Parliamentary questions

Michael Matheson

1,154 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

11 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-32801 by Cathy Jamieson on 20 December 2002, what outcome there has been from discussions with the five organisations listed on the provision of secure accommodation places.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-34950 on 24 March 2003. 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/w…

11 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive to how many written parliamentary questions in each year since May 1999 it has given an answer that states that the information sought in the question cannot be provided, either in part or in whole, for reasons of commercial confidentiality.

Answer · Patricia Ferguson: The information requested is not held centrally. However, all answers to written parliamentary questions are published on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: <A HREF="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa">…

11 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many formal requests for information were made in 2002 under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information and how many such requests were rejected and for what reasons.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Details of formal requests for information received under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information in 2002 are currently being collated and will be published in the normal way as soon as practicable.

5 Mar 2003 · Written Question

Answer · Jim Wallace: The available information is given in the table.Persons With a Charge Proved Under Firearms Legislation1 in Scottish Courts, 1997-2001<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=255><TR><TD WIDTH="22%" VALIGN="TOP">Year</TD><TD WIDTH="78%…

5 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many category D prisoners have been unlawfully at large in each of the last five years, broken down by prison from which they became unlawfully at large.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:Information about prisoners unlawfully at large by security category is not available. The SPS annual reports give details of numbers of …

5 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the quarterly baseline total, as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule F of the 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, has been in each quart…

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:I refer the member to the following table.<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=350><TR><TD WIDTH="37%" VALIGN="TOP">Performance Y…

5 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of available prisoner places has been in HM Prison Kilmarnock in each quarter since the opening of the prison.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:Since the phase-in of prisoners in 1999, the number of Available Prisoner Places, as defined in the contract between SPS and Kilmarnock P…

5 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-25983 and S1W-32815 by Mr Jim Wallace on 29 May 2002 and Hugh Henry on 13 January 2003 respectively, whether any performance points have yet been accrued by the operators of HM Prison Kilmarnock as a result of the stabbing of a prison custody offic…

Answer · Jim Wallace: No. The incident is still subject to police procedures.

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-34139 by Mr Jim Wallace on 28 February 2003, what the nature was of the incident of failure to comply with agreed reporting procedures at HM Prison Kilmarnock in quarter three of performance year four of the prison's operation.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:During a routine cell search a home made weapon was found. This was reported but not in accordance with the timescale laid down in SPS re…

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements it makes to secure employment for persons leaving HM Prison Polmont.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Depending on sentence length and assessed needs, young adults are offered a range of employment supports including job interviews, CV preparati…

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what training in preparation for freedom is available for inmates at HM Prison Polmont.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Long-term young adults receive training in preparation for freedom through the Beechwood Unit (Open Facility within Polmont YOI). The training …

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is contractually obliged to hand over land currently occupied by the young offenders facility at HM Prison Glenochil to any contractor once the facility has closed and, if so, to whom.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:No.

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what uses it is considering for the site of the young offenders facility at HM Prison Glenochil once the facility has closed.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:It is intended to develop the site in accordance with the HM Prison Glenochil Development Plan, which includes construction of replacement pris…

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners have (a) had proceedings taken against them and (b) received (i) an adjudication or (ii) a criminal conviction for assault against (1) another prisoner and (2) a member of staff at HM Prison Kilmarnock in each quarter since the prison came into operation.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The available information is as follows:The answer given to question S1W-33537 on 27 February 2003 lists the number of adjudications at HM P…

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any official or minister will attend the Working Party on Substantive Criminal Law in Brussels on 4 to 5 March 2003 which is discussing prevention and control of trafficking in human organs and, if so, what matters will be raised on the Executive's behalf.

Answer · Jim Wallace: No. The Scottish Executive was represented at the Working Party on Substantive Criminal Law in Brussels on 4 to 5 March 2003 by UKRep. Scottish Executive ministers and officials do attend working group and European Council meetings as necessary as part of our…

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many convictions were obtained in 2001 under sections (a) 47, (b) 48(2), (c) 49, (d) 49A and (e) 50(4) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995, broken down by sheriff court district.

Answer · Jim Wallace: In 2001, there were two, zero and four persons respectively with a charge proved where the main offence was under section 48(2), section 49A and section 50(4) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation)(Scotland) Act 1995. The numbers of persons with a charge proved …

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) reports have been made to and (b) proceedings have been taken by procurators fiscal for alleged breach of bail conditions by committing a further offence under section 27(3) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and how many convictions were obtained that took account…

Answer · Elish Angiolini: This information is not held centrally at present, but action is currently being taking to improve how this type of information is recorded. It is hoped that it should be possible to complete the improvements to our record keeping systems in the coming months.

