Parliamentary questions
Alex Neil
3,059 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many fatalities there were of prisoners under escort between (a) 1 April 1999 and 31 March 2003, (b) 1 April 2003 and 31 March 2004 and (c) 1 April 2004 and 31 March 2005; how many of these were the subject of a fatal accident inquiry (FAI); when the FAI reports were published, and wh…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The information requested is not available prior to April 2004. So far, as the period since then is concerned, the information in relation…
21 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any agreement exists, or has existed, between HM Chief Inspector of Prisons and Premier Custodial Group Ltd that staffing details at HM Prison Kilmarnock are not to be published in any inspection report into that prison and, if such an agreement does exist, or has existed, whether…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Executive is not aware of any such agreements but such information,which may be made available for the purposes of inspection, is one of the confidentialmatters in the contract between the Scottish Prison Service and Kilmarnock Prison Services Lt…
21 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether any restrictions are placed on HM Chief Inspector of Prisons in respect of the public release of any data that he holds on HM Prison Kilmarnock and, if so, how these restrictions are applied.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: HM Chief Inspector of Prisons is subject to the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and any disclosure of information held by the Inspectorate is considered under the terms of that legislation.</p>
21 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-17210 by Mr Tom McCabe on 20 June 2005, whether it will list all bodies which (a) currently fall within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland and (b) it intends will fall within her remit following the coming into force of…
Answer · Tom McCabe: The bodies that currently fallwithin the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland (CPAS)are specified in schedule 2 to the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland)Act 2003 <ahref="http://www.opsi.gov.uk/legislation/scotland/a…
17 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15194 by Cathy Jamieson on 14 April 2005, whether the Scottish Prison Service gave directions to Premier Prison Services Ltd to have the investigation into the allegations made in the BBC documentary in respect of HM Prison Kilmarnock completed by a…
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>As I stated in my previous answer I have discussed the issues raised by the BBC broadcast with the Chief Executive of Premier Custod…
17 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-17043 by Cathy Jamieson on 14 June 2005, whether Premier Prison Services Ltd has given any indication when it will complete the investigation into the allegations made in the BBC documentary in respect of HM Prison Kilmarnock.
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 S2W-17406, answered on 30 June 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on t…
17 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-17045 and S2W-17046 by Cathy Jamieson on 14 June 2005, whether the answers indicate that there has been no communication between either Premier Prison Services Ltd and itself or the Scottish Prison Service and itself in relation to the dismissal of…
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>There is on-going discussion with Premier Prison Services on a wide range of issues. As stated in the answer to S2W-17045, answered …
17 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S2W-17045 and S2W-17046 by Cathy Jamieson on 14 June 2005, whether it considers that the dismissal of Premier prison officers employed to carry out the functions of the contract between the Scottish Prison Service and Premier Prison Services Ltd for th…
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>The dismissal of Prisoner Custody Officers is a matter for the company. The SPS has no involvement. I refer the member to the answer…
17 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the level of service in prisons is affected by staff turnover and, if so, in what way and whether the provision of information on this issue is in the public interest.
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>We do not consider that the level of staff turnover in SPS affects adversely the performance of our service.</p>
16 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-17037 by Cathy Jamieson on 13 June 2005, which part of the contract between the Scottish Ministers and Reliance Secure Task Management Ltd addresses payments made to Kilmarnock Prison Services Limited, Premier Prison Services Ltd or Premier Custodial…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The answer to S2W-17037 incorrectly gave the link to the Reliance contract. The correct link to the Kilmarnock Contract is:</p><p><a href=…
15 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2O-7034 by Allan Wilson on 9 June 2005, whether it will provide a breakdown of the status of the 35,000 16 to 19-year-olds not in education, training or employment by (a) local enterprise company area and (b) local authority area.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Further to the answer to question S2O-7034 on 9 June 2005 Table 1 gives the number of 16 to 19-year-olds not in education, training or employment by economic status for each Local Enterprise Company area. Table 2 gives the number of 16 to 19-year-olds not in …
15 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16219 by Cathy Jamieson on 5 May 2005, if data on mandatory drug test refusals was not collected prior to 2003-04, why it was available in annex 15 to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons follow up inspection report of HM Prison Kilmarnock in March 2002.
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>This data was collated by the Chief Inspector of Prisons for his reports and could not be verified. The data was never collated by t…
10 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the actual relative cost savings per prisoner have been for privately operated prisons in comparison with publicly operated prisons in Scotland for each of the last five years and how these figures are calculated.
