Parliamentary questions
Alex Neil
3,059 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21585 by Cathy Jamieson on 22 December 2005, whether it will now discuss the allegations made by Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, given the ongoing media reports that US agencies have used Scottish airports to refuel flights carrying ind…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: As we have made clear on numerousoccasions, torture is a crime under Scots law and anyone who claims to have informationto suggest that a crime has been committed in Scotland should take that informationto the police.</p>
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S2W-21582 by Cathy Jamieson on 22 December 2005, why there have been no discussions with representatives of the US Government, given that the allegations involved pertain to their agencies.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: No reliable and credible information has been provided to any Scottish law enforcement agency to support the allegations that US flights carrying alleged terrorist detainees overseas to be tortured have stopped to refuel at Scottish airports. In light of this…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-21579 and S2W-21580 by Cathy Jamieson on 22 December 2005, whether these indicate that the Executive’s position is that it would expect the police to take action in the circumstances referred to in the questions.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The investigation of crime isa matter for the police. The police will act if there is specific, credible informationto justify such action.</p>
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-21577 by Cathy Jamieson on 22 December 2005, whether it has given specific consideration to the opinions expressed by Lord Steyn.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The opinions expressed by LordSteyn have been noted.</p>
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many individuals’ fingerprint identifications and how many identifications at the scene of the Marion Ross murder case provided by the Scottish Criminal Record Office have been the subject of dispute to date.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Fingerprint identifications were made in respect of three individuals at the scene of the Marion Ross murder case. Two of these were relied on in evidence at subsequent criminal trials and have been subject to dispute.</p>
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many current or former employees of the Scottish Criminal Record Office have complained about the internal workings of the office since January 2000; what the nature of such complaints was; what follow-up action was taken to deal with them; who took this action, and what progress has …
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: We are not aware of any recorded incidents of current or former employees of the Scottish Criminal Record Office (SCRO) raising formal complaints under the grievance procedures to senior managers in SCRO about the internal workings of the office.</p>
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20694 by Cathy Jamieson on 28 November 2005, whether the Assess, Compare, Evaluation and Verify (ACE-V) process is fallible and what evidence it has to justify its reply.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The process of Assess, Compare,Evaluation and Verify (ACE-V) is the description of the scientific approach to fingerprintanalysis adopted by fingerprint professionals and criminal justice agencies world-wide.It is a qualitative approach rather than an arbitra…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20694 by Cathy Jamieson on 28 November 2005, how the Minister for Justice reconciles her reply that the Scottish Fingerprint Service has a “consistent approach to fingerprint identification which is followed by all fingerprint officers” with her repl…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The fact that there is a disagreementover a single specific historical fingerprint identification does not imply an inconsistentapproach to fingerprint identification. There is no disagreement in the ScottishFingerprint Service (SFS) about the basis of finger…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will identify and publish all the reports that it or the Lord Advocate have commissioned in the last 10 years in respect of the veracity or reliability of fingerprint identifications provided by the Scottish Criminal Record Office.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-23155 on 20 March 2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.…
16 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-20698 by Cathy Jamieson on 28 November 2005, whether all the senior managers from the Scottish Criminal Record Office (SCRO) are qualified fingerprint experts; how many are involved in providing advice to the Executive; what positions each official h…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The director, deputy director and business support manager provide advice to the Scottish Executive in respect of parliamentary questions about SCRO’s work. Where appropriate they first consult experts in the relevant business area, including fingerprints. No…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address the situation in HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont, identified by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 12.38 of his inspection report of March 2005, that accommodation used for educational programmes “is still insufficient”.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to comply with the recommendation of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 5.32 of his inspection report of May 2004 that HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont “needs to provide training for staff specific to the needs of working with their unique population” …
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why the reasons for not allowing individuals in Iona Hall at HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont have not been examined, as recommended by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 2.35 of his May 2004 inspection report but identified in paragraph 12.12 of his March 2005 report as “not …
