Chamber and committees

Through its Digital Scotland initiative, the Scottish Executive is working towards pervasive and affordable access to the web for people in Scotland. We are committed to achieving universal access to the web by 2005. We are promoting digital inclusion in Social Inclusion Partnerships, including establishing a network of locally based ICT champions and supporting ICT facilities, in consultation with local communities and partners.

Specific actions to ensure all people may take advantage of the opportunities that ICTs present are the Community Access to Lifelong Learning (CALL) programme and the learndirect scotland initiative.The CALL programme is funded by the New Opportunities Fund. CALL has been established to engage more adults in learning at a community level by developing support for ICT access to information and learning opportunities. Some £23 million has been earmarked for spending in Scotland.People need to learn how to use new technology effectively if they are to feel comfortable with it and reap the benefits it offers. To that end, anyone, anywhere in Scotland can now get access to learning at a time and a place to suit them. The Executive's flagship for lifelong learning - learndirect scotland - has been operational since October, simplifying access to learning at all levels. Through its services anyone aged 18 or over can also register for an Individual Learning Account to help them pay for the learning they do. Discounts of 80% are available for basic IT skills courses to help adults grasp and exploit the opportunities that ICT presents.

In February 2000, Henry McLeish launched a series of initiatives to accelerate the uptake of e-commerce by Scottish businesses. These were the First Steps into E-Commerce workshops, Digital Advantage workshops, Ecomm2000 consultancy packages, a national e-promotion campaign, and the creation of a Director of E-Commerce at Scottish Enterprise. Scottish Enterprise also runs a Winners at the Web competition to highlight examples of best practice, organises high profile events such as E-Commerce week and offers advice and signposting through its own website. Highlands and Islands Enterprise offers a similar range of assistance including advice, seminars and workshops.The Executive was involved in the establishment of 10 local support centres in Scotland which provide the delivery mechanism for these initiatives. Most are now integrated within the Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise networks.

Unlike the other disability provisions of the UK Government's Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill, which are reserved, clause 13 is concerned with local authority organisation and management which is devolved. The clause will therefore not extend to Scotland. The Executive is considering how best to introduce similar provisions here.

Officials in the Executive undertook a round of informal discussions with telecommunications companies on their plans for the provision of broadband technology. Further consultations have recently taken place at a UK level. We are in close contact with Whitehall departments to ensure co-ordination of policy.

All crimes and offences recorded by the police are covered in the published statistics on recorded crime, including those which result in a fiscal fine. Totals of the number of criminal reports concluded by way of a fiscal fine are given in the annual Scottish Executive Justice Department statistical bulletin on criminal proceedings in Scottish courts and also in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Annual Report. Information on the numbers of fiscal fines paid is included in the annual statistical returns made by the district courts.

The number of Procurators Fiscal in Glasgow has increased over this year, with three additional deputes. A further depute and five precognition officers have just been added to the structure and will be in place by early January. The resource planning process which will set staffing levels and other resource allocations from April 2001 onwards is under way, and will be completed early next year. During that process current and projected workload statistics, including an increase in reports of serious crime in Glasgow, will be carefully taken into account.

The Scottish Executive recognises the high importance of ensuring businesses have access to the telecommunications they need to help them achieve maximum competitiveness. This will largely be achieved through the promotion of competition.There are, however, actions falling to the Executive which may contribute. These will include building on public sector demand for higher bandwidth services to encourage the spread of appropriate infrastructure. The Executive is now in discussion with UK departments on these issues.

It will be for Dr Jandoo to determine the extent and form of the input that he seeks during his inquiry. I understand he intends to consult with representatives of the ethnic minority communities and his remit requires him to consult with the Chhokar family and their representatives and the Commission for Racial Equality.

The attached table shows the number of civil proofs fixed at Glasgow Sheriff Court during the period from September 1999 to August 2000. The 12 week target was met throughout the period with the exception of December 1999 when the period increased to 15 weeks. The table also provides information on the percentage of proofs/debates adjourned due to lack of court time.

While trial diets may be available within the 12 week period, dates for individual cases may be fixed outwith this timescale to suit the convenience of the parties to the action at the request of solicitors.

The statistical information available does not differentiate between those proofs fixed within the 12 week waiting period or those fixed outwith this period at the request of solicitors.

	Civil Proofs Assigned	Adjourned Lack of Time
Sept 1999	53	0
Oct 1999	133	0
Nov 1999	111	1.3%
Dec 1999	63	0
Jan 2000	65	0
Feb 2000	64	1.1%
Mar 2000	52	0
Apr 2000	56	1.5%
May 2000	61	1.3%
June 2000	65	0
July 2000	57	0
Aug 2000	63	1.2%

The names of the first tranche of appointments to the new office of part-time sheriff were announced on 13 October 2000.