- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Monday, 17 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 25 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33923 by Mrs Elish Angiolini on 10 March 2003, what the resources problems have been that have led to the increase in cases being marked "no proceedings" due to delay in the Strathclyde area.
Answer
This is a matter for Strathclyde Police. The force has emphasised that the various factors referred to in the earlier answer are inter-related, that the increase in detection rates is a further factor, and that a review is under way involving procurators fiscal with a view to reducing delays as far as possible. I understand that the reference to resources relates mainly to the way in which case checking currently takes place and whether, by adopting different arrangements within the force, the current procedures can be improved.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 24 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it makes to secure employment for persons leaving HM Prison Polmont.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Depending on sentence length and assessed needs, young adults are offered a range of employment supports including job interviews, CV preparation, literacies assistance, and building self-esteem. Links are also made with Apex Scotland, Job Centre Plus and individual employers to maximise chances of securing and retaining full, part-time and voluntary employment.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 24 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what training in preparation for freedom is available for inmates at HM Prison Polmont.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Long-term young adults receive training in preparation for freedom through the Beechwood Unit (Open Facility within Polmont YOI). The training includes preparation for work through community-based placements and throughcare supports such as budgeting for their own food and belongings, assistance with job applications, and cooking their own meals in advance of independent living.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Thursday, 30 January 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 24 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-25950 by Mr Jim Wallace on 17 May 2002, why it discontinued its key ministerial target for the Scottish Prison Service relating to the number of injuries reportable to the Health and Safety Executive.
Answer
The action was taken because it was becoming apparent that the target introduced in 2000-01 was no longer a reliable indicator of performance. Moreover, targets had been introduced by the Health and Safety Commission in their publication Revitalising Health and Safety launched by the Deputy Prime Minister in June 2000, and it was decided to align the SPS's method of accident reporting in future years against these targets.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 17 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive what uses it is considering for the site of the young offenders facility at HM Prison Glenochil once the facility has closed.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:It is intended to develop the site in accordance with the HM Prison Glenochil Development Plan, which includes construction of replacement prisoner accommodation.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Elish Angiolini on 17 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) reports have been made to and (b) proceedings have been taken by procurators fiscal for offences under section 27(1) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and how many convictions were obtained in each year since 1997.
Answer
This information is not held centrally at present, but action is currently being taking to improve how this type of information is recorded. It is hoped that it should be possible to complete the improvements to our record keeping systems in the coming months.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Elish Angiolini on 17 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) reports have been made to and (b) proceedings have been taken by procurators fiscal for alleged breach of bail conditions by committing a further offence under section 27(3) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and how many convictions were obtained that took account of such further offences in each year since 1997.
Answer
This information is not held centrally at present, but action is currently being taking to improve how this type of information is recorded. It is hoped that it should be possible to complete the improvements to our record keeping systems in the coming months.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 11 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 17 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how many formal requests for information were made in 2002 under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information and how many such requests were rejected and for what reasons.
Answer
Details of formal requests for information received under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information in 2002 are currently being collated and will be published in the normal way as soon as practicable.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 17 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is contractually obliged to hand over land currently occupied by the young offenders facility at HM Prison Glenochil to any contractor once the facility has closed and, if so, to whom.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:No.
- Asked by: Michael Matheson, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
-
Date lodged: Wednesday, 05 March 2003
-
Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 14 March 2003
To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions there have been under the firearms legislation in (a) 1997-98, (b) 1998-99, (c) 1999-2000, (d) 2000-01 and (e) 2001-02.
Answer
The available information is given in the table.Persons With a Charge Proved Under Firearms Legislation
1 in Scottish Courts, 1997-2001
| Year | Persons With a Charge Proved |
| 1997 | 310 |
| 1998 | 223 |
| 1999 | 180 |
| 2000 | 152 |
| 2001 | 153 |
Note:1. Where the main offence was an offence under the Firearms Act 1968 or the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988.
