Parliamentary questions
Cathie Craigie
239 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8991 by Kenny MacAskill on 5 February 2008, what the exact dates and times of notifications were to other police forces.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >The information is not centrally available as it is an operational matter for the chief constable.</p>
21 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8990 by Kenny MacAskill on 5 February 2008, when he was informed that Robert Foye had absconded.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond.</p> <p >His response is as follows:</p> <p >The Cabinet Secretary for Justice was informed of the abscond when Robert Foye was arrested by Police and charged.</p>
21 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8987 by Kenny MacAskill on 4 February 2008, whether there are any circumstances in which prisoners in the open estate would be escorted to events outside prison.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >A prisoner would be escorted if there was a need for emergency treatment at a hospital and this was required prior to an assessment for su…
21 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8986 by Kenny MacAskill on 12 February 2008, whether the victim notification scheme will be altered in light of the Robert Foye case.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill : There are no plans at present to alter the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS) in light of the review of the Robert Foye case. The Scottish Government is committed to extend the scope of the VNS from 15 May 2008 to cover offenders sentenced to 18 or more months …
21 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8986 by Kenny MacAskill on 12 February 2008, how the interests of the victims will be considered during the review into HM Prison Castle Huntly.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >The review will consider the circumstances of the decision to transfer Robert Foye to the SPS Open Estate. Issues for victims includ…
21 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8986 by Kenny MacAskill on 12 February 2008, what the timescale is for the review into HM Prison Castle Huntly.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >The SPS review of the Open Estate will be published in due course.</p>
21 Feb 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8986 by Kenny MacAskill on 12 February 2008, whether all information will be put into the public domain when the review into HM Prison Castle Huntly reports.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond.</p> <p >His response is as follows:</p> <p >The SPS will publish the review into the case of Robert Foye. All legally permissible information will be put into the publ…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether victims of crime and their families are notified when the prisoner who perpetrated the crime is moved to an open prison.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked MikeEwart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond.</p><p>His response is asfollows:</p><p>Section 16 and 17of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 entitles victims who have opted intothe Victim Notification Scheme to be tol…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether victims of crime and their families are notified when the prisoner who perpetrated the crime absconds.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked MikeEwart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond.</p><p>His response is asfollows:</p><p>Sections 16 and 17of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 give eligible victims of crimes(or in certain circumstances the relatives o…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action was taken by the police in attempting to apprehend Robert Foye and take him back into custody.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Tayside Police is notifiedby the Scottish Prison Service when a prisoner absconds.</p><p>When a prisoner doesabscond, Tayside Police will actively conduct enquiries in conjunction withother police forces until such time that the absconder has been traced andr…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action can be taken by the police in apprehending absconded prisoners.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Section 40 of the Prisons (Scotland)Act 1989 provides that a constable or prison officer may arrest without warrantany person who, having been sentenced to imprisonment, is unlawfully at largeand take him or her to the place where he or she is required by law…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which ministers were advised by the Scottish Prison Service of Robert Foye’s abscondment.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-8992 on 8 February 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Prison Service advised ministers that Robert Foye had absconded.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond.</p><p>His response is as follows:</p><p>Scottish ministers are not routinelyadvised of absconds.</p>
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which police forces were advised by the Scottish Prison Service of Robert Foye’s abscondment.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked MikeEwart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond.</p><p>His response is asfollows:</p><p>The report of anyabscond from or failure to return to the open estate is advised in the first instanceto Tayside Police. I understand the…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Scottish Prison Service advised police forces in Scotland that Robert Foye had absconded.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked MikeEwart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond.</p><p>His response is asfollows:</p><p>The Scottish PrisonService was advised at 17.15 on 18 August 2007 that MrFoye had absconded. Tayside Police were contacted at 17.35.</p>
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any extra security measures are in place at open prisons for prisoners who have previously absconded.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked MikeEwart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond.</p><p>His response is asfollows:</p><p>Those prisoners whoabscond from open prison and are readmitted to custody are automatically bannedfrom returning to such conditions…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will impose a moratorium on prisoners leaving HM Prison Castle Huntly without an escort while the review is undertaken.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked MikeEwart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond.</p><p>His response is asfollows:</p><p>No. Such a moratoriumwould completely negate the purpose of open prison.</p>
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what security arrangements are made for prisoners in open prisons to attend events outside prison.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked MikeEwart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond.</p><p>His response isas follows:</p><p>All prisoners whoare transferred to the open estate have their suitability for attending eventscarefully considered. If access is allowed…
25 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the remit is of the review of HM Prison Castle Huntly following the abscondment of Robert Foye announced on 24 January 2008.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>The review undertaken by the Scottish Prison Service will be in two parts. It will consider the individual circumstancesof the decision to tr…
10 Jan 2008 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to cancel community charge arrears.
Answer · John Swinney: The ScottishGovernment does not have any plans to change the current arrangements fordealing with community charge arrears.</p>
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider introducing a minimum qualification standard in British Sign Language proficiency for communication support workers supporting deaf children in schools.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The ScottishGovernment has no plans to introduce a minimum qualification standard inBritish Sign Language proficiency for communication support workers supportingdeaf children in schools.</p>
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will seek the advice of organisations representing the interests of deaf children, such as the National Deaf Children’s Society, when considering guidance to local education authorities on appropriate teaching practices for deaf pupils.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The ScottishGovernment works closely with such organisations and will continue to seektheir advice when considering guidance to local authorities on appropriateteaching practices for deaf pupils.</p>
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it issues to local education authorities on the best methods for supporting and teaching deaf children in the school environment.
Answer · Adam Ingram: In February, the Scottish Government issued guidance to all local authorities on Appropriate Qualifications for Teachers ofChildren and Young Persons who are Hearing Impaired, Visually Impaired, or bothHearing and Visually Impaired.The recently published Her …
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it will take to improve the attainment of deaf pupils.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The recentlypublished Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education report <i>Achieving Successfor Deaf Pupils</i> contains advice and recommendations which will improvepractice and help raise the attainment levels of deaf pupils.</p>
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that deaf children should achieve the same level of educational attainment as their hearing peers.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The ScottishGovernment believes that all children should reach their full potential. TheAdditional Support for Learning Act provides a framework for this, asauthorities have a duty to identify and meet the needs of all pupils withadditional support needs, inc…
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it collects information on the attainment of deaf pupils.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-7119 on 4 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it publishes information on the attainment of deaf pupils.
Answer · Adam Ingram: I refer themember to the answer to question S3W-7119 on 4 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can befound at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa…
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it records the attainment of deaf pupils.
Answer · Adam Ingram: The ScottishGovernment collects annual information on all pupils, including those withidentified additional support needs. Data from the pupil census and otherinformation from local authorities are matched with Scottish QualificationsAuthority data. Where the…
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaf children aged 18 or under have been recorded as living in Scotland in each year since 1999.
Answer · Shona Robison: The information requestedis not held centrally.</p><p>I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-7117 on 11 December 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found…
28 Nov 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many deaf children aged 18 or under there are in Scotland.
Answer · Shona Robison: The information requestedis not held centrally.</p><p>The National DeafChildren’s Society estimates that there are approximately 3,000 deaf children inScotland:</p><p><ahref="http://www.rnid.org.uk/information_resources/factsheets/deaf_awareness/factsheets_le…