costs of a fixture involving both Rangers and Celtic could be as high as £70,000.

A cross party working group has been established to consider possible legislation to tackle religious hatred. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland is represented on the group, which held its first meeting on 6 February and will meet again on 8 May.

There has been no assessment made of the education for mutual understanding programme in Northern Ireland, and there are no plans at present to introduce a similar programme in Scotland. Tackling sectarianism in Scottish schools falls under our overarching efforts to promote equal opportunities in schools. One of the five National Priorities for school education set by Scottish ministers, focuses specifically on teaching pupils respect for self and others, and the duties and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society.

There has been no research undertaken into this. However, any issue that portrays Scotland in a bad light will inevitably have an adverse effect on people's perceptions of Scotland. The Executive continues to believe that sectarianism has no place in a modern Scotland.

There have been no such discussions between the Scottish Executive and the Northern Ireland Executive.

My department does not hold this information. I would, therefore, suggest that any information that is available could best be obtained from the Acute NHS trusts in the Greater Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire areas.

The Scottish Executive does not hold detailed information that would allow any accurate conclusion to be drawn as to whether additional costs are associated with the provision of separate infrastructures for non-denominational and Roman Catholic schools. A wide range of factors influences the cost of education provision in each local authority area.

The cross party working group on possible legislation to tackle religious hatred is chaired by Dr Richard Simpson MSP, Deputy Minister for Justice, and comprises Ms Margaret Curran MSP, Deputy Minister for Social Justice, Ms Pauline McNeill MSP, Ms Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Lord James Douglas-Hamilton MSP and Mr Donald Gorrie MSP. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Crown Office are also represented.The group has the following remit:To consider the need for legislation to combat religious hatred (in particular the creation of a new category of statutory aggravations; and the creation of a new offence of incitement to religious hatred) and if appropriate develop effective and workable proposals for legislation to increase the protection to religious groups in Scotland.To consider whether non-legislative action could be taken as an alternative. The group held its first meeting on 6 February and is due to meet again on 8 May. The group intends to report on its findings in late summer and will consult with interested parties at that time.