Chamber and committees

I have asked the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland and she advises that the amounts spent on IT systems in Registers of Scotland in each month for the last two financial years are as shown in the following table:

In addition a compensation payment of £1.2 million was made to a third party supplier in 2012-13. See our annual accounts for that year for further detail.

The total spent on IT systems during financial year 2013-14 differs from the £5.8 million reported in a previous written answer as adjustments have been made during finalising of the annual accounts for 2013-14.

One of the key aims of Police reform was to protect local services in the face of Westminster cuts. When Police Scotland was created, it was decided that a 14 Division structure would be the most effective way to deliver an excellent local policing service across Scotland. Like all large organisations, Police Scotland will regularly review and check 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 relevant stakeholders. 

I meet regularly with Police Scotland to discuss a range of issues, including local policing.

One of the key aims of Police reform was to protect local services in the face of Westminster cuts. When Police Scotland was created, it was decided that a 14 division structure would be the most effective way to deliver an excellent local policing service across Scotland. Like all large organisations, Police Scotland will regularly review and check 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 relevant stakeholders.

The following tables provide the information requested. The categories are as defined by Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) who collect the data. Both disinfectants and antimicrobials can contain fungicides and antibacterials.

Information regarding chemical usage on salmon farms is publically available on the Scotland’s Aquaculture website http://aquaculture.scotland.gov.uk/default.aspx and also on the Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory (SPRI) website:

http://apps.sepa.org.uk/spripa/Search/Options.aspx

This information is publically available on the NHS Highland website within the board papers for the meeting on 12 August 2014. The specific paper is entitled 5.7 NHS Highland Financial Position as at 30 June 2014. This paper can be accessed via the following link:

http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Meetings/BoardsMeetings/Documents/Board%20Meeting%2012%20August%202014/5.7%20Area%20Finance%20Report%20to%2030%2006%2014.pdf

NHS Highland is forecasting financial breakeven for 2014-15.

Section 4.1.4 provides specific information relating to Raigmore Hospital. Section 5 of the paper discusses the overall savings target, with Table 5 outlining additional detail of the board’s plans to deliver these savings.

This information is publically available on the NHS Highland website within the board papers for the meeting on 12 August 2014. The specific paper is entitled 5.7 NHS Highland Financial Position as at 30 June 2014. This paper can be accessed via the following link:

http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Meetings/BoardsMeetings/Documents/Board%20Meeting%2012%20August%202014/5.7%20Area%20Finance%20Report%20to%2030%2006%2014.pdf

Section 5 of the paper discusses the overall savings target, with Table 5 outlining additional detail of the board’s plans to deliver these savings.

Efficiency savings do not reduce the overall budget of NHS boards and are necessary to continuously improve NHS services. All savings are retained locally by territorial boards to allow them to reinvest in front-line services which directly benefit patients.

Vacancy information for all medical psychiatric grades is not held centrally. The information requested is collected for consultants only.

Published information on the number of consultant vacancies can be found on the workforce statistics website at:

http://www.isdscotland.org/Health-Topics/Workforce/Publications/2014-05-27/Consultant_Vacancies_M2014.xls.

This is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Scottish Ministers have set out the strategic direction for fire and rescue in the Fire and Rescue Framework for Scotland 2013. Its priorities include requirements for planning operational response in a way which reflects national and local risk across Scotland.

In response to the Fire and Rescue Framework, The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has published strategies on response and resilience, as well as Local Plans, which detail its approach to incident prevention and response on a local basis. These documents are available to the public and can be found at the following link: http://www.firescotland.gov.uk/about-us/document-library.aspx

This is a matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.