Parliamentary questions
Lewis Macdonald
2,224 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people received or have received custodial sentences in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2009-10, (d) 2008-09, (e) 2007-08 and (f) 2006-07.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Information for 2011-12 will not be available until publication of the Criminal Proceedings in Scotland, 2011-12 Statistical Bulletin. This is due to be published in December 2012. The dates of all Scottish Government Official and National Statistics publica…
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many community service orders have not been or were not started within six months in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2009-10, (d) 2008-09, (e) 2007-08 and (f) 2006-07.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: An audit of speed and immediacy of implementing community service orders was first carried out in 2008. Based on data relating to November, this audit measured performance against the standards set out in the National Outcomes and Standards for social work se…
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many community service orders have not been or were not completed in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2009-10, (d) 2008-09, (e) 2007-08 and (f) 2006-07.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Information is published on the number of community service orders that were terminated due to reasons other than successful completion in each of the years 2006-07 to 2010-11. This can be found in Table 1 of the Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics, 2010-…
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people received or have received community service orders in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2009-10, (d) 2008-09, (e) 2007-08 and (f) 2006-07.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The published information for the number of community service orders commenced in each of the years 2006-07 to 2010-11 can be found in Table 1 of the Criminal Justice Social Work Statistics, 2010-11 Statistical Bulletin (row entitled “Total Community Service …
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people serving sentences of more than four years have been released early in each of the last five years.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: All prisoners are released in accordance with the requirements of current legislation. Prisoners serving determinate sentences of four years or m…
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been released under automatic unconditional early release in each of the last five years.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked John Ewing, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows: The number of liberations under unconditional automatic early release are shown in the following table. Prisoners serving a custodial sentence of…
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) part-time and (b) full-time (i) judges and (ii) sheriffs the Scottish Court Service employs.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: There are currently 78 part-time sheriffs and 14 re-employed judges (Senators). Fees for part-time sheriffs and re-employed judges are made by the Scottish Court Service. The number of salaried members of the judiciary are four stipendiary magistrates, 140…
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how the Scottish Court Service assists (a) witnesses and (b) victims of crime attending trials away from home.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters of that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many defendants have changed their preliminary hearing plea from not guilty to guilty prior to trial in each of the last five years.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters of that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) High Court, (b) Sheriff Court and (c) Justice of the Peace Court trials have been delayed in 2011-12 and were delayed in (i) 2010-11, (ii) 2009-10, (iii) 2008-09, (iv) 2007-08 and (v) 2006-07.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters of that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it expects the Scottish Police Service to initiate a voluntary redundancy scheme in 2011-12.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Voluntary redundancy schemes are a matter for individual chief constables and the relevant joint boards/authorities to decide upon, based on the circumstances in each force. The Scottish Government does not expect any nationwide voluntary redundancy scheme t…
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the real-terms reduction in the Scottish Court Service (a) revenue and (b) capital budget will be in (i) 2011-12, (ii) 2012-13, (iii) 2013-14 and (iv) 2014-15.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters of that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the Chief Executive of the SCS who will reply in writing.
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has established a timetable in the event that proposals are brought forward to close courts.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The work that the Scottish Court Service is currently undertaking on future court structures is at an early stage, with no decisions taken yet on whether or not to proceed to consult on any of the range of options which have been subject to initial discussion…
22 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with the Scottish Court Service regarding future court structures.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Through the Making Justice Work Programme the Scottish Government has had a range of discussions with the Scottish Court Service regarding future court structures. I met Eric McQueen, Executive Director for Field Services on 15 December 2011 to be briefed on …
19 Dec 2011 · First Minister's Question
To ask the First Minister what impact the proposed court closures will have on local access to justice.
12 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much (a) Scottish Government funding, (b) fare revenue and (c) private investment there has been in ScotRail services in each of the last four years.
