Chamber and committees

The Scottish Arts Trust is an independent charitable trust that gives artists the opportunity to showcase their work through the Scottish Portrait Awards exhibition. This is held each year in Edinburgh and Glasgow and on alternate years at the Kirkcudbright Galleries or Duff House in Banff. I understand there are no plans to exhibit in the Highlands and Islands region.

There is an online exhibition available on the Scottish Arts Trust website at https://www.scottishartstrust.org/exhibitions-artists

The Hill, Upland and Crofting Group last met in March 2021 and the work of the group is completed. I am grateful for the work they undertook in very short order which has informed our work on Agricultural Reform, the National Test Programme and issues being considered by the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board.

As I indicated to the Member in response to his question S6O-00815 on 3 March 2022, I will be discussing with Historic Environment Scotland potential future management approaches for the properties in care, particularly in response to the undoubted challenges of climate change, once Historic Environment Scotland has completed its considerations. There is as yet no agreement on a definition of “managed decline” and no properties are subject to such an approach.

All answers to oral Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at Meeting of the Parliament: 03/03/2022 | Scottish Parliament Website

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to how much funding Historic Environment Scotland has allocated for the activities of its HistoricScot Youth Forum, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

The Scottish Government is not taking any specific actions with respect to encouraging orthodontics as a specialty.

A degree in dentistry offers students a well-rounded dental education that sets them up for a strong career. There are three dental schools across Scotland in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow, which offer a common curriculum, and on completion of their degree students are free to choose whether they wish to specialise in any particular area. Those students who wish to specialise in orthodontics can undertake a further three-year postgraduate qualification to allow them to register as a specialist orthodontist.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to the members of Historic Environment Scotland’s HistoricScot Youth Forum, are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

Telecoms remains reserved to the UK Government and regulated by Ofcom. While this leaves the Scottish Government with limited ability to influence mobile operators directly, officials escalated the issue to senior management in BT Group as soon as the situation in Uig came to our attention. Faulty equipment was replaced in late November and BT advises that an improved service should now be available.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to the resolution of complaints made to Historic Environment Scotland are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.

Scottish Government has provided over £150 million to date in additional support to maintain the capacity and capability of the independent sector.

We have also introduced new incentives for recruitment and retention of dentists in certain remote and rural areas. This will mean that dentists, including orthodontists, who join the NHS Board list in Scotland for the first time can receive up to £25,000 over a two-year period.

Questions regarding day-to-day operational matters of Historic Environment Scotland, including information relating to the efficacy of Historic Environment Scotland’s HistoricScot Youth Forum are best answered directly by Historic Environment Scotland.

I have asked Historic Environment Scotland to respond directly to the member with a full reply to his question in writing.