- Asked by: Donald Gorrie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 20 September 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive to whom the Scottish Prison Service is accountable
Answer
As an agency of the Scottish Executive it is responsible to me.
- Asked by: Donald Gorrie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 August 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 19 September 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions and convictions there have been under section 50A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act 1995 in sheriff courts in each of the last three years.
Answer
Section 50A of the Criminal Law (Consolidation) (Scotland) Act came into force on 30 September 1998. Between then and the end of 1999 a total of 71 persons were proceeded against in sheriff courts where their main offence was under this section. A charge was proved for 54 of these persons. Final data for the year 2000 are not yet available.
- Asked by: Donald Gorrie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 22 August 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 19 September 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how many prosecutions and convictions there have been under section 27(4) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 in sheriff courts in each of the last three years.
Answer
The number of people with a charge proved in sheriff courts, where there was a bail aggravation under the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995, was 4,752 in 1997, 6,764 in 1998 and 6,741 in 1999. Final data for the year 2000 are not yet available. Information is not held centrally on the number of prosecutions where a breach of bail by reoffending was libelled on the indictment or specified on the complaint but which did not result in a conviction.
- Asked by: Donald Gorrie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 September 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 18 September 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what Audit Scotland's role is in determining whether local authorities are delivering Best Value and what criteria are used by Audit Scotland.
Answer
Audit Scotland and the Accounts Commission (on whose behalf it works) have played a central role since 1997 in developing the Best Value framework, in monitoring its implementation and in working closely with relevant inspectorates to secure a joined-up approach to Best Value scrutiny.In addition, Audit Scotland collect and assess a range of Statutory Performance Indicators each year, covering the full range of local authority services. These allow comparative assessment to be made about the impact of Best Value not only within an authority over time but between authorities at any one time.In assessing local authority performance, Audit Scotland looks for evidence against the following 10 criteria:
- That members and officers show clear leadership on Best Value
- That they are responsive to stakeholders
- That they carry our Best Value reviews
- That they have detailed and realistic plans to achieve their aims
- That they make the best use of their staff
- That they make the best use of their assets
- That they have sound financial control and reporting
- That they actively support continuous improvement
- That they monitor and control overall performance
That they have an effective approach to public performance reporting
- Asked by: Donald Gorrie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 September 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 18 September 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive how many widows have lost their entitlement to a devolved public service pension through remarriage or cohabitation in each of the last three years.
Answer
For the Scottish Teachers' Superannuation Scheme the figures are as follows.1997 - 271998 - 181999 - 20These represent an average of around 0.05% of the total number of pension recipients.Equivalent figures for the NHS Superannuation Scheme (Scotland) can only be obtained at disproportionate cost and information relating to other devolved public service pension schemes is not held centrally.
- Asked by: Donald Gorrie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 September 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 18 September 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the cost to devolved public service pension schemes of a change in family benefits to allow a widow to continue to receive payments after remarriage.
Answer
The assessed cost in respect of each year of future service is 0.3% of the public service pay bill. If the change was also to apply in respect of all past service of current members, the further cost is assessed as 3% of the pay bill.
- Asked by: Donald Gorrie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Tuesday, 04 September 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 18 September 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from (a) trade unions and (b) others concerning the operation of (i) the NHS pension scheme and (ii) other devolved public service pension schemes.
Answer
The Scottish Executive regularly receives representations from trade unions and other interested parties on a wide range of issues relating to the public service pension schemes, including the NHS scheme, for which the Scottish ministers are responsible.
- Asked by: Donald Gorrie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 06 August 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Angus MacKay on 10 September 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what savings have been made by (a) it, (b) local authorities and (c) the NHS in Scotland over the last three years as a result of electronic procurement methods, in total and as a proportion of procurement spending, and how these figures compare with the equivalent UK figures.
Answer
The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Procurement by local authorities is a matter for the individual body concerned.Savings announced by UK ministers in July this year were for UK central Government. They were based on a survey of the extent to which UK departments place orders by telephone, fax and other electronic means and of the extent to which invoices are paid through BACs and the Government Procurement Card. The Executive uses all of these methods in varying degrees and has done so for some time.
- Asked by: Donald Gorrie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Friday, 07 September 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jim Wallace on 10 September 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to regulate the private security industry.
Answer
Following informal discussions earlier this year with the police associations, local government and representatives from the private security industry, a consultation paper is being issued today containing proposals to regulate the industry. The consultation paper is being given wide circulation. The closing date for responses is 14 December 2001.
- Asked by: Donald Gorrie, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 02 August 2001
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Current Status:
Answered by Jackie Baillie on 28 August 2001
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has in relation to the continuance of the Millennium Volunteers programme.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is looking at the future of the Millennium Volunteers Initiative in Scotland. A review group is being set up to assess the impact of the initiative, consider its relationship to the wider volunteering contribution made by young people and consider how best to promote, support and recognise young people's volunteering in the future. I expect the group to report to me by the end of October.
