Questions and answers

Question reference: S4W-01397

Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 26 July 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will pay annually to subsidise the proposed two-new-trains-per-hour service between Croy and Glasgow Queen Street stations, as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme.

The provision of a possible turn-back platform at Croy Station is one of the infrastructure enhancements currently under consideration as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme. In addition to Edinburgh to Glasgow journey time improvements, the new facility if required, would enable new additional Glasgow to Croy local services to be introduced in 2016.

The new train services will be provided as part of any future contract for rail passenger services. The balance between subsidy levels and revenue generation will be determined through the negotiation of the future contract, which is due to come into effect in 2014.

Question reference: S4W-01396

Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Keith Brown on 26 July 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost will be of the proposed turnback facility at Croy railway station.

The provision of a possible turn-back facility at Croy Station is one of the infrastructure enhancements currently under consideration as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvements Programme (EGIP).

The current estimates are for project infrastructure costs of around £1bn dependent on the level of infrastructure enhancements required to deliver the project objectives. At the current early stages of design development, the proposed turn-back facility at Croy has an indicative estimate of £40m (with a cost confidence level of plus or minus 25%).

Question reference: S4W-01056

Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 July 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the decision of the Malawi Government to expel the British High Commissioner will have an impact on aid and development programmes in Malawi run by organisations supported by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government does not expect there to be any impact on aid and development programmes in Malawi, run by organisations supported by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government funding goes directly to Scottish based charities working with local partner organisations in Malawi. The Scottish Government’s Co-operation Agreement with Malawi identifies priority areas for development. Over £5 million has been allocated to the Malawi Development Programme over the next two financial years, to which the Scottish Government remains committed.

Question reference: S4W-01057

Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 July 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the current political situation in Malawi and the potential impact on aid and development programmes in Malawi run by organisations supported by the Scottish Government.

I met with Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development, on 10 June 2011, and reiterated Scotland’s commitment to the people of Malawi. There was solid agreement at the meeting that interventions channelled through Scottish NGOs should continue to be directed for the benefit of people in Malawi. The Scottish Government funding goes directly to Scottish based charities working with local partner organisations in Malawi. Over £5 million has already been allocated to the Malawi Development Programme over the next 2 years, to which the Scottish Government remains committed. Scottish Government officials remain in close contact with both the FCO and DfID about the current political situation in Malawi.

Question reference: S4W-01055

Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 26 July 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the decision of the Malawi Government to expel the British High Commissioner will have an impact on people delivering aid and development programmes in Malawi run by organisations supported by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government does not expect there to be any impact on people delivering aid and development programmes in Malawi, run by organisations supported by the Scottish Government. The Scottish Government funding goes directly to Scottish based charities working with local partner organisations in Malawi. The Scottish Government’s Co-operation Agreement with Malawi identifies priority areas for development. Over £5 million has been allocated to the Malawi Development Programme over the next two financial years, to which the Scottish Government remains committed.

Question reference: S4W-01449

Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 01 July 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 25 July 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of undergraduate students have come from outwith Scotland in each of the last 10 years and what comparative figures it has for students in each (a) other constituent part of the United Kingdom and (b) EU member state who came from elsewhere.

The information requested on the proportion of students at UK institutions is contained in Table 1 (Table 2 also provides the associated number of students). Information for EU member states in not available on a comparable basis.

Table 1: Undergraduate students studying at higher education institutions in the UK: Academic session by country of institution and domicile, 2000-01 to 2009-10

