- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 January 2015
To ask the Scottish Government when it will announce the names of the (a) judicial, (b) legal and (c) lay members of the Scottish sentencing council.
Answer
Schedule 1 of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 provides for the membership and procedures for appointment to the Scottish sentencing council. The council will be chaired by the Lord Justice Clerk. The appointment of other members will take place in due course.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 January 2015
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-20677 by Kenny MacAskill on 2 May 2014, what progress it has made on establishing the Scottish sentencing council.
Answer
The Scottish Government is working, in dialogue with senior judiciary, to ensure that the necessary arrangements are in place with a view to the Scottish sentencing council being established before the end of end of 2015.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 January 2015
To ask the Scottish Government whether secondary legislation is required to enable the establishment of the Scottish sentencing council and, if so, how long it will take to introduce it.
Answer
There are provisions in the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2010 which will require to be commenced to establish the sentencing council. These are sections 1 to 13 and schedule 1 of the 2010 Act. In addition there is a requirement to bring forward secondary legislation relating to the appointment process of members.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 January 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 28 January 2015
To ask the Scottish Government whether it has (a) identified and (b) acquired accommodation for the Scottish sentencing council.
Answer
We are working, in dialogue with the senior judiciary, with a view to setting up the sentencing council before the end of 2015 and this includes discussion regarding accommodation needs of the sentencing council.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Derek Mackay on 27 January 2015
To ask the Scottish Government when the 20 mph speed limit trial on the A7 in Langholm will conclude and when the results will be published.
Answer
The statutory process for the introduction of a 20 mph speed limit order necessary to introduce the trial will follow a successful outcome to the pre consultation currently ongoing with the local authority and community. It is too early to be clear on the timescales for the delivery and monitoring of any speed limit pilot in Langholm.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 15 January 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Margaret Burgess on 27 January 2015
To ask the Scottish Government what (a) financial and (b) other assistance it can provide to homeowners to help with the costs of roof repairs.
Answer
Private home owners are primarily responsible for repairing and maintaining their own property. The Scottish Government does not provide assistance directly to home owners as local authorities have a broad range of statutory powers to provide assistance with structural repairs including roof repairs through advice and guidance, practical help or financial assistance by way of grants or loans. It is for the local authority to determine what kinds of assistance should be made available in each area on the basis of local priorities and budgets.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 January 2015
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 28 January 2015
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Dumfries and Galloway Council regarding its plans for Dumfries Learning Town.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 28 January 2015
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 13 January 2015
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Current Status:
Answered by Derek Mackay on 21 January 2015
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on what progress has been made with the 20 mph speed limit trial on the A7 in Langholm.
Answer
Since announcing the 20 mph pilot in Langholm we have consulted with the local authority and wider community. In response to our consultation we have received a wide range of views from the local community and we are working with them and the local authority to identify what proposals will provide the greatest safety benefits and meet the needs of the community of Langholm.
A number of surveys are ongoing and will be completed by late February 2015; we will discuss the outcomes with the local authority and community thereafter.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Monday, 22 December 2014
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 19 January 2015
To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the operation of the Justice Board would be enhanced by having members drawn from civic society.
Answer
The work of the Justice Board is supported by the Justice Leaders Network.
The Justice Leaders Network brings together partners and stakeholders from across the justice system and related sectors to support the delivery of The Strategy for Justice in Scotland. This is an opportunity to involve a broader range of justice organisations and interests not represented on the Justice Board, including representatives of the public, academic and third sector organisations.
- Asked by: Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 December 2014
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Matheson on 19 January 2015
To ask the Scottish Government whether its forthcoming measures to tackle domestic abuse will include (a) emotional, (b) financial and (c) coercive abuse and (d) parental alienation.
Answer
The Programme for Government set out that the Scottish Government will consult on introducing a new specific criminal offence of committing domestic abuse. The consultation will seek views as to whether a specific offence would better reflect the true nature of abuse, including ongoing controlling and coercive behaviour by partners or former partners.