Media Briefing - Nov 29, 2005
Afternoon
Tomorrow's events:
The Scottish Executive spokesman opened the briefing by taking journalists through the events taking place the next day.
Finance Minister Tom McCabe would respond to Audit Scotland's Inverclyde follow-up report, the Scottish Executive Spokesman told journalists.
An NHS winter planning briefing would be held by the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Prof Peter Donnelly the Scottish Executive Spokesman said.
The Spokesman also told journalists that Deputy Environment Minister Rhona Brankin would respond to Water Industry Commission's determination on water charges.
The Scottish Executive Spokesman took journalists through a number of events to mark St Andrew's Day events.
The First Minister would meet the Governor of Shandong province at Bute House the next day, the Scottish Executive Spokesman said.Regiments:
Asked about reports at the weekend concerning the merger of Scottish regiments and whether the new arrangements would see individual identities retained, the Scottish Executive Spokesman said the First Minister made his position clear at the time of the proposed merger. The First Minister had consistently said that he believed the identities of the six Scottish regiments should be retained and that he was disappointed the proposals did not go as far as he liked. That remains the First Minister's position, the Scottish Executive Spokesman told journalists.
When it was pointed out that the First Minister had first outlined his position in 2004 and it was now late 2005, the Scottish Executive Spokesman reminded journalists that the issue was reserved, but reiterated that the First Minister had been disappointed by the proposals and his position remained the same.Governor of Shandong:
Asked if the First Minister's meeting with the Governor of Shandong was a follow up from the Deputy First Minister's visit to China the Scottish Executive Spokesman said it was part of Scotland's developing relationship with China, but he was not aware whether it was a direct result of the Deputy First Minister's visit.
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