To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-22268 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 7 February 2002, whether it has undertaken any assessment of the potential for it to be held legally or financially liable for any malpractice resulting from grievance and appeal procedures at further and higher education establishments, detailing the reasons behind its position on this matter.

The Scottish Executive has considered the matter and is of the view that, given the terms of the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992, liability for any malpractice resulting from grievance and appeal procedures would lie with the establishment in question.