Media Briefing - Dec 5, 2005
The First MInister's Official Spokesperson opened the briefing by informing journalists that Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry has launched a new national fire safety campaign and Deputy First Minister and Minister for Lifelong Learning Nicol Stephen has unveiled a state-of-the-art sport and fitness centre at Aberdeen College.
The FMOS outlined the following:
The First Minister will attend the launch of Pete Irvine's "Scotland the Best" book
Environment Minister Ross Finnie will attend the climate leaders summit in Montreal
Deputy Environment Minister Rhona Brankin will launch Glasgow City Sustainable Woodland Management Unit and Strategic Management Plan at Pollock Park
The Finance press team may issue a comment later today following the Chancellor's pre-budget report.
Tomorrow's events
The FMOS said tomorrow's events include:
The First Minister's Scottish Government Forum speech, which is likely to be made available to journalists
The current position on skin piercing, ahead of new regulations coming into effect from next April, is expected to be outlined in response to a Parliamentary question
Finance Minister Tom McCabe gives evidence on St. Andrew's Day to the Enterprise and Culture committee.
Asked about the significance of Transport Minister Tavish Scott officially opening Harthill motorway service areas and local transport interchange, the FMOS advised that the event simply acknowledges refurbishment work and changes to the road lay out.
Other matters
Schools
Asked when school performance indicators will be available, the FMOS later clarified that the Schools On-line website is due to be updated on Wednesday.
Smoking
Asked if Scottish ministers are minded to follow Westminster's plans to ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone under 18, the FMOS said the Act which bans smoking in Scotland's public places gives ministers the power to raise the age of tobacco purchase but ministers want to see evidence on whether varying the age restriction would have a substantial effect. The FMOS added that the Smoking Prevention Working Group is already exploring this and is expected to report to ministers in the Spring.
Asked if the group will look at the possibility having a UK-wide law the FMOS said it was likely that ministers and officials will weigh up the advantages and disadvantages should age restrictions in the rest of the UK change.
Asked who is on the working group and whether it includes any ministers, the FMOS said journalists should contact Press Health for that level of detail but advised that the group's chairman is Laurence Gruer.
Civil partnerships
Asked if Civil Partnerships legislation addresses the issue of bigamy, the FMOS said that eligibility requirements for a civil partnership say that couples must both be of the same sex and not already in a civil partnership or marriage.
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