Dave Thompson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made since completion of the audit of the Scots language. (S3O-8247)

The Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution (Michael Russell): Good progress has been made on matters relating to the Scots language since the completion of the audit. Following the audit, the Scottish Government has organised a conference for Scots language interests; taken over the funding of two key Scots language bodies—Scottish Language Dictionaries and the Scots language centre; commissioned further research; and invited nominations for a Scots language advisory group.

I am pleased to say today that the group will be established and Derrick McClure will be its chair. I hope to attend the first and last meetings of the group. The other members announced today are Matthew Fitt, Michael Hance, Billy Kay, Alasdair Allan, John Corbett, Laureen Johnson, Janet Paisley, James Robertson, Christine Robinson and Rab Wilson. There is a further member still to respond, but I hope that we will add one more member. I look forward to the recommendations that come from the first ever group to look at policy and the Scots language.

Dave Thompson: It is good news that we are making progress. Although there seems to be a lot of good work by teachers in promoting Scots at primary level, I understand that it is not matched at secondary level. Will the minister confirm that the advisory group will consider issues such as the lack of such provision at secondary level and the need for teacher training?

Michael Russell: The group will be fully familiar with all the work that is being done, including through the curriculum for excellence. There is a broad commitment throughout Government to ensure that Scots has its rightful place, and I am grateful for the work and co-operation of my colleagues in education, who are present as a sort of visual aid this afternoon. We are all working in the same direction and we will complete the task.

18 September 2009
Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that, to make an intelligent choice about our future as a nation, we should be knowledgeable about our history and culture and, if so, that libraries should play an important role in this. (S3O-7848)

The Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution (Michael Russell): Yes.

Bill Wilson: I like that answer and thank the minister for his brief reply. Will he encourage libraries to use a portion of their acquisition budgets to ensure that they carry a substantial selection of the many excellent works of poetry, fiction and non-fiction in English, Scots and Gaelic by Scottish authors?

Michael Russell: I am always in favour of supporting Scottish authors, being one myself. The more resource that is used by Scottish libraries to purchase work from Scottish publishers and work that is written by people who write and work in Scotland—which is a slight difference in emphasis, but I am sure that the member will take it—the happier I will be.

One of the jobs that is being undertaken by the literature task force, which is ably chaired by Rosemary Goring, is to consider support for Scottish writing and publishing. The purchasing power of libraries is an important part of that resource. I am fully in favour of the member's suggestion.

23 April 2009
Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government how many higher education institutions ensure that their teacher training graduates are competent to teach Scots. (S3O-6664)

The Minister for Schools and Skills (Keith Brown): There is no teaching qualification in the Scots language. However, the higher education institutions that offer initial teacher education are committed to preparing all new teachers to deliver the curriculum for excellence, which contains a clear commitment to the promotion of Scottish history, culture and languages. Therefore, all teachers should be prepared to build on the diversity of language that is represented in the communities of Scotland and value the languages that children and young people bring to school.

Bill Wilson: In light of the compelling testimony from front-line teachers that increased provision of the Scots language can enhance literacy, social inclusion, English skills and the understanding of Scots culture, does the Scottish Government have plans to significantly increase investment in Scots in schools? Does it have plans to commission research into the provision of Scots education?

Keith Brown: As Bill Wilson knows—or as he kens fine, as I should perhaps say—local authorities are responsible for allocating budgets to their schools to meet the demands and priorities in their local area. It is for schools, in the light of the curriculum framework within which they operate, to determine how best to organise the syllabus for all subjects, including Scots in schools. There is no extra funding for Scots and the Scottish Government has no plans to increase significantly investment in Scots in schools.

The member will be aware that, at the Equal Opportunities Committee's meeting on 24 February, it agreed to refer points relating to the Scots language audit report to the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee. Those included the suggestion that the Government consider commissioning further research to explore attitudes to the Scots language in teaching and the finding that provision appears more frequent in primary than in secondary schools. I can confirm that Scottish Government officials met on 18 March to consider how further research could build on the findings of the recent Scots language audit to provide an understanding of the barriers to provision in secondary schools.

