Anti-war demo disrupts Questions

First minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament has been interrupted three times by anti-war protesters.

The demonstrators were led out of the chamber as Scottish National Party leader John Swinney and the Conservative leader David McLetchie quizzed First Minister Jack McConnell about opposition to a war in Iraq and the need to reassure the public about the terrorist threat.

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Holyrood lessons for Welsh assembly

The Welsh National Assembly could learn "a great deal" from the Scottish Parliament, a commissioner gathering evidence for the devolved government in Wales has said.

A committee examining the future direction of the Welsh Assembly came to Scotland to consider what lessons the body can learn from Holyrood.

The Richard Commission, chaired by former leader of the House of Lords Lord Richard of Ammanford QC, is in Edinburgh for two days and will hear evidence from politicians and academics.

Top of the agenda for the commission was to look at whether devolved government in Wales should be given the same law-making powers as Scotland has.

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Finnie in quarrying money pledge

Environment Minister Ross Finnie has promised funding for communities across Scotland which have been affected by quarrying.

Mr Finnie said the £920,000 would be used to create "a cleaner and safer environment for all".

He added: "We recognise the impact that quarrying has had and continues to have on communities throughout Scotland, and the funding that we are announcing will help to mitigate that impact in affected communities."

The 38 projects set to benefit include the Antonine Walkway Trust in Croy, Carnwath in Bloom, Central Scotland Forest Trust and the Edinburgh Green Belt Trust.

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Minister's family friendly plea

Scotland Office Minister Anne McGuire has urged bosses to ensure a family friendly environment for employees.

The minister has launched a "Take the Time" publication which encourages employers to strike a "work-life" balance.

She said "Work-life balance has at its core the government's aim of working in partnership with business to adopt practical, yet imaginative approaches to everyday working practices which will benefit both employer and employee.

" It is important to all of us, from the employee on the shop floor to the managing director, from the smallest enterprise to the multinationals."