Literature Working Group

The Scottish Government's literature working group has published its policy proposals. The report contains recommendations concerning literature and publising in Scots. This page collects Scottish Parliament discussions, motions and questions on the report.

Motions

S3M-5805# Bill Kidd: Scottish Academy of Literature—That the Parliament notes the publication of the report of the Literature Working Group, which proposes the creation of a Scottish academy of literature to foster and expand the literary culture of Scotland, shining a light on both authors of the past and those yet to come; welcomes the group’s other recommendations such as the establishment of a Gaelic literary magazine, encouraging publishers to publish works in Scots and the setting up of a government body to report on public libraries; agrees with the group that the creation of a Scottish academy of literature is long overdue given that Scotland is the birthplace of UNESCO’s first city of literature and that the Royal Scottish Academy was formed in 1826 and the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1723, and believes that, coupled with other initiatives that celebrate literature, such as the Edinburgh International Book Festival and Glasgow’s Aye Write festival in March 2010, these recommendations can be successful in ensuring a bright future for Scottish literature.

Questions

S3W-31895 Bill Kidd: To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to the Literature Working Group’s recommendations for the establishment of a (a) Scottish academy of literature, (b) Gaelic literary magazine, (c) government body to report on public libraries, (d) compulsory question at higher grade on Scottish literature and (e) separate publishing house for literature in Scots.

Answered by Fiona Hyslop (Friday, March 05, 2010): The Literature Working Group was tasked with recommending a new approach to public sector support for literature, focussing particularly on writing and publishing. The independent group''s report was published on 12 February 2010. I have written to the Chief Executives of organisations mentioned in the report to garner their opinions on the recommendations that affect their organisations. The practicality and feasibility of all recommendations made in the report will be further investigated before I respond fully, on behalf of the Scottish Government, later this year. A copy of the Literature Working Group''s report is available at the Parliament''s reference centre (Bib. number 50373) and has also been published online at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2010/02/17145942/0.

S3W-31896 Bill Kidd: To ask the Scottish Executive what the goals of the Literature Working Group are regarding the creation of a Scottish academy of literature.

Answered by Fiona Hyslop (Friday, March 05, 2010): I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-31895 on 5 March 2010 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

S3W-31897 Bill Kidd: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Literature Working Group plans to include playwrights in the Scottish academy of literature.

S3W-31898 Bill Kidd: To ask the Scottish Executive what the proposed timeframe is for the creation of a Scottish academy of literature and what further steps the Literature Working Group plans to take regarding its implementation.

Discussions

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