Chamber and committees

In considering the location of the headquarters of the Scottish UfI, the Scottish UfI Advisory Group took the view that the decision should be taken on the basis of criteria which support the efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation. In view of the number of key partners the Scottish UfI would have in the central belt, it considered a central belt location advisable, assessed against criteria including:

• the recruitment and retention of staff of high calibre;

• convenient links with key partners on a daily basis and good rail, road and air links;
• modern, flexible accommodation with IT infrastructure and disabled access; and
• a location and building which conveys the right image for an all-Scotland organisation aspiring to change the learning culture in Scotland.

Glasgow proved to be the most viable proposition, meeting all of the above criteria.

No. Pupils study a broad curriculum based on national guidelines which sets out the aims of study, the ground to be covered and the way pupil's learning should be assessed and reported. The way this is delivered and the use of ICT to assist with this in the various subjects is therefore for local authorities, schools and teachers to decide.

The Scottish Executive has no such plans.

There is no provision under current electoral legislation to conduct experiments in electronic voting in local government elections. Pilots in electronic voting were held at local government elections in England on 4 May. We will study the results of those pilots carefully.

There are already many Scottish schools with excellent websites. Examples of good practice are shared through the SCET website at http://www.scet.com/educ/online/schools.asp A more complete directory of Scottish school websites will shortly be made available to all teachers and pupils through the National Grid for Learning Scotland website at http://www.ngflscotland.gov.uk/

In its initial search for a location for the Scottish University for Industry, the Scottish Executive's Land and Property Division undertook a trawl of public sector space available right across Scotland. Initial consideration was also given to a number of other locations suggested by various organisations and individuals. Further consideration was then given to what location would best meet the business and operational needs of the Scottish UfI. Both the Scottish UfI Advisory Group and the Scottish UfI Ltd felt that a central Glasgow location would best meet these needs. A short list of seven sites within Glasgow was produced.

On the basis of business criteria set out by the company and endorsed by the Scottish UfI Advisory Group, the Europa Building, Argyle Street, Glasgow, emerged as the most favourable site.

The Scottish University for Industry Advisory Group was consulted both on the most suitable area within Scotland to locate the new organisation's headquarters and also on the business criteria against which an area and specific site should be measured. The Scottish UfI Advisory Group recommended a central belt site and took the view that Glasgow best met the organisation's business case. Europa Building was later identified as meeting all the criteria of the business case.

National and international initiatives call for all schools to be connected to the Internet, but do not specify the nature of the connection. Scotland is already well on the way to meeting this target, with 93% of secondary schools and 49% of primary schools connected to the Internet by October 1999.

The Scottish Executive wishes to go beyond the basic level of connectivity, and is in the process of selecting consultants to investigate how broadband connections might be provided to all Scottish schools. This study will also provide information about the types of connection currently available in schools.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-6066.

This information is not held centrally.