Margaret Mitchell

2 Dec 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans will be put in place to ease congestion on the A80 and prevent traffic increasing into Cumbernauld and neighbouring villages during the proposed upgrade of the road and what contingency plans are in place to prevent gridlock and allow emergency services access to the A80 in the…

Answer · Nicol Stephen: It is not anticipated therewill be any significant increase in traffic volumes on ancillary roads as twolanes in each direction will be maintained at times of peak demand on the A80during the works contract. As a consequence the emergency services should beab…

1 Oct 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty's Government to ensure that Scotland is covered by clause 17 of the Sexual Offences Bill, currently being considered by the UK Parliament.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: We are currently considering,in consultation with Crown Office, whether the law in this area should be strengthened.</p>

30 Sep 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive how long the temporary traffic arrangements at the Shawhead Interchange will be in place and what plans it has to alleviate any congestion and traffic flow problems that have arisen as a result of such arrangements.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: The temporary traffic arrangements will be necessary until the upgrading is completed in December.The design of these arrangements and regular on-going consultation with Strathclyde Police, Amey Highways and North Lanarkshire Council are intended to alleviate…

1 Sep 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the recidivism rate was for people (a) resident in and (b) released from medium secure units in each of the last 10 years, broken down by unit.

Answer · Malcolm Chisholm: The information requested isnot collected centrally. </p><p>The first medium secure unitfor mentally disordered offenders in Scotland opened in 2001, in line with the Scottish Executive policy <i>Health, Social Work and Related Services forMentally Disordered…

30 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost of housing homeless people in (a) bed and breakfast accommodation, (b) local authority-owned property, (c) hostels and (d) other temporary accommodation has been in each year since 1997, broken down by local authority.

Answer · Margaret Curran: The information requested isnot held centrally. Costs will vary considerably within each type of tenureaccording to the assessed needs of each individual homeless person as well asbetween local authorities. While local authorities should now hold improvedhome…

30 Jul 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce legislation to address the issue of sexual grooming, similar to clause 17 of the Sexual Offenders Bill currently before the UK Parliament.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: Lewd communication with a child through an internet chatroom would constitute the offence of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices. Sexual grooming can therefore already be caught under existing Scots law. In addition, depending on the exact circumstances, …

30 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to reorganise sportscotland and when any such plans will take effect.

Answer · Frank McAveety: <B>Sport</B>scotland was subject to review by the Executive as part of the <I>Review of Public Bodies</I> in 2001. Following on from this, an independent Organisational Review made recommendations for a revised management and organisational structure which th…

30 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what the completion date is for the Airdrie to Bathgate rail link.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: Following the Scottish Executive's decision to make available £500,000 for the advancement of the proposals, West Lothian Council is currently preparing the pre-qualification stage for a detailed feasibility study into the project. The study is expected to be…

30 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the (a) Shawhead flyover and (b) Raith interchange on the A725 and reduce the risk of congestion on the Bellshill bypass.

Answer · Nicol Stephen: An improvement to the Shawhead Junction is now under construction as part of the on-going work to refurbish the A8. When opened early in 2004, this will improve the performance of the junction but will not alleviate congestion on the Bellshill bypass for nort…

5 Jun 2003 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33518 by Mr Jim Wallace on 7 February 2003, whether there has been any further negotiation regarding the disposal of the former remand centre at Longriggend, North Lanarkshire, and what the future use of the centre will be.

Answer · Cathy Jamieson: I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:<P>Negotiations with the potential purchaser are still on-going. While the SPS has no knowledge of what the future use of the site will be, …