Parliamentary questions

Michael Matheson

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

25 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-2506 by Mr Jack McConnell on 11 November 1999, how much of the Scottish block is administered by non-departmental public bodies in the current financial year and what the comparable figures were for 2000-01 and 2001-02.

Answer · Andy Kerr: Spending plans for non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) as a share of total managed expenditure is as shown in the following table:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=424><TR><TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP"> </TD><TD WIDTH="19%" VALIGN="TOP"><…

19 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-31088, S1W-31487, S1W-32018 and S1W-33898 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 November, 22 November and 10 December 2002 and 18 February 2003 respectively, whether it will show the performance points accrued by the operating company of HM Prison Kilmarnock, brok…

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The information requested is shown in the following table.Performance Points - Year 4, Quarter 3<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WI…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33538 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 February 2003, in how many cases a serious assault has occurred in HM Prison Kilmarnock but no performance points have accrued to the prison operators, showing for each such case whether (a) no charges were brought in rel…

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Performance points have not been applied in 13 such cases referred to the police because, so far as can be ascertained, there were no court pro…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many probationer police officers there have been in each police force in each of the last five financial years and in the current financial year to date.

Answer · Jim Wallace: Information in the form requested is not held centrally. However, the following figures give a breakdown of entrants to probationer training at the Scottish Police College, in each of the past three years. Prior to 2000, figures were recorded for the whole…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive in which performance quarters the maximum limit of 5% of contract price for performance revenue deductions, as referred to in the second paragraph of Schedule F to the Minute of Agreement between the Secretary of State for Scotland and Kilmarnock Prison Services Limited for the Design, Co…

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Quarters 1, 2 and 3 of performance year 1 and performance quarters 1, 2 and 3 of performance year 4.The contract does not provide for the ca…

12 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what funding will be available for schemes funded by the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund when that fund ends.

Answer · Margaret Curran: We have made no commitment to continue to fund BNSF pathfinder schemes after the programme ends in 2003-04. We are considering how the regeneration resources identified in the 2003-06 budget can be used to take forward our commitments in the Community Regener…

10 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many cases have been marked no proceedings for reasons of (a) delay by the police or other reporting agency, (b) delay by the procurator fiscal, (c) lack of court resources, (d) procurator fiscal staff shortage and (e) time-bar in the current financial year to date.

Answer · Elish Angiolini: The information requested for the period April 2002 to end December 2002 is as follows:April 2002 to December 2002<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 BORDERCOLOR="#000000" WIDTH=604><TR><TD WIDTH="16%" VALIGN="TOP">Total Reports Received</TD><TD WIDTH="14%" VAL…

10 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many, and what value of, fines were written off in each of the last three years, broken down by sheriff court district.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The information available is given in the following tables. The values of district court fines remitted are not held centrally. The system for writing off sheriff court fines changed in the course of the year 2001-02. Fines due for write off in 2001-02 were n…

7 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many recorded offences of (a) breach of the peace and (b) petty assault there were in 2001, broken down by local authority area.

Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested is given in the following table:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=557><TR><TD WIDTH="27%" VALIGN="TOP">Local Authority</TD><TD WIDTH="39%" VALIGN="TOP">Number of Cases of Breach of the Peace Recorded</TD><TD WIDTH…

7 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-30309 by Mrs Elish Angiolini on 18 November 2002, how many (a) proceedings were taken by procurators fiscal and (b) convictions were obtained under sections (i) 4(2), (ii) 4(3) and (iii) 5(3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 in 2001, broken down by sh…

Answer · Hugh Henry: The available information is given in the following table.Persons Proceeded Against Under Sections 4(2), 4(3) and 5(3) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 19711, 2001<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=2 WIDTH=604><TR><TD WIDTH="23%" VALIGN="TOP" ROW…

7 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31154 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 November 2002, what performance-related revenue deductions were incurred under the contract to operate HM Prison Kilmarnock by the prison's operator in the quarter October to December 2002.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:£159,000.

7 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-31088, S1W-31487 and S1W-32018 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 November, 22 November and 10 December 2002 respectively, whether it will show the performance points accrued by the operating company of HM Prison Kilmarnock, broken down for each heading and su…

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Performance Points to Date - Year 4, Quarter 3<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=585><TR><TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="TOP">2.1 (i) <…

6 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what guarantees it can give that the level of violence that has occurred at HM Prison Young Offenders Institution Ashfield will not occur at HM Prison Kilmarnock.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:The SPS make every effort to ensure that good order and discipline is maintained at all prisons in Scotland including Kilmarnock.

