Chamber and committees

It is not possible to attribute definitely improvements in motorcycle deaths, casualties and accidents to any individual measure. Reductions are likely to reflect the impact of a range of road safety measures in addition to Bikesafe, such as road improvements and action to address riding with excessive speed.

I will make a decision when I have had a full analysis of all available information.

The information available on court imposed fines is given in the table. The court proceedings statistics for 2004-05 are scheduled for publication in March 2006. The available information on fixed penalty notices issued by local authorities during the first year of the Dog Fouling (Scotland) Act 2003 was given in reply to S2W-14542, answered on 9 March 2005. 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/wa.search.

Persons Given a Court Fine for Dog Fouling Offences¹, in Scottish Courts, 1999-2003

Local Authority Area2	2001	2002	20033
Angus	-	1	-
Dumfries and Galloway	-	-	1
Dundee City	6	2	1
East Lothian	-	1	-
Glasgow City	1	1	-
Highland	-	1	-
Moray	-	-	1
North Lanarkshire	1	-	-
Scottish Borders	-	-	1
South Lanarkshire	-	1	-
West Dunbartonshire	-	1	-
Scotland	8	8	4

Notes:

1. Where main offence.

2. Incorporates an approximate mapping of sheriff courts into local authority areas. Some sheriff courts will deal with cases from more than one local authority area

3. Includes estimated data.

The Executive has received a number of written communications from individual local authorities on the subject of the implementation of the single status pay agreement. The issue has also been raised in the course of discussions that have taken place between COSLA and the Executive.

However, it remains the case that the pay and conditions of local government staff are matters for local authorities. Although the Executive provides funding for salaries and wages as part of the block grant provided to local authorities, it is the responsibility of each authority as to how this money is allocated. The Executive was not involved in the negotiations between COSLA and the trade unions which resulted in single status pay agreement in 1999. In implementing the agreement, the Executive has made clear its view that local authorities should strike a balance between what is fair and equitable not just for the staff concerned but also for council tax payers.

The Scottish Executive would be happy to consider proposals to mark this anniversary.

The Scottish Executive has not been approached for support by the Robert the Bruce Commemoration Trust.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

That would be a matter for Reliance Custodial Services. However, we understand that a no smoking policy applies, and that smoke detection equipment is located in their vehicles.

The available information is given in the following table. The court proceedings statistics for 2004-05 are scheduled for publication in March 2006.

Persons Fined in Scottish Courts for Litter Offences¹, 2001-03

Local Authority Area	2001	2002	20032
Aberdeenshire	-	-	1
Angus	4	-	-
Dumfries and Galloway	-	-	1
Dundee City	1	4	3
East Ayrshire	2	1	-
East Dunbartonshire	-	2	-
Edinburgh, City of	1	1	-
Falkirk	1	-	1
Glasgow City	3	2	4
Highland	1	1	-
Inverclyde	1	3	-
North Ayrshire	1	1	-
North Lanarkshire	3	1	9
Renfrewshire	-	1	-
Scottish Borders	-	1	1
South Ayrshire	2	1	4
South Lanarkshire	2	7	7
Stirling	-	2	-
West Lothian	-	-	1
Scotland	22	28	32

Notes:

1. Where main offence was categorised as a litter offence under the Scottish Executive Justice Department’s classification of crimes and offences.

2. Includes estimated data.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:

The contract provides for Reliance Custodial Services to have a smoking policy. The policy is a matter for Reliance but we understand that a no smoking policy applies, and that smoke detection equipment is located in their vehicles. The contract can be viewed on the SPS website at:

www.sps.gov.uk.

This information is not held centrally.