Parliamentary questions
Bill Aitken
308 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
27 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to put arrangements in place for the provision of mandatory psychological reports, as required under section 21 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-1668 on 17 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.se…
27 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what target date has been set for the implementation of the introduction of mandatory psychological reports, as required under section 21 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: No target date hasyet been set.</p><p>I refer the memberto the answer to question S3W-1668 on 17 July 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are availableon the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at <ahref="http://w…
27 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made towards the introduction of mandatory pre-sentencing psychological reports in Scottish courts, as required under section 21 of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: A scoping exercisehas been undertaken, facilitated by Scottish Court Service, to examine current demandupon services for the provision of psychological reports for the courts and likelyimpact of additional demand which would be occasioned by commencement ofse…
19 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many women currently serving custodial sentences were convicted of (a) murder, (b) culpable homicide, (c) attempted murder, (d) assault to severe injury, (e) illegal possession with intent to supply drugs, (f) wilful fire raising, (g) causing death by reckless driving and (h) theft, i…
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked MikeEwart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response isas follows:</p><p>The provisional femalesentenced prison population by main offence for 31<sup> </sup>December 2006, the most recent day for which data can berel…
19 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many women currently in custody are serving (a) life imprisonment, (b) a sentence in excess of five years, (c) a sentence of from two to five years, (d) a sentence of between one and two years, (e) a sentence of six to 12 months, (f) a sentence of three to six months and (g) a sentenc…
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked MikeEwart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response isas follows:</p><p>The provisional femaleprison population by sentence length for 31 December 2006, the most recent day for which data can be released,is given in…
15 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in how many custody cases dealt with by Glasgow Sheriff Court in the last year the Crown sought extensions beyond 140 days.
Answer · Elish Angiolini: The requirement imposedby Section 65 (4) (aa) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 that a trialmust commence within 140 days of full committal applies only to the High Court.</p><p>For cases dealt withunder solemn procedure in the sheriff court there…
15 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive in how many cases dealt with by Glasgow Sheriff Court in the last year the time lapse between the petition appearance and an indictment being served was (a) five months or less, (b) six months, (c) seven months, (d) eight months and (e) nine months or more.
Answer · Elish Angiolini: The cumulativenumber of indictments served on accused for each period in Glasgow SheriffCourt cases in 2006-07 is shown in the following table.</p><p>IndictmentsIssued In 2006-07 For Glasgow</p><table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=3> <tr> <td width=282 …
15 Jun 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many indictment cases were dealt with by Glasgow Sheriff Court in 2006.
Answer · Elish Angiolini: Nine hundred andthirteen indictment caseswere dealt with by Glasgow Sheriff Court in 2006-07.</p>
30 May 2007 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are plans to extend the labelling of locally produced food to clearly record that Scotland is the country of origin.
Answer · Richard Lochhead: I am advised on foodand feed issues, including labelling, by the Food Standards Agency. Food labellingrules are governed by EU law. Where there are no mandatory requirements, Scottishfood can be labelled on a voluntary basis provided it does not mislead the p…
23 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what percentage length of the sentence imposed was served on average by prisoners released early under the Management of Offenders etc. (Scotland) Act 2005.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>The Scottish Prison Service doesnot record the proportion of each sentence served in custody.</p>
23 May 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners were released early under the Management of Offenders etc. (Scotland) Act 2005 from the granting of Royal Assent until 31 March 2007.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>A total of 1,274 prisoners werereleased under the Home Detention Curfew scheme between 3 July 2006 and 31 March 2007.</p>
7 Feb 2007 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive why no prosecutions resulted from the pilot scheme carried out by Fife Constabulary in connection with the test purchasing of alcohol.
Answer · Elish Angiolini: The test purchasing pilot scheme carried out by Fife Constabulary is tackling the sale of alcohol to children under 18in a variety of ways:</p><p>Advising licensees about waysto ensure compliance</p><p>Targeting premises that sellalcohol to children</p><p>Rep…
6 Dec 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what communications it has had with the staff of HM Prison Low Moss and their representatives in respect of the future of the prison.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>The plan to re-develop the siteof HM Prison Low Moss Prison is currently the subject of a Planning Appeal. TheGovernor and members of…
6 Dec 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the latest position is in respect of the future of HM Prison Low Moss.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p><p>I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-29452 on 15 November 2006. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on …
27 Sep 2006 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any plans to review grant eligibility and financial limits in respect of private sector housing repairs and renovation.
