Chamber and committees

Sportscotland worked directly with the British Olympic Association on inviting athletes and their families to Scotland House during the 2012 London Olympics.

More than 3,000 visitors came to Scotland House. Further information on Scotland House can be found at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/ArtsCultureSport/Sport/MajorEvents/Glasgow-2014/London2012.

For the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, Scotland House will provide a safe and relaxed environment for Team Scotland athletes and their families. Athletes will be notified of this facility through Commonwealth Games Scotland.

As I set out in my parliamentary statement on 8 May 2014, the Scottish Government will publish a consultation on the review of National Care Standards in the next few weeks. The consultation will seek views on taking a human rights based approach to developing new standards, giving people who use services greater opportunities to choose and personalise their care and support according to their needs and particular interests.

The Scottish Government is holding a programme of activity to inform the people of Scotland about Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland and to debate and discuss the issues in the white paper with the public. Civil servants attend each event to support Ministers in their role. The events present the public with the opportunity to ask Ministers any questions about Scotland’s Future including questions on Government policies following the 2016 election as set out in the white paper.

The Scottish Government is holding a programme of activity to inform the people of Scotland about Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland and to debate and discuss the issues in the white paper with the public. The events present the public with the opportunity to ask Ministers any questions about Scotland’s Future including questions on Government policies following the 2016 election as set out in the white paper. In accordance with the Civil Service Code, civil servants will describe government policy and provide details of where the public can access further information on the content of government policy.

The Scottish Government is holding a programme of activity to inform the people of Scotland about Scotland’s Future: Your Guide to an Independent Scotland and to debate and discuss the issues in the referendum with the public. The purpose of the events is to allow members of the public to ask questions of Government Ministers. Civil servants attending each event have a clear role in either providing logistical support for the event or introducing Government Ministers. In any discussion they have with members of the public, civil servants will describe government policy and provide details of where the public can access further information.

Scottish Government has followed the agreed ‘Protocol between the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government in relation to the handling of Committee business’ in its dealings with the Public Audit Committee.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Parliamentaryprocedureandguidance/Protocol_between_the_Scottish_Parliament_and_the_Scottish_Government_version_Oct_2009.pdf

Through the Islands Areas Ministerial Working Group, chaired by the Minister for Local Government and Planning, discussions continue with Orkney, Shetland and Eilean Siar councils on a range of issues important to island communities, including how to maximise opportunities to build economic resilience and increase sustainable job creation.

Building on these discussions, a prospectus will be published over the summer outlining proposals for enhanced islands autonomy and highlighting opportunities under Scottish independence for our island communities. We have already committed to bringing forward a Bill for an Islands Act upon independence to implement the conclusions of this work.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-20162 on 9 April 2014. The Scottish Government will publish cost information on the public engagement programme when expenditure for 2013-14 is finalised.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The following companies have been appointed to a framework for the purpose of providing security services: Allander Group; Controlled Event Solutions; Corps of Commissionaires Management Limited; Kingdom Security Limited; Securigroup Services Limited; Servoca Plc; Show and Event Security Limited; Sword Event Guard Limited; The Protector Group; Total Security Services; Vigilant Security; Wilson James.

The following companies have been appointed to a framework for the purpose of providing stewarding services: AP Security (APS) Limited; Garrion Security Services Limited; G4S Secure Solutions (UK) Limited; Protectevent; The Protector Group; Securigroup Services Limited; Show and Event Security Limited; Stadium Traffic Management Limited; Sword Event Guard Limited.

Most of the above companies for security and stewarding services have now been awarded work orders.

In general, companies are undertaking essentially the same tasks at the various venues. Those companies involved in stewarding will work only at Commonwealth Games sporting venues. Their role essentially involves the safe ingress and egress of spectators, their continuing safety inside a venue and evacuation procedures.

Those companies engaged in security will work at Commonwealth Games sporting venues but also at a range of other games venues, such as the athletes’ village or logistics depots. Their role is concerned with perimeter guarding and ancillary functions such as CCTV monitoring. At the athletes’ village, Wilson James will undertake pedestrian screening duties.

Final financial negotiations continue, however, current allocation is assessed at £896,000