Chamber and committees

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-29278. 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:It is not the only way or necessarily the best way of delivering best value for money. A fixed-price may, for example, be considerably higher than a non fixed-price contract. It is a question which can only sensibly assessed by an experienced procurement team which has access to expert advice on the market circumstances and the evaluation of risk.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:A detailed case for procuring a new private-build private-operate prison was set out in the Estates Review consultation paper and supporting documentation, as published on 21 March 2002. As the decision to procure such a prison has now been taken there is no need to prepare a further business case.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29915 today. 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.

As stated in News Release SEed 102/2002, specific plans and investment will be brought forward to reconfigure the secure estate with the creation of around 25 extra places across the country. I have asked a Scottish Executive multi-disciplinary team to assess proposals to meet requirements by both current and potential providers of secure accommodation to develop the estate. Once this process is complete, I will make a further announcement.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-29915 today. 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 timescale for ending slopping out depends on a number of developments, not all of which have firm timescales. These include implementation of the plans for Barlinnie, Edinburgh, Glenochil, Perth and Polmont announced by the Deputy First Minister on 5 September 2002, the opening of the two new prisons also announced on 5 September, and the closing of existing substandard accommodation as new or refurbished accommodation becomes available. The Deputy First Minister indicated in his statement on 5 September that he hoped that, on current plans and population projections, slopping out would end about a year after completion of the second new prison.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The measures announced by the Deputy First Minister on 5 September 2002, including one that will be used to respond to the current rise in remand numbers, namely the procurement of two new 700-place prisons and the programme of investment in the existing public sector estate, are intended to allow the Scottish Prison Service to achieve a better match between available prison places and the likely demand over the next 10 years after taking account of the impact of the increased use of alternatives to custody. Actual progress in addressing overcrowding will depend on delivery of these and other developments, precise timescales for which have not yet been set.

The target relates only to Class A drugs.

The full wording of the relevant target is to "Reduce the proportion of people under 25 reporting use of illegal drugs in the last month and previous year substantially, and heroin use by 25%, by 2005".The achievement of the target is dependent on a number of influences and initiatives, including some which are non-drugs specific, and which are aimed at improving the lives and aspirations of young people, particularly those who are the most excluded in our society. Initiatives and services in support of this target will therefore be resourced through a number of different funding streams, including the Changing Children's Services Fund, NHS allocations, local authority grant aided expenditure, Scotland Against Drugs, social inclusion partnership funding and national and local drug prevention initiatives.There is an annual accountability framework in which Drug Action Teams (DATs) report to the Executive annually on work under way and planned in support of national targets, and the identification of resources for drugs-specific work. Issues of concern are taken up with the relevant DATs. There is evidence from the plans of a broad range of work with young people throughout Scotland covering prevention and diversion activities, treatment provision and services for young substance misusing offenders.