Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Saltire is Scotland''s national flag and dates back to the 12th century. It is one of the most recognisable symbols of Scotland and encourages a sense of pride amongst Scots. Therefore it is natural that the Scottish Government uses it for promotional purposes at large scale national and international events, such as St Andrew''s Day, Scotland Week and Burns Night. The use of Saltire flags at St Andrew''s Day celebrations started under the previous administration.

In line with the Scottish Government''s guidance on public procurement, securing value for money is crucial to the wider objective of delivering high quality, cost-effective public services. The Scottish Government procured Saltire flags in bulk in order to secure the best value for money and keep costs lower.

The cost of purchasing Saltire flags in the last four years is provided in the following table. 2006-07 figures are included for reference.

2006-07	£132,000
2007-08	£173,750
2008-09	£89,600
2009-10	£52,200
2010-11	£0*

Note: *There were no Saltire Flags purchased in 2010-11. Surplus stock from the previous year was used.

The average annual expenditure (£78,888) on promotional flags as described in the table is lower than that spent by the previous administration, which spent £132,000 in financial year 2006-07.

These flags are distributed as and when required at events in Scotland and overseas, including our annual St Andrews Day celebrations. To breakdown the agencies, organisations, public bodies and services provided with Saltire flags and occasions when they have been used for purposes other than celebrating St Andrews Day is unavailable because this could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

As covered in the answer provided to question S3W-39227 on 25 February 2011, taking pride in a strong, fair and inclusive national identity is one of the Scottish Government''s National Outcomes. It is supported by a wide-ranging and complex set of policies, programmes and initiatives across sectors. For example, the quality of our landscapes and cityscapes, our heritage, our education system, our languages, our sporting achievements and the place of key events in the Scottish calendar all help to define Scots national and cultural identity.

To collate and quantify our combined efforts towards encouraging a sense of national identity could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The Infrastructure Investment Group oversaw the recent improvements to the Scottish Government''s infrastructure investment governance structure, specifically the establishment of the Infrastructure Investment Board, helping meet the recommendations of the Public Audit Committee and Audit Scotland to strengthen governance of capital investment.

Prior to implementing these changes, recommendations for approval were made to both (a) the Permanent Secretary and (c) me.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-39592 on 25 February 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-39592 on 25 February 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

During the course of 2010 the Infrastructure Investment Group (IIG) examined the following key infrastructure investment programmes:

Schools for the Future School Building programme;

Hub;

Health capital programme; and

Offshore renewable energy requirements.

Members also used the opportunity to provide the group with updates on capital investment in their respective portfolios, including transport, prisons and further and higher education.

The IIG also approved the establishment of the Infrastructure Projects Database, which provides financial, contractual and procurement details of around 100 capital projects across the Scottish Government and NHS Boards.

While the management of investment funds are the responsibility of individual portfolios under the oversight of DG Finance, the Infrastructure Investment Group provided a forum for the strategic consideration of the Scottish Government''s overall capital budget.

The Infrastructure Investment Group played an important role in improving co-ordination of investment activity during 2010. Specific examples included:

Leading on the review of governance of the Scottish Government''s capital programme, which led to the establishment of both the Infrastructure Investment Board to take on an executive role in infrastructure governance and the creation of the Infrastructure Projects Database which provides financial, contractual and procurement details of capital projects across the Scottish Government and NHS boards;

Co-ordinating European Investment Bank activities across the Scottish Government;

Supporting the work of the 2010 Spending Review; and

Examining opportunities for synergies between portfolios.

The Infrastructure Investment Group considered a number of strategic issues during 2010. Specific examples included:

The review of governance of the Scottish Government''s capital programme, following the recommendations of the Public Audit Committee and Audit Scotland;

Audit Scotland follow-up review of major capital projects;

Implications for public spending from the UK Government''s 2010 budget announcement;

The Scottish Government''s 2010 Spending Review;

Delivery of Scottish Government infrastructure investment programmes, including the Schools for the Futures school building programme and hub initiative;

Future strategic infrastructure options, including the health capital programme and offshore renewable energy infrastructure; and

Scottish Government interaction with the European Investment Bank.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-39592 on 25 February 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.