- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 26 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 6 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the names of all those who applied for the position of chairman of Caledonian MacBrayne, the names of those selected for interview and the criteria against which the candidates interviewed were judged.
Answer
The advertisement for the post of Chairman to Caledonian MacBrayne Limited stated that all applications would be treated strictly in confidence. It would therefore, be a breach of that confidence to name the applicants who applied for this appointment. I can however, advise that forty one applications were received and five candidates were interviewed. The criteria were decided at the outset and included:
analytical and strategic skills;
effective presentational communication and negotiating skills;
ability to provide direction;
strong leadership;
inspiration and motivation for the CalMac Board and staff;
excellent chairmanship ability;
broad knowledge of Highlands and Islands issues;
knowledge of passenger ferry services;
knowledge of NDPBs/Nationalised Industries and the Public Policy Framework; broad knowledge of transport issues;
proven experience at board level in the areas of commerce, finance or shipping; and
qualifications and/or experience in relevant subjects and issues (eg commerce, finance or shipping/transport). All candidates were advised of and assessed against these criteria.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 23 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Alasdair Morrison on 6 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to appoint a Gaelic Officer to promote the development of the Gaelic language and to be responsible for liaison with interested organisations and co-ordination of Gaelic issues within the Scottish Administration.
Answer
Within the Scottish Executive, responsibility for liaison with organisations with an interest in Gaelic and the co-ordination of Gaelic issues generally is already assigned to officials in the Arts and Cultural Heritage Division of the Education Department.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 26 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 5 August 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will oppose any calls for the privatisation of Caledonian MacBrayne.
Answer
The Scottish Executive have no plans to privatise Caledonian MacBrayne Limited.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 30 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive how many Scottish schools have a sports co-ordinator and how many do not.
Answer
I announced on 7 June the first tranche of Lottery Sports Fund awards to five local authorities for the appointment of co-ordinators in 87 secondary schools. The announcement followed a highly successful pilot programme and the intention is to have a co-ordinator appointed in all of Scotland's remaining 367 secondary schools by 2003.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 25 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 30 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the current law and practice in relation to the means assessment of residents in residential and care homes.
Answer
The Royal Commission on Long Term Care was set up to consider the system of funding care, including means assessment, in residential and nursing homes, as well as in people's own homes. The recommendations made in their Report about health, housing and social work matters are for Scottish Ministers. We are considering our response.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 10 June 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 30 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has entered into any correspondence with the Forum of Private Business and whether it intends to meet representatives of the Forum
Answer
The Forum of Private Business has written to me and I met representatives of the organisation on Wednesday 30 June.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 27 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether steps have been taken by the Scottish Tourist Board to promote Scotland as a holiday destination in the Highland Games events which take place in Canada and the United States of America and whether the Scottish Tourist Board has advertised or intends to advertise in the "Highlander " maga'ine.
Answer
This is an operational matter for the Scottish Tourist Board. I will ask the Chairman to write to you and I will arrange for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by David Steel on 27 July 1999
To ask the Presiding Officer whether the Mace gifted to the Parliament by Her Majesty The Queen has any constitutional significance and if so whether he will provide in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre a statement regarding its significance.
Answer
The Mace was presented by Her Majesty to The Scottish Parliament. It is a modern embodiment of an ancient symbol of power, legitimacy and the relationship between Parliament and the Crown, and is a reminder of the Parliament's authority.The Mace is at present on view in the National Museum of Scotland. In future recesses it is intended to be on view in a secure glass case in the Chamber, when I will consider the suggestion of such a statement being mounted alongside.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 27 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an estimate of the annual revenue from tourism in Scotland in (a) 1997, (b) 1998 and (c) 1999.
Answer
Tourism spend in Scotland in 1997 was estimated to be £2.6 billion, a record sum, and in 1998 to be £2.5 billion, both at today's prices. The Scottish Tourist Board is forecasting modest growth for the industry in 1999.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 July 1999
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 27 July 1999
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will request that the Scottish Tourist Board introduce a marketing campaign to promote Scotland as an autumn holiday destination in order to boost the tourist industry in Scotland this year.
Answer
The STB in partnership with the industry has since 1995 undertaken a campaign focused on generating additional business in the October and November period. This is estimated to have generated an additional £5 million spend in 1998. Plans for a 1999 campaign are well advanced.
