Chamber and committees

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The cost of printing the estates review consultation paper and its two associated documents was £4,238.35. Preparation of the documents and conduct of the public consultation exercise was primarily the responsibility of a team of between three and five Scottish Prison Service staff, who also dealt with other matters connected with the review. A number of other staff in the Scottish Prison Service and elsewhere in the Executive were also involved.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The new prison assumes high security for 700 prisoner places with full flexibility in respect of the type of prisoners being accommodated over 25 years. HM Prison Shotts was considered to be an appropriate comparator prison for this exercise based on its size and role.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:Robust information is not available which would enable a valid comparison to be made between these two existing prisons. I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-30374 today, and to the fact that robust information is available which shows that the average annual cost per prisoner place on an net present value basis over a 25-year period in a public sector built and run prison of about 700 places is about £24,500 compared with £11,800 for an equivalent private sector build and run prison.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:This information is at Kilmarnock Prison Services Ltd's request treated as commercially confidential and as the prisoner escorting and court custody services are currently out to tender, publication of such information might prejudice the value for money of any future contract.

Firearms are only issued to officers who are authorised and trained in that particular class of weapon and have continued to undergo the corresponding tactical training. Every applicant for firearms training is required to complete a comprehensive application form and this form is assessed against a range of key competencies, including restraint and control, teamwork and co-operation, and decision making under pressure. Officers also undergo a series of health checks assessing their fitness, stability, hearing, and eyesight.After successful completion of this process officers attend a three-week Induction course where they learn all aspects of firearms training including legislation, tactics, use of force and shooting accuracy. If successful, the officer will be authorised to use police issue firearms and issued with an authorisation showing the types of weapons which may be used. The authorisation card is produced before a weapon is issued and always carried when the officer is armed.Authorisations are reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that officers' weapons handling and accuracy continue to be of a sufficient standard to allow them to carry their weapons. This review also confirms whether they remain suitable for the role.

The information requested is given in the following table:

Forces	No. of Firearms	No. of Qualified Officers
Central	79	48
Dumfries and Galloway	96	40
Fife	92	58
Grampian	131	122
Lothian and Borders	174	105
Northern	143	69
Strathclyde	627	215
Tayside	95	63

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:Yes.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:There have been no such occasions.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The Scottish Prison Service and the police, as operational considerations dictate.