Chamber and committees

Subject to a successful evaluationof the two year SPECS pilot project on the A77, Transport Scotland willdevelop a strategy for more widespread use of average speed camera enforcement onthe trunk road network. The trial period is due to end in July 2007.

Transport Scotland is alreadycommitted to the more widespread use of average speed enforcement at major trunkroad works sites.

Transport Scotland hasthe operational responsibility for this area, and can be contacted for more informationif required.

The commission expects to publishits report later this year.

The commission has advised the Executive that it has not received any responses from survivors’ groups to its DiscussionPaper on Personal Injury Actions: Limitation and Prescribed Claims.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-31268 on 5 February 2007. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The position has not changedsince then.

Defining “dangerous and persistentoffenders” depends on the circumstances of the individual cases and assessmentsof the risk posed. That is why the Executive has introduced internationally recognised tools for the agenciesinvolved in the assessment and management of offenders and trained them in theiruse. This ensures a consistent approach across the different agencies which canbe adapted to the needs of the individual and for the interests of public protection.

It was considered that somecomments made about the booklet, A Can of Worms, raised issues thatrequired further consideration. I instructed officials to convene a reviewgroup to consider those issues further. The booklet addresses an important needand the review group is considering whether changes are required to improve thebooklet and, if so, to agree what the changes should be.

The group met twice in 2006,on 13 October and on 11 December, and has agreed to take forward its work into2007.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-31550 on 14 February 2007. All answers to writtenparliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facilityfor which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The £2 million Survivors Fundis the total budget available to the Strategy. £60,007 has been spent to date onlead professional salaries, expenses (for example accommodation for service usersattending meetings), and setting up a website that will go live shortly. Thegroup has also taken time and care to devise the criteria for a Development Fund.Applications are currently being sought for new, innovative services as well as supporting existing fragile initiativesthrough demonstration projects. It is anticipatedthat these will absorb the bulk of the monies available. The fund was launched on26 January and closes on 31 March 2007. As yet, no applications have been receivedbut there is a keen interest as evidenced by requests for application forms.

There is no requirement thatan organisation has charitable status to be eligible for application to the SurvivorsFund, but there will need to be satisfactory evidence that the organisation meets the criteria aslaid out in the fund guidelines.

I refer the member to the answerto question S2W-31550 on 14 February 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to thequestion S2W-31556 answered on 14 February 2007. All answers to written parliamentaryquestions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility forwhich can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.