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availa…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken to improve the situation identified by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 12.7 of his March 2005 inspection report into HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont where no alternative recreation is offered if a young adult refuses exercise when it is raining beca…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken to improve conditions in Argyll Hall at HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont, as recommended by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 2.5 of his inspection report of May 2004 but assessed as “not achieved” in his report of March 2005.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it has taken in respect of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons’ recommendation in paragraph 11.10 of his inspection report of March 2005 into HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont that “the system needs to be reviewed to ensure that young adults do attend” their health centre, dental…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will address the situation in HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont identified by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraphs 11.8 and 12.1 of his inspection report of March 2005 as having insufficient work places for the convicted population.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how far advanced plans are for the new reception in HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont, referred to by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 11.6 of his inspection report of March 2005.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will improve the reliability of the emergency cell intercom system in Iona Hall at HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont which was identified as being “problematic” by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 11.5 of his inspection report of March 2005.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will improve the situation in Dunedin Hall at HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont which was identified by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 11.4 of his inspection report of March 2005 as having seen “little improvement in what is a very limited regime”.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22279 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available o…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will improve conditions in Dunedin Hall at HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont which were described as “basic” by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 11.4 of his inspection report of March 2005.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will set out the procedures for infection control and monitoring in both Argyll and Spey Halls at HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont, referred to by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraphs 11.2 and 11.3 of his inspection report of March 2005.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22277 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will improve arrangements for access to sanitation and hygiene in Argyll Hall at HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont, given HM Chief Inspector of Prisons’ assessment in paragraph 11.2 of his inspection report of March 2005 that his earlier recommendation for improvement, detailed …
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-22272,on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availa…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will resolve the issue identified by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 11.1 of his inspection report of March 2005 on HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont that children under the age of 16 are being held in that institution “as a result of their being deemed by Secure Unit…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Executive’s policy is to avoid, wherever possible, holding young people under the age of 16 in prison. In the exceptional circumstances where it is deemed necessary, it must be for the shortest appropriate period of time.</p> <p>The normal expectation is …
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase the number of available secure unit places for children under the age of 16, given the statement by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 11.1 of his inspection report of March 2005 on HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont that seven such people were held…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: On 18<sup> </sup>September 2002 ministers announced specific plans to reconfigure the secure estate with the creation of an additional 29 extra secure places.</p> <p>Distribution of the additional 29 places announced on 24 March 2003. These will be able to of…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how it will ensure that children under the age of 16 are not held in prison, as recommended by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 8.45 of his inspection report of May 2004 on HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Executive’s policy is to avoid, wherever possible, holding young people under the age of 16 in prison. In the exceptional circumstances where it is deemed necessary, it must be for the shortest appropriate period of time.</p> <p>Very occasionally, and onl…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it can confirm that the initiative of increasing portions of food available at HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont was abandoned because it “caused such an increase in cost”, as stated by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in paragraph 2.4 of his inspection report of March 2005.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, 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 S2W-22272 on 1 February 2006. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to end the practice of slopping out for remand prisoners at HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont, given the view expressed by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in the preamble to his inspection report of March 2005, that “it is very upsetting that the only remand prisoners w…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>Polmont is currently undergoing a refurbishment costing over £90 million which is due to be completed around 2007-08. As part of thi…
13 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to my proposal that the enforcement of council tax liability should be suspended in very sheltered housing accommodation until a final decision is reached, in light of the undertaking by the Deputy Minister for Finance, Public Service Reform and Parliamenta…
Answer · George Lyon: We are currently considering the way forward and will make an announcement in due course. In the meantime, we are working with the Department for Work and Pensions and local authorities to ensure that individuals living in these homes are receiving the benefi…
11 Jan 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it will bring forward proposals to amend the law to allow the appointment of councillors to the Chair of college boards.
Answer · Nicol Stephen: The position is currentlyunder review, and an announcement on this and other measures relating to theconstitution of college boards of management is due by the spring.</p>