Chamber and committees

The provisions of the draft framework decision on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography, 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.

There was no representative from the Scottish Executive at the Justice and Home Affairs Council of the European Union on 14 and 15 October 2002. Negotiations within the European Union are 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 variety of EU-related issues, including those that were discussed on 14 to 15 October.

The European Union framework decision on combating racism and xenophobia is still under discussion by member states and we must make sure that our considerations take account of the finalised text. Any implication for Scots law will be highlighted in the usual way through the UK Government.

The Scottish Executive attaches very considerable importance to the effective implementation of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 which received Royal Assent on 24 July. The act enhances the powers to confiscate assets following conviction, strengthens police powers of investigation, introduces new powers of civil recovery and cash seizure, and allows for the taxation of suspected criminal assets.The intention is to bring the cash seizure provisions in part 5 of the act and the money laundering provisions in part 7 into operation in December 2002. The bulk of the rest of the act will be implemented by February 2003. The existing Crown Office Criminal Confiscation Unit is being strengthened and a new Civil Recovery Unit set up. A major training exercise involving procurators fiscal, police, customs and excise officers and others involved in enforcing the act's provisions is under way. On 23 August 2002 the Executive published for consultation a draft code of practice in relation to searches for suspected cash, as required by section 293 of the act. The finalised code will be brought into effect by statutory instrument after it has been approved by the Scottish Parliament. The Executive is also in the process of recruiting an "appointed person" to scrutinise police use of cash search powers under sections 290 and 291 of the act. On 15 October 2002 the Executive published a draft code on the use of the new investigations powers in part 8, as required by section 410 of the act. Following consultation, it too will be subject to approval by the Scottish Parliament. The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 represents a step change in the fight against crime and we are determined to ensure its successful implementation.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:As part of the project to contract out prisoner escort services and following competitive tender exercises, the SPS has engaged the services of PA Consulting and Semple Fraser WS to provide project management, commercial, legal and financial advice.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The information referred to in the answer given to question S1W-28706 will be used to assess value during the evaluation of bids received in response to the tender exercise now under way.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Accurate information is not currently available. Arrangements for the collection and analysis of relevant data are being made as part of the tender exercise currently under way.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Relevant data is being collected and analysed for the 12 months from December 2001. This will be placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre in due course.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29771 on 15 October 2002. 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.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The Scottish Prison Service is satisfied that PricewaterhouseCoopers' procedures for preventing conflict of interest were applied in the case of the prison estates review.