Annabel Goldie

12 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many arrests have been made in each of the last five years, broken down by police force area.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The information requested is not available centrally.</p>

12 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people sat higher grade exams in (a) mathematics, (b) computing, (c) English and (d) business studies in each of the last five years.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The Information requested is as follows:</p> <p>Number of Entries for Selected National Qualifications Courses at Higher Grade in Scotland: 2001-05</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p>Level</p></td> <td> <p>C…

12 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many people sat standard grade examinations in (a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) biology, (d) mathematics, (e) computing, (f) English and (g) business studies in each of the last five years.

Answer · Peter Peacock: A table showing the number of entries for Standard Grade courses or equivalent in physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, computing, English and business studies from 2001–05 has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 38631).…

12 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many graduates from Scottish universities there were in (a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) biology, (d) mathematics, (e) computing, (f) English and (g) business studies, or related subjects, in each of the last five years.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The numbers of graduates from Scottish Higher Education Institutions in the seven specified subjects are shown in the following table.</p> <p>Graduates from Scottish Higher Education Institutions by specified subject 1999-2000 to 2003-04</p><table border=1 ce…

12 Jan 2006 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many teacher vacancies there were for (a) physics, (b) chemistry, (c) biology, (d) mathematics, (e) computing, (f) English and (g) business studies in secondary schools in each of the last five years.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The results of the annual teacher vacancies survey returned by local authorities can be accessed using the following hyperlink <a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00429">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/stats/bulletins/00429</a>.</p>

22 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is compulsory for buses carrying schoolchildren to display distinctive retro-reflective yellow signs fitted to the front and rear of the bus.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Yellow retro-reflective schoolbus signs are required to be fitted to the front and rear of buses which are beingused to transport children between home and school, with the exception of busescarrying children whilst operating a regular service to the general …

22 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action can be taken if seat belts are not fitted in a bus carrying schoolchildren.

Answer · Tavish Scott: I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-21986 on 25 January 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/w…

22 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is compulsory for buses carrying schoolchildren to be fitted with seat belts.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Legislation relating to the fittingof seat belts in vehicles is the responsibility of the UK Government.</p><p>All coachesand mini-buses carrying groups of children aged three to 15 years on organised trips(including dedicated home-to-school transport) are re…

22 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action can be taken if lap belts are not fitted in a bus transporting children to and from school.

Answer · Tavish Scott: All buses, whether used for schooltransport or general service, must meet certain regulatory requirements that setout the minimum standards that operators must comply with to ensure that their vehiclesare operated safely. This includes requirements with regar…

22 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is compulsory for buses transporting children to and from school to be fitted with lap belts.

Answer · Tavish Scott: Legislation relating to the fittingof seat belts in vehicles is the responsibility of the UK Government.</p><p>All coaches and mini-buses carryinggroups of children aged three to 15 years on organised trips (including dedicatedhome-to-school transport) are re…

22 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the regulations are in respect of the age and style of buses transporting children to and from school.

Answer · Tavish Scott: The age and style of buses usedfor school transport are not set down in regulation.</p>

5 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what sentencing guidance the Lord Advocate has issued to sheriffs and judges in the last year.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: Sentencing is a matter for the court and, subject to the powers of the particular court and any statutory limitations in respect of particular charges, it is solely within the discretion of the presiding judge. It is not a matter for the Lord Advocate, the he…

5 Dec 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Lord Advocate has issued sentencing guidance, similar to the draft guidelines in England and Wales, suggesting that juveniles who use minimal force to commit theft should not be imprisoned.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: Sentencing is a matter for the court and, subject to the powers of the particular court and any statutory limitations in respect of particular charges, is solely within the discretion of the presiding judge. It is not a matter for the Lord Advocate, the head …

27 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide a breakdown of the crimes and offences of which people on the sex offenders register have been convicted.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Information on sex offenders, including their criminal convictions, is held on the Scottish Criminal Record Office’s Criminal History System. Access to this information is restricted to law enforcement agencies.</p>

11 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what consultation process authorities must follow when planning to close a local authority nursery or nursery class within a primary school and what legislation governs this.

Answer · Peter Peacock: The consultation process which authorities must follow when proposing the closure of a school, including a nursery school or all the nursery classes within a school, is set out in the Education (Publication and Consultation Etc) (Scotland) Regulations 1981. T…

11 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is competent for a sheriff to electronically validate a search warrant application and, if not, whether there are any proposals to introduce such a system.

