To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-32029 by Mr Jack McConnell on 10 December 2002, what each of the functions are for which the First Minister is solely responsible relating to the universities of Scotland. The powers and functions relating to the universities of Scotland which are conferred upon the First Minister alone are set out in section 9 of the Universities (Scotland) Act 1889 and the Royal Charter of the Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland 1978.