Chamber and committees

The national audit seeks financial information relating to the year 2000-01, with questions on the total budget of the museum and a breakdown of sources of income, including fundraising.

The results of the audit will be published in print and on the Scottish Museums Council's website with the exception of information relating to museums' security measures. The published information will be accompanied by appropriate commentary to assist the interpretation of the results and to put them in context.

Yes.

The Scottish Executive has regular discussion with the British Council and the Scottish Arts Council on a range of issues, which from time to time include the provision of support services to Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.

The Columba Initiative was discussed at the meeting convened by Mary Coughlan, TD, the newly appointed Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The initiative has the aim of developing links between Scotland and Ireland based on our shared Gaelic heritage.

There are no plans for the First Minister to make a ministerial statement regarding his meeting in Brussels on 28 May with the leaders of other regional governments involved in the initiative co-ordinated by Flanders. The seven partners are co-operating to ensure that the views of constitutional regions will influence the substance of the developing debate on the Future of Europe. The Executive has already noted in Parliament its involvement in the Flanders Initiative. Our involvement demonstrates our commitment to working to promote mutually beneficial links between Scotland and Europe.

The Strategic Plan of the Columba Initiative 2001-02 and 2003-04 was published in February. We expect to receive and to publish a progress report in the autumn.

The Scottish Executive is a partner with the devolved administration in Northern Ireland and with the Government of the Republic of Ireland in the Columba Initiative. Relations between the UK and the Republic of Ireland are a responsibility of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. No problems relating to the Executive competence to support the Initiative have arisen.

The Executive has spoken with the British Council, which confirms that there has been no removal of council services for Scottish arts companies wishing to tour abroad.

Under the Scottish Computers for Teachers scheme all GTC registered teachers in publicly funded primary and secondary schools, including publicly funded special schools and units, are eligible to apply for a rebate of £200 against the cost of a modern computer.The computer must match or exceed a technical specification drawn up by Learning and Teaching Scotland, who administer the scheme on behalf of the Scottish Executive. The specification is reviewed before each new phase of the scheme.The payment is a taxable benefit, but the Scottish Executive has made arrangements to settle the tax and National Insurance centrally. No liability falls on the individual teachers.

The English scheme is currently restricted to the priority group of teachers of mathematics at Key Stage 3 as a necessary way of managing demand following high demand in the first phase. The English scheme has offered teachers 50% of the cost of a computer, up to a maximum subsidy of £500. Income tax and National Insurance liabilities have been met centrally, with no further liability on the teacher. Teachers must have undertaken, or have stated they are committed to take, the New Opportunities Fund ICT training programme. Further information about the English scheme can be found at:

http://cft.ngfl.gov.uk/user/index.htmlNo comparable scheme currently operates in Wales. The National Assembly for Wales has opted for a different means of increasing access to ICT in schools and in support of lifelong learning by establishing School Learning Centres and ICT Learning Centres in community venues. Full details were set out in the Prospectus ICT for Learning which is available on:http://www.wales.gov.uk/