- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 19 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Colin Boyd on 3 December 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for an independent inquiry into the recent failed prosecution of Andrew Aspinall.
Answer
There are no plans to hold an independent inquiry into the prosecution of Mr Aspinall. I am awaiting a report from the Procurator Fiscal at Linlithgow into the circumstances of this case, and will consider whether any further action requires to be taken. This may include referring the matter to the High Court of Justiciary in terms of section 123 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 28 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will designate the Borders area for priority investment in the light of (a) Signum Circuits, Selkirk, going into receivership with resulting redundancies and (b) the Report on Foot-and-Mouth Disease by the Director of Lifelong Care at Scottish Borders Council dated 7 November 2001.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is fully aware of the challenges facing the Borders economy, and works closely with local agencies to help create sustainable employment opportunities. In recognition of this, Scottish Enterprise Borders have been awarded an additional 拢6.096 million for the period 1999-2002 to further support economic development in the area. The Executive has also worked closely with local agencies on planning for recovery from the recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and has provided significant funding for the actions identified in their Foot-and-Mouth Disease Recovery Plan.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 November 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Wendy Alexander on 28 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what its response is to the Economic Impact section (paragraph 12.0) of the Report on Foot-and-Mouth Disease by the Director of Lifelong Care at Scottish Borders Council dated 7 November 2001, with particular reference to the financial consequences for the Borders economy of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and the downturn in electronics production there which the report estimates will represent a total loss of #71 million to the local economy, representing 7% of Borders Gross Demestic Product over the next year.
Answer
In recognition of the challenges facing the Borders economy, the Scottish Executive has worked closely with local agencies and provided significant funding for the actions identified in their Foot-and-Mouth Recovery Plan. The figures cited in the question are taken directly from the Borders Foot-and-Mouth Recovery Plan, which was presented to the Executive in May of this year. The Executive continues to monitor the impact of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak nationally. The Scottish Executive's Impact Assessment Group has undertaken three surveys of non-agricultural businesses - in April, June and October. The first two surveys have already been published and the third survey results will be published on 19 December.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 26 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (under 21) Visiting Committee, how many "lock-ups" there were at the prison in 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001 to date.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:This information is not available.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 10 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 23 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to reduce the closure of workshops and other prisoner programmes due to the removal of staff for escort duty, as identified in the Visiting Committee of Polmont Young Offenders Institution Annual Report 1 April 2000-31 March 2001.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:The following steps have been taken to reduce the closure of workshops and other prisoner programmes:As part of the new SPS Staff Attendance System (SAS) brought in on 3聽September 2001, a marked increase of聽staff is now allocated for escort duty.Also, as part of SAS, a new system was devised to draw staff from the Halls in the first instance rather than work parties.National recruitment is now underway and Polmont was given six聽staff in the first intake of recruits. They will be fully operational by the end of this month. Further recruits will be allocated to Polmont next year as necessary.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (Under 21) Visiting Committee, what initiatives have been taken to provide a specialist regime for young women offenders.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Skye House is due to open as a dedicated Young Offender Unit in November 2001.The facility will feature:A designated manager with specific responsibilities for young women offenders.A staff group specially selected and trained to work with young women offenders.An induction and assessment process aimed specifically at young women offenders.A regime aligned to meet identified needs.Increased access to educational opportunities.Support to assist in addressing offending behaviour, addictions, family problems and other matters.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jack McConnell on 12 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the statement by the Deputy Minister for Parliament in the debate on Special Educational Needs (Borders) (Official Report, Col. 3222), from which allocations under the Excellence Fund the virement of #358,000 has come, specifying the sums involved.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-17989 on 14 September 2001, which sets out full details of the virement proposals, and I would particularly highlight the fourth paragraph which clarifies the position with the Inclusion Programme.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what specific funding is available in its current budget for providing alternatives to imprisonment for women.
Answer
The total budget provided by the Executive for alternatives to custody amounts to 拢50.1 million in the present year. This funds a broad range of community disposals for both female and male offenders. With the exception of the programmes listed below, it is not possible to identify specific funding packages in respect of female accused/offenders:Turnaround Project in Glasgow (拢141,321) for female drug misusing accused/offenders;Glasgow Intensive Support Services for Vulnerable Young Women (拢30,000) - this funding is in respect of 16 to 17-year-olds and represents a funding contribution to a project which also deals with under 16s;South Ayrshire Intensive Probation Project for Women Offenders (拢19,003).
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (under 21) Visiting Committee, what improvements have been made to the prison's library facilities.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:A recent refurbishment of the library included repainting, the installation of new comfortable seating and carousel book display racks. Prisoners now have access to:2,000 books50 talking books100 video cassettes100 musical audio tapes50 CD romsfive copies of Prison Rules & Directionstwo copies of Prison Rules (on floppy disc)All items are regularly changed and updated. Books not held, including any requested legal books/foreign language books are sourced through a partnership with Stirling District Council Library Services. Other recent additions are:
- Citizen Advice Bureau information volumes 1 to 3 which are updated every month through the establishment's membership with the CAB.
- A "scanlab" computerised system for book management comparable to any modern local authority library.
- two PCs for prisoner access.
- A TV/video combination of previewing videos.
- A hi-fi system for pre-listening audio tapes.
The number of borrowers presently stands at 249.
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for South of Scotland, Scottish National Party
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Date lodged: Monday, 15 October 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Iain Gray on 12 November 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the Annual Report of the Cornton Vale (Under 21) Visiting Committee, what its position is regarding the concerns expressed over the adequacy of the prisoner food allowance and what is being done to address this issue.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The per capita food budget provides prisoners at Cornton Vale with three聽meals a day. Four聽choices are available at lunch and tea times including a "Scottish Slimmers" and "healthy options" choice. Fresh fruit and vegetables are available daily. All religious and dietary needs can also be catered for.The Cornton Vale catering team were this year awarded Charter Mark for the quality of their service.