Answer · Colin Boyd: At present, it is not competent for a sheriff to authorise electronically a search warrant.</p> <p>Statutory provisions exist which enable the Scottish ministers, by Statutory Instrument, to modify the provisions of any statute or common law requirements for …

6 Oct 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many returns were received by the Common Services Agency in respect of the prescription of methadone in 2004-05.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Methadone hydrochloride can be used to treat cough in terminal disease, as an analgesic and as an adjunct in the treatment of opioid dependence.</p> <p>The following table shows the number of prescribed items and the gross ingredient cost for all methadone pr…

28 Sep 2005 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what facilities exist within mainstream education to support children suffering from dyspraxia.

Answer · Peter Peacock: Mostmainstream schools have a unit or base within the school which would contributeto the support of children who have additional support needs, including dyspraxia.</p>

23 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the achievement of its target of 40% of electricity generated in Scotland coming from renewable sources by 2020 will involve an increasing reliance on tidal and offshore sources and a decreasing reliance on land-based wind farms.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: We are committed to delivering our 40% renewables target from a wide range of renewable sources. While on-shore wind will play a significant role in progressing towards that target, we are working to ensure that other renewables technologies, including wave, …

23 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to make a decision regarding Greenock Wind Farm.

Answer · Allan Wilson: The findings and recommendations of the inquiry reporter were received on 8 September 2005 and are now being considered by the Executive.</p> <p>A determination on the application for consent will be announced and the report made public, once that process has…

21 Sep 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many special constables there are, broken down by police force division.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The latest information that we have on the number of Special Constables available for duty in each police force is shown in the following table. Information on the number of Special Constables in each division is not held centrally.</p> <table border=1 cells…

24 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to address the issue of cannabis usage in the vicinity of schools.

Answer · Peter Peacock: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-18683 on 20 September 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/web…

24 Aug 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidelines have been issued to schools in respect of dealing with cannabis usage in the vicinity of schools.

Answer · Peter Peacock: In schools, teachers are aware of the need to be alert to any possible drug misuse. The Guidelines for the Management of Incidents of Drug Misuse, issued in June 2000, provides head teachers and other school staff with guidance on responding to information, a…

19 Jul 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it determines the funding allocation to each local authority, NHS board area and drug action team for tackling drug misuse.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Funding for local authorities is now mainstreamed within the general allocation. Original allocations were determined by a range of factors influencing their spending needs, including the impact of depravation and sparsity.</p> <p>Between 2001-02 and 2003-04 …

19 Jul 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how it monitors the activity of drug action teams.

Answer · Hugh Henry: Drug action teams (DAT) are requiredto submit annual Corporate Action Plans to the Scottish Executive. These plans detailkey actions undertaken and planned for the year ahead in terms of identified nationalpriorities. Drugs specific spend for both the previou…

29 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals found guilty of a crime in Scottish courts were sent to prison in each year from 1950 to 1997.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The available information isgiven in the table.</p><p>Persons with a charge provedin Scottish courts given a custodial sentence⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾, 1950-1997</p><table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=129> <thead> <tr> <td> <p align=center>Year</…

29 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals were found guilty of a crime in Scottish courts in each year from 1950 to 1997.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The available information iscontained in the following table.</p><p>Persons¹ with aCharge Proved In Scottish Courts for Crimes and Offences, 1950-97</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <thead> <tr> <td> <p align=center>Year</p> …

29 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the prison population was in each year from 1950 to 1990.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish PrisonService to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>The available information isgiven in the following table:</p><p>Average daily prison population:</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpaddin…

29 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many crimes were recorded in each year from 1950 to 1990.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The information requested is given in the following table.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><p>Crimes and Offences¹ Recorded by the Police in Scotland, 1950 - 1990</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3 width=432> <thead> <tr> <td> <p align=cen…

17 Jun 2005 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many offenders in each of the last five years have failed to attend court while on bail and, of these, what percentage were apprehended within (a) one day, (b) one week, (c) one month and (d) three months.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The available information is given in the table. Information in respect of the time to apprehension is not contained within the statistics held centrally.</p> <p>Offences with a charge proved in Scottish court for failing to appear for trial having been given…