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Yes. The Sewel Convention, which provides that the UK Parliament will not normally legislate with regard to devolved matters in Scotland without the consent of the Scottish Parliament, has always been observed. The convention does not prescribe the precise stage at which consent should be sought, though the Scottish Executive has undertaken normally to seek the Scottish Parliament's consent before the UK Bill is given its Second Reading in the House of the UK Parliament in which it is introduced. It is recognised, however, that adherence to this timetable is not always feasible and can, in any event, put considerable demands on the Scottish Parliament. It is anticipated that improvements will be effected through the introduction of the revised process proposed by the Scottish Executive to the Scottish Parliament's Procedures Committee.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:Since the phase-in of prisoners in 1999, the number of Available Prisoner Places, as defined in the contract between SPS and Kilmarnock Prison Services Limited, has remained at 500.The number of Additional Prisoner Places, as defined in the contract, was 48 from July 2000 until January 2003. Since 1 February 2003, the number of such places has been 96.

This is a matter for Strathclyde Police. The force has emphasised that the various factors referred to in the earlier answer are inter-related, that the increase in detection rates is a further factor, and that a review is under way involving procurators fiscal with a view to reducing delays as far as possible. I understand that the reference to reporting policies relates to the prioritisation of the different sorts of cases dealt with by the police and procurators fiscal as well as other related factors such as the procedures for reporting where there are cases with a significant number of charges.

This is a matter for Strathclyde Police. The force has emphasised that the various factors referred to in the earlier answer are inter-related, that the increase in detection rates is a further factor, and that a review is under way involving procurators fiscal with a view to reducing delays as far as possible. I understand that the reference to resources relates mainly to the way in which case checking currently takes place and whether, by adopting different arrangements within the force, the current procedures can be improved.

This is a matter for Strathclyde Police. The force has emphasised that the various factors referred to in the earlier answer are inter-related, that the increase in detection rates is a further factor, and that a review is under way involving procurators fiscal with a view to reducing delays as far as possible. I understand that the reference to technology relates to a number of on-going developments including electronic communications systems and an upgraded digital dictation system which is currently being rolled out.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The director has indicated that some further work is being undertaken which will not be completed until the end of March. It is therefore too early to say what conclusions he will reach.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The director has indicated that some further work is being undertaken which will not be completed until the end of March, at which point he will consider whether any procedural changes are required.

The action was taken because it was becoming apparent that the target introduced in 2000-01 was no longer a reliable indicator of performance. Moreover, targets had been introduced by the Health and Safety Commission in their publication Revitalising Health and Safety launched by the Deputy Prime Minister in June 2000, and it was decided to align the SPS's method of accident reporting in future years against these targets.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Long-term young adults receive training in preparation for freedom through the Beechwood Unit (Open Facility within Polmont YOI). The training includes preparation for work through community-based placements and throughcare supports such as budgeting for their own food and belongings, assistance with job applications, and cooking their own meals in advance of independent living.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Depending on sentence length and assessed needs, young adults are offered a range of employment supports including job interviews, CV preparation, literacies assistance, and building self-esteem. Links are also made with Apex Scotland, Job Centre Plus and individual employers to maximise chances of securing and retaining full, part-time and voluntary employment.