Country of Institution / Domicile of Student	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Scotland (1), Proportion from:
Scotland	80.0%	81.1%	80.6%	81.2%	81.3%	80.7%	79.9%	79.7%	78.8%	77.6%
Rest of UK	13.5%	12.4%	12.2%	11.4%	11.0%	11.1%	10.9%	11.0%	11.0%	11.0%
Rest of EU	3.2%	2.9%	3.1%	3.2%	3.4%	3.8%	4.3%	4.8%	5.1%	5.9%
Overseas	3.4%	3.6%	4.1%	4.1%	4.3%	4.4%	4.9%	4.5%	5.0%	5.4%
England Proportion from:
England	89.4%	89.6%	89.3%	89.2%	89.1%	88.8%	88.2%	88.2%	87.7%	87.2%
Rest of UK	2.9%	2.8%	2.7%	2.7%	2.6%	2.6%	2.7%	2.6%	2.5%	2.5%
Rest of EU	3.4%	3.0%	2.7%	2.5%	2.7%	3.0%	3.2%	3.4%	3.6%	3.6%
Overseas	4.3%	4.6%	5.3%	5.7%	5.6%	5.6%	5.9%	5.8%	6.2%	6.7%
Wales (1) Proportion from:
Wales	65.4%	66.6%	66.6%	66.9%	66.0%	64.8%	65.3%	68.7%	67.6%	66.5%
Rest of UK	28.8%	28.1%	28.0%	27.5%	27.7%	28.2%	27.2%	23.5%	23.3%	23.6%
Rest of EU	3.8%	3.1%	3.0%	2.8%	3.1%	3.6%	3.8%	4.0%	4.5%	4.2%
Overseas	2.0%	2.1%	2.3%	2.7%	3.2%	3.4%	3.7%	3.8%	4.6%	5.7%
Northern Ireland (1), Proportion from:
Northern Ireland	92.0%	92.8%	92.7%	93.1%	92.9%	93.0%	93.1%	93.5%	92.5%	92.5%
Rest of UK	0.6%	0.6%	0.7%	0.6%	0.7%	0.8%	0.7%	0.8%	1.4%	1.5%
Rest of EU	6.2%	5.4%	5.4%	5.1%	5.3%	5.1%	4.7%	4.6%	4.2%	4.8%
Overseas	1.2%	1.2%	1.2%	1.2%	1.2%	1.1%	1.5%	1.1%	1.9%	1.3%

Source: Scottish Funding Council

(1) Students from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at the Open University are counted as studying at institutions in their own country

Figures are derived from information collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The Scottish Funding Council uses a different standard population from that used by HESA and figures in the table might differ from any corresponding figures published by HESA.

Table 2: Number of undergraduate students studying at higher education institutions in the UK, by country of institution and domicile, 2000-01 to 2004-05

Total number of undergraduates	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
Scotland (1)
Total number of undergraduates	160,445	174,940	172,900	181,295	186,985
Number from:
Scotland	128375	141835	139395	147280	152065
Rest of UK	21600	21725	21035	20755	20545
Rest of EU	5085	5115	5415	5790	6390
Overseas	5385	6265	7060	7470	7985
England
Total number of undergraduates	1436175	1501035	1568145	1634170	1678555
Number from:
England	1284295	1345395	1401055	1457040	1495045
Rest of UK	41790	42250	42325	43835	43780
Rest of EU	48495	44535	42230	40730	45585
Overseas	61600	68860	82540	92565	94145
Wales (1)
Total number of undergraduates	103225	108630	113345	117990	122355
Number from:
Wales	67535	72400	75510	78975	80745
Rest of UK	29715	30555	31735	32475	33880
Rest of EU	3875	3410	3445	3305	3775
Overseas	2095	2265	2655	3235	3955
Northern Ireland (1)
Total number of undergraduates	40820	42180	43855	46605	48915
Number from:
Northern Ireland	37540	39130	40675	43385	45420
Rest of UK	260	270	290	290	350
Rest of EU	2525	2260	2370	2380	2570
Overseas	495	515	520	555	575

Table 2(cont.): Number of undergraduate students studying at the higher education institutions by country of institution and domicile, 2005-06 to 2009-10

