Media Briefing - Nov 28, 2005
Today's main events
Values of Britishness conference
The SES opened the briefing by informing journalists that the First Minister's Values of Britishness conference speech will be made available shortly. The conference in London will hear about Britishness from a Scottish perspective and what devolution has achieved. Asked if the event is timed to link with St Andrew's Day the SES said the timing is coincidental as the conference was not organised by the Executive, but the messages First Minister will deploy will be complementary. Asked if Andrew Marr is also speaking at the event, the SES said he believed so.
Anti-smoking campaign
The SES said that Health Minister Andy Kerr has launched the Executive's latest anti-smoking campaign. The campaign explains why the Executive is introducing smoke-free public places and its message is clear: passive smoking kills. Press Health can make campaign materials available to journalists.
Regeneration and boosting whisky sales
The SES said Deputy Enterprise Minister Alan Wilson has announced £5.72 million of European funding for 36 social regeneration projects in the West of Scotland. The Minister also commented on the launch of a Scottish Whisky Partnership document to re-affirm the Executive and Scotch Whisky distillers' commitment to working together to promote the Scotch Whisky industry for the benefit of the wider Scottish economy.
Other events
St Andrew's Day
The SES said that in advance of Wednesday's many St Andrew's Day celebrations, Finance Minister Tom McCabe will make a speech at the St. Andrew's Day lecture in Brussels tomorrow (Tuesday). Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith is delivering the lecture and launching the Scottish writers series.
The SES added that First Minister's St Andrew's Day message to British Embassy networks will also be made available to journalists tomorrow.
Home Heat Helpline
The SES said Deputy Communities Minister Johann Lamont will participate in the launch of the Energy Retail Association's Home Heat Helpline. Asked what the event involves the SES said highlighted the Executive's Warm Deal for older people and later clarified that it would encourage people to stay warm this winter.
Inverness Prison report
Asked if the Chief Inspector of Prisons' report on Inverness prison is full or interim the SES said that it was already available to journalists under embargo.
The FMOS then outlined the main events for the rest of the week.
Lobsters
Asked what the Executive's position is on whether lobsters should be killed before being boiled or whether Scottish ministers ate lobsters, the SES concluded the briefing saying that, although he's never seen lobster on the Executive canteen menu, he is sure Ministers would consider eating it.
News Archive