Parliamentary questions
Alex Neil
3,059 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Enterprise or Highlands and Islands Enterprise has given any notice of a potential underspend in its budget allocation for the financial year 2004-05 and, if so, what the estimated underspend is.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Scottish Enterprise generated £17 million of additional income receipts above the estimate contained within the the Budget Backing Documents for 2004-05. These were primarily through asset sales, the proceeds of which they were allowed to retain. Consequently…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest estimate is of the number of 16 to 19-year-olds not in education, training or employment, broken down by area.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The most accurate measurement of those aged 16-19 not in education training or employment (NEET) is taken from the 2001 Census of population. Table 1 gives the number of NEET as measured by the 2001 Census.</p> <p>In November 2004 the Annual Scottish Labour F…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Justice has received my letter regarding the Scottish Prison Service's closure of the Longriggend Remand Centre and, if so, what action will be taken; what action will be taken to address issues relating to roads and lighting in Upperton Village, and what the reas…
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 it raised matters which are my responsibility under the published framework document governing the relationship between SPS and m…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its procedures are for assessing the Scottish Prison Service's (SPS) performance in respect of its monitoring and assessment of the performance of HM Prison Kilmarnock.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: All aspects of the SPSs performance are governed by the framework document which is published on the SPS website <ahref="http://www.sps.gov.uk/">www.sps.gov.uk</a>.</p>
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its arrangements are for assessing the performance of Premier Prison Services in respect of its contract with the Scottish Prison Service for running HM Prison Kilmarnock and whether it will place a copy of its own documentation on the contract in the Scottish Parliament Information …
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>An SPS Controller team is based at HM Prison Kilmarnock and is responsible for monitoring the performance of Premier Prison Services…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service has visited HM Prison Kilmarnock in each of the last six years; whether he reported his findings to the Minister for Justice; if so, what these findings were, and, if not, why he has not been instructed to do so.
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 visit prisons including HM Prison Kilmarnock periodically in conducting the business of SPS. I do not routinely report to the min…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to address the situation 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 question S2W-15194 on 14 April 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on t…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the current position is in respect of plans for the establishment of another privately-run prison; when it expects to issue a tender for this project; where the prison will be located; what criteria will be used in deciding to whom the contract for operating the prison will be alloca…
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 has obtained outline planning permission for a new prison at Addiewell, West Lothian. This prison will be provided and manage…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Minister for Justice and her predecessor have visited HM Prison Kilmarnock in the last six years; which sections they visited; how much notice was given of each visit; how long each visit lasted; which Premier Prison Services staff they met; which Scottish Prison Servic…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: My predecessor and I have visited HM Prison Kilmarnock on a number of occasions.</p> <p>We have seen various facilities and activities and have met a range of members of staff and prisoners.</p>
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to pursue the allegations made in the BBC documentary on HM Prison Kilmarnock, broadcast on 9 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 question S2W-15194 on 14 April 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliame…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many times Premier Prison Services has amended, or sought to amend, draft reports from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons prior to publication in each of the last six years, specifying the relevant reports and showing what the changes were and whether they were accepted by the Chief Inspec…
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-15428 on 14 April 2004. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on th…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many times the Scottish Prison Service has amended, or sought to amend, draft reports from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) prior to publication in each of the last six years, specifying the relevant reports and showing what the changes were and whether they were accepted by the …
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>HMCIP determines the form and content of all Prison Inspectorate Reports. However, in line with widespread practice, on the completio…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many times it has amended, or sought to amend, draft reports from HM Chief Inspector of Prisons prior to publication in each of the last six years, specifying the relevant reports and showing what the changes were and whether they were accepted by the Chief Inspector.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: With the exception of Annex 5 to the 2000 report on HM Prison Kilmarnock which was removed by the then Minister for Justice for the reasons stated on page 159 of that report, the Scottish Executive has neither amended nor sought to amend any draft report from…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the process by which the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service was appointed, including when, where and how often the position was advertised; what the job description was; what the person specification for the post was, including experience and qualificat…
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) was appointed by the then Permanent Secretary on 1 September 1999 through internal assignment. The appointment was not time limited. The remit of the post is described in the SPS Framework Document whic…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the process by which HM Chief Inspector of Prisons was appointed, including when, where and how often the position was advertised; what the job description was; what the person specification for the post was, including experience and qualifications; how many applic…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-15424 on 14 April 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament/webapp/wa.s…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is satisfied with the performance of HM Chief Inspector of Prisons; what criteria it uses to measure his performance; what his performance targets are; what level of remuneration he receives; how many days per week he is contracted to work, and what financial, human and office …
