Chamber and committees

There are a number of mechanisms available to individuals experiencing financial difficulties which, subject to sheriff approval, allow the repayment of debt without the threat of further legal action.

The sheriff may grant a time to pay direction or order under the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987, for a period that the sheriff considers reasonable, based on the individual''s circumstances. These times to pay directions or orders may last for more than 12 months, however, this period is subject to the sheriff''s discretion.

The sheriff may grant a time order for consumer contract debts, under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Time orders have slightly different criteria for sheriffs to consider before granting but otherwise are similar to time to pay directions and orders. Time orders may also last for more than 12 months at the sheriff''s discretion.

Where a creditor has petitioned for an individual''s bankruptcy, a sheriff may continue the petition for such period as he sees fit, if that individual has applied for a debt payment programme under the Debt Arrangement Scheme.

It is not currently our intention to introduce provisions similar to those proposed in the Tribunal, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.

Scottish debtors have had access to provisions which offer them protection against enforcement of debt by their creditors, since the introduction of the Debt Arrangement Scheme in November 2004. While a debt is being paid under the Debt Arrangement Scheme creditors cannot petition for the debtor''s bankruptcy and cannot enforce diligence. The Debt Arrangement Scheme also provides a moratorium against diligence for up to six weeks if a debtor registers their intention to pay their debts under Debt Arrangement Scheme.

I intend to introduce regulations to improve access to the Debt Arrangement Scheme during this Parliament.

Creditors who wish to use legal means to pursue debt must do so by using a prescribed process. For example, a debtor must be served with a Debt Advice and Information Package prior to the instigation of legal action to recover debt. The debt must be constituted in court before diligence can be pursued. As creditors must follow this prescribed process, there is no opportunity available to them to instigate legal action earlier to recover debts owed than they have previously been able to.

The decision on how long a creditor will allow a debtor to default on payment before taking legal action, is a commercial one. It is possible that creditors, in the current economic climate, are making business decisions to commence the process of recovery sooner than they may have previously.

However, there is no evidence or mechanism to measure this.

Under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, planning for post-school transitions must begin at least one year prior to a child or young person leaving school.

If the parent of a child with additional support needs, or a young person with additional support needs, felt that transitional arrangements were necessary and the authority disagreed with this, the parent or young person could refer the case to dispute resolution. If the child or young person has a co-ordinated support plan, a case can be referred to the additional support needs tribunals for Scotland, regarding the level of provision being delivered during the child''s or young person''s last year at school.

The number of deaths in police custody since 1999 are as follows:

Year	Number of Deaths
1999	7
2000	5
2001	6
2002	8
2003	5
2004	6
2005	9
2006	9
2007	4
2008	9
2009	1 (as at 1 May 2009)
Total	69

 

Information on how many of these deaths were as a consequence of drug-taking is not held centrally.

The provision of medical care in police custody is determined at a local level, and each police force in Scotland has arrangements in place for the health care of those in their custody.

The Scottish Enterprise strategy for the aerospace, defence and marine industry is in the process of being developed in consultation with the Industry Advisory Group. A publication date has not been set yet, as this will be dependent on progress in the development work and the considerations of the Industry Advisory Group.

The current members of the Scottish Enterprise aerospace, defence and marine Industry Advisory Group are:

Name	Title and Organisation
Tom O''Neill (Chair)	independent
Norman Bone	Senior Vice President, Radar and Advanced Targeting, SELEX Galileo
Angus Holt	Type 45 Programme Director, BVT Surface Fleet
Neil McManus	Managing Director, Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Ltd
Fred Gorrie	Managing Director, Inter-Tec Services
Alan Fraser	Managing Director, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft
David Lockwood	Managing Director, Thales Optronics
George Adams	Operations Executive, Rolls-Royce
Jim Trail	Chief Operating Officer, Raytheon Systems Ltd
Bob Bishop	Chief Executive Officer, V.Ships Shipmanagement
Craig Lockhart	Managing Director (Clyde), Babcock Marine
Professor Jim McDonald	Principal, University of Strathclyde
Steve Callan	Managing Director Europe, Goodrich
Stephen Boyd	Assistant Secretary, STUC
Katie Hutton	Head of Operations, Skills Development Scotland
Ian Watson	Chief Executive, SBAC Scotland
Ian McMahon	Head of Aerospace, Defence & Marine, Scottish Enterprise
Elisabeth Stark (Observer)	Head of Manufacturing Policy, Scottish Government

 

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-23498 on 14 May 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Since 2000 Scottish Enterprise has supported the golf tourism sector through support for industry leadership, research collation and dissemination and collaboration and product development. SE also contributes to the Framework for Scottish Golf - Tourism Group. This work, described as One Plan for Golf, aims to align the objectives and strategies of all organisations involved in developing the sport of golf. Financial support includes:

In 2008-09 The National Golf Tourism Monitor was introduced in order to assist partner agencies (VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise), as well as wider industry stakeholders, to capture information about trends of visiting golfer rounds played on golf courses in Scotland. £9,000

Golf Tourism Business Insight seminar- The event provided businesses involved in the golf market, both as operators and in the wider tourism community, with an opportunity to hear from and meet Bob Morris of Billy Casper Golf, USA. Bob provided a commentary on the opportunity Scotland has to attract the ˜next generation'' golfer and increase its share of the US market in particular. £6,000

The St Andrews Golf Development Group has been assisted with business development activities (web and database development) and development of an International Marketing Strategy. £12,000

First In Fife Golf Group - SE have been working with this collaboration of 12 golf courses and 15 accommodation providers in the West of Fife, who are targeting their golf pass at the UK, Ireland and European golfer looking for great golf at good value prices. The group have upgraded their website, collecting much improved customer data, and have recruited new businesses into the fold. £15,000

Golf Tourism Ayrshire was provided with support for a new destination marketing campaign, which includes a new industry body called Scotland''s West Coast Golf Links. This was formally constituted in February, and launched officially by Jim Mather on 22 April. £12,000.

Support for the British Senior''s Open - at Royal Troon and evaluation report as to the economic impact of the event. £29,000

Support for the British Open - at Royal Birkdale. £30,000.

VisitScotland spends £1 million annually on the promotion of golf tourism. Marketing activity includes publications, direct mailings, sponsorship of major tournaments, golf website, and attending the International Golf travel market. Golf is marketed to specialist golf groups as well as more widely across those consumer segments where golf may be an element of the visitor''s trip.