Total number of undergraduates	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Scotland (1)
Total number of undergraduates	186,700	185,335	182,805	187,645	190,770
Number from:
Scotland	150675	148060	145735	147905	148075
Rest of UK	20715	20265	20115	20655	21025
Rest of EU	7165	7960	8800	9630	11280
Overseas	8145	9050	8155	9460	10390
England
Total number of undergraduates	1698425	1648150	1645635	1659940	1691190
Number from:
England	1508455	1453595	1451150	1455720	1474750
Rest of UK	44975	44305	42285	41900	41660
Rest of EU	50195	53545	56610	59105	61480
Overseas	94800	96705	95590	103215	113300
Wales (1)
Total number of undergraduates	124105	125900	137950	131240	123990
Number from:
Wales	80370	82185	94720	88715	82455
Rest of UK	35015	34280	32445	30585	29300
Rest of EU	4460	4795	5510	5895	5165
Overseas	4260	4640	5275	6045	7075
Northern Ireland (1)
Total number of undergraduates	48845	44695	44355	43730	45740
Number from:
Northern Ireland	45435	41600	41460	40440	42300
Rest of UK	380	335	365	595	675
Rest of EU	2475	2100	2045	1860	2175
Overseas	555	665	485	835	590

Source: Scottish Funding Council

(1) Students from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at the Open University are counted as studying at institutions in their own country

Figures are derived from information collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The Scottish Funding Council uses a different standard population from that used by HESA and figures in the table might differ from any corresponding figures published by HESA.

Question reference: S4W-01450

Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 01 July 2011
Current Status: Answered by Michael Russell on 25 July 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of students at each higher education institution has come from outwith Scotland in each of the last 10 years.

The information requested, on the proportion of students studying at each Scottish higher education institution who are from outwith Scotland, is contained in Table 1a (all levels of study) and Table 1b (undergraduate students only).

The number of students studying at the Scottish higher education institutions who are from outwith Scotland is also provided in Table 2a (all levels of study) and Table 2b (undergraduate students only).

Table 1a: Proportion of students (all levels of study) studying at each Scottish higher education institution who are from outwith Scotland, academic sessions 2000-01 to 2009-10.

Institution	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Aberdeen, University of	27.7%	25.6%	26.4%	26.9%	28.3%	29.4%	31.7%	34.9%	37.3%	39.9%
Abertay Dundee, University of	25.4%	26.7%	26.8%	25.9%	27.0%	27.7%	31.1%	31.6%	29.7%	28.0%
Dundee, University of	31.4%	29.1%	28.4%	27.0%	28.2%	28.8%	30.8%	34.6%	32.9%	36.5%
Edinburgh College of Art	43.0%	43.9%	45.5%	46.8%	47.7%	50.0%	50.7%	51.7%	48.6%	50.9%
Edinburgh Napier University	17.6%	18.7%	21.9%	23.1%	24.9%	26.7%	26.7%	30.0%	30.7%	31.0%
Edinburgh, University of	43.7%	45.9%	50.3%	50.6%	51.6%	52.3%	52.4%	53.0%	54.0%	55.5%
Glasgow Caledonian University	8.6%	8.5%	9.5%	12.2%	11.2%	12.2%	14.1%	14.1%	15.6%	16.1%
Glasgow School of Art	43.1%	38.6%	38.6%	43.0%	44.1%	47.0%	50.0%	52.9%	56.5%	53.8%
Glasgow, University of	19.0%	18.2%	19.1%	19.4%	20.1%	20.6%	23.5%	22.3%	24.1%	25.3%
Heriot-Watt University	43.9%	45.7%	46.7%	46.9%	46.1%	49.2%	53.6%	55.9%	57.1%	58.0%
Highlands and Islands, University of the (1)		1.9%	4.4%	3.6%	4.4%	4.3%	4.3%	4.5%	5.8%	5.9%
Northern College of Education (2)	5.8%
Open University in Scotland	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh	30.9%	31.3%	32.4%	28.4%	27.6%	29.0%	29.8%	28.0%	31.7%	35.3%
Robert Gordon University	15.0%	17.2%	18.9%	19.7%	21.9%	23.3%	23.3%	25.1%	26.6%	27.4%
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama	37.8%	32.5%	35.1%	35.4%	34.9%	35.2%	38.1%	41.1%	37.6%	38.7%
Scottish Agricultural College	15.3%	11.8%	11.9%	13.1%	12.2%	10.6%	10.4%	15.6%	21.8%	15.9%
St Andrews, University of	62.4%	63.8%	63.9%	63.4%	66.0%	66.2%	67.3%	66.2%	71.6%	72.3%
Stirling, University of	27.8%	25.1%	24.1%	22.8%	23.8%	23.7%	29.5%	28.3%	28.7%	27.5%
Strathclyde, University of	14.5%	14.7%	15.7%	14.2%	13.8%	14.4%	14.9%	16.9%	17.3%	18.6%
West of Scotland, University of the (3)	7.2%	6.0%	5.5%	7.5%	5.0%	6.5%	6.4%	7.5%	6.8%	8.7%
Total	22.7%	22.1%	23.4%	23.2%	23.4%	24.4%	26.2%	27.0%	28.3%	29.8%

