Parliamentary questions
Richard Baker
2,136 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
20 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the use of head or body-mounted cameras by the police has the potential to improve significantly the quality of evidence provided by police officers and increase the proportion of offenders brought to justice.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is awaiting with interest the evaluation of the pilot schemes currently taking place within Scottish forces, and is also aware of the pilot carried out in Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. Scottish forces have not yet used the cameras t…
20 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive which police forces have piloted the use of head or body-mounted cameras.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Strathclyde, Tayside, Grampian and the British Transport Police have piloted the use of head or body-mounted cameras. Central Scotland police is also actively progressing a pilot scheme.</p>
19 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what funding mechanism will be used in each of the new capital projects under the responsibility of the Scottish Police Services Authority.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Police Services Authority receives funding in the form of Grant-In-Aid from the Scottish Government. This Grant-In-Aid funds both capital projects and revenue expenditure.</p>
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to educate (a) primary school pupils, (b) secondary school pupils and (c) young adults about the dangers of carrying knives and issues surrounding knife crime.
Answer · Maureen Watt: This issue is recognised in the Curriculum for Excellence (which covers all stages of primary and secondary education) experiences and outcomes which include pupils learning to assess and manage risk, protect themselves and others, and to reduce the potential…
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has identified any knife-crime hot spots and what action it is taking to ensure that they are being addressed locally.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Our partners in police forces and local authorities identify the areas that are most affected by knife crime and are taking action through the Violence Reduction Unit''s on-going anti-violence campaign to tackle the problem. In addition, we also support them …
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to pilot a knife-crime text hotline similar to that being run in Lancashire schools by Lancashire Constabulary and Crimestoppers with the aim of encouraging the anonymous reporting of young people who pupils believe may be carrying knives, as reported on BBC News Online…
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-19797 on 27 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliaments website, the search facility for which can be found at <a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/…
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what its assessment is of the pilot knife-crime text hotline being run in Lancashire schools by Lancashire Constabulary and Crimestoppers, with the aim of encouraging anonymous reporting of young people who pupils believe may be carrying knives, as reported on BBC News Online on 14 Januar…
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government is committed to reducing violence and knife crime in our communities and takes an interest in initiatives in other areas which could contribute to our efforts. We will look carefully at the impact of this initiative and assess its suit…
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many exclusions there were from (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) Aberdeen, (ii) Aberdeenshire and (iii) Angus during 2007-08, broken down by reason for exclusion.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The requested information on Exclusions in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Angus in 2007-08 by reason for exclusion has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. reference number 47479).</p>
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many exclusions there were from (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in (i) Aberdeen, (ii) Aberdeenshire and (iii) Angus during 2006-07, broken down by reason for exclusion.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The requested information on Exclusions in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Angus in 2006-07 by reason for exclusion has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47412).</p>
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils were suspended or expelled from school for physical assault with a weapon in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The requested information on the number of exclusions of primary and secondary school pupils for physical assault with a weapon in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib.…
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils were suspended or expelled for threatening physical violence using a weapon or improvised weapon in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The requested information on the number of exclusions of primary and secondary school pupils for threatening physical violence using a weapon or improvised weapon in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority, has been placed in the Scottish…
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils were suspended or expelled for carrying a knife at school in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Maureen Watt: Information on the number of pupils temporarily excluded or removed from the register for carrying a knife, or any other specific weapon, at school is not collected. If there were any exclusions for carrying a knife at school, they would be recorded in the Ot…
15 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many (a) primary and (b) secondary school pupils were caught carrying a knife at school in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority.
Answer · Maureen Watt: The information requested on the number of school pupils who were caught carrying a knife, or any other specific weapon, is not collected centrally.</p>
15 Jan 2009 · General Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had in relation to the provision of alcohol misuse services in Aberdeen.
