To ask the Scottish Executive what costs were involved in advertising the post of chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust, including payment to MacDonald Kinnaird recruitment consultancy.

The total cost of advertising the post of Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust was £13,040.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive where the position of chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust was advertised.

This is a matter for the Scottish Futures Trust. I understand that the position was advertised on 9 and 16 November in the Sunday Times , on 12 and 13 November in the Daily Telegraph and on 16 November in the Sunday Telegraph .

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Futures Trust is a private limited company.

The Scottish Futures Trust is a private company limited by shares under the Companies Acts. HM Treasury guidance indicates that it will be classified to the public sector in the Whole of Government Accounts.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Futures Trust is wholly owned by ministers.

Yes. All of the shares in the company are owned by the Scottish ministers.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what opportunity the Parliament will have to scrutinise the operation of the Scottish Futures Trust, as it is entitled to do with other government departments and agencies.

To ask the Scottish Executive what information on the operation of the Scottish Futures Trust will be publicly available.

Scottish ministers are ultimately accountable to the Parliament for the activities of Scottish Futures Trust and will keep Parliament informed about its performance.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive where a full job description and salary details are available for the post of the chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust.

Information about the post of Chief Executive to the Scottish Futures Trust is available from Douglas Kinnaird at Macdonald Kinnaird recruitment (dk@macdonaldkinnaird.com). Remuneration will reflect the responsibilities and experience of the successful candidate and their previous employment.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive who will interview applicants for the post of chief executive of the Scottish Futures Trust.

The interview panel will consist of the Chair of the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), one of the non-Executive Directors of SFT, and a senior official from the Scottish Government.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive to whom the Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust will report.

The Chief Executive will report to the board of the Scottish Futures Trust.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the leadership structure of the Scottish Futures Trust will be.

This will be for the board of the Scottish Futures Trust to determine.