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The Scottish Government has a process in place that aims to answer written parliamentary questions within 10 counting days (20 days during recess).

As part of the United Kingdom''s dual support system for research, the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) distributes over £250 million per year to Scotland''s higher education institutions for research and knowledge transfer. Of that sum, around £220 million is allocated through the Main Quality Research Grant and Knowledge Transfer Grant for Scotland''s higher education institutions to use strategically. Some higher education institutions will choose to allocate a certain amount of these funds for stem cells research and development for clinical applications and commercial exploitation.

One recent investment in stem cell research infrastructure has been made using SFC''s Strategic Research Development Grant. In May 2006, SFC invested £2 million, matched by the University of Edinburgh, in a £4 million package of support to retain and recruit world-leading stem cell scientists in order that Scotland''s acknowledged excellence in the field could be maintained as broader investment decisions were under consideration. The broader commitment was made in January 2007 when an investment of £59 million was agreed by the Scottish Executive and SFC, together with Scottish Enterprise and the University of Edinburgh, to create the Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Little France in Edinburgh.

Research-related funding for Scottish institutions also comes from a number of other sources in the public, private and third sectors, for example, the UK Research Councils. Some Scottish Government Directorates also fund research directly. For example, the Scottish Government''s Chief Scientist Office is currently funding four research projects on stem cells.

The Scottish Government has committed up to £434,000 to support St Andrew''s Day activity all across Scotland, including sponsorship of public events in Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Glasgow, Stirling, St Andrews and Blairgowrie, as well as delivering the St Andrew''s Day celebrations in Edinburgh. The member will be aware that on 31 October 2008 I launched an ambitious programme of events planned in cities and towns across the country with the flagship event, the St Andrew''s DO, taking place right in the heart of Edinburgh. Full details of St Andrew''s Day activities taking place at home and overseas are at www.scotland.org.

Since May 2007, five Senators of the College of Justice have been appointed, of whom one has been female. Seven sheriffs have been appointed in the same period, of whom two have been female. Information on the ethnic composition of recent judicial appointments is not held centrally.

Also since May 2007, the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 has been passed by the Scottish Parliament. Under Section 9 and Schedule 1 of the act, the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland (JABS) will be established as an advisory body not subject to the direction of ministers.

JABS will recommend individuals for judicial appointment solely on the basis of merit and will provide advice to ministers in connection with such appointments. JABS will initially comprise members of the existing JABS, which is an advisory administrative body established under the chairmanship of Sir Neil McIntosh in 2002. The existing JABS was created to provide more open and accessible arrangements for judicial appointments in Scotland.

In its consideration since May 2007 of women and people from minority ethnic groups appointed to judicial office, the existing JABS has established a Diversity working group, with membership including representatives from the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates. For these purposes, diversity includes consideration of women and people from minority ethnic groups. The working group''s remit included the identification of whether the diversity of the legal profession in Scotland is reflected in the diversity of applicants for judicial office. The working group identified a need for evidence on the current make-up of the eligible population for judicial appointments (and how this might change in the next few years), as well as a need to identify whether there are any actual or perceived barriers which could be inhibiting eligible candidates from applying for judicial office.

All selection processes will continue to be based solely on merit.

Scottish Development International (SDI) initiated contact with the Qatar government and has developed relationships over many years based on opportunities in trade and investment.

A number of meetings have taken place between SDI and Scottish ministers and business organisations with strong links to the Qatar government during which potential business opportunities have been discussed.

The Qatar government has invited the First Minister to visit Qatar to discuss the development of trade and investment links with Scotland. The First Minister is considering the invitation.

The procedures in place to respond to ministerial correspondence on reserved matters will not require any additional resources.

Statistical information is not held on the number of letters received by Scottish ministers on reserved matters in each year since 1999 which have requested the views of ministers.

Ministers are democratically accountable to the Scottish Parliament and, ultimately, to the Scottish people for any view they formulate as Scottish ministers, whether on a reserved or devolved matter. The Scottish Government will not hesitate to formulate a view on any matter if it considers that doing so is in the best interest of the Scottish people.

Statistical information is not held on the number of letters received by Scottish ministers on reserved matters in each year since 1999.

The new procedure put in place to respond to ministerial correspondence on reserved matters will not require any additional resources.