Parliamentary questions
Michael Matheson
1,154 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
26 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31455 by Mr Jim Wallace on 21 November 2002, what specific potential sites have been identified for the location of a new prison.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>It would not be appropriate to disclose in advance of acquisition which sites have been identified as possible locations for a new prison, sinc…
26 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31454 by Mr Jim Wallace on 21 November 2002, whether it will publish its (a) detailed project plan and (b) timetable for the procurement of the new private-build, private-operate prison.
Answer · Jim Wallace: 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 given to question S1W-31971 today. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliam…
26 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31454 by Mr Jim Wallace on 21 November 2002, when it expects its (a) detailed project plan and (b) timetable for the procurement of the new private-build, private-operate prison to be completed.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The intention is that the new private-build, private-operate prison will become operational as quickly as possible. However, a timescale …
18 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what money it has received or allocated for the implementation of Your Guide and how such money has been distributed.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Executive received a £3.5 million consequential, based on the funding for the English-based pilot of <I>Your Guide</I>. This sum, as with all consequentials, went into the Scottish Block. As a substantial pilot of the <I>Your Guide</I> approach was being …
18 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that there is no adverse economic impact on post offices as a result of the re-distribution of assigned office payments.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Royal Mail Group plc, post offices and postal services are reserved matters. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including postal services.
15 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29085 by Mr Jim Wallace on 20 September 2002, what period elapsed between its decision to build a private prison and the awarding of the contract to build 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:<P>I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29809 on 18 October 2002, which is available on the Parliament's website, the search fac…
15 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-30674 by Mr Andy Kerr on 13 November 2002, when the review of its planned advertising expenditure from January to March 2003 will be completed and whether it will report its conclusions to the Parliament.
Answer · Andy Kerr: The review of advertising expenditure started in late August has been completed and the First Minister has decided on a reduction of 25%. This reduction will apply to expenditure planned earlier this financial year for the period January to March 2003. For 20…
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it has taken in respect of the procurement of its proposed private-build, private-operate prison.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The process for procurement of the new private-build, private-operate prison will not begin until the location of the new prison has been…
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31087 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 November 2002, when it will know whether it will appoint an adviser for the procurement of its proposed private-build, private-operate prison and what the projected cost of such an appointment would be.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Once a detailed project plan and timetable for the procurement of the new private-build, private-operate prison has been completed. The cost wo…
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-29901 and S1W-31083 by Mr Jim Wallace on 23 October and 8 November 2002 respectively, whether the responses given are in accordance with the duty of ministers under the Scottish Ministerial Code to be as open as possible with the Parliament and the…
Answer · Jim Wallace: Every effort is made at all times to secure compliance with the ministerial code, when giving answers to questions.
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-29901 and S1W-31083 by Mr Jim Wallace on 23 October and 8 November 2002 respectively, whether it will provide a table showing for each transfer of land from the Scottish Prison Service in the last five years (a) the location of each parcel of land …
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>As stated in the previous answers, no land was transferred from the SPS in the last five years. Surplus land sold by the SPS is as follow…
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31082 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 November 2002, when it will publish its contracts for the provision of education services in prisons.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>In the answer given to question S1W-31082, the SPS agreed to make arrangements for the publication of its contracts for the provision of …
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-28889 and S1W-31081 by Mr Jim Wallace on 24 October and 8 November 2002 respectively, how it was able to show a total budget and underspend for HM Prison Cornton Vale if total budgets for individual prisons do not exist.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I regret that the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) have offered two answers to questions which are inconsistent. The answer to question S1W-28889 should have made clear which budgets were delegated to individual establishments, what they covered and what expendi…
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29277 by Mr Jim Wallace on 29 October 2002, what steps it will take to ensure that there is not a two-tier workforce within prisons.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The Scottish Prison Service will follow the protocol between the Scottish Executive and STUC, and announced by the Finance and Public Services …
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29277 by Mr Jim Wallace on 29 October 2002, why the response to a question on a matter of policy was given by the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service and not the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The answer to (SPS) question S1W-29277 dealt with an operational and contractual matter for SPS, based on the policy most recently set out by m…
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29424 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 November 2002 and with regard to the publication of its contracts with the City of Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire councils for the provision of social work services in prisons, whether the …
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Yes. The published content of such contracts is governed by the Scottish Executive guidance in Part 2 of the <I>Code of Practice on Acces…
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29472 by Mr Jim Wallace on 24 October 2002, whether it will publish its contract with Medacs before 1 May 2003.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>On present plans we anticipate that the necessary work involved will be completed before 1 May 2003.
