Chamber and committees

Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire is currently supporting the training of 208 young people within 44 engineering companies based in North Ayrshire, 152 of whom are Modern Apprentices. SEn Ayrshire also works in partnership with local education and training providers to assist employers on skills development.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) aims progressively to improve visit facilities at all our establishments as opportunities and resources permit. The SPS works closely with the Scottish Forum on Prisons and Families, sponsored by the SPS and Save the Children Fund.

The forum's report Facilities for Children Visiting Prisons: A Good Practice Guide supports SPS, agencies and individuals in improving conditions.

SPS have seconded a member of staff to the forum and one of his tasks is to help SPS ensure that prisons continue to provide the best facilities we can for children visiting prisoners.

These questions have now been answered.

The Lord Advocate has instructed Procurators Fiscal that the independent verification of SCRO fingerprint identifications is no longer required in light of the changes and improvements made to SCRO procedures.Since independent verification was introduced last year, over 1,700 cases have been examined and in each instance, the quality and accuracy of the work of SCRO officers has been confirmed. I am not aware of any successful challenge to fingerprint evidence in Scotland over the past year and it remains open to the defence in each case to secure their own expert to independently check any fingerprint evidence to be adduced by the Crown.

Support stockings have been available from NHSScotland through GP prescribing for some years whilst support tights have only been available through the hospital service. Consideration is currently under way both at UK and Scottish level regarding whether support tights should be added to the Drugs Tariff and therefore available on prescription through GPs.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-14468.

The Scottish Executive very much regrets the job losses resulting from USI's decision to downsize its plant at Irvine. Our main concern is to ensure that everything possible is done to assist those affected find alternative employment. Local agencies are aware of the situation at USI, and assistance will be provided to those affected in accordance with the principles outlined in the Scottish Executive's Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) framework.

The electronics sector is experiencing global restructuring. The Scottish Executive is presently working closely with the industry and enterprise network to address the economic development and skills issues which will enable the industry to compete for high-value-added work. The new Future Skills Scotland unit will also have a key role in identifying the future skills requirements of the sector.

An announcement will be made shortly.

The contract specification for cutting the grass verges of the A78 trunk road at Stevenston requires that, following the first cut in spring, the grass should be maintained at a height of between 50 mm to 70 mm during the growing season. It is normal for the first spring cut to take place in May or June although the precise timing of this work is a matter for Amey Highways Ltd.