Answer · Shona Robison : <i > This PQ was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:</i></b></p> <p ><a href="http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0115-01.htm">http://www.scotti…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per day is of administering a drug treatment and testing order.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The 12 months average cost of administering a drug treatment and testing order in the 2007-08 financial year was £12,205. The nature of the service and the fact that the order can vary significantly in duration means that it is not possible to provide a reali…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per day is of administering a supervised attendance order.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The 12 months average cost of administering a supervised attendance order in the 2007-08 financial year was £760. The nature of the service and the fact that an order can vary significantly in duration means that it is not possible to give a realistic average…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per day is of administering a probation order.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The 12 months average cost of administering a probation order in the 2007-08 financial year was £1,229. The nature of the service and the fact that the order can vary significantly in duration means that it is not possible to give a realistic average daily co…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average cost per day is of administering a community service order.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The 12 months average cost of administering a community service order in the 2007-08 financial year was £2,184. The nature of the service and the fact that individual orders can vary significantly in duration means that it is not possible to give a realistic …
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how much was spent on administering community sentences in each local authority in the last year, broken down by type of disposal.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Community Justice Authorities (CJAs) are responsible for the distribution of grant from the government for criminal justice social work services to the local authorities within their area. Information is not therefore held centrally on allocations to individu…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18495 by Kenny MacAskill on 12 December 2008, whether any police forces record information on the number and types of offences carried out by people subject to bail orders.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This is a matter for police forces. The information requested is not held centrally.</p>
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18495 by Kenny MacAskill on 12 December 2008, whether it intends to take action to ensure that information on the number and type of offences carried out by people subject to bail orders will be made available.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government will continue to assess the appropriateness of the statistics that we produce in this area and to work with data customers and suppliers to ensure that user needs are met without placing a disproportionate burden on suppliers.</p>
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18495 by Kenny MacAskill on 12 December 2008, whether it considers that it would be useful to collect information on the number and type of offences carried out by people subject to bail orders.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government currently publishes information about offences committed by individuals on bail, although it is not currently possible to identify the type of original offence the bail order relates to. Data for the latest year available is contained …
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what the average number of days served in prison was for people convicted for handling an offensive weapon in the last year, broken down by police force area.
Answer · Fergus Ewing: The following table shows the mean time spent in prison for prisoners liberated during the past four years from custodial sentences for convictions where the main crime was handling offensive weapons. For liberations in 2007-08, the mean time served was 101 d…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of people convicted for handling an offensive weapon served a non-custodial sentence in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08, broken down by type of disposal and police force area.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: 2007-08 court proceedings data is planned for release in April 2009. Data for the latest year available (2006-07) is given in the following table.</p> <p >Percentage of Persons Receiving Non-Custodial Sentences for Handling Offensive Weapons<sup>1</sup> by P…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many people served non-custodial sentences for handling an offensive weapon in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08, broken down by type of disposal and police force area.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: 2007-08 court proceedings data is planned for release in April 2009. Data for the latest year available (2006-07) is given in the following table.</p> <p >Persons with a Charge Proved in Scottish Courts for Handling an Offensive Weapon<sup>1</sup> who did no…
13 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison sentences of six months or less have been imposed in each police force area in the last year, broken down by type of offence.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The latest available information is given in the following tables:</p> <p >Persons Receiving a Custodial Sentence in Scottish Courts of Six Months or Less by Main Crime and Police Force Area<sup>1</sup>, 2006-07<sup></sup></p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0…
9 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to tackle repeat drink and drug-drivers.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: A recent debate in the Scottish Parliament called for the lowering of the drink drive limit and the introduction of powers for the police to conduct random breath testing. We have written to the UK Government in support of these measures and will continue to …
9 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of drink and drug-drivers caught by police represents repeat offenders.
Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Information on whether drink and drug drivers are repeat offenders is not held centrally.</p>
9 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive, following the Festive Road Safety Campaign for 2008, how it intends to maintain the momentum of the campaign and dissemination of its message.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Through Road Safety Scotland, we intend to keep the drink and drug-driving message in the public domain through partnerships with the private sector; publicity materials; editorial platforms, and advertising in support of national enforcement campaigns run by…
9 Jan 2009 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to reduce the number of people drink and drug-driving in 2009.
Answer · Stewart Stevenson: Through Road Safety Scotland (RSS), we will continue to support the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) enforcement campaigns focussing on drink and drug-driving. We will also look for further opportunities to raise public awareness of dr…