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>The information is not available. At the time that the contract was agreed for HM Prison Kilmarnock, the cost per prisoner place was…
10 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-16642 by Cathy Jamieson on 31 May 2005, which part of Schedule D of the contract with Premier Prison Services provides details that indicate whether it gave prior written approval of the training given by instructors to new employees shown in the BBC…
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>Schedule D provides details of the training validated by SPS prior to the contractual opening date. This information is available at…
10 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what costs it incurred in respect of legal representation at the fatal accident inquiry into the death of James Barclay in HM Prison Kilmarnock in January 2002.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The Scottish Prison Service did not incur costs directly. A member of the Office of the Solicitor to the Scottish Executive represented the interests of Scottish ministers.</p>
10 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15432 by Cathy Jamieson on 14 April 2005, whether the new prison at Low Moss will be provided and managed by the private sector under contract to the Scottish Prison Service.
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 question S2W-11262 answered on 28 October 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on …
10 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15432 by Cathy Jamieson on 14 April 2005, whether it will designate the operators of future privately managed prisons as public authorities under section 5 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
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 answergiven by Margaret Curran, Minister for Parliament to S2W-15778 on 13 May 2005. All answersto written parlia…
10 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-33583 and S2W-7812 by Mr Jim Wallace and Cathy Jamieson on 10 February 2003 and 19 May 2004, what the total delegated budget for each prison and young offenders institution has been in (a) 2003-04 and (b) 2004-05 to date and what the expenditure ou…
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-16929 on 8 June 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions areavailable on the P…
9 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15444 by Mr Tom McCabe on 13 April 2005, whether it will bring forward a statutory instrument to transfer any of the appointments for which it is responsible, but which fall outwith the remit of the Scottish Commissioner for Public Appointments, to w…
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Executive intends to lay two statutory instruments before the summer recess commences on 2 July. These instruments will update the list of bodies falling within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland.</p>
2 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what notifications it has given, pursuant to paragraph 29.2 of Minute of Agreement between the Secretary of State for Scotland and Kilmarnock Prison Services Limited for the Design, Construction, Management and Financing of a Prison at Kilmarnock, to allowany other person reasonable acces…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>None.</p>
1 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15431 by Cathy Jamieson on 14 April 2005, whether it will provide the (a) date, (b) cost and (c) specific reason for each visit made by the Minister for Justice to HM Prison Kilmarnock in the last six years.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The Minister for Justice visited HM Prison Kilmarnock on 15 December 2004 and 16 February 2005. Mr Jim Wallace in his role as Minister for…
1 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the turnover of staff employed at the health centre at HM Prison Kilmarnock has been in each of the last five years.
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 S1W-9042 on 24 August 2000. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parlia…
1 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received from Premier Prison Services Ltd in the last five years relating to the dismissal of Premier prison officers for disciplinary offences.
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 S2W-17045. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, t…
1 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15572 by Cathy Jamieson on 14 April 2005, how many officers of HM Prison Kilmarnock have been dismissed for disciplinary offences in each of the last five years.
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>The SPS does not hold such information, which is a matter for the company.</p>
1 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what access Scottish Prison Service controllers, based in HM Prison Kilmarnock, have to information relating to the operation of the prison.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>Matters concerning the Controller are in Clause 28, Part V of the contract which is published on the Scottish Prison Service website at <a…
1 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15194 by Cathy Jamieson on 14 April 2005, what conclusions have been reached by the investigation into the allegations regarding HM Prison Kilmarnock.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p>The company have not yet indicated to SPS that they have reached conclusions.</p>
1 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-15618 by Cathy Jamieson on 14 April 2005, how often the Scottish Prison Service checks to confirm that Premier Prison Services Ltd is meeting its contractual commitments to employ one or more registered mental health nurse.
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>The contract places the onus on the contractor, requiring them to inform SPS of any failures to meet contractual commitments.</p>
1 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners have not been examined by a registered mental health nurse since January 2002, broken down by prison.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>It is not possibleto separate the contribution of registered mental health nurses within the professionalnursing teams.</p><p>The statistic…
1 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the staff turnover figures for HM Prison Kilmarnock for each of the last six years.
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 S1W-9042 on 24 August 2000. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parlia…
1 Jun 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether staff turnover figures for HM Prison Kilmarnock are supplied to HM Chief Inspector of Prisons or to the Scottish Prison Service controllers based in HM Prison Kilmarnock.
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 S1W-9042 on 24 August 2000. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parlia…