Chamber and committees

Average speed cameras have already proven effective in reducing excess speed whilst having a limited impact on overall journey times. The Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) speed limit pilot, which raises the limit from 40 mph to 50 mph on the single carriageways between Perth and Inverness, is expected to save 150,000 vehicle hours per year for HGVs alone. A robust monitoring programme to assess the before and after impact of the cameras is also in place covering a number of key indicators incorporating casualties, speed and journey time. The A9 Safety Group is committed to reporting quarterly on these key indicators.

Through the £1.8 billion Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme the government is fully committed to tackling poor condition schools across the country in partnership with local authorities.

The recently announced fourth phase of the programme will specifically target replacing those schools which are in the poorest condition and schools projects to be supported through this additional investment will be announced by end November 2014.

Registers of Scotland spent £5.5 million on IT between 1 April 2014 and 30 September 2014. £4.9 million of this was operational expenditure and £600,000 was capital expenditure. Last month, Registers of Scotland successfully launched new digital products through an enhanced e-services portal. These will support the implementation of the Land Registration etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 on 8 December 2014.

As I stated in my previous reply to your question I meet regularly with Police Scotland to discuss a range of issues, including local policing.

I understand that Police Scotland regularly reviews and checks whether its approaches and structures provide the most efficient and effective mechanisms to ensure that the high quality delivery of policing in Scotland is maintained and enhanced. Any future changes to local policing structures will, of course, be progressed through engagement and discussion with the Scottish Government and relevant stakeholders.

This is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The information requested is not held centrally. However, response time information by Service Delivery Area can be found on the draft Quarterly Performance Report published by SFRS among the papers for the September board meeting at this link:

http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/media/669939/140925_item_8.4b_quarter1_performance_report_draft_new_format_appendix_1.pdf

This is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The information requested is not held centrally.

The Scottish Government has identified three benefits to fire reform. First, to safeguard and improve local services while reducing costs, second, to create more equal access to specialist fire and rescue services across the country, and third, to strengthen the connection between the fire and rescue service and local communities.

In its Strategic Plan 2013-16, published in October 2013, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service identified the four strategic aims for the single service as improved safety for communities and staff, more equitable access to fire and rescue services, improved outcomes through partnership and a culture of continuous development.

As outlined in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Governance and Accountability Framework, the Scottish Government assesses the performance of the SFRS on a continuous basis and undertakes a formal review at least twice a year.

The criteria for appraisal of the SFRS is laid out in the letter to the Chair of the SFRS, Pat Watters, which has been published on the Scottish Government website at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0046/00460007.pdf

In addition, Her Majesty’s Fire Inspectorate Service exists to provide independent, risk based and proportionate professional inspection of the SFRS. Since the establishment of the SFRS it has published two relevant reports, An Overview of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Equal Access to National Capacity. Reports are available at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0043/00437774.pdf

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/0045/00451034.pdf

Statistics on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service workforce can be found at:

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/Browse/Crime-Justice/PubFireRescue. Data for 2013-14 will be published in due course.

This is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), however information on the availability of Retained Duty System crews can be found on the draft Quarterly Performance Report published by SFRS among the papers for the September board meeting at this link:

http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/media/669939/140925_item_8.4b_quarter1_performance_report_draft_new_format_appendix_1.pdf