- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 August 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Donald Dewar on 13 September 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review and reallocate subject areas of ministerial responsibility in the light of the division between existing departments of responsibility for matters arising from the examination marking process.
Answer
I shall consider all aspects of the relationship between Ministers and the SQA in the light of the review of the authority which was announced on 6 September.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 August 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 12 September 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it approved a reduction in the rate of remuneration paid to examination markers or, if this was a matter for which the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) were responsible, whether it was aware of a decision of the SQA to make such a reduction; whether it expressed concern to the SQA about the impact such a decision might have and whether it will place in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre all documents relating to a decision on this matter which were passed between it and the SQA.
Answer
The payment of markers is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. There is no requirement for approval by the Scottish Executive and no documents dealing specifically with this matter passed between the Executive and SQA.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 August 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 12 September 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive on what date the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) first made it aware of difficulties in the discharge of the SQA's functions in relation to this years Scottish Examinations.
Answer
As I explained in my statement on 6 September, the Scottish Executive took the initiative by raising with SQA in March concerns raised by schools and colleges.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 August 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 12 September 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it received any assurances from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service that no pupils would be disadvantaged by delays in the proper completion of the process of marking exam papers and, if so, what was the nature of these assurances, on what date or dates such assurances were given and whether it will publish copies of the documents containing such assurances in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre.
Answer
UCAS confirmed in regular telephone calls with officials in the Executive and with Mr Galbraith on 11 August, that they would process data required to progress Scottish candidates affected by delays in finalising their exam results as quickly as possible. This would allow institutions to make decisions and candidates to be informed of their position as early as possible.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 August 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 12 September 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to reduce the amount of internal assessment of pupils from the level that was required in the first year of Higher Still and, if so, whether it will consult teachers on what amount and type of assessment is in the best interests of pupils' education.
Answer
As I announced at the end of June, SQA are consulting on changes to the English and Communication course, which could involve changing the level of internal assessment. I am meeting the organisations represented on the Higher Still Liaison Group on 13 September and will discuss internal assessment issues with them.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 August 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Donald Dewar on 12 September 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will appoint a Minister solely responsible for tourism and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer
No. The Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning has responsibility for tourism.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 August 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Henry McLeish on 12 September 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any Scottish pupils will this year be disadvantaged in respect of (a) being unable to attain a place in a degree course of their preference and (b) being unable to attain a place in the institution of their first choice as a result of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service being unable to determine applications from Scottish pupils until questions over the integrity of their qualifications were resolved.
Answer
Conditional offers of university places had been held open while final queries on Higher results were resolved. This has now been done, and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service has passed the information to institutions. Places are being confirmed for students who met the conditions of their offer.
Those students who did not achieve the grades required for their first choice will be going through the clearing process as would be the case in any year. Institutions have been given additional flexibility on the number of places they can offer so as to ensure those who entered clearing late are treated in the same way as if they had entered the process earlier.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Friday, 11 August 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Rhona Brankin on 8 September 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were employed by Historic Scotland in each of the last five years and what is the projection of the number of employees in each of the next five years.
Answer
I have asked Graeme Munro, Chief Executive of Historic Scotland to respond. His response is as follows:
The number of staff in post (full-time equivalent) in Historic Scotland in each of the last five years was:
1995-96 | 626 |
1996-97 | 669 |
1997-98 | 709 |
1998-99 | 760 |
1999-2000 | 789 |
Future staffing needs will be determined as part of Historic Scotland's business planning process.
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 August 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 7 September 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive how many persons who this year undertook for the first time the task of marker of Scottish Examination papers did not attend the day-long markers' meetings.
Answer
This is an operational matter for the Scottish Qualifications Authority. I have asked the Chairman to reply to you, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe).
- Asked by: Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 22 August 2000
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Current Status:
Answered by Sam Galbraith on 7 September 2000
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was made aware by the Scottish Qualifications Authority of any delay in the recruitment of markers for this year's exams and, if so, when.
Answer
The Executive became aware of concerns about the appointment of markers in June and discussed these immediately with the SQA.