6 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether (a) Premier Custodial Group Ltd, (b) any of its subsidiary companies and (c) any other companies that belong to the parent companies of the Premier group will be allowed to bid for the new private prison in the light of the experience of HM Prison Young Offenders Institution Ashfi…

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:Yes. The SPS hopes to attract a large number of expressions of interest in bidding, which will be evaluated in accordance with EU procure…

6 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will re-examine any of its present contracts with companies that are part of the Premier Custodial Group Ltd which operates HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution Ashfield and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:The SPS see no need to do so. Our contract is working satisfactorily.

6 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what communications it has had with HM Prison Service with regard to HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution Ashfield and, in particular, the management of the institution.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:The SPS has discussions with HM Prison Service, covering a range of issues, but not normally the management of individual establishments.

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how the stabbings of three prisoners at HM Prison Kilmarnock in September 2002 were recorded for the purpose of the (a) prison's performance points and (b) Scottish Prison Service's key performance indicators.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Three KPI assaults were recorded. No performance points have been recorded; the police are investigating the incident.

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what action has been taken to improve procedures for suicide prevention at HM Prison Kilmarnock following reports in The Scotsman on 16 December 2002 that paperwork was not properly completed and on 20 December 2002 that up to 90% of half-hourly suicide watches are routinely missed.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:I understand that the director has conducted an investigation to ascertain whether there are changes which require to be made ahead of any dete…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether any performance points will accrue directly or indirectly to the operators of HM Prison Kilmarnock for the fire at the prison reported in the Sunday Mail on 19 January 2003 and what the reasons are for the position on the matter.

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-33802 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliam…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many officers from Strathclyde Police intervened during the concerted indiscipline that occurred at HM Prison Kilmarnock on or between 29 and 31 January 2003.

Answer · Jim Wallace: This is an operational matter for the force and information of this sort is not held centrally.Police forces have contingency plans, developed with partner organisations, to cover a variety of situations that may occur at key premises or installations, inc…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many performance points have been accrued under 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 by the operators of HM Prison Kilmarnock as a res…

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Investigations into the incident are still on-going. They will inform discussions between the Scottish Prison Service and Kilmarnock Prison Ser…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what fine the operators of HM Prison Kilmarnock are liable for as a result of the concerted indiscipline that occurred there on or between 29 and 31 January 2003.

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 provision for fines in the arrangements for operating Kilmarnock prison. Investigations into the alleged incident are on-going.

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive who is liable for any injury occurring to staff sent from other Scottish Prison Service establishments to HM Prison Kilmarnock to deal with any concerted indiscipline there.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Kilmarnock Prison Services Limited.

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of sending staff from other Scottish Prison Service establishments to HM Prison Kilmarnock to deal with the concerted indiscipline that occurred there on or between 29 and 31 January 2003.

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-33795 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliam…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether HM Prison Kilmarnock has sent any staff to deal with the concerted indiscipline at other Scottish Prison Service establishments and, if so, on what dates and how many staff were sent on each occasion.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:Staff from HM Prison Kilmarnock are available to assist in the management of major incidents in any Scottish prison, under mutual aid arr…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether assistance was requested from any other service by the Scottish Prison Service to deal with the concerted indiscipline at HM Prison Kilmarnock that occurred on or between 29 and 31 January 2003.

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

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what cover was available at those Scottish Prison Service establishments from which staff were sent to HM Prison Kilmarnock to deal with the concerted indiscipline that occurred there on or between 29 and 31 January 2003

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-33795 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliam…

5 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff were sent from other Scottish Prison Service establishments to HM Prison Kilmarnock to deal with the concerted indiscipline that occurred there on or between 29 and 31 January 2003.

Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:None.

4 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the summary document of Recording Our Achievements was distributed as an insert with a newspaper or periodical and, if so, in which newspapers or periodicals, on which dates and what the cost was of each such distribution.

Answer · Andy Kerr: I refer the member to my response to S1W-33748 on 12 February 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/webapp/searc…

4 Feb 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what methods of distribution were used for the summary document of Recording Our Achievements and what the cost of each method was.

Answer · Andy Kerr: The Scottish Executive's distributors, Task Force, distributed 1,711 copies of Recording our Achievements: A Summary with the main Recording our Achievements document and 80,029 copies directly to public libraries, local authorities, NHS GPs, de…