Seòmar agus comataidhean

The review of theInternational Development Policy, which I launched on 23 August 2007, only closed on 31 October. Once all the responses havebeen properly assessed, I will confirm which other countries will receive our supportand when the International Development Fund will reopen.

The Scottish Governmentis currently looking to provide an update on the outcome of the July Joint Commissionon our website but we wish to agree this with the Government of Malawi first.

Just as individualprojects have been varied in their methodology and have different ultimate objectives,so the lessons which are beginning to emerge have demonstrated elements unique toindividual project target groups. Most of these lessons are positive. The evidencedemonstrates that the new models being used by Pathfinder hosts to inform futurecultural policy development and delivery are clearly having the desired effect ofengaging local communities, particularly marginalised groups, and engaging CommunityPlanning Partnerships.

Our 13 pilot projectswhich are championing new models to inform future cultural policy development anddelivery are also exploring the vital links between cultural delivery and communityplanning. Evidence from these is starting to emerge. For example, in the case ofFife, work on their project has progressed to the extent thatFife has now created a skilled “Cultural Partnerships” team to take this forward.It is anticipated that this will help to ensure creative approaches to the applicationof local democratic decision-making and community planning to the effective deliveryof cultural provision.

Our national culturalagencies continue to make important contributions to widening access to culture– for example, the record attendances at recent summer exhibitions in the NationalGalleries of Scotland. Furthermore, as indicated in the reply tothe answer to question S3W-5752, on 6 November 2007, we are starting to see evidence that the new models beingused by our 13 pilot projects to inform future cultural policy development and deliveryare clearly having the required effect of engaging local communities including hardto reach client groups. I will be setting out further my thinking more generallyon widening access to cultural opportunities in my statement to Parliament on 7November 2007.All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

We hope to make anannouncement about the review of heritage legislation in the next few months.

I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-3878 on 25 September 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The Scottish Government’scontinuing grant support for British Waterways in Scotland over the next three years will be announced later this month as part of the outcome of the Strategic Spending Review.

The Director ofEducation and Cultural Services at West Lothian Council has written to theCabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and included an estimateof the number of class bases which could be required in connection withreducing primary 1 to primary 3 classes to 18. Estimates have not been receivedfrom other councils.

The Director of Educationand Cultural Services for West Lothian Council has written to the Cabinet Secretaryfor Education and Lifelong learning and included an estimate of the number of teachersrequired to reduce Primary 1 to Primary 3 classes to 18. Estimates have not beenreceived from any other council.