Chamber and committees

I undertook a range of engagements in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Tianjin focusing on education (schools, vocational and skills based training, further and higher education) but also covering life sciences, renewable energy, the arts and culture. A full report of my visit can be found at: http://www.engageforeducation.org/blog/. The final cost of the visit including all flights and accommodation for the official delegation of four Scottish Government hosted events, dinners and receptions is expected to be just under £30,000.

These costs are set against a backdrop of Scottish universities'' international activities contributing more than £500 million to the economy. As we pursue every avenue to build growth and help Scotland emerge as strongly as possible from the global downturn it is absolutely right that we set aside time, effort and resources to engage with one of the world''s fastest growing economies.

The Scottish Government does not hold or publish projections nationally which distinguish between new build and other affordable housing investment programme (AHIP) activity such as rehabilitation or off-the-shelf purchases as projects may change throughout the year. However based on collated management information it is estimated that AHIP will deliver approximately 7,000 affordable (rent and low cost home ownership) completions in 2010-11.

This may vary to reflect progress on site and it will not be until we report on actual completions that any split between new build and rehabilitation/off-the-shelf and tenures will become clear.

A business case to maintain current resilience capabilities and equipment to deal with chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear incidents, on a multi agency basis, is being finalised. This involved discussions with all three emergency services including FRS and will be considered as part of spending review discussions. This forms part of the Scottish Government''s ongoing work to help ensure Scotland continues to be as resilient as possible.

The Infrastructure Investment Group meets quarterly and has a membership comprising of senior officials with responsibility for capital expenditure from both within Scottish Government and its core agencies, such as Transport Scotland and the Scottish Prison Service; the Scottish Futures Trust and the Scottish Funding Council.

The Capital and Risk Division is part of the Scottish Government''s Finance Directorate and works closely across the full range of portfolios and other public bodies in its pivotal role of providing advice and information to ministers on public sector infrastructure investment.

The key functions of the division include close liaison and service arrangements with the Scottish Futures Trust; management and governance of the capital programme, including taking forward the Capital Spending Review; policy lead for financial strategy and financing the capital programme, including the development of innovative financing methods such as tax incremental financing; secretariat for the Infrastructure Investment Group.

The Infrastructure Investment Group (IIG) plays a valuable role in the scrutiny and oversight of the Scottish Government''s capital investment programme. IIG work includes strategic governance, the provision of quality assurance and the dissemination of best practice.

The Local Government - Council Tax Abolition team, which was part of the Local Government Division within the Scottish Government, has varied in staff composition over time. Within the Division, there are currently two full-time staff, at C2 and B2 grades, working directly on council tax policy and administration matters.

The Scottish Investment Bank project team is comprised of a combination of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Government staff. At present, there are 3.5 full-time equivalent members of Scottish Government staff who work on the project and they are the following grades: 1 x Deputy Director, 1.4 x C1, 0.6 x B2 and 0.5 x A3. The majority of the project team is populated with a range of Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Scottish Government staff on a demand-led basis. Many of these team members are specialists in areas such as procurement or investment and join the team to undertake specific areas of work as required. This number and breakdown of staff has been consistent since the Scottish Investment Bank project team was formally established in January 2010.

At the time of answer, the Capital and Risk division comprises of the following full-time equivalent staff:

• One Deputy Director;
• Two C2s;
• One C1;
• One B3;
• One B Fast Stream;
• One B2.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-36760 on 26 October 2010. 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/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.