Parliamentary questions
Stewart Stevenson
2,358 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
6 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what it estimates to be the cost of catering services to the Scottish Prison Service 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>No estimates for 2002-03 have yet been set.
4 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, with regard to comments made by the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice to the Justice 1 Committee and Justice 2 Committee joint meeting on 19 September 2001 (Official Report, Col. 117), whether it plans to introduce measurement of the existing incidence of physical chastiseme…
Answer · Jim Wallace: The Executive has commissioned research from an independent contractor into the current incidence of physical punishment of children by their parents. This will serve as a base line against which to measure the effect of our proposed legislation. A report is …
4 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has responsibility for any aspect of the implementation of the aggregates tax in areas such as (a) weighing of materials extracted from quarries; (b) the measurement of any environmental impact arising from any increased on-site storage of unsaleable dust; (c) any aspect of enf…
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Executive has a general responsibility for environmental monitoring, but no specific responsibilities in relation to the aggregates tax.
4 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has received from Her Majesty's Government about any impact that the implementation of the aggregates tax will have on projects commissioned by it, its agencies and other public bodies.
Answer · Allan Wilson: The Executive has not received any information other than that already in the public domain, namely relevant Budget Reports, the Finance Act 2001 and consultations related to the implementation of the tax. None of these relate specifically to the impact of th…
4 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to mitigate any effects on construction projects for which it, its agencies and other public bodies are responsible of any reduction in the availability of primary aggregates as a result of the introduction of the aggregates tax.
Answer · Allan Wilson: None. The Executive expects the supply of primary aggregates to continue to meet demand.
4 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what reduction it anticipates in the number and value of public construction projects for which it, its agencies and other public bodies are responsible as a result of the introduction of the aggregates tax.
Answer · Allan Wilson: No detailed estimates have been made, but the Scottish Executive does not anticipate a significant reduction in the number and value of public sector construction projects.
4 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage increase it expects in the construction costs of public projects for which it, its agencies and other public bodies are responsible as a result of any rise in the cost of concrete blocks following the introduction of the aggregates tax.
Answer · Allan Wilson: Responsibility for assessing the economic impact of taxation matters lies with Her Majesty's Treasury. No specific estimate has been made of the percentage increase in construction costs of public sector projects in Scotland. However, the cost of aggregates i…
4 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in view of its responsibility for the environment, what plans it has for the disposal of any increased volume of dust which may be unsaleable at an economic price as a result of the introduction of the aggregates tax.
Answer · Allan Wilson: None. The scale of this issue depends on the on-going consideration by Her Majesty's Treasury of the way quarry wastes are taxed.
4 Mar 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, in view of its responsibility for economic development, what estimate it has made of any increase in the volume of quarrying by-products, such as dust, which will be unsaleable in circumstances where such by-products are replaced in construction projects with other materials which are no…
Answer · Allan Wilson: No such estimate has been made. The taxation of quarry wastes is currently being reviewed by Her Majesty's Treasury.
26 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to questions S1W-19339 and S1W-19397 by Ms Wendy Alexander on 26 November 2001 and 11 January 2002, what specific (a) discussions it has had with or (b) representations it has made to (i) Her Majesty's Government and (ii) the European Commission about the impact of …
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive has no function in relation to the health and safety implications of the European Commission's proposed Physical Agents directives.<P>The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, includi…
25 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage of long term prisoners held at (a) HM Prison Shotts and (b) HM Prison Glenochil are from outwith central Scotland.
Answer · Jim Wallace: The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
25 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many members of Scottish Prison Service staff trained in the delivery of the STOP programme have, within six weeks of completing such training, participated in the programme's delivery.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The STOP programme has been delivered since 1993 in four sites. Such detailed information is not readily available.
25 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many supervisors of the STOP programme were previously involved in delivering training under the programme.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>The STOP programme has been delivered since 1993 in four sites. Such detailed information is not readily available.
25 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-19658 by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001, what visits to HM Prison Peterhead have been arranged for 2002 as a result of the prison receiving the Beacon Site award.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>HMP Peterhead plan to host four Learning Activity Days on:<P>14 May 2002<P>26 June 2002<P>4 September 2002<P>6 November 2002.
25 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many complaints the Scottish Prison Service received regarding any difficulties or incidents experienced during visits by visitors to sex offenders held in institutions that also held other categories of prisoner in each year since 1997.
