Questions · Pauline McNeill

14 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8959 by Kenny MacAskill on 4 February 2008, whether the Scottish Court Service monitors cases to establish whether the custody time limit has been exceeded.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-12936 on 21 May 2008. 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/webapp/w…

14 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8959 by Kenny MacAskill on 4 February 2008, whether statistics on custody time limits are held by any other government department and, if so, by whom.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-13115 on 29 May 2008. 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/webapp/w…

14 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8959 by Kenny MacAskill on 4 February 2008, how the Scottish courts are able to establish whether custody limits are exceeded if this information is not held.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Question S3W-8959 related to the 140 day custody limit which operates in High Court cases. The Scottish courts are able to establish whether custody limits are exceeded in cases where an application is submitted by the Crown to extend that time limit…

14 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8959 by Kenny MacAskill on 4 February 2008, why information on custody limits is not deemed relevant information for the Scottish Government.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-13115 on 29 May 2008. 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/webapp/w…

8 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what ministerial involvement there has been since May 2007 in the discussions and decisions taken on the future of the Crichton Campus in Dumfries.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Since May 2007, I have had meetings to discuss the future of the Crichton Campus with the Principal of the University of Glasgow, the Principal of the University of the West of Scotland, representatives of the University and College Union and the Chair and th…

8 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of teaching staff in higher education are employed on term-time only contracts.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: This information is not held centrally. However, data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that, for academic year 2005-06, 20% of teaching staff at Scottish higher education institutions were employed on a fixed-term basis.

8 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many public sector restructuring schemes have led to employees being made compulsorily redundant in each year since 1999, broken down by sector, organisation and number of employees affected.

Answer · John Swinney: Since May 2007, the Scottish Government has given a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies as a result of any changes it progresses. Prior to this date the details requested should be obtained directly from individual organisations, as they relate t…

8 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what communications or discussions have taken place since May 2007 between it and the Scottish Funding Council on the funding of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: Since May 2007, there has been regular discussion and communication between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council on a range of issues, including the funding of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

8 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether external consultants have been appointed to examine drama funding at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and, if so, when the appointment was made and what remit the consultants have been given.

Answer · Fiona Hyslop: The appointment of any external consultants to examine drama funding at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama would be an operational matter for the Scottish Funding Council. While the council is considering a review of drama provision, it has informe…

16 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what categories of offenders can be subject to structured deferred sentences.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Structured Deferred Sentences are primarily aimed at offenders with underlying problems such as drug or alcohol dependency, mental health or learning difficulties or who are unemployed.

16 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether offenders subject to structured deferred sentences who fail to keep appointments or to follow any direction within the sentencing scheme will be referred back to court.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: When imposing a structured deferred sentence the court has the option of imposing a condition that if the offender fails to comply they are to be returned to court. Where such a condition has not been imposed and the offender fails to comply with the requirem…

16 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any guidance it provides on the use of structured deferred sentences is available to MSPs.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government has not provided guidance on the use of structured deferred sentences. Courts are responsible for deciding on the most appropriate sentence in the light of the information provided in the Social Enquiry Report and having regard to the …

16 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it is issuing to the courts on the use of structured deferred sentences.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: No specific guidance is being issued. However, the court must obtain a Social Enquiry Report before considering use of structured deferred sentences as a sentencing option.

16 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S3W-9698 which received a holding answer on 7 March 2008.

Answer · John Swinney: S3W-9698 was answered on 24 April 2008. 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/webapp/wa.search">http://www.scottish.…

28 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support progammes, such as the Wellbeing initiative in Glasgow, whose funding may suffer as a result of any reductions in European Social Fund Priority 1 money available to Scotland.

Answer · John Swinney: Scottish Government will be making funding available for third sector organisations through the £30 million Scottish Investment Fund and the related third sector development programme. Details of the criteria and process for organisations to access funding ar…

28 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many projects and progammes may be at risk as a result of any reductions in European Social Fund Priority 1 money available to Scotland.

Answer · Jim Mather: The reduction in European Social Fund money available to Scotland under the 2007 to 2013 Highland and Islands, and Lowlands and Uplands Scotland programmes was agreed prior to the election of the current Scottish Government. Mindful of this overall r…

28 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made and what discussions have taken place in respect of any reductions in the European Social Fund Priority 1 money available to Scotland.

Answer · Jim Mather: The decisions on both the share of European Structural Funds to come to Scotland from the European Regional Aid budget, and the allocation between Priorities within each Scottish 2007 to 2013 programme were taken before the election of the current Scottish Go…