5 March 2009
Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the recently published "Audit of Current Scots Language Provision in Scotland" and my survey of local education authorities, which identified the benefits of teaching Scots in schools, and anecdotal evidence suggesting that the expansion of such provision is constrained by a lack of qualified teachers, what steps it will consider to remedy the situation. (S3O-6158)

The Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning (Fiona Hyslop): The Scottish Government considers Scots to be an important part of Scotland's distinctive linguistic and cultural heritage. The audit of current provision provides baseline data and is the basis for consideration of the provision of and planning for the Scots language in public life across Scotland.

The curriculum for excellence experiences and outcomes encourage appropriate emphasis on Scotland's literature and the languages of Scotland. The curriculum for excellence offers teachers the flexibility to respond innovatively to the needs and interests of their pupils.

Bill Wilson: According to Katrina MacLeod of the Scots Language Centre and Perth and Kinross Council library service, the demand for Scots language teaching resources significantly outstrips supply. In this year o hamecomin, will the Government take action to ensure that supply meets demand?

Fiona Hyslop: Learning and Teaching Scotland already provides examples of good practice and materials that can be used to address the shortages and the demand that Bill Wilson has identified. In the year of homecoming, I have already seen excellent practice in the Scots language. Dunning primary school, which is in the Perth and Kinross Council area, has an excellent homecoming project, and Scots language provision is part and parcel of that experience.

8 January 2009
Marlyn Glen (North East Scotland): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide an update on future funding for Scottish Language Dictionaries. (S3O-5406)

The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture (Linda Fabiani): The funding arrangements for Scottish Language Dictionaries that have prevailed until now do not serve the best interests of the organisation. I am currently considering how that situation may be addressed.

Marlyn Glen: I thank the minister for that answer, such as it was. I had hoped for an update on what the funding would be.

Does the minister agree that, to survive as an authoritative source of Scots, Scottish Language Dictionaries should be treated as a special case for financial support? Such organisations need the stability of secure, long-term funding, particularly in this year of homecoming. Does she agree that any uncertainty must be resolved as soon as possible?

Linda Fabiani: I reassure Marlyn Glen that I am considering how the situation may be addressed. I do not think that the funding arrangements that were put in place by our predecessors in government best serve the interests of that organisation. The Scottish Arts Council, which funds Scottish Language Dictionaries, has agreed transitional funding until November 2009, which has allowed me the space to consider how best to take the matter forward.

The member may be interested to know that we are arranging a major seminar for 9 February, in Stirling, with representatives of the Scottish language groups, Scottish Language Dictionaries and other interested people, to consider the results of the audit of the Scots language that we commissioned and to discuss ways of moving forward to protect the heritage Marlyn Glen referred to.

11 December 2008
Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations at European level in favour of extending to the Scots language the provisions of Part III of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages that apply to the Welsh, Gaelic and Irish languages. (S3O-5229)

The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture (Linda Fabiani): I should first clarify a point of procedure. The Scottish Government would in the first instance be required to satisfy the United Kingdom Government of its ability to implement specified additional undertakings with regard to extending part III coverage to Scots before the UK Government made any referral in that respect to the Council of Europe. Any additional measures of support for the Scots language to be ratified by the UK Government would likely have to be in place at the time of ratification. I think, therefore, that the right thing to do just now is to ensure that, as a minimum, the undertakings that have already been ratified in respect of Scots in part II of the charter are being fulfilled in the best possible manner.

Bill Wilson: In light of that response, I highlight a complaint that I recently received from a constituent about the Department for Work and Pensions providing material in Welsh, but not in Scots and Gaelic. The DWP has informed me that it provides material in Welsh because of obligations under the Welsh Language Act 1993 and that no similar provision exists for Scots or Gaelic. Will the minister consider making representations to the UK Government on ensuring that Scots and Gaelic have equal status with Welsh and English?

Linda Fabiani: I am concerned by the case that Mr Wilson has highlighted, given that all those who sign up to the charter have a responsibility for ensuring that these matters are progressed. I am happy to meet Mr Wilson to find out more about the case so that we can indeed make representations to the UK Government.

