John Wilson

27 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the implications are for the contract for HM Prison Addiewell of the investigation announced by the Office of Fair Trading on 17 April 2008 into allegations of price fixing in tenders by Interserve PLC.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >None.</p>

27 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the investigation announced by the Office of Fair Trading on 17 April 2008 into allegations of price fixing in tenders by Interserve PLC, what action it is taking to ascertain whether there has been any price fixing by Interserve or any other company involved in tendering for…

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 tender for HM Prison Addiewell was made by Addiewell Prison Limited and it is not among those under investigation.</p> <p >We have re…

27 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the investigation announced by the Office of Fair Trading on 17 April 2008 into allegations of price fixing in tenders by Interserve PLC, whether or not the tender for HM Prison Addiewell is among those under investigation.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >No.</p>

27 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to take any action within its responsibilities against companies named in Information note to Local Authorities and other procuring entities regarding OFT Statement of Objections concerning alleged anti-competitive behaviour in the construction industry.

Answer · John Swinney: The OFT information note states that the OFT investigation has not yet been concluded. Once the outcome of the OFT investigation is known, we will consider the implications carefully and take appropriate measures in response.</p>

27 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it made a submission to the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) prior to the OFT issuing Information note to Local Authorities and other procuring entities regarding OFT Statement of Objections concerning alleged anti-competitive behaviour in the construction industry.

Answer · John Swinney: The Scottish Government did not make a submission to OFT prior to the issue of the OFT Information note. OFT has confirmed that in order to maintain strict confidentiality it did not disclose the emerging findings of its investigation of alleged anti-competit…

15 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions took place with the National Football Intelligence Unit and Scottish police forces prior to and on 14 May 2008 in respect of UEFA cup final in Manchester.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Regular discussions take place between the Scottish Police Service and the National Football Intelligence Unit and reports of any adverse behaviour of football supporters at any domestic, European or international game are submitted to the National Football I…

15 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what liaison and intelligence discussions took place between Strathclyde Police and Greater Manchester Police prior to and during the incidents in Manchester on 14 May 2008.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: Strathclyde Police and Greater Manchester Police established a working relationship prior to the UEFA Cup Final in Glasgow in 2007. This was strengthened in the intervening period, with regular dialogue covering intelligence and all aspects of policing a high…

15 May 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many officers from Strathclyde Police Force assisted Greater Manchester Police in policing the events of 14 May 2008.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: This is an operational matter for the Chief Constables of Greater Manchester and Strathclyde Police.</p>

30 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many staff are currently employed by the Scottish Housing Regulator, broken down by location.

Answer · Stewart Maxwell: I have asked Karen Watt, Chief Executive of the Scottish Housing Regulator to respond.</p> <p >Her response is as follows:</p> <p >The Scottish Housing Regulator currently employs 64 staff. All the employees are located in Highlander House, in Glasgow.</p>

30 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the workshops in HM Prison Kilmarnock make a financial surplus.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >The contract for HM Prison Kilmarnock requires appropriate employment to be provided for prisoners. There is no requirement for SPS …

30 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many changes there have been in the management contract for HM Prison Kilmarnock since it was first signed and what the cost has been of each change.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >One minor amendment to Schedule D of the contract was made to the contract on 25 January 2000. The full contract, including the cont…

30 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of prisoners to staff is estimated to be in HM Prison Addiewell.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >The contract with Addiewell Prison Limited is framed in terms of delivery of outcomes. It does not specify particular input levels, …

30 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the ratio of prisoners to staff is in (a) Shotts, (b) Glenochil and (c) Kilmarnock prisons.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >The following table illustrates the prisoner to staff ratios in HM Prison Shotts and HM Prison Glenochil.</p> <table border=1 cell…

30 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the costs would have been to it of terminating the management contract for HM Prison Addiewell, showing the basis on which such costs are determined and calculated.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >The contract for HMP Addiewell has been published by the SPS and is available on <a href="http://www.sps.gov.uk">www.sps.gov.uk</a>.…