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: HM Chief Inspector of Prisons (HMCIP) was appointed on 18 October 2002, following an open competition advertised in the press and in accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Code on fair and open competition, which can be found at:</p> <p>…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Justice has requested a copy of the documentary evidence used in the BBC programme on HM Prison Kilmarnock, broadcast on 9 March 2005 and, if so, when a copy was received and what action the Executive will take in relation to the allegations contained in the docu…
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 has a copy of the programme broadcast by the BBC. Both Premier Prison Services and the Scottish Prison Service have written …
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the Minister for Justice will authorise publication of the most recent report into HM Prison Kilmarnock by HM Chief Inspector of Prisons.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to my answer to S2W-15295 on 14 April 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/webapp/wa.search"…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it anticipates that the investigation by Premier Prison Services into allegations made in respect of HM Prison Kilmarnock in the BBC documentary on 9 March 2005 to be completed; who is undertaking this investigation; whether any member of the Scottish Prison Service is involved in th…
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p>I refer the member to the answer to S2W-15194 on 14 April 2005. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it and the UK Government prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget 2005 announcement that the Disability Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission are to be merged to form the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights; which mi…
Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The UK Government announced the Equality Bill in November 2004 after a substantive period of consultation. The Equality Bill proposed the creation of a Commission for Equality and Human Rights, which would replace the Disability Rights Commission, the Commiss…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it and the UK Government prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget 2005 announcement that the Insolvency Service Agency and the Department of Trade and Industry's company investigations branch are to be merged to form a new insolvency agency; wh…
Answer · Jim Wallace: Corporate insolvency is a reserved area and the Insolvency Service has UK wide responsibility for it.</p> <p>Operational questions regarding the setting up of the new agency in Scotland are a matter for the Insolvency Service. The agency will deal with corpor…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it and the UK Government prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget 2005 announcement regarding the establishment of a new integrated countryside agency; which ministers participated in any discussions; whether it will place the minutes of any di…
Answer · Ross Finnie: The new agency is wholly a Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs body and will have no powers with regard to Scotland. It will have no offices in Scotland, will not report to the Scottish Executive or the Parliament and the Executive will have no …
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it and the UK Government prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget 2005 announcement regarding the establishment of a new animal health agency; which ministers participated in any discussions; whether it will place the minutes of any discussions…
Answer · Ross Finnie: No discussions about the proposed animal health regulatory agency have been held with Scottish ministers. Animal health and welfare policy and its enforcement are devolved to the Scottish Parliament and we will monitor development of the UK Government’s propo…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it and the UK Government prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget 2005 announcement regarding the establishment of a new agriculture inspectorate; which ministers participated in any discussions; whether it will place the minutes of any discuss…
Answer · Ross Finnie: Responsibility for agricultural inspections in Scotland is devolved to the Scottish Parliament. The new agriculture inspectorate announced by the Chancellor will not operate in Scotland and consequently Scottish ministers were not involved in discussions abou…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it and the UK Government prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget 2005 announcement that the role of the Food Standards Agency will be expanded; which ministers participated in any discussions; whether it will place the minutes of any discussio…
Answer · Rhona Brankin: In relation to the Food Standards Agency there were several meetings and exchanges of correspondence between the chairman of the Food Standards Agency and Philip Hampton, who led the review, and between their officials. These culminated in the response from t…
21 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place between it and the UK Government prior to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Budget 2005 announcement that the Office of Fair Trading, the Hearing Aid Council, the British Hallmarking Council and the National Weights and Measures Laboratory are to be merged to f…
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Hampton Review is a UK-wide initiative to co-ordinate regulators across a number of agencies. The Chancellor of the Exchequer asked Philip Hampton (June 2004) to examine the scope for promoting more efficient approaches to regulatory inspection and e…
18 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the percentage of total government spending in Scotland that its block grant (a) constituted in each year since 1999 and (b) will constitute in the next five years.
Answer · Tom McCabe: Such information as is available is published in the <i>Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses</i> (PESA) produced by HM Treasury and available on their website at:</p> <p><ahref="http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/economic_data_and_tools/%20finance_spending_stat…
18 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive to which companies each local authority tenders out the supply of school meals and what the value is of each tender.
Answer · Euan Robson: The Scottish Executive provides local authorities with funding to administer their school meals service. It is a matter for local authorities to determine the nature of how their school meals are supplied.</p>
18 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost to local authorities (a) has been in the last five years and (b) will be in the next five years to administer and process applications for eligibility for free school meals and whether such administration and processing costs have been included in any previous answers to que…
Answer · Euan Robson: The Scottish Executive provides local authorities with funding to administer their school meals service. Administrative costs vary between authorities depending on local priorities, with different authorities allocating different elements and amounts of expen…
17 Mar 2005 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what investment it and its agencies are making in stem cell research.
Answer · Jim Wallace: While comprehensive data from across the departments and agencies is not held centrally, information provided from Chief Scientists Office indicates that they are currently investing over £400,000 in individual projects in this field. Scottish Enterprise have…