30 October 2008
Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to support Scottish traditional arts and the Scots language. (S3O-4606)

The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture (Linda Fabiani): Traditional arts and the Scots language are extremely important to the Government. We are undertaking an audit of current provision for the Scots language to establish what measures are in place to promote it and what opportunities exist to make further progress. I acknowledge that concerns have arisen following the Scottish Arts Council's recent decisions in its flexible funding allocations. I therefore welcome the council's extension of funding for Scots language organisations until October 2009 and its encouragement to three traditional arts groups to apply for further funding. I am considering how we can best ensure that our traditional arts can be supported in the longer term.

Hugh Henry: It hardly bears resemblance to the facts to say that there is support for Scottish traditional arts, because consideration does not pay the bills. A number of organisations in Scotland face financial crisis and an uncertain future. Will the minister ensure that adequate financial provision is made to ensure that those organisations are able to survive?

Linda Fabiani: Since the flexible funding round, the Scottish Arts Council has announced a strategic fund of £300,000 to address the future of the affected organisations. So far, £80,000 of that money has been committed to supporting the Scots Language Resource Centre and Scottish Language Dictionaries for a further six months on completion of the current funding in April 2009. Further details of allocation will follow the Scottish Arts Council's discussions with the traditional music forum, and I will also hold discussions with the forum. The unsuccessful organisations have been invited to apply for up to £30,000 to address strategic issues.

Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): In light of the multiple benefits of introducing the Scots language into the school curriculum—which have been reported by local education authorities, and include the improvement of children's English—and of the imaginative measures that some LEAs have taken to introduce the Scots language, would the minister encourage a formal mechanism or forum for the sharing of best practice in the area?

Linda Fabiani: I am very impressed by the recent survey that Mr Wilson carried out across education authorities in Scotland. As I said, I await the results of the audit into the Scots language, which I expect next month. I have committed to holding a major seminar of interested persons and organisations in January; I hope that Mr Wilson will attend that, in light of the findings of his survey, and contribute to the on-going discussion.

John Scott (Ayr) (Con): As the minister knows, many traditional groups and others in the Scottish arts and culture sector are concerned about the possible cost of a merger between the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, and the impact that that could have on their funding. Can the minister give an estimate of what the overall transitional cost will be? Will she offer an assurance that that cost will not lead to cuts in funding to traditional arts and other grass-roots organisations?

Linda Fabiani: As I said at committee recently, the transition cost for creative Scotland will be in the financial memorandum to the public services reform bill, which is due to come to Parliament and to the appropriate parliamentary committee. Out of respect for the Parliament, the cost will be discussed at that time and not before.

19 June 2008
Cathy Peattie (Falkirk East) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what is being done in preparation for the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns and, in particular, to ensure that Scots language and traditional arts organisations will be able to organise, contribute and participate fully in next year's homecoming Scotland events. (S3O-3871)

The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture (Linda Fabiani): I am delighted by what I heard about the AGM of the Parliament's Burns club this lunchtime.

The homecoming Scotland 2009 programme will formally begin on the weekend of Robert Burns's 250th anniversary. The programme, which was launched by the First Minister on 16 June, will begin with six Burns events in key locations throughout Scotland. There will be a further 13 Burns-related events in the homecoming programme and the total projected spend during 2009 will be £789,000. The programme overall contains a significant cultural element and key events will celebrate the best of our traditional heritage, arts and language.

Cathy Peattie: Is the minister aware that Scottish Language Dictionaries has issued redundancy notices to staff? Some 20 years' work on Scots dictionaries is under threat. Is she also aware that traditional arts organisations face severe problems and simply cannot wait until next year to hear about funding? Given that the minister has expressed a commitment to traditional arts in the past, will she please find a way of supporting our traditional arts and language now?

Linda Fabiani: We commissioned an audit on Scots—the first ever such audit—and I have committed to considering its results and developing a way forward for our Scots traditional heritage. The Scottish Arts Council is in discussion with Scots language groups about the way forward.

Members might be interested to know that VisitScotland told me that it received 55 applications for traditional arts events, of which 27 were granted funding.

24 April 2008
Dave Thompson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the promotion of the Scots language under the European charter for regional or minority languages.(S3O-3037)

The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture (Linda Fabiani): As part of our undertakings for Scots under the European charter for regional or minority languages, this month the Scottish Government will write to local authorities and public bodies to remind them of their responsibilities and to ask what activities and initiatives have been introduced and are taking place in their area of operation. We are also in the process of commissioning an audit of Scots language provision in Scotland, which will take account of current provision in the context of the charter. I am looking forward to the outcome of the audit, and our future plans for Scots will be guided by its findings.