Answer · Keith Brown: Scottish ministers make franchise payments to ScotRail in accordance with the terms of the franchise agreement. Rail Franchise Budget information is shown in the following table. Fare Box Revenue information is disclosed within the published Annual Report an…
12 Dec 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which consultants provided advice to (a) it and (b) Transport Scotland on Rail 2014 – Public Consultation; what fees they were paid, and whether any conflict of interest was identified.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Big Partnership provided advice to Transport Scotland on the strategy and planning of the consultation. Their fees were £1,610 plus VAT. No conflict of interest was identified.
30 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S4W-04075 by Keith Brown on 30 November 2011, what exchanges there were between Transport Scotland and transport operators other than First ScotRail regarding the potential content of Rail 2014 – Public Consultation.
Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland officials meet with transport operators in a variety of forums, to discuss matters as and when they arise. Whilst there have been discussions on the scope of the consultation, there was no dialogue with transport operators on the actual con…
29 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to take up the offer from the UK Government of capital investment for sleeper rail services and, if so whether it will match the investment.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government is committed to a continuing and improving sleeper service. We are determined to respond positively to this offer and are discussing its terms with the UK Government.
29 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it was notified of the UK Government’s plans to provide capital funding for sleeper rail services and whether it plans to hold discussions with it regarding this.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Government was notified of these plans on the day of the UK Government’s Autumn Budget Statement. We are already in discussion with UK Government on this issue.
29 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding sleeper rail services.
Answer · Keith Brown: We are holding discussions with the UK Government following its announcement on sleeper services in the Autumn Budget Statement.
28 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much funding the Scottish Futures Trust will provide for building the replacement (a) Ellon Academy and (b) Mearns Academy.
Answer · Michael Russell: The Scottish Government will provide up to £19.76 million towards the replacement of Ellon Academy and up to £9.73 million towards the replacement of Mearns Academy. The level of funding received by the Council for both projects will be adjusted to take accou…
28 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much it will cost to build the replacement (a) Ellon Academy and (b) Mearns Academy.
Answer · Michael Russell: The cost to build the replacements for Ellon and Mearns Academies will be determined after both projects have completed a commercial procurement process.
16 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive when it gave Transport Scotland clearance to publish Rail 2014 - Public Consultation and which minister made the decision.
Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland is an executive agency within the Scottish Government and is directly accountable to the Scottish Ministers. The Scottish Ministers authorised Rail 2014 – Public Consultation prior to its publication.
16 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what exchanges there were between it and transport operators regarding the potential content of Rail 2014 - Public Consultation.
Answer · Keith Brown: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-04075 on 30 November 2011 All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentar…
16 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet considered the content of Rail 2014 - Public Consultation and, if so, when.
Answer · Keith Brown: The Scottish Ministers considered the content of Rail 2014 – Public Consultation at appropriate points before its publication. Ministers will set out their views in a statement to parliament following the end of the consultation.
16 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what exchanges there were between it and Transport Scotland regarding the content of Rail 2014 - Public Consultation and over what period.
Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland is an executive agency within the Scottish Government and is directly accountable to the Scottish Ministers.
16 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what exchanges there were between Transport Scotland and transport operators regarding the potential content of Rail 2014 - Public Consultation.
Answer · Keith Brown: Transport Scotland is an executive agency within the Scottish Government and is directly accountable to the Scottish Ministers. Factual information was checked with First ScotRail prior to publication.
11 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers accepted the recommendations made by the Scottish Futures Trust in relation to the six Tax Incremental Financing pilot projects selected and, if not, whether it will make a statement.
Answer · Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question to S4W-04017 on 23 November 2011. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliame…
11 Nov 2011 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what recommendations the Scottish Futures Trust made regarding its selection of Tax Incremental Financing pilot projects.
Answer · Alex Neil: Scottish Ministers have agreed two pilot projects so far on the basis of recommendations from the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT): Edinburgh Waterfront and, provisionally, Ravenscraig Phase Two. Following recommendations made by SFT (as part of a joint evaluati…