Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01647 on 11 August 2011. 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/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01647 on 11 August 2011. 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/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-01647 on 11 August 2011. 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/MAQASearch/QAndMSearch.aspx.

The cities strategy is being developed with cities themselves alongside other stakeholders. What is clear at this stage is that it will focus first on maximising the impact of existing spend and second on exploring the full range of innovative finance available to support the ambitions of Scotland’s cities.

The Tenancy Deposit Schemes (Scotland) Regulations 2011 came into force on 7 March 2011.

Proposals for Tenancy Deposit Schemes may now be submitted to the Scottish Ministers for approval, and will be evaluated against the conditions set out in the Regulations.

To date, one proposal has been submitted. Consideration of the suitability of this proposal is underway.

Until a suitable scheme is approved, it is not possible to predict when a scheme will be operational.

The Scottish Government is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including on matters relating to regulation of print media and the Leveson Inquiry. The Scottish Government has not held formal discussions with the self-regulatory Press Complaints Commission since 5 May 2007.

Regulation of print media is a devolved matter.

As previously indicated, a high proportion of teaching graduates take up places on the teacher induction scheme each year and the relevant figures are shown in column 2 of the table.

The Scottish Government does not collect information on the full employment patterns of all teachers following qualification. However, it is possible to identify those in employment (excluding short-term supply) on the school census date each year. The following table summarises the available data for teachers qualifying in each of the years 2007 to 2010. Of those who joined the induction scheme each year, the numbers identified in subsequent teacher censuses, either in full-time or part-time employment, are shown in columns 3, 4 and 5 of the table.

Other teachers will have obtained short-term supply work, temporary contracts outwith the census period, employment in schools other than local authority schools, employment in schools outwith Scotland or employment other than in teaching and therefore these figures cannot be said to give a full picture.

In order to address teacher unemployment the Scottish Government has both reduced student teacher intake numbers and secured an agreement with local government to protect teacher posts.

The latest figures available, based on a count undertaken by the Scottish Government in July 2009, showed that there were a total of 478 pitches on local authority / registered social landlord sites. Of these, 345 pitches (72%) were let and 61 pitches (13%) were available for let but not tenanted. The remaining 72 pitches (15%) were not available for let. Site reports indicate that unavailable pitches were due to vandalism and refurbishment.

The latest figures available, based on a count undertaken by the Scottish Government in July 2009, showed that there are 31 local authority/registered social landlord (RSLs) managed sites across Scotland. Of these, 15 sites were fully let and 15 sites had available pitches for let. The remaining site was empty but had no available pitches.

In order to address the demand for available pitches on local authority / RSL managed sites, we are working with local authorities in key areas to promote identification of short stay sites. Short stay sites are temporary stop-offs used by Gypsies and Travellers who are simply passing through an area for a specific period of time. There are currently no short stay sites in Scotland.

The Scottish Government issued Guidelines for Managing Unauthorised Camping by Gypsies/Travellers in Scotland in December 2004. These guidelines aim to strike a balance between the needs and legitimate expectations of members of the settled community, local businesses and landowners and the Gypsy/Traveller community.

The guidelines are aimed primarily at local authorities and the police who share responsibility for managing unauthorised camping. Please find the following link to the guidelines for your information:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2004/12/20417/48825.

An unauthorised site is one where a camp has been set up without seeking permission. Unauthorised encampments are set up on a typically short-term basis by Gypsies/Travellers when travelling through or visiting an area. Unauthorised sites can also arise when families are having difficulty finding somewhere to settle, either because there are no available pitches on a council/registered social landlord or they are refused entry to privately owned/holiday sites.