Chamber and committees

Historic Scotland addresses and celebrates the full spectrum of cultural diversity in all of its activities, the Gypsy/Traveller community falls within this. The success of this approach is endorsed by the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, which states on its website that: “Historic Scotland is fully compliant with its obligations under the Equality Act 2010. As a main agency of the Scottish Government, Historic Scotland contributes towards the Scottish Government's equality outcomes and mainstreaming report which is published on their website”. Diversity is a key principle in all of Historic Scotland’s developmental programmes and is covered specifically in its induction package for new staff.

Historic Scotland’s decision-making on which monuments and structures merit designation is governed by criteria set out in Scottish Historic Environment Policy. These criteria were produced after public consultation and align closely with those used in systems for protecting important historic assets elsewhere in the UK and across most of Europe.

Historic Scotland approaches diversity from a broad perspective, seeking to address and celebrate the full spectrum of cultural diversity. Historic Scotland consistently retains this as a core principle throughout its development programmes in seeking to enhance understanding.

Reflecting this position, Historic Scotland’s approach to diversity in its developmental programmes is to ensure that the topic is a theme which is addressed throughout. There are specific sessions on disability and diversity in Historic Scotland’s induction package for new staff.

The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government on matters concerning air quality, although we have not had any specific recent discussions on this particular issue.

We are still awaiting feedback from the European Commission on the UK response to the European Commission’s Article 258 letter of formal notice on infraction proceedings. This response outlined the various actions being undertaken across the UK to ensure compliance with the nitrogen dioxide limit values as soon as possible.

Once feedback has been received, which is expected early in 2015, the UK administrations will consider whether any updates to these actions are required.

The Scottish Government provides funding to Friends of Romano Lav, an organisation working to develop capacity among the Roma community in Glasgow. Scottish Government officials meet regularly with representatives from Friends of Romano Lav to discuss progress.

The membership of the Gypsy/Traveller Strategy Development Group includes a Friends of Romano Lav representative, as a capacity building opportunity and to maintain links between work on Gypsy/Travellers and the migrant Roma community.

We have not had any discussions with the governments mentioned about how Gypsy/Traveller traditions should be recognised as yet.

Ministers are accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the functions and performance of agencies. The chief executives of agencies are answerable to ministers for the operation of agencies, their day-to-day management and for planning their future development.

The office-holders of non-ministerial departments (NMDs), who may be individuals or boards, are directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the discharge of their statutory functions and duties, although, as with other public bodies, NMDs work co-operatively with ministers to deliver policies and priorities in accordance with their statutory responsibilities and the framework document agreed between them and ministers.

We have no plans to formally assess the effectiveness of the Scottish Government consultation with the Gypsy/Traveller community. However, implementation of the forthcoming strategy for Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland may include further work on methods of engagement with the Gypsy/Traveller community.

The Scottish Government recognises the important role that languages such as Scottish Cant play in Scotland’s culture and heritage and in the identity of indigenous communities. There are a number of initiatives in place which aim to make progress with priorities identified by the Scottish Gypsy/Traveller community, including the development of a strategy and action plan which will build on a number of recommendations from earlier reports. This strategy is being prepared with input from the Gypsy/Traveller community, and will be published in 2015.

The Scottish Government neither owns nor leases any unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).

Historic Scotland owns two UAVs for the purposes of survey work and assessing buildings.

The Forestry Commission Scotland has contracted the use of two UAVs for the purpose of forest planning, disease monitoring, wind blow mapping and vegetation monitoring.

The Scottish Government has had no discussions with the UK Government and its agencies regarding the use of drones.