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29424 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 November 2002, why the contracts for the provision of social work services in prisons with the City of Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire councils have not yet been published.
Answer · Jim Wallace: 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 given to question S1W-31444 today, which is available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for whi…
11 Nov 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29424 by Mr Jim Wallace on 8 November 2002, when it expects to conclude discussions with the City of Edinburgh, Dumfries and Galloway, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire councils with regard to the publication of its contracts with them for the provision o…
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows: <P>We are currently in discussions with Medacs Healthcare about publication of our contract for medical services. Once that is concluded we will …
31 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the available capacity was of each Scottish Prison Service prison in each of the last five years.
Answer · Hugh Henry: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The available capacity for each of the SPS establishments, as at the end of each of the last five financial years, is listed in the follo…
31 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners have been removed from each Scottish Prison Service prison for reasons other than routine treatment in (a) 1999-2000, (b) 2000-01, (c) 2001-02 and (d) 2002-03 to date.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The information requested is not available.
31 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what performance-related revenue deductions have been incurred under the contract to operate HM Prison Kilmarnock by the prison's operator 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:<P>The information requested is given in the following table:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=160><TR><TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="TOP">…
30 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-25569 by Mr Jim Wallace on 16 May 2002, whether it will show the performance points accrued by the operating company of HM Prison Kilmarnock broken down for each heading and by sub-section in sections 2.1(i), 2.2(a), 2.2(b), 2.4(a), 2.4(b), 2.4(c), 2…
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The information requested is given in the document (Bib. number 25002) a copy of which is available in the Parliament's Reference Centre.
30 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement made by the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice on 5 September 2002, whether it intends to appoint an adviser for the procurement of its proposed private-build, private-operate prison and what the projected cost of such an appointment would be.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>This procurement project is in its early stages and no such decisions or projections have yet been taken by SPS. Any decision to appoint …
30 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has sought to discover what element of the cost saving asserted for private prisons by PricewaterhouseCoopers comes from (a) lower staff wage costs and (b) management efficiencies.
Answer · Jim Wallace: Section 3 of the <I>Financial Review of the Scottish Prison Service Estates Review</I> describe the methodology used by PricewaterhouseCoopers to assess the cost of a private-build, private-operate prison based on historic data for the market prices of six si…
30 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-30092 by Mr Jim Wallace on 23 October 2002, whether it will give full details of the notice it received under paragraph 6.8 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 to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The content of the notice is regarded as commercially confidential information.
30 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29901 by Mr Jim Wallace on 23 October 2002, why the sale of HM Prison Penninghame was not included in the table.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The question asked about sale of land whereas Penninghame was sold as a property (inclusive of land and buildings). On the same basis the forme…
30 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29901 by Mr Jim Wallace on 23 October 2002, what the location was of each parcel of land sold shown in the table.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=1 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=270><TR><TD WIDTH="56%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Location</TD><TD WIDTH="44%" VALIGN="TOP"><P>Number</TD></…
30 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-29770 by Mr Jim Wallace on 18 October 2002, whether it will publish any of the contracts for provision of education services in prisons and, if so, which specific contracts it will publish, giving the reasons 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:<P>Except where disclosure of parts of the contract would not be in the public interest as specified in Part 11 of the <I>Code of Practice o…
30 Oct 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, for each prison, what (a) its total budget and (b) the underspend (i) was in each year since 1999-2000 and (ii) is projected to be in 2002-03.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Total budgets for individual establishments do not exist. Expenditure relevant to a prison or prisons is spent locally or centrally according t…