Chamber and committees

National Records of Scotland has today published Scotland’s Census 2011: Release 2B. (Laying number: SG/2013/240). This report presents the second part of the second release of results from the 2011 Census in Scotland, which was held on 27 March 2011. Release 2B consists of the Key and Quick Statistics tables for the following topics:

Education

Labour Market

Statistics relating to these topics are presented at 16 levels of geography, including Scottish Parliamentary Constituencies, from national level right down to output area.

A copy of the report is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, or from the Scotland’s Census website at:

http://www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk.

‘Scotland’s Population 2012: the Registrar General’s Annual Review of Demographic Trends’ is published today. The report contains information about births, deaths and marriages during the year, together with other demographic information. A copy of the report is available in the Scottish Parliament Reference Centre (BIB 55269), or from the Registrar General’s website at:

www.nrscotland.gov.uk.

On 30 April 2013, the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed a resolution, lodged in my name and supported by the leaders of all the parties within the Parliament, in the following terms:

That the Parliament notes the publication on 29 November 2012 of Lord Justice Leveson’s report, An inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press; further notes the subsequent production of the draft Royal Charter on self-regulation of the press on 18 March 2013; agrees to Scottish participation in the Royal Charter, subject to its amendment to reflect properly Scotland’s devolved responsibilities, Scots law and Scottish circumstances; further agrees to consider possible incentives for membership of a new regulatory body for the press, and asks the Scottish Government to proceed on this basis, recognising that, in the event of a material change to the text of the Royal Charter, the Parliament will be consulted again.

Following that mandate from the Parliament, the Scottish Government has been in discussion with the UK Government to achieve a Royal Charter that reflects properly Scotland’s devolved responsibilities, Scots law and Scottish circumstances. I have also consulted with the leaders of the non-governmental parties as part of the consensual approach we have adopted in Scotland.

The Scottish Government sent draft illustrative amendments to the UK Government on 1 April 2013 and to the Education and Culture Committee on 19 and 23 April 2013. We sent the same draft illustrative amendments to the Press Board of Finance on 28 May 2013. These draft illustrative amendments informed the advice that the Education and Culture Committee published on 24 April 2013.

I am content that the amendments proposed to be included in the draft Royal Charter currently being discussed by the Westminster parties reflects Scottish interests appropriately – in particular, that there is appropriate reference to to the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010; that experience of the nations and regions within Great Britain will be reflected in the membership of the Boards of the Recognition Panel and of any recognised regulator, and that the Scottish Parliament will have a continuing role before amendment of the Royal Charter, in relation to devolved competences, or its dissolution.

Although we are fully aware that any requirement for a vote to be carried by a two thirds majority in any one Parliament could be over-turned by a future Parliament, as part of the cross party support that should be required for any decision on dissolution or amendment we have agreed to the inclusion of that provision for the Scottish Parliament in draft Royal Charter currently being considered.

I have written to the leaders of the non-Governmental parties in the Parliament, and to the Convener of the Education and Culture Committee in these terms and will place a more specific list of Scottish amendments in the Scottish Parliaments Information Centre (Bib. number 55326).

We understand that a revised draft Royal Charter is to be considered at a meeting of the Privy Council on 30 October 2013.

The total cost incurred by the Scottish Government was £19,452.92. This breaks down as:

Scottish Government’s legal costs for Counsel: £3,960 inc VAT

Law accountant fees: £1,680

Information Commissioner’s fees: £13,812.92

Good progress is being made towards our ambitious languages policy in schools across Scotland. We are supporting local authorities as they actively develop their strategy for the introduction of 1+2 by 2020, building on existing good practice and extending provision further. This includes piloting aspects of 1+2 and local authorities working together to consider issues such as training.

To help with this, we have provided all local authorities with £4 million additional funding in 2013-14 and are in discussions about the detail of further additional funding for 2014-15.

National Records of Scotland has today published 2011 Census: Key results on Population, Ethnicity, Identity, Religion, Health, Housing and Accommodation in Scotland - Release 2A (Laying number: SG/2013/167). This report presents the first part of the second release of results from the 2011 Census in Scotland, which was held on 27 March 2011. Release 2A consists of the Key and Quick Statistics tables for the following topics:

Population

Ethnicity, Identity, Language and Religion

Health

Housing and Accommodation

These topics are published at Scotland, council area and health board level. A copy of the report is available from the Scotland’s Census website at:

www.scotlandscensus.gov.uk.

The Scottish Government provides funding to the Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to promote and raise awareness of home safety issues across Scotland, including poisonings as a consequence of ingesting the contents of the laundry and dish washing products.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with support from RoSPA has recently launched an initiative called “Not for play…keep them away”. This is raising awareness to families in the Glasgow area with a three or four month old child in an effort to curb liquitab poisonings. As part of the campaign, free cupboard locks are also being provided, which should help to make sure that laundry and dishwasher tablets are kept away from children.

It must be recognised however, that cupboard catches are child resistant, not child-proof so there is still a need for ongoing awareness and vigilance. Any accident is one too many and the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with RoSPA to promote home safety. I will instruct my officials to seek feedback on how this campaign is received and to continue to consider what more can be done on a national basis to support this issue.

My recent trip to Scandinavia sought to learn about their experiences of implementing successful policies that relate to my portfolio, such as empowering rural communities, waste management, and the promotion of local food.

At Sweden’s national Deposit Return scheme I heard how it has boosted recycling, harnessed high volumes of good quality recyclables and helped tackle the problem of litter. I also visited the Copenhagen House of Food, which coordinates the distribution of fresh local food across the public sector.

As well as meeting the Swedish Secretary of State for Rural Affairs and the Environment Minister, I also met representatives of Sweden’s Rural Parliament and, of course, since then, I am pleased to have announced that the first meeting of Scotland’s first Rural Parliament will take place next year.