- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 8 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will meet directly, in whole or in part, any legal costs and damages or compensation which visitscotland has to pay in relation to Rod Lynch's appointment or whether any additional funding will be given to visitscotland in respect of any such costs.
Answer
Discussions between legal representatives are under way. The Executive will consider its response to the outcome of those discussions in due course.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 8 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive when Peter McKinlay is due to stand down as interim Chief Executive of visitscotland.
Answer
This is an operational matter for visitscotland.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 8 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether an official from the Executive sat in during the interviews or was a member of the selection panel which interviewed candidates for the position of Chief Executive of visitscotland; if so, what grade that official was and how many interviews he or she attended.
Answer
Yes. The official is a Head of Group and attended interviews with all seven candidates.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 8 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will name the members of the selection panel used by visitscotland to appoint a Chief Executive, whether Mr Donal Dowds was a member and whether his views were sought at any time before the offer of employment was made to Rod Lynch.
Answer
The members of the selection panel were Lord Gordon of Strathblane, Mr Peter Lederer and Mr Mike Foulis. Mr Michael Cantlay joined the panel after 28 February when Lord Gordon's period of appointment as Chair of visitscotland came to an end. Communications between board members is a matter for visitscotland.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 8 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what the parameters were for any negotiations on salary and terms and conditions of employment when considering applications for the post of Chief Executive of visitscotland.
Answer
In considering these matters in consultation with my department, visitscotland will have borne in mind the need to strike a balance between paying a market rate for the kind of ability and experience they were seeking to attract and other senior public sector salaries in Scotland.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 23 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 8 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were interviewed for the post of Chief Executive of visitscotland.
Answer
Seven.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 24 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 8 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how many of its staff are dedicated to working on (a) grant aid for businesses, (b) enterprise networks, (c) export promotion, (d) inward investment, (e) energy, (f) lifelong learning, (g) student support and (h) better regulation.
Answer
The Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Department consists of 309.4 permanent staff, some of whom will be working on these topics. The information requested is not held centrally, although the Scottish Executive Business Directory will provide a general picture of the work of the department.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 02 March 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 2 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost will be of the Scottish-Nordic Council meeting at Skibo Castle and from which budget these costs will be met.
Answer
The total organisational cost of the Nordic-Scottish Co-operation conference is £45,000. This is being met from the budget for External Relations initiatives of the Scottish Executive (£26,500); Highlands & Islands enterprise (£15,500); and Scottish Enterprise (£3000).
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Sarah Boyack on 30 April 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it has taken to assist motorcyclists in making integrated journeys, including provision of interchange facilities and parking, and whether it proposes to implement a package of measures to improve the safety of motorcyclists and, if so, whether it will detail such measures.
Answer
Officials meet Scottish motorcycling representatives on a regular basis.The provision of interchange facilities is a matter for the local authorities and transport operators. New powers in the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 will enable local authorities to provide secure parking for motorcycles, thereby helping to reduce the level of motorcycle theft.The road safety strategy document Tomorrow's Roads - Safer for Everyone, published last year, includes measures to improve the safety of motorcyclists throughout Great Britain. Copies are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre. In addition, the Scottish Executive, through the Scottish Road Safety Campaign (SRSC), is supporting the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland "Bikesafe Scotland" initiative. Last year, the SRSC produced 2,000 Bikesafe posters for display in outlets selling motorcycles and motorcycling equipment. A further 10,000 Bikesafe leaflets were produced for distribution to motorcyclists. A set of exhibition panels to promote Bikesafe at the Bike show at Ingliston in March was also provided by the SRSC. These panels are available for use throughout Scotland. The SRSC will continue to support the Bikesafe initiative.
- Asked by: Kenny MacAskill, MSP for Lothians, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 17 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 30 April 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what change it forecasts in the number of people employed in the electronics sector over the next year.
Answer
The Scottish Executive does not produce forecasts of employment by sector. The electronics industry in Scotland is clearly being affected by global re-structuring by the major companies, but Scotland cannot and should not compete on wage rates or work against the market. We must ensure that the industry in Scotland builds on the skills of our people and the technology of our universities and research institutes to provide high value added products and services to meet constantly changing market needs. The Executive, the electronics industry and Scottish Enterprise are working in partnership to achieve that objective.
