Social Inclusion Division.dot

Equalities, Social Inclusion and Sport Directorate

Social Inclusion Division

T: 0131-244 7369 F: 0131-244 0810

E: [email address]

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Mr John Simpson

By e-mail to: [FOI #11285 email]

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Our ref: FoI/09/00592

June 2009

Dear Mr Simpson,

Thank you for your request of 05 May, 2009, for the release of information under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I have been asked to respond.

You asked that we provide you with:

1. All information held by the Scottish Executive on the first British Armed Forces Day (27 June 2009)

1.1 What is the Scottish Executive doing to promote Armed Forces Day

1.2 Any communication from the Ministry of Defence regarding Armed Forces Day

1.3 What guidance the Scottish Executive is giving to Scottish schools to celebrate this event

In response to points 1, 1.1 and 1.2, please find attached Annex A which contains details of all information held by the Scottish Executive on the First British Armed Forces Day; participation by Scottish Government Ministers for the promotion of Armed Forces Day; and, any communiqués between Scottish Executive officials and the MOD Armed Forces Day team.

In response to point 1.3 above, as the legislative responsibility for the provision of education rests with local authorities, Scottish Ministers have no locus in directing schools on whether or not to celebrate this event. It would be for each individual Education Authority to make a decision on this. It is hoped that our young people will participate in events in their local area.

If you believe that this information does not comply with your request, you do have the right to request us to review it. Your request should be made within 40 working days of receipt of this letter and we will reply within 20 working days of receipt. If the information supplied is unchanged following a review and you remain unsatisfied with this, you then have the right to make a formal complaint to the Scottish Information Commissioner.

If you require a review of this decision please write to Dr Kevin Woods, Director-General, Health Directorate, Floor 1E.10, St Andrews House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG. The review will be undertaken by staff not involved in the original decision.

Yours sincerely,

Joyce McVarrie

Armed Forces and Veterans' Issues Team

FoI/09/00592 - Response to Mr Simpson

ANNEX A

Details of all information held by the Scottish Executive on the First British Armed Forces Day

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Event	Date & start time	Location
Parade down Union Street to Beach Esplanade. Will be a Veterans` badge ceremony, stalls and obstacle course.	Saturday 27 June @ 11.00am	Aberdeen
Church service at St Nicholas Kirk, then parade to Beach Esplanade. Displays by RNLI and Red Devils, Parachute Regiment will “beat the retreat”	Sunday 28 June @ 12.15 pm	Aberdeen
Parade from city centre to King's Park, then Military Show in afternoon. RAF flypast contribution from all Armed Services and Cadet Associations, pipe bands presentation of Veterans badges.	Saturday 20 June	Stirling
D-Day dance in Albert Hall, with school and military bands	Saturday 20 June @ evening	Stirling
Thanksgiving Service at Church of Holy Rood	Sunday 21 June	Stirling
Poetry for Armed Forces Day, Kelso Library	Wednesday 24 June @ 2.30pm	Kelso
Tony Fasson the enigma hero, Royal British Legion	Wednesday 24 June @ 7.30pm	Kelso
Squaddies in the square, military vehicles, Veterans profiles etc.	Saturday 27 June @ 2.00pm	Kelso
Concert in Tait Hall, blend of youth, military and Veterans. Music and dancing.	Saturday 27 June @ 7.30pm	Kelso
Presentation of Veterans badges on Castle Esplanade. Then parade to Princes Street Gardens. Lord Provost to receive salute as parade passes National Gallery. Performance in Ross Bandstand. Marquee providing refreshments. Armed Forces present and assault course and climbing tower will be available.	Saturday 27 June @ 14.30pm Saturday 27 June @ 15.45pm	Edinburgh Edinburgh
Performance of “A tribute to Lady McRobert” at the Queens Hall	Saturday 27 June @ 19.30pm	Edinburgh
Service at Canongate Church	Sunday 28 June @ 9.00am	Edinburgh
“Beat the retreat” to be held at H.M. Frigate Unicorn berthed at Victoria Dock	Friday 26 June @ 7.00pm	Dundee
Parade through Dundee by Veterans, Cadets, Royal Navy and other Armed Forces personnel ending at City Square. Veterans' badges and Campaign medals will be presented. A “drum head” service will end the event	Saturday 27 June @ 11.00am	Dundee
Various small scale events between 8^th and 12 June to raise awarness. Parade through Kirkwall with Pipes, serving and ex-service personnel and cadets ending outside the Cathedral. Stalls, Military vehicles etc	Saturday 13 June 12.00pm	Kirkwall
Evening cocktail party for dignitaries in TA hall including Pipes and drums.	Saturday 13 June 19.00	TA centre Kirkwall
Parade and event	Saturday 27 June	Inverness

Particpation of Scottish Government Ministers for the promotion of Armed Forces Day 2009

Minister for Housing and Communities, Alex Neil MSP	Parade through Edinburgh and events in Princes Street Gardens	27 June, Edinburgh
Minister for Public Health Shona Robison MSP	`Beat the Retreat' Victoria Dock, Dundee	26 June, Dundee
Minister for Community Safety, Fergus Ewing MSP	Parade and Events	27 June, Inverness
Minister for Parliamentary Business, Bruce Crawford MSP	Parade and Military Show	20 June, Stirling
Minister for Schools and Skills, Keith Brown MSP	Parade and Military Show	20 June, Stirling
Minister for Schools and Skills, Keith Brown MSP	D-Day Dance	20 June, Stirling
Minister for Parliamentary Business, Bruce Crawford MSP	Thanksgiving Service, Church of the Holy Rood	21 June, Stirling

Any communication from the Ministry of Defence regarding Armed Forces Day

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Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ

www.scotland.gov.uk

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