Scottish Parliament e-Brief
Issue 108, 2nd April 2002
SECTION 1 - BUSINESS THIS WEEK
THE CHAMBER
| Wednesday 3rd April 2002 | |
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Motion of Condolence to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family |
| Thursday 4th April 2002 | |
| No Parliamentary Business | |
IN COMMITTEE
No Committees are meeting this week.
SECTION 2 - NEWS
FIRST MINISTER COMMENTS ON
DEATH OF QUEEN MOTHER
Commenting on the death of the Queen Mother on Saturday,
First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"I offer my sincere condolences to Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family following the death of her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
"On behalf of Scotland, the country of her upbringing, I would like to pay tribute to her tremendous public service. The Queen Mother had a special relationship with Scotland, and Scots had a special affection for her.
"Her dedication brought joy to countless people and Scots from every walk of life will mourn her death."
Books of Condolence are now open at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, Glamis Castle in Angus, and the Castle of Mey in Caithness.
PUBLIC RIGHT TO NURSERY PLACES
As of yesterday, all local authorities are now under a duty to
make a free part-time pre-school education place available for
all Scotland's three and four year olds.
Minister for Education and Young People Cathy Jamieson said:
"It is only three years since we set ourselves the target, in our Programme for Government, of providing a grant funded nursery place for all three year olds whose parents wanted one, having delivered on our pledge for four year olds.
"The fact that we are now in a position to say that the target has been achieved is a significant achievement which will bring real benefits to children and families throughout Scotland. Local authorities are to be congratulated for working with us to deliver on this, ahead of the duty upon them coming into force."
For the period 2001-2004, a total of almost £475 million is being invested in childcare and pre-school education by the Executive. This includes £137 million a year which had been allocated for pre-school education, and which is now reintegrated into the local government settlement.
The new duty on local authorities is imposed by statutory instruments. The Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2002 (SSI 2002/72) came into force on 4th March 2002 and commences sections 32 to 37 and 39 of the Standards in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000. The Provision of School Education for Children under School Age (Prescribed Children)(Scotland) Order 2002 (SSI 2002/90) came into force on 1st April 2002. This order describes a local authority's duty to provide pre-school education, and by doing so, imposes the duty upon authorities.
In general terms, the descriptive order means that children become eligible to receive pre-school education from the term following their third birthday. They are entitled to receive a minimum of 412.5 hours of education over the course of a school year.
From the latest information available, it is estimated that 96% of 4 year olds and 80% of 3 year olds received grant funded pre-school education in 2000-01. Pre-school education is not compulsory. For this reason, the Executive does not expect that 100% of children will attend pre-school education but believes that places have now been provided for all eligible children whose parents want them.
SECTION 3 - NOTES ON THIS WEEK’S CHAMBER BUSINESS
Parliament is recalled on WEDNESDAY to allow MSPs to send a Motion of Condolence to Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family. Presiding Officer, Sir David Steel, and the leaders of the four main political parties will pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in support of the Motion.
There will be no further Business.
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