- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 18 June 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 11 July 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what payments under the Bellwin Scheme have been made since May 1999; what the exceptional circumstances and events were that led to each application; what the differences were between the sum applied for and the actual payments made, and how many applications were refused and for what reasons, all broken down by local authority.
Answer
Since May 1999, payments have been made to East Ayrshire and South Lanarkshire Councils following the very high winds that swept across south-west and central Scotland on Boxing Day 1998. After agreeing eligible costs with both of the councils, and after deducting the relevant thresholds, East Ayrshire was granted £243,352 and South Lanarkshire was granted £234,652. City of Glasgow Council's claim for the same incident was significantly less than the threshold amount, and no grant was therefore due.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 18 June 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 11 July 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance South Lanarkshire Council was sought under the Bellwin Scheme to meet the #900,000 costs incurred by the council due to the severe winter weather in February 2001 and why that application has been refused.
Answer
South Lanarkshire Council requested that the Scottish Executive trigger the Bellwin Scheme to help meet the costs arising from the heavy snowfall in late February. Their request is currently being considered. No application for grant has been made or refused.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 May 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 5 July 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-15098 by Mr Jack McConnell on 3 May 2001, when it will bring forward amending legislation to ensure that parents of children who are four years and six months and over when they start school are eligible to make a placing request.
Answer
We are today issuing for consultation proposals to amend this legislation, and to amend appointment procedures under the current School Board legislation to provide for the successful and timely implementation of the agreement A Teaching Profession for the 21st Century. The First Minister will announce the Executive's future legislative proposals to the Parliament in the autumn.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 21 June 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Ross Finnie on 5 July 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to undertake a fully rigorous and public review of the events leading up to, the management of and the consequences arising from the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease this year, including the economic, social, human and animal suffering which has been experienced.
Answer
I accept in principle the need for a full and rigorous review of this major foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. As this was a GB/UK emergency, the nature and terms of any review will need to be considered by the Welsh Assembly, DEFRA and the Scottish Executive.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 30 May 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 28 June 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-15005, 15012, 15013, 15014, 15015 and 15016 by Mr Jack McConnell on 2 May 2001, whether there is a time limit within which a non-departmental public body should provide information to a member when requested to do so by a minister and, if so, whether this time limit is greater than four weeks.
Answer
Executive NDPBs are required to comply with the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, which came into effect on 1 July 1999. This states that information will be provided as soon as practicable with a target response to simple requests of 20 days from the date of receipt. This target may need to be extended when significant search or collation of material is required.Where the information cannot be provided under the terms of the code, an explanation will normally be given.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 June 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 28 June 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take to address the issues identified in the report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education, Standards and Quality in Primary and Secondary Schools 1998-2001.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S1O-4488 on 24 January 2002.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 07 June 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 21 June 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what accreditation it considers that professional dance courses in Scotland should have.
Answer
It is for providers of such courses to determine, in conjunction with the relevant awarding authority, the type and standard of qualification applicable to the training provided.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 07 June 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 21 June 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to introduce in Scotland a scheme similar to the Dance and Drama Awards Scheme in England.
Answer
There are no current plans to introduce such a scheme. We are, however, examining the issues surrounding support to Scottish students and the nature of the awards system operating in the south.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 07 June 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 21 June 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Council for Dance Education and Training with regard to the accreditation of dance courses.
Answer
None.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 07 June 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 21 June 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what response it has made to enquiries from Ballet West with regard to guidance on accreditation.
Answer
I am asking officials to work with Ballet West on the accreditation options available. Accreditation is, of course, a matter for the provider and the relevant qualification authority. Ballet West has also been encouraged to explore the possibilities of developing links with incorporated further education colleges.