9 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that the police give appropriate priority to apprehending absconders from prison, in light of the circumstances surrounding the case of Robert Foye.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: The apprehension of absconders from prison is an operational matter for Chief Constables working with the Crown Office and Scottish Prison Service.</p>

9 Apr 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service was available for media comment on publication of the report into the circumstances surrounding the case of Robert Foye and what its position is in respect of this matter, given public concern at the gravity of the issues reviewed.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >I was on a planned week''s leave and out of the country in the week in which the report was published.</p>

26 Mar 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether international full-time college students, serving in unpaid internships while living in Scotland, are eligible for council tax exemption.

Answer · John Swinney: International full-time students receive a council tax exemption for the duration of their course, but do not receive a council tax exemption by virtue of undertaking an unpaid internship.</p>

28 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many companies have applied for business growth and development funding and how many have received funding in the last two years.

Answer · Jim Mather: In the last two calendar years (2006 and 2007), there were 445 applications for Regional Selective Assistance (RSA). In the same period, 344 companies received payment of RSA grant totalling over £87 million.</p> <p >During the same period, 257 applications …

28 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much money it has contributed to business growth and development in the last two years, broken down by industry sector.

Answer · Jim Mather: In the last two calendar years (2006 and 2007), the Scottish Government paid out over £87 million to businesses through its Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) grant scheme. The following table shows this broken down by industry type using the Standard Indust…

28 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many small businesses apply for start-up funding and how many have received funding in the last two years.

Answer · Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask both chief executives to write to you in this regard.</p>

28 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how much finance it has contributed to small business start-up in the last two years, broken down by industry sector.

Answer · Jim Mather: This is an operational matter for Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. I will ask both chief executives to write to you in this regard.</p>

20 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how long each prison governor was in charge of each Scottish Prison Service establishment in the last 10 years.

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 length of time, expressed as years in post, for each Governor in charge of each current Prison Service Establishment in the last 10 ye…

19 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the arrangements are for career development and succession planning at senior levels in the Scottish Prison Service.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >Career development and succession planning are managed primarily through the SPS Senior Assignment Panel which allocates managers in…

19 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisons have temporary or acting governors.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >Four prisons currently have temporary or acting governors. In three of these the Deputy Governor is temporarily in charge in keeping with …

19 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how many prison governors are absent on sick leave, secondment or for any other reason.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >One person currently designated as governor of a prison is at present absent.</p>

19 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the turnover of prison governors has been over the last three years.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >Two governors have left the SPS through retirement, and two have joined other employers.</p>

4 Feb 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8277 by Kenny MacAskill on 21 January 2008, whether any prisoner was charged by Strathclyde Police following the incident in HM Prison Kilmarnock on 4 January 2008.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: on </a>21 January 2008, whether any prisoner was charged by Strathclyde Police following the incident in HM Prison Kilmarnock on 4 January 2008.</p> <p align=right >(<a name=PQRef>S3W-09431</a>)</p> </div> <br clear=all > <p ><a name=MinisterName><b >Ke…

30 Jan 2008 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of the new build/replacement schools programme proposed by North Lanarkshire Council.

Answer · Maureen Watt: I would applaud North LanarkshireCouncil’s commitment to, and plans for, capital investment in a further major roundof school replacement and refurbishment. It demonstrates local authorities’ abilityto commit to major school building projects utilising the in…

29 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8352 by Kenny MacAskill on 21 January 2008, how many other employees of national and international organisations are seconded to work at the International Corrections and Prisons Association.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <p >This information is not available from the Scottish Prison Service.</p>

29 Jan 2008 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-8352 by Kenny MacAskill on 21 January 2008, what length of time the secondees from the Scottish Prison Service have served on secondment.

Answer · Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:</p> <table border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 > <thead> <tr > <td valign=top > <p >Organisation</p> </td> <td valign=top > <…