Scottish Parliament e-Brief, Issue 294

New science champion for Scotland
A new Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland has been appointed to further enhance Scotland's reputation as a "science nation".

Professor Anne Glover of Aberdeen University will be seconded to the Scottish Executive to provide independent advice to Ministers, take the lead on co-ordinating science policy across the Executive and work closely with the science community.

The Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland's role will be:

To champion science in Scotland;
To represent those sciences not presently covered by the Chief Scientists in the Health and Environment and Rural Affairs Departments;
To lead on cross-cutting scientific issues across the Executive in partnership with the other two Chief Scientists, whose line management will remain within their respective Departments;
To be the lead on the professional aspects of scientific staff within the Executive; and
To represent Scotland in certain high level scientific committees in Whitehall.

Professor Wilson Sibbett, the Chair of the Scottish Science Advisory Committee (SSAC), and the Executive's external Chief Adviser on Science will continue in that role until the end of December 2006. His role as science champion will be taken on by Professor Glover. The future arrangements for the SSAC after December are currently under review.

First Scotch Beef Ambassador in Europe
To mark the return of Scotch beef to Dutch dining tables, the first Scotch Beef Ambassador in Europe has been appointed.

The appointment of chef Cees Helder, of the renowned Parkheuvel restaurant in Rotterdam, follows the lifting of the ten year ban on British beef exports. The Parkheuvel in Heuvelaan, Rotterdam opened in 1986. Chef Cees Helder was awarded his third Michelin star in 2002.

"As a long time supporter of Scotch Beef it is an honour to become the product's first European Ambassador. For ten long years the beef ban meant I was unable to serve up Scotch Beef on my restaurant menu. Thankfully that has now changed and I am delighted to see that, if anything, the beef currently being produced in Scotland tastes even better."

Quality Meat Scotland, the red meat promotional body, approached Cees, who is one of only three Chefs who have the coveted three Michelin stars, to champion the message about the unique quality and taste of Scotch Beef following the recent lifting of the ban on UK beef exports. Prior to the ban in 1996, the Netherlands was responsible for 10% of all Scotch Beef exports.

Tail docking of working dogs
At Stage 1, the Environment and Rural Development Committee took evidence on the docking of dogs’ tails and reached the conclusion that the case had not been made that it is a necessary act to prevent tail injury in later life. It remains the policy of the Executive to impose a complete ban on tail docking.

The day concludes with a Member's Business debate on Fife’s Coastline from Andrew Arbuckle (LD).

THURSDAY morning begins with a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party debate on Education.

As is normal with opposition debates, no motion has yet been published and the focus of the debate is therefore unclear. The motions will, as always, be published in the Business Bulletin in due course and full transcripts of both debates will be available from the Official Report on Friday.

The day closes with a Member's Business debate on World Heritage Site Status for St Andrews from Ted Brocklebank (CON).

Wednesday 31st May 2006
14:35 – 17:00	Stage 3 Proceedings: Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Bill
17:00 – 17:30	Member's Business: Fife’s Coastline (Andrew Arbuckle (LD))

Thursday 1st June 2006
09:15 – 11:40	Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Education
11:40 – 12:00	General Question Time
12:00 – 12:30	First Minister's Question Time (ignore the incorrect date in the Business Bulletin)
14:15 – 14:55	Themed Question Time * Education and Young People, Tourism, Culture and Sport; and * Finance and Public Services and Communities
14:55 – 17:00	Executive Debate: Architecture
17:00 – 17:30	Member's Business: World Heritage Site Status for St Andrews (Ted Brocklebank (CON))

Tuesday 30th May 2006
AM	Audit	The Committee will take evidence on the section 22 report on Inverness College from Scottish Executive officials and Dr Kevin Woods, Head of the Scottish Executive Health Department and Chief Executive of NHSScotland, is among those giving evidence on the Auditor General's report on the new Consultant Contract.
	Equal Opportunities	The disability inquiry continues, hearing this week from the Disability Rights Commission Scotland.
PM	Enterprise and Culture	The Committee will consider a draft of its Stage 1 report on the Tourist Boards (Scotland) Bill.
	Health	The Committee hears from Executive Officials; technology companies; and NHS Scotland Chief Executive, Dr Kevin Woods.
	Local Government and Transport	The Committee will take evidence on home safety officers from the Scottish Accident Prevention Council; the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Scotland; and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents UK.
	Justice 1	Fingerprint officers from the Scottish Criminal Record Office give evidence to the Scottish Criminal Record Office inquiry.
	Justice 2	Deputy Justice Minister, Hugh Henry and officials give evidence on the Legal Profession and Legal Aid (Scotland) Bill. The Committee also considers a petition calling for a full review of the current system for dealing with and monitoring convicted child sex offenders.
Wednesday 31st May 2006
AM	Communities	The Committee will take evidence on the "Get Heard" project from the Poverty Alliance, the Community Training Development Unit, and One Plus.
	Justice 1	The Lord Advocate and Deputy Justice Minister give evidence on the Criminal Proceedings etc. (Reform) (Scotland) Bill.
	Education	A range of organisations give evidence on the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill.
	Public Petitions	New petitions cover topics including rights for people with autism; speed restrictions on inland water in Scotland; and Care 21’s report, "The future of unpaid care in Scotland". The Committee will also return to the petitions on the independent review of NHS 24; ecovillages; and an early breast cancer screening programme in Scotland.