(200)  Bòrd Gàidhlig na h-Alba

Duncan Ferguson, Rector of Plockton High School, has been appointed the first Chair of – the new Gaelic Development Agency – it was announced by the Scottish Executive on 11 October 2002.  The establishment of Bord na Gaidhlig, which was announced in June 2002, was an initial response to the recently published report from the Ministerial Advisory Group on Gaelic.  The report A Fresh Start for Gaelic argued that a board was necessary for the future of the language.  (See No 174.)  will be a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) and the Board is appointed by, and accountable to Scottish Ministers. The Chair and Members of will have a duty to promote the Gaelic language, to draw up plans for Gaelic and to co-ordinate activities in support of Gaelic. will receive annual funding of some £2 million from the Scottish Executive.  It is expected to meet for the first time in January 2003.