Source: Scottish Funding Council

(1) The University of the Highland and Islands, formerly the UHI Millennium Institute, joined the HE sector at the start of the 2001-02 session.

(2) Northern College of Education merged with the Universities of Aberdeen and Dundee during the 2001-02 session.

(3) Bell College and the University of Paisley merged to form the University of the West of Scotland at the start of the 2007-08 session. The figures for the earlier sessions are those for the two institutions combined.

Figures are derived from information collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The Scottish Funding Council uses a different standard population from that used by HESA and figures in the table might differ from any corresponding figures published by HESA.

Table 1b: Proportion of undergraduate students studying at each Scottish higher education institution who are from outwith Scotland, academic sessions 2000-01 to 2009-10.

Institution	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Aberdeen, University of	22.8%	22.6%	22.7%	23.1%	24.1%	24.8%	26.8%	29.3%	31.4%	34.6%
Abertay Dundee, University of	24.1%	24.5%	23.8%	22.2%	21.0%	21.3%	24.8%	25.8%	24.8%	24.2%
Dundee, University of	26.0%	25.1%	22.0%	20.4%	20.6%	20.4%	19.7%	20.1%	19.8%	22.7%
Edinburgh College of Art	41.1%	42.7%	42.2%	42.6%	42.4%	45.6%	46.3%	48.8%	46.1%	47.0%
Edinburgh Napier University	17.8%	17.9%	20.6%	21.0%	23.1%	23.7%	22.9%	25.6%	26.6%	27.4%
Edinburgh, University of	42.2%	44.6%	49.5%	49.1%	49.7%	50.6%	50.6%	50.2%	51.1%	52.3%
Glasgow Caledonian University	7.1%	6.7%	7.6%	9.4%	7.9%	8.3%	8.8%	8.6%	8.7%	10.5%
Glasgow School of Art	42.4%	36.6%	35.9%	40.0%	42.2%	45.0%	48.8%	52.2%	55.2%	52.2%
Glasgow, University of	16.8%	15.5%	15.7%	15.9%	16.3%	17.1%	18.3%	19.2%	19.9%	20.7%
Heriot-Watt University	35.5%	35.6%	36.7%	35.8%	35.7%	36.6%	39.5%	39.4%	41.4%	40.2%
Highlands and Islands, University of the (1)		1.8%	4.2%	3.4%	3.9%	3.5%	2.9%	3.0%	4.1%	4.3%
Northern College of Education (2)	3.9%
Open University in Scotland	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh	30.8%	30.6%	31.4%	26.9%	26.7%	27.8%	27.7%	24.1%	28.3%	29.1%
Robert Gordon University	10.9%	10.5%	10.3%	10.8%	11.3%	12.5%	12.6%	13.3%	13.1%	14.4%
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama	31.2%	27.5%	29.7%	29.5%	29.1%	29.7%	30.0%	32.3%	32.6%	34.3%
Scottish Agricultural College	13.8%	10.4%	8.3%	7.9%	7.0%	7.5%	5.9%	7.8%	9.9%	11.1%
St Andrews, University of	63.0%	64.9%	64.2%	62.6%	65.1%	64.5%	65.0%	64.4%	68.7%	67.7%
Stirling, University of	24.3%	21.7%	19.9%	18.9%	19.1%	18.6%	22.3%	20.1%	21.1%	20.0%
Strathclyde, University of	8.7%	8.4%	8.5%	6.8%	6.7%	6.9%	8.2%	9.6%	10.0%	11.4%
West of Scotland, University of the (3)	6.5%	4.9%	4.7%	5.0%	3.7%	5.4%	4.8%	5.6%	4.7%	6.8%
Total	20.0%	18.9%	19.4%	18.8%	18.7%	19.3%	20.1%	20.3%	21.2%	22.4%