4 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) reports have been made to and (b) proceedings have been taken by procurators fiscal for offences under section 27(1) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 and how many convictions were obtained in each year since 1997.

3 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33537 by Mr Jim Wallace on 27 February 2003, how it is able to monitor performance of HM Prison Kilmarnock under Schedule F of the Minute of Agreement between the Secretary of State for Scotland and Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd for the Design, Cons…

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:Figures are available for assaults. Where these have been proven through adjudication in the Orderly Room or where the SPS has been made …

3 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33537 by Mr Jim Wallace on 27 February 2003, why it is unable to provide a record of convictions in relation to offences of violence at HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:There is no requirement for the police or courts to advise the prison on progress or outcomes.

3 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how incidents of fighting as a breach of prison discipline are recorded in respect of the accrual of performance points under Schedule F to the Minute of Agreement between the Secretary of State for Scotland and Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd for the Design, Construction, Management and F…

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-34410 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliam…

3 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33537 by Mr Jim Wallace on 27 February 2003, how many incidents of alleged (a) assault and (b) fighting have been dealt with in the orderly room at HM Prison Kilmarnock in each quarter since the prison opened.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Quarterly figures are not available. The numbers of charges laid in each year alleging such breaches of prison discipline are listed in the fol…

3 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33537 by Mr Jim Wallace on 27 February 2003, why it is unable to provide a record of offences of violence at HM Prison Kilmarnock reported to the procurator fiscal.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Because it is a matter for the police.

3 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how incidents of fighting as a breach of prison discipline are recorded for the performance indicators contained in paragraphs 2.2(a) and 2.2(b) of Schedule F to the Minute of Agreement between the Secretary of State for Scotland and Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd for the Design, Construc…

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Fights are regarded, for performance points purposes, as "assaults" with points being awarded according to the number of individuals …

3 Mar 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any minister or official will attend the Working Party on Cooperation in Criminal Matters in Brussels on 4 March 2003 which is discussing implementation of the Framework Decision on the European Arrest Warrant under each member state's law and, if so, what issues will be raised.

Answer · Jim Wallace: No minister or official attended the meeting. Scottish Executive ministers and officials do attend working group and European Council meetings as necessary as part of our regular engagement with the European Union. However, on this occasion, as explained in t…

28 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-20339 by Mr Andy Kerr on 17 December 2001, what its budget out-turn was for press and communications in (a) 2001-02 and (b) 2002-03 to date and what the expected total expenditure is for 2002-03.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Media and Communications Group's out-turn spend in 2001-02 was £3,052,479. The current spend for 2002-03, (as at 31 January 2003), is £2,964,876. We anticipate the total spend in 2002-03 to be in the region of £3.6 million. The effectiveness and efficienc…

28 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29870 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 October 2002, what sentences for drug-dealing offences were given by the courts in 2001.

Answer · Hugh Henry: The available information is given in the table.Persons with a Charge Proved for Drug-Dealing Offences1, by Type of Sentence, 2001<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=192><TR><TD WIDTH="77%" VALIGN="TOP">Sentence</TD><TD WIDTH="23%…

28 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-25070 by Allan Wilson on 29 April 2002, how many cases were referred to the procurator fiscal service by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in (a) 2001-02 and (b) 2002-03 to date and (i) how many and (ii) what percentage of such cases that we…

Answer · Allan Wilson: The numbers of cases involving alleged contravention of environmental protection legislation referred to the Procurators Fiscal Service by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency are set out in the table.<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=468>…

27 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the key performance indicator shown on page nine of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) Annual Report and Accounts 2001-02 in respect of the average annual cost per prisoner place is for uncrowded prisoner places and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The Key Performance Indicator (KPI) on cost per prisoner place, set out in the SPS Annual Report and Accounts 2001-02, is based on "design capacity" and not on the actual number of prisoners. The KPI measure is computed in this way to avoid the prob…

25 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what targets have been agreed in respect of target 1 for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in Building a Better Scotland - Spending Proposals 2003-2006; What the money buys; whether there has been any announcement on this matter, and what the reasons are for its position on t…

Answer · Colin Boyd: The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is committed to agreeing targets covering the progress of cases through the criminal justice system as set out in target 1 for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in Building a Better Scotland - Spe…