Cameron Buchanan

Answer · Lesley Thomson · 3 Mar 2016

Housebreaking is a horrible crime. It can have a devastating impact on those affected and leaves people feeling unsafe in their own homes.
Since the Law Officers introduced a presumption in December 2013 that housebreaking cases would go on petition, the average custodial sentence for housebreaking has increased by over two months to 382 days.
While sentencing is always a matter for the courts, this shows that the seriousness with which the Crown views these cases has been reflected in the sentences given by the courts.
I am pleased to confirm that the presumption for proceedings on indictment will continue.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse · 3 Mar 2016

The future of the Lauriston Place building and Museum of Fire are decisions for the board of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
We recognise the importance of this historical collection, which highlights the valuable role this country has played, and continues to play, in protecting people from fire and other emergencies. If a change in the use of Lauriston Place proceeds, SFRS is committed to finding a new home for the Museum of Fire collection in Edinburgh, which ensures continued access by the public, and indeed opportunities to improve access, and a chance for the collection to grow and develop.

Answer · Paul Wheelhouse · 26 Jan 2016

The Scottish Government recognises the impact on individuals of developing a dependency of this kind, and shares the desire to see them get the help they need to tackle their individual needs. We support Scotland’s Alcohol and Drug Partnerships to consider the needs of their local area and to ensure that appropriate health care services are provided to meet the needs of their resident populations.
NHS Scotland published guidance in March 2015 on polypharmacy, providing guidance for all clinicians on the need to review the prescribing of long-term medicines and also the impact of withdrawing medicines such as benzodiazepines and addressing prescribing of antipsychotic medication. However, there are currently no plans to set up specialist services for patients with prescribed drug dependence.

Answer · Shona Robison · 16 Dec 2015

Advice to clinicians on dependence on prescribed medicines is issued from a number of sources, including the Royal College of General Practitioners, the British Medical Association and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Medical student teaching now emphasises that benzodiazepines have an important place in treatment but should not be overused or continued indefinitely. All GP prescribing is monitored and discussed individually through annual appraisal, and all practice prescribing is monitored by NHS boards.
The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland jointly published in March 2015 the Polypharmacy Guidance which provides guidance for all clinicians on the review of long-term medicines, drawn from NICE, with specific advice on withdrawing medicines such as benzodiazepines and addressing the prescribing of antidepressants.