Source: Scottish Funding Council

(1) The University of the Highland and Islands, formerly the UHI Millennium Institute, joined the HE sector at the start of the 2001-02 session.

(2) Northern College of Education merged with the Universities of Aberdeen and Dundee during the 2001-02 session.

(3) Bell College and the University of Paisley merged to form the University of the West of Scotland at the start of the 2007-08 session. The figures for the earlier sessions are those for the two institutions combined.

Figures are derived from information collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The Scottish Funding Council uses a different standard population from that used by HESA and figures in the table might differ from any corresponding figures published by HESA.

Table 2a: Number of students (all levels of study) studying at each Scottish higher education institution who are from outwith Scotland, 2000-01 to 2009-10

Institution	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Aberdeen, University of	3305	3515	3855	4140	4370	4500	4950	5560	6510	7255
Abertay Dundee, University of	1175	1230	1205	1065	1120	1135	1290	1310	1210	1180
Dundee, University of	4165	4540	4495	4810	5385	5540	5725	5925	5425	6150
Edinburgh College of Art	700	760	720	750	815	845	860	830	755	855
Edinburgh Napier University	2275	2520	2965	3295	3445	3795	3780	4010	4270	4565
Edinburgh, University of	10815	11355	11700	12345	12340	12845	13170	13525	14390	15490
Glasgow Caledonian University	1245	1290	1460	1935	1850	2095	2575	2425	2925	2850
Glasgow School of Art	645	555	555	640	705	730	860	930	1005	965
Glasgow, University of	4300	4270	4585	4710	4945	4790	5890	5305	5850	6495
Heriot-Watt University	3035	3370	3600	3830	3815	4610	5315	5720	6025	6615
Highlands and Islands, University of the (1)	0	115	185	185	280	310	295	345	450	450
Northern College of Education (2)	190	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Open University in Scotland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh	1325	1380	1550	1325	1435	1570	1565	1495	1610	1915
Robert Gordon University	1575	1920	2210	2410	2735	2905	2915	3190	3830	4025
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama	245	215	235	240	245	240	275	335	290	310
Scottish Agricultural College	135	90	85	100	100	80	85	150	195	160
St Andrews, University of	4405	4825	4890	4940	5430	5565	5945	5655	7010	7135
Stirling, University of	2340	2190	2150	1980	2015	2125	3095	2800	2940	3015
Strathclyde, University of	2990	3185	3445	3350	3305	3510	3755	3895	3880	4200
West of Scotland, University of the (3)	755	895	820	1175	840	1170	1275	1370	1240	1525
Total	45620	48220	50700	53215	55170	58360	63620	64770	69800	75145

Source: Scottish Funding Council

(1) The University of the Highland and Islands, formerly the UHI Millennium Institute, joined the HE sector at the start of the 2001-02 session.

(2) Northern College of Education merged with the Universities of Aberdeen and Dundee during the 2001-02 session.

(3) Bell College and the University of Paisley merged to form the University of the West of Scotland at the start of the 2007-08 session. The figures for the earlier sessions are those for the two institutions combined.

Figures are derived from information collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The Scottish Funding Council uses a different standard population from that used by HESA and figures in the table might differ from any corresponding figures published by HESA.