Answer · Johann Lamont: The current system of improvementand repair grants will be modified by the implementation of the Housing (Scotland) Act2006. The process of implementation will include a review of the test for determiningthe amount of grant where a grant is given.</p>
24 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the total value has been of assets (a) applied for and (b) seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Answer · Colin Boyd: The question asks fordetails of sums applied for and seized. This terminology does not sit easilywith the processes which are available under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. Ihave therefore given below the value of orders made under the variousprocesses; conf…
24 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what total value of fines was paid for (a) road traffic and (b) non-road traffic offences in (i) Glasgow District Court and (ii) Glasgow Sheriff Court between 1 April 2005 and 31 May 2006.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The total values offinancial penalties paid in Glasgow Sheriff Court between 1 April 2005 and 31March 2006 are: </p><p>£191,542.88 for road trafficoffences and</p><p>£749,927.71 for non- roadtraffic offences.</p><p>This information is notavailable for fines p…
24 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what total value of fines was remitted for (a) road traffic and (b) non-road traffic offences in (i) Glasgow District Court and (ii) Glasgow Sheriff Court between 1 April 2005 and 31 May 2006.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The total values of financialpenalties remitted by Glasgow Sheriff Court between 1 April 2005 and31 March 2006 are:</p><p>(a) £3,387 for road traffic offencesand</p><p>(b) £60,230.57 for non- roadtraffic offences.</p><p>This information is not availablefor di…
24 Aug 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what total value of fines was imposed for (a) road traffic and (b) non-road traffic offences in (i) Glasgow District Court and (ii) Glasgow Sheriff Court between 1 April 2005 and 31 May 2006.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: The total values offinancial penalties imposed in Glasgow Sheriff Court between 1 April 2005and 31 March 2006 are – </p><p>£214,403.00 for road trafficoffences and</p><p>£1,223,778.14 for non- roadtraffic offences.</p><p>This information is notavailable for D…
12 May 2006 · SPCB Written Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what the annual cost is of maintaining the lakes in front of the Parliament building.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Since the ponds have not beenfully operational since occupation, we have not yet established an accurateannual maintenance cost. Maintenance requirements for the ponds are currentlybeing reviewed and this will determine the annual cost.</p>
8 May 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of all sums paid in sponsorship to newspapers in the last five financial years.
Answer · Tom McCabe: The Scottish Executive has madeno payments under the broad heading of “sponsorship” to any newspaper since January2002 when the current accounting system was introduced.</p>
15 Mar 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many police officers have been convicted of summary offences, broken down by (a) police force area and (b) type of offence.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: This information is not held centrally and is a matter for individual chief constables.</p>
21 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it provides to local authorities in respect of the use of independent sports coaches in schools.
Answer · Peter Peacock: None, as it is ultimately for authorities and schools to decide on the precise way in which to teach subjects and to deliver the curriculum in a way that best meets the needs of their pupils.</p>
21 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22829 by Peter Peacock on 21 February 2006, whether the additional funding of £18 million in 2006 and £44 million in 2007 provided to local authorities to support the recruitment of additional teachers will be ring-fenced for that purpose.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Before funding is released, local authorities will need to commit to employing teacher numbers which will make their contribution towards our national commitment of 53,000 in 2007.</p>
21 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S2W-22829 by Peter Peacock on 21 February 2006, what proportion of the additional funding of £18 million in 2006 and £44 million in 2007 provided to local authorities to support the recruitment of additional teachers will be specifically allocated for th…
Answer · Peter Peacock: Funding provided to local authorities (LAs) will not be specifically allocated to the recruitment of PE teachers, or to any other specific subject. LAs will be able to use the allocated funds to deliver the growing emphasis in PE in primary schools, as well a…
17 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) incidents of, (b) prosecutions for and (c) convictions for assaults involving the use of knives or sharpened objects within premises with a public house licence in Glasgow there were in each year since 1998.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Statistics on the number of incidents,prosecutions and convictions relating to assaults involving the use of knives orsharpened objects within premises with a public house licence are not collectedcentrally.</p>
17 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) incidents of, (b) prosecutions for and (c) convictions for assaults involving the use of knives or sharpened objects within premises with an entertainment licence in Glasgow there were in each year since 1998.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Statistics on the number of incidents,prosecutions and convictions relating to assaults involving the use of knives orsharpened objects within premises with an entertainment licence are not collectedcentrally.</p>
17 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) incidents of, b) prosecutions for and c) convictions for assaults involving the use of glass within premises with a public house licence in Glasgow there were in each year since 1998.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Statistics on the number of incidents,prosecutions and convictions relating to assaults involving the use of glass withinpremises with a public house licence are not collected centrally. Research by StrathclydePolice indicates that around 13 per cent of serio…
17 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) incidents of, (b) prosecutions for and (c) convictions for assaults involving the use of glass within premises with an entertainment licence in Glasgow there were in each year since 1998.
Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Statistics on the number of incidents,prosecutions and convictions relating to assaults involving the use of glass withinpremises with an entertainment licence are not collected centrally. Research byStrathclyde Police indicates that around 13 per cent of ser…
1 Feb 2006 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that weekly PE targets for schoolchildren in Glasgow are met.
Answer · Peter Peacock: Local authorities have been informed they will receive, in total, an additional £18 million in 2006 and £44 million in 2007 to support the recruitment of additional teachers, including PE teachers, to meet the uplift in teacher numbers to 53,000 by 2007. Of t…