Answer · Jim Wallace: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:<P>This information is not collected.
25 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1O-4594 by Mr Andy Kerr on 7 February 2002, whether it will detail any specific quantitative assessments which have been commissioned or completed of any impact on the economy in rural areas of the introduction of broadband services in the south of Scot…
Answer · Andy Kerr: Specific quantitative assessments of the impact on the economy in the Pathfinder areas have not been commissioned. Such assessments are not straightforward as indicated in <I>UK Online: the broadband future</I>, a report to the Prime Minister published in Feb…
20 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what input it has had at a UK level on the regulatory proposals and policy developments in respect of broadband services and whether it will detail any proposals which it has put forward and what the outcome was of such proposals.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive has discussions with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including policy development regarding broadband services.
20 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what direct support measures for the roll out of broadband services have been identified under the Highlands and Islands Partnership Programme.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Programme priorities have been outlined as infrastructure enhancements in remoter areas. An action plan has been drawn up and a more detailed description of project activities is being developed. Part of this process will entail the identification of effectiv…
20 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to the EU that it should bring forward regulatory policy support for the roll out of broadband services in rural areas.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Telecommunications policy is reserved to the UK Government.
20 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Department of Trade and Industry on the need for the Office of Telecommunications to have a statutory duty to give due consideration to the broadband technology needs of people living in rural areas and of low-income consumers in Scotland.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive has no functions in relation to telecommunications regulation, which remains reserved to the UK Government.<P>The statutory duties of the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel) were determined by the Secretary of State for Trade and Indus…
20 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to include the promotion of internet access through digital television within its broadband policies.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: Digital television is one of a number of means of accessing the internet. The Scottish Executive's broadband strategy is not prescriptive of any one particular technology.
20 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to change the definition of "universal access" in relation to broadband services.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The Scottish Executive has no functions in relation to telecommunications regulation, which remains reserved to the UK Government.
20 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to discuss with Her Majesty's Government the possibility of the Office of Telecommunications establishing an office in Scotland.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The 1984 Telecommunications Act, makes statutory provision for The Scottish Advisory Committee on Telecommunications (SACOT), to represent the interests of Scotland on committees of the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel). SACOT have an office in Scotland.
19 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total cost was of the publication, including the design, photocopying, printing, distribution and launch, of Scotland's Economic Future.
Answer · Wendy Alexander: The total publication costs of the <I>Scotland's Economic Future</I> leaflet were approximately £8,960. The launch took place at "Our Enterprise Strategy" conference held on 12 February, to review progress one year on after the publication of <I>SSS…
14 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service operate a discretionary bonus scheme and what proportion of the salary budget is allocated to any such scheme.
Answer · Colin Boyd: The department does not operate a specific discretionary bonus scheme, but under the annual staff appraisal system managers may make recommendations for bonus payments to staff.
14 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are made by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in order to enable staff in regional offices to meet senior staff on a regular basis.
Answer · Colin Boyd: Regional Procurators Fiscal are required to visit offices in their regions when they will aim to meet all staff. They also hold regular meetings with local fiscals. Regional Procurators Fiscal and senior staff will also endeavour to meet all staff when it is …
14 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many trained Information System/Information Technology staff are employed to develop and support computer systems in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Answer · Colin Boyd: There are nineteen members of staff within the department's Information Systems Unit as at February 2002. This number includes staff working in the national Help Desk support facility based in the Glasgow Procurator Fiscal's Office.
14 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what staff suggestion schemes are available in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and how many suggestions have been (a) received, (b) implemented and (c) held for further consideration, all since 1999, subject to the information being provided at a proportionate cost.
Answer · Colin Boyd: I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-23156.
14 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what management responsibilities legal staff in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have and what management training is provided to such staff.
Answer · Colin Boyd: Most legal staff in promoted posts have responsibility for managing the workload and reporting on performance of their subordinates. Two main training courses are provided: one covers topics such as teambuilding, managing teams, time management and motivation…
14 Feb 2002 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the benefits will be from the installation of the Future Office System (FOS) in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Answer · Colin Boyd: The Future Office System (FOS) is intended to enable case marking and summary processing work to be carried out almost entirely electronically. The software programmes will permit standardisation of procedures, thereby increasing consistency, reducing the pot…