Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-3045.

I refer the member to the answer I gave to question S1W-3045.

The detailed information requested is not available and could not be obtained without extensive research into actual title deeds. However, the Scottish Law Commission has estimated that less than 10% of properties still remain subject to feu duty and that the sums involved are mainly small.

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme does not apply in Scotland. It was replaced by the new Warm Deal on 1 July 1999. The rules governing the Warm Deal on 1 April 2000 will remain as they are at present. They provide that households wholly or mainly dependent on specified state benefits, including old age pensioners, are eligible for a grant of up to £500. Other old age pensioners are eligible for a grant of up to £78.75.

No estimate has been made. Compensation for lost feuduty or development value will only be payable if a superior claims it. It will be for each of the authorities listed to take decisions on whether to claim in the light of the provisions of the Bill.

No representations have been made to the Scottish Executive about the tax status of any income received by superiors under the compensation proposals contained in the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Bill. The scheme for compensation in respect of the extinction of all remaining feu duties replicates provisions for compensation for the redemption of feu duty under the Land Tenure Reform (Scotland) Act 1974. Payment of arrears of feu duty will be treated as income of the superior, while the compensation payment itself will be treated as a capital receipt. It is envisaged that any compensation payable in respect of a breach of a development value real burden where the superior has registered a notice reserving the right to claim such compensation will also be treated as a capital receipt.

All departmental papers of policy or presentational significance are routinely copied to Special Advisers. There has been no change to those arrangements in the last 30 days.

All vacancies for Shrieval posts are advertised and applications are submitted to the Justice Department. There are invariably consultations with the Sheriffs Principal and the Lord President of the Court of Session before the First Minister makes recommendations to The Queen. Special Advisers are not involved in the appointment process.Ministers remain committed to a public consultation exercise on the system of recommending the appointment of Judges and Sheriffs. The full implications for judicial appointments more generally, of recent judgements in the High Court dealing with temporary Sheriffs are still being considered and the consultation paper will now be issued in the spring.

Estimates of the future prison population are based on historical data and recent sentencing trends.

The methodology used to produce projections of the Scottish prison population is designed to provide projections of the total number of prisoners only.