- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 2 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what dicussions it held with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) board on the proposal to include performance bonus payments in the terms and conditions packages for senior SQA staff.
Answer
Under the terms of the Scottish Qualifications Authority's (SQA) Management Statement and Financial Memorandum, the Scottish Qualifications Authority is responsible for the development of its management and staffing structures and for human resource management. I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 2 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how many qualified teachers of (a) Latin and (b) classical studies are currently employed in secondary schools.
Answer
The latest information available at September 1998, shows there were an estimated 61 (FTE) teachers recording Latin as their main subject qualification, and a further 107 (FTE) teachers recording Latin as a supplementary qualification, in publicly funded secondary schools. Similarly, there were 60 (FTE) teachers recording Classics as their main subject qualification, and another 37 recording Classics as a supplementary qualification.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 2 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how many secondary schools offer (a) Latin and (b) classical studies as examinable subjects.
Answer
The Scottish Qualifications Authority's Annual Statistical Report for 1999 reported that 70 centres offered Latin and 45 centres offered classical studies.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 2 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been paid both by (a) it and (b) the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) since 1 August 2000 to (i) Deloitte & Touche and (ii) PricewaterhouseCoopers for their work in connection with the SQA and what known or anticipated costs are still to be paid to, or billed by, each of these firms.
Answer
The Scottish Executive commissioned Deloitte and Touche to carry out a review into the exam results issues concerning the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and I refer Mr Russell to the answer to PQ S1W-09374 answered on 28 September 2000. The Scottish Executive has also commissioned Deloitte and Touche to work with the SQA on detailed project planning and expects to make a payment in the region of £80,000 for that work. Work carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the SQA is a matter for the SQA and I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell about this.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 2 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how much the Scottish Qualifications Authority has spent since 1 August 2000 on employing external consultants in (a) IT, (b) management accountancy, (c) management review and structural review, (d) internal audit, (e) external audit, and (f) other matters.
Answer
This is a matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chair to write to Mr Russell.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 1 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with St Mary's Music School about the number of places it supports at the school and what response it will make to its request for additional places in 2001 and in subsequent years.
Answer
Officials have had two meetings with St Mary's Music School at which this issue was discussed. Ministers decided, after full consideration of the school's case, that an increase in the number of aided places at the school was not a priority for funding at this time.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 1 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to continue support for St Mary's Music School as a centre of excellence in musical education.
Answer
We support the work the school does in promoting and nurturing musical excellence in our young people and plan to continue to provide it with substantial investment.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 10 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 1 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance it gave to St Mary's Music School in (a) 2000-01 and (b) 1999-2000, and what assistance it will give in 2001-02.
Answer
The Scottish Executive gave St Mary's Music School £610,900 in the 1999-2000 school session through the aided places scheme. The cost of the scheme in the 2000-01 school session is estimated at £626,700 (the final claim has yet to be received and the final amount will depend on the level of parental contribution). We do not yet know what the allocation will be for 2001-02 school session because decisions about the level of fee-capping have not yet been taken (the final amount will also depend on the level of parental contribution made).
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 1 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what economic and cultural assessment it has made of the work of Dovecot Studios and what plans it has to assist the studio to prevent its closure following the withdrawal of financial support from the Bute family.
Answer
None. Support for small private enterprises and artistic or cultural projects should be sought from Local Enterprise Companies and the Scottish Arts Council respectively.
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 April 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Allan Wilson on 1 May 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from the tapestry workshop, Dovecot Studios, following the withdrawal of financial support by the Bute family.
Answer
None directly. A constituent's letter on the matter has been forwarded to me by her MSP.
