Chamber and committees

There has been one such report in the year 2001-02. The charge of a contravention of section 7(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) Scotland Act 1995 was one of four charges in a case reported to the Procurator Fiscal at Edinburgh. The case was disposed of by way of an indictment in terms of section 76 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, which is an accelerated mechanism in solemn procedure for disposing of case where a plea has been agreed; the indictment is served on a shorter notice period and contains only the charges to which it has been agreed guilty pleas will be tendered and accepted. The section 76 indictment in this case did not include the section 7(1)(a) charge. A sentence of six months imprisonment was imposed.

he Scottish Executive is approaching this in a number of ways. The Scottish Schools Standard Public Private Partnerships Contract was recently issued to all local authorities. The Scottish Executive, through Partnerships UK, are carrying out reviews of schools Public Private Partnership projects at key stages to ensure the robustness of projects as they go through the procurement phase. In addition, we are ensuring the procuring body is an informed client through a programme of training and support. These measures are aimed at streamlining the procurement process.

The national community safety website (www.saferscotland.org) went live on 6 September. The site will enable community safety partners to share and highlight best practice. Its main features are individual pages for each organisation with an interest in community safety i.e. local authority, police force, fire brigade, health board and various national organisations; a news page publicising new initiatives; a forum allowing the sharing of best practice and advice, and toolkits providing practical information on community safety and crime prevention.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:As was explained in answer to question S1W-29771, figures for the period preceding 2000-01 were not disaggregated in the same way as in 2000-01 and the following year. The SPS estimates that we spent around £1.6 million in 1999-2000, £1.5 million 1998-99 and £1.5 million in 1997-98. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.

The information requested is not readily available in the format required. The information systems operated by the department were designed for case tracking rather than for the production of statistical information. Systems currently in development will, in due course, facilitate the provision of data on a wider basis than is presently possible.

The provisions of the draft Council decision on the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, if adopted, will be implemented as required throughout the UK as part of the UK's international obligations. However, in Scotland, the implementation would take account of the distinctive Scottish legal system.

The provisions of the draft framework decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties, if adopted, will be implemented as required throughout the UK as part of the UK's international obligations. However, in Scotland, the implementation would take account of the distinctive Scottish legal system.

Negotiations within the European Union on the draft Council decision on the investigation and prosecution of, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes are being conducted by the UK Government, taking due account of the views of the devolved administrations. The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the draft Council decision.

The draft Council decision on the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes is still under discussion and negotiation at EU level. The Scottish Executive is studying the decision to determine what the implications might be for Scotland. However, as it pertains mainly to general issues of co-operation between the competent authorities of member states with regard to facilitating the exchange of relevant information, it is not thought at this stage that it would have any significant impact on Scots law as such.

The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including the draft Council decision on the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.