Table 2b: Number of undergraduate students studying at each Scottish higher education institution who are from outwith Scotland, 2000-01 to 2009-10

Institution	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05	2005-06	2006-07	2007-08	2008-09	2009-10
Aberdeen, University of	2240	2380	2505	2630	2720	2770	3030	3325	3790	4430
Abertay Dundee, University of	950	960	915	770	745	745	870	915	885	900
Dundee, University of	2735	2955	2760	2845	3050	2940	2605	2265	2205	2520
Edinburgh College of Art	535	580	550	550	555	615	640	680	615	625
Edinburgh Napier University	1895	1970	2255	2445	2720	2790	2670	2795	3075	3310
Edinburgh, University of	7855	8275	8235	8550	8370	8685	8600	8455	8855	9410
Glasgow Caledonian University	895	875	985	1285	1095	1150	1275	1225	1325	1525
Glasgow School of Art	585	445	435	505	570	585	695	760	825	770
Glasgow, University of	3075	2995	3050	3090	3215	3235	3485	3575	3795	4150
Heriot-Watt University	1645	1705	1885	1920	1990	2095	2245	2165	2405	2535
Highlands and Islands, University of the (1)	0	105	180	175	245	240	195	220	300	305
Northern College of Education (2)	60	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Open University in Scotland	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh	1170	1130	1220	1015	1105	1205	1145	995	1100	1150
Robert Gordon University	940	945	935	995	1030	1130	1150	1205	1305	1465
Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama	165	145	165	160	165	165	170	190	195	215
Scottish Agricultural College	115	75	50	50	50	50	40	65	75	105
St Andrews, University of	3790	4230	4130	4000	4440	4395	4515	4480	5145	4870
Stirling, University of	1630	1510	1425	1315	1270	1300	1730	1455	1615	1630
Strathclyde, University of	1215	1190	1205	1045	1020	1060	1345	1375	1460	1705
West of Scotland, University of the (3)	580	640	630	670	565	880	865	915	775	1065
Total	32070	33105	33510	34015	34920	36025	37275	37070	39745	42695

Source: Scottish Funding Council

(1) The University of the Highland and Islands, formerly the UHI Millennium Institute, joined the HE sector at the start of the 2001-02 session.

(2) Northern College of Education merged with the Universities of Aberdeen and Dundee during the 2001-02 session.

(3) Bell College and the University of Paisley merged to form the University of the West of Scotland at the start of the 2007-08 session. The figures for the earlier sessions are those for the two institutions combined.

Figures are derived from information collected by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). The Scottish Funding Council uses a different standard population from that used by HESA and figures in the table might differ from any corresponding figures published by HESA.

Question reference: S4W-01172

Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 21 July 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the title deeds for private property are a matter of public record.

Title to private heritable property in Scotland is recorded in one of two national registers of land ownership namely the Register of Sasines and the Land Register of Scotland. The Land Register of Scotland covers more recent transfers of property ownership and ultimately title to all heritable property in Scotland will be included in that register. Information held in both registers is available to the public on payment of a fee.

Question reference: S4W-01143

Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 1 July 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive how many appeals of a determination by the Pensions Ombudsman have been heard by the Court of Session.

Question reference: S4W-00945

Asked by: Jamie Hepburn, MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party
Date lodged: Friday, 17 June 2011
Current Status: Answered by Aileen Campbell on 30 June 2011

To ask the Scottish Executive what regulations there are on the minimum space between a dwelling and a property boundary where the dwelling does not extend to the edge of the property; what guidance there is, and whether the regulations can be applied retrospectively.

Planning legislation places no requirements on minimum space between a dwelling and a property boundary, though such considerations may be relevant to a planning authority when determining a particular application for planning permission. Scottish Government planning policy is that proposals for infill housing sites should respect the scale, form and density of the surroundings and enhance the character and amenity of the community:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/03132605/0.

Paragraph 2.6 to Schedule 5 of the Building (Scotland) Regulations 2004 states that "every building must be designed and constructed in such a way that in the event of an outbreak of fire within the building, the spread of fire to neighbouring buildings is inhibited”. Guidance is included in related technical handbooks.

Planning authorities have enforcement powers to apply the requirements of a planning permission or permitted development right to a particular development and similarly local authorities have enforcement powers under building standards legislation.

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