Dave Thompson: As the minister his said, she is cairrying oot an audit at the minute. Fit progress has been made by the audit, and fit will the next step be efter the ootcome o the audit?

Linda Fabiani: I will shortly announce who will carry out the audit, which I hope will be completed round about October. I will consider the findings, which will largely dictate what we will do next. I reiterate the Government's commitment to valuing the Scots language.

10 January 2008
Bill Wilson (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether, in light of the response of the teachers participating in the "Cuddy Brae: Language at Letham" project, it will encourage teacher training colleges to raise Scots language awareness among trainee teachers to eliminate unconscious discrimination against Scots-speaking pupils. (S3O-1794)

The Minister for Schools and Skills (Maureen Watt): The Scottish Government advocates the inclusion of Scots in the school curriculum where appropriate and deplores any form of discrimination, whether conscious or unconscious. Awareness of the Scots language will be part and parcel of the emerging curriculum for excellence and teachers will develop this awareness through initial teacher education and continuous professional development.

Bill Wilson: Will the minister acknowledge that it is to say the least anomalous that, one year short of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, the Scots language still does not enjoy recognition equal to that of other British languages, such as Gaelic or Welsh? Will she consider commissioning a study to identify areas where Scots speakers may face discrimination and to determine what level of discrimination towards Scots speakers may exist in the wider school system?

Maureen Watt: As I said to Bill Wilson initially, we deplore any form of discrimination—conscious or unconscious. It is absolutely unacceptable. In many schools, as in Letham, teachers are using children's knowledge of Scots to build on their literacy competence.

I agree that it is unfortunate that previous Governments have not recognised the importance of Scots in Scotland's linguistic, cultural and artistic heritage. As she was born in Alloway, my Cabinet colleague Fiona Hyslop is determined to ensure that the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns's birth will be an occasion to remember.

29 November 2007
Aileen Campbell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Government what consideration will be given by Learning and Teaching Scotland to including the Scots language in the experiences and outcomes headings in respect of language in the curriculum for excellence. (S3O-1437)

The Minister for Schools and Skills (Maureen Watt): Learning and Teaching Scotland will produce draft outcomes and experiences for English language and literacy, which will include references to Scots. That will build on the guidance that has already been issued on the curriculum for excellence, which makes it clear that the languages and literature of Scotland provide a valuable source for learning about culture, identity and language.

Aileen Campbell: I spent Tuesday afternoon at Kirkton primary school in Carluke with the bestselling author Matthew Fitt, who was giving lessons on the Scots language to primary 7 pupils. The children's reaction was incredible to watch. Every child was fully engaged and their confidence grew. That is not an isolated example of what can happen. Does the minister agree with me and the teachers at Kirkton primary school that the teaching of Scots in schools and the inclusion of Scots in the curriculum for excellence will increase the confidence and self-belief of Scotland's children, which in turn will make for successful learners?

Maureen Watt: Yes, I absolutely agree with Aileen Campbell. I think that I have mentioned the delightful time that I spent on the reading bus in and around Aberdeen taking part in the same kind of activity.

Much good work is going on in local authorities throughout Scotland. Matthew Fitt and James Robertson of Itchy Coo do a fantastic job in helping teachers and officials to show how the language that children hear in the playground and in their families can be built on in their learning of English and other languages. This morning, I had a delightful time judging the 2007 Itchy Coo competition. It was a delight to read all the entries and to see how well children write in their own language.

The Presiding Officer (Alex Fergusson): I call Margo MacDonald to ask a supplementary question—I ask her to bear in mind that the subject is the Scots language.

Margo MacDonald (Lothians) (Ind): My genuine and heartfelt thanks, Presiding Officer.

The minister talked about the connection between learning Scots and an improved understanding of the English language. May I commend to her the teaching of Latin alongside Scots and English? According to a letter that I received today from a former HM inspector of schools, such an approach would undoubtedly help to promote the correct use of grammar and syntax.

Maureen Watt: I acknowledge the member's long-standing interest in the matter and I agree that learning Latin helps in the learning of other languages—it helped in my case. I understand that her letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning on the subject will be answered in due course.