§ Mrs. LaingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many pupils there are per computer in(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each local authority area. [74546]
§ Mrs. LiddellAccording to the most recent Annual Survey of Listening, Viewing and Computing (ASLVC) conducted on behalf of The Scottish Office in 1998, there are 15 pupils per computer in primary schools, 49 per cent. of which are more than four years old and 6 pupils per computer in secondary schools, 54 per cent. of which are over four years old. The sampling arrangements for the ASLVC do not provide information258W May 1997 which (a) had external members recruited by way of public advertisement, and details of any person so appointed and (b) engaged in public consultation exercises, and the form that these took. [74472]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 9 March 1999]: No members of task forces or policy reviews established since 1 May 1997 were recruited by way of public advertisement. Most task forces and reviews are short-term bodies established to give thorough consideration to important and difficult issues. External members are invited to sit on some task forces and reviews because they are able to contribute specific experience and expertise. In such cases, public advertising would be inappropriate and disproportionate. Since 1 October 1998, appointments to those task forces which qualify for classification as advisory non-departmental public bodies have come within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
The following task forces and policy reviews are engaged in public consultation exercises.
at the local authority level. This information will be collected in future as part of the monitoring arrangements for the Excellence Fund.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.