Question S2W-05006: Brian Adam, Aberdeen North, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 12/12/2003

To ask the Scottish Executive what role it will play in implementing the objectives and principles of Part II of the European Charter on Regional and Minority Languages, with particular reference to Scots and Gaelic.

Answered by Peter Peacock (09/02/2004): The policies, legislationand practice of the Scottish Executive plays an important role in implementing theobjectives and principles of Part II of the European Charter on Regional andMinority Languages, with regard to Scots and Gaelic.

In addition the Executivehas adopted two partnership commitments which will further strengthen its rolein implementing the objectives and principles of Part II of the charter. Theseare the commitment to a National Languages Strategy in support of Scotland’slanguages and securing the status of Gaelic by means of a Gaelic language bill.

The implementation of manyof the objectives and principles in Part II of the Charter are for other publicbodies and institutions. The Scottish Executive would expect that duerecognition would be given to these objectives and principles at these levels.

The Council of Europe’sCommittee of Experts are due to report soon on the UK’s recordon the charter. Following this the Executive will write to local authorities,public bodies and other institutions reminding them of the UK’s treatyobligations with regard to Scots and Gaelic.

Question S1W-34088: Michael Russell, South of Scotland, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 17/02/2003

To ask the Scottish Executive how the (a) Scots and (b) Gaelic language will be assisted by the events planned to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Union of the Crowns.

The member has provided the following translation:

A dh? fhaighneachd do Riaghaltas na h-Alba ciamar a bhios (a) Scots agus (b) Gaidhlig air an cuideachadh leis na tachartasan a thathar a? dealbhadh gus an 400mh ceann-bliadhna aig Aonadh nan Crun a chomharrachadh.

Answered by Mike Watson (26/02/2003): A wide range of events is proposed across Scotland to commemorate the Union of the Crowns anniversary, which we believe will be of interest to all of Scotland's people.

The Scottish Executive has provided the following translation:

Thathar am beachd raon fharsaing de thachartasan a chur air adhart air feadh na h-Alba gus ceann bliadhna Aonadh nan Crùn a chomharrachadh agus tha sinn am beachd gum bi ùidh aig muinntir na h-Alba air fad ann an sin.

Question S1W-34089: Michael Russell, South of Scotland, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 17/02/2003

To ask the Scottish Executive how it will commemorate the role that the Scots language played in literary and artistic activity in the Scottish Court at the time of the Union of the Crowns in the events planned to mark the 400th anniversary of that union and what impact this commemoration will have on the use of Scots, particularly in literary terms.

Answered by Mike Watson (21/02/2003): The advisory group is considering plans for a range of events, and an announcement will be made in due course.

Question S1W-33921: Irene McGugan, North East Scotland, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 07/02/2003

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33444 by Mike Watson on 5 February 2003, which specific policies and practice give due regard to the objectives and principles in Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in respect of the Scots language.

Answered by Mike Watson (03/03/2003): The Scottish Executive considers the Scots language to be an important part of Scotland's distinctive linguistic and cultural heritage. The implementation of many of the objectives and principles in Part II of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages are for other public bodies and institutions. The Scottish Executive would expect that due recognition would be given to these objectives and principles at these levels.

Question S1W-33444: Irene McGugan, North East Scotland, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 27/01/2003

To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take with Her Majesty's Government to comply with Part II of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in respect of the Scots language.

Answered by Mike Watson (05/02/2003): By signing the Charter, the UK Government recognises the distinctive nature and cultural value of the Scots language. The Executive has made good progress in complying with the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages in respect of Scots and the Executive considers that its policies and practice give due regard to the objectives and principles in Part II of the Charter.

Question S1W-33268: Irene McGugan, North East Scotland, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 17/01/2003

To ask the Presiding Officer what arrangements are being made to facilitate new members in taking the Oath of Allegiance in Scots following the elections to the Scottish Parliament in May.

Answered by David Steel (28/01/2003): The oath of allegiance or solemn affirmation must be taken in English under the terms of the Promissory Oaths Act 1868 and the Oaths Act 1978. However, under Rule 1.2 of Standing Orders, after taking the oath or affirmation, a member may repeat it in a language other than English. In accordance with the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body language policy, written versions will be available to members in the languages covered in that policy, but that does not preclude any member from using Scots or any other language if they so choose.