- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 27 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the First Minister or his officials have had with UK ministers in the (a) Foreign and Commonwealth Office, (b) Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and (c) Scotland Office on the objectives of his forthcoming visit to China.
Answer
Officials were in frequent contact with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office about the objectives of the First Minister''s visit, in particular through the First Secretary, Scottish Affairs based within the British Embassy in Beijing.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 27 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what public relations agencies have been engaged by it in (a) Scotland, (b) Hong Kong and (c) China to support the First Minister’s forthcoming visit to China and what budget has been allocated for each contract.
Answer
No public relations agencies were engaged in Scotland.
In Hong Kong, Communique were engaged by the Scottish Government as event managers for one evening reception. Event management and logistics support were provided for Scottish Development International (SDI) events in Hong Kong by Communique. Public relations support for business events and associated media outreach were provided through an existing SDI agreement with Edelman.
In Mainland China, Edelman were engaged by the Scottish Government as event managers for a reception in Beijing and Shanghai, and to provide event management for a whisky-related media event in Shanghai. Public relations support for business events and associated media were provided through an existing SDI agreement with Edelman for Beijing and Shanghai events.
In Hong Kong and in mainland China an estimated 1900 people were reached through direct participation in events during the visit. Ministerial media events in Hong Kong and mainland China were attended by around 200 media representatives, resulting in significant broadcast, print and online coverage, including interviews on Bloomberg TV, China Business Network TV and CCTV; print coverage in the South China Morning Post, China Daily, the Shanghai Financial News and the National Business Daily, and widespread web coverage. Potential audience reach from the Hong Kong and China media coverage so far is well in excess of 100 million. Media coverage in Scotland was also widespread and focussed on the key messages and announcements from the ministerial programmes.
The costs for the visit programme will be met from within existing budgets allocated to supporting engagement with China.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 27 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations the First Minister has received from the Chinese Government ahead of his forthcoming visit to China.
Answer
The First Minster and officials were in frequent contact with the Chinese Consulate General in Edinburgh in arranging the programme for his visit.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Mather on 24 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the First Minister has had with representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Group since November 2008; who was involved, and what the outcome was in each case.
Answer
Since November 2008, in addition to his attendance at Financial Services Advisory Board meetings which are also attended by Lloyds Banking Group executives the First Minister has undertaken the following ministerial engagements with RBS and Lloyds Banking Group:
Royal Bank of Scotland
| When | Attendees | Areas of discussion |
| 10 December 2008 | Meeting with Stephen Hester new CEO | Introductory meeting with general discussion on Scotland''s economy, current issues in the financial services industry and information about Homecoming celebrations. |
| 10 February 2009 | Dinner for Scottish Business People hosted by the First Minister and attended by Stephen Hester, CEO and Andrew McLaughlin, Director Economics and Corporate Affairs and Group Chief Economist , RBS | Private dinner |
| 18 March 2009 | Meeting with Andrew McLaughlin, Director Economics and Corporate Affairs and Group Chief Economist | General discussion on current economic situation |
Lloyds Banking Group
| When | Attendees | Areas of discussion |
| 11 November 2008 | Archie Kane, Group Executive Director Insurance, Lloyds Banking Group | General discussion on the merger process and reaffirmation of the Scottish Government''s priorities and that it is willing to work closely with the company. |
| 3 December 2008 | Archie Kane, Group Executive Director Insurance, Lloyds Banking Group and Eric Daniels, Group Chief Executive, Lloyds TSB | Further update on progress of the merger process and First Minister assurances on Scotland''s locational advantages |
| 19 December 2008 | Telephone call with Susan Rice, Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland | Short discussion following announcement of Ms Rice''s appointment in the new Group |
| 9 January 2009 | Telephone call with Archie Kane, Group Executive Director Insurance, Lloyds Banking Group | Short discussion on progress immediately in advance of the Court of Session ruling on the merger - reiteration of Scottish Government''s willingness to work with the new Group to ensure the best outcome for Scotland. |
| 21 January 2009 | Meeting with Archie Kane Group Executive Director Insurance, Lloyds Banking Group and Susan Rice, Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland | Provided an update on planned actions in terms of communications with staff from both organisations and enabled the First Minister to communicate the Scottish Government''s programme for economic recovery. |
| 10 March 2009 | Private dinner at Lloyds Banking Group hosted by Sir Victor Blank, Chairman Lloyds Banking Group with Archie Kane, Group Executive Director Insurance, Lloyds Banking Group and Susan Rice, Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group Scotland | Private dinner. |
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 15 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 23 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the Calman Commission on Scottish Devolution is making a positive contribution to the debate on Scotland’s constitutional options.
Answer
This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0423-01.htm
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 23 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of the redesign and rebranding of its intranet from Inexec to Saltire.
Answer
The Scottish Government staff intranet was redesigned and re-launched as Saltire in January 2008. The total cost was £2,643.75 including VAT.
Saltire is available to around 7,500 staff in the Scottish Government and its agencies.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 April 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by Bruce Crawford on 23 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21261 by Bruce Crawford on 9 March 2009, whether it will list the 48 SNP manifesto commitments that have not yet been achieved.
Answer
The information requested is given in the document entitled SNP manifesto 2007: It''s time, a copy of which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib number 42576).
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 26 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 23 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth has had with representatives of the Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Group since November 2008; who was involved, and what the outcome was in each case.
Answer
Lloyds Banking Group:
Since November 2008, in addition to my attendance at Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) meetings which are also attended by Lloyds Banking Group Executives, I have undertaken the following ministerial engagements:
Telephone call on 19 December 2008 with Susan Rice Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group regarding her new appointment with Lloyds Banking Group.
I attended the Lloyds Banking Group annual dinner hosted by Sir Victor Blank on 10 March 2009. This was an informal dinner which provided an opportunity to discuss prospects and challenges for the financial services industry and the wider economy.
On 25 March 2009 I met with Archie Kane, Group Executive Director Insurance, Lloyds Banking Group and Susan Rice Managing Director, Lloyds Banking Group to discuss access to finance for small and medium sized enterprises.
Royal Bank of Scotland:
On 16 March 2009 I had a meeting with Andrew McLaughlin in St Andrew''s House to discuss access to finance and other issues.
I also spoke with Andrew McLaughlin on 7 April 2009 to talk about the proposed job cuts that RBS were planning to announce that day.
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 11 March 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 22 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21402 by John Swinney on 10 March 2009, what severance grant payments have been made since May 2007.
Answer
Since May 2007, a total of £163,024.25 has been paid in severance grants to ministers and junior ministers in accordance with Article 6 of The Scotland Act 1998 (Transitory and Transitional Provisions) (Grants to Members and Officeholders) Order Statutory Instrument (SI)1999/1081. No severance grants have been paid to Cabinet Secretaries. Details are:
Ministers
| Date | Number | Amount |
| May 2007 | 10 | £99,742.50 |
| March 2009 | - | - |
| Total | 10 | £99,742.50 |
Junior Ministers
| Date | Number | Amount |
| May 2007 | 7 | £43,730.75 |
| March 2009 | 3 | £19,551.00 |
| Total | 10 | £63,281.75 |
- Asked by: George Foulkes, MSP for Lothians, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 09 January 2009
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Current Status:
Answered by John Swinney on 21 April 2009
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18018 by John Swinney on 5 December 2008, when the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth expects to provide the information requested.
Answer
I refer the member to the letter issued on 21 April 2009. A copy of which has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47096).
