Chamber and committees

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

I refer the member to the answer to the question S3W-37706 on 25 November 2010. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

The Scottish Government is working with the Violence Reduction Unit and other partners to tackle knife crime. Violent crime is at its lowest level in over 30 years with the crime of handling an offensive weapon having reduced 30% since 2006-07. This success has been achieved through tough enforcement, supported by record numbers of police officers, and innovative education initiatives like our ground breaking No Knives, Better Lives campaign. I am sure the member will join me in welcoming the fact that this has led to a 35% reduction in knife carrying in Inverclyde over the period of the campaign.

Phase 2 of the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan (N-RIP) sets out a clear route map for how port/site owners can seek public funding support for their investment plans and the criteria that will be applied by Scottish Enterprise in appraising applications. This process will ensure that the limited public sector funds available are prioritised to those locations that are attracting end user demand but are being held back by a lack of private sector investment. Within this context Scottish Enterprise will continue to help the Inverclyde Renewables Alliance articulate their investment plans and provide guidance on funding options.

The N-RIP Phase 2 report has been published and is available on the Scottish Enterprise website at:

https://www.scottish-enterprise.com/your-sector/manufacturing/news-se-smas/News%20Details.aspx?itemId={F36381C2-7234-4D4D-B61A-385B152DCDBC}

In addition, Scottish Enterprise continues to support the Riverside Inverclyde Urban Regeneration Company (URC) with funds from its ring fenced URC budget.

The Scottish Government is committed to spend at least £500,000 on No Knives, Better Lives from April 2009 through to March 2011. Spending in 2009-10 was approximately £200,000 which includes the cost of developing the campaign and piloting it in Inverclyde. Approximately £300,000 has been allocated for 2010-11 to cover the cost of rolling the initiative out to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Clackmannanshire, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire and continuing work in Inverclyde. There is no specific allocation per area as each campaign is tailored to local community needs and builds on work that is already existing. Our investment in each area is then maximised by local partners who are also bringing their time, resources and in-kind support to what are very localised campaigns.

The First Minister met Gamesa in Scotland in June 2010 and in Bilbao in September 2010. Scottish Development International officials have had a number of meetings with the company including meetings that took place during the company''s visits to Scotland in June and October 2010.

Future meetings with the company will take place with a view to further influencing how the company progresses its proposed investment.

The Scottish Government published guidance aimed at home educators and local authorities entitled Home Education Guidance, in December 2007. This publication can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/12/17133313/0 on the Scottish Government website. Copies of this guidance are also available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 44485).

There are no qualifications required to home educate a child. However, section 30 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 sets out that it is the duty of parents to provide efficient education suitable to the age ability and aptitude of the child. Local authorities have a duty to ensure that where children have been removed from school, such an education is being provided.

There are guidelines issued to authorities on setting the minimum number of teaching hours required to home educate a child. However, section 30 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 sets out that it is the duty of parents to provide efficient education suitable to the age ability and aptitude of the child. Local authorities have a duty to ensure that where they are aware of children being home educated, such an education is being provided.

There is no requirement for home educated children to be registered. Statistics showing the number of home educated children educated outwith school are published each year with tables showing the numbers of children receiving education outwith school under various categories. The latest publication for school year 2008-09 can be found on the Scottish Government website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2009/10/26154423. Previous years are also available. This publication is also available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, (Bib. number 50387).

Section 4.2 of the Scottish Government''s Home Education Guidance sets out that authorities should make contact on an annual basis in order that they may be assured that a home educated child is receiving an efficient and suitable education. The guidelines also sets out that should an authority have concerns concerning the education of the child at any time then contact should be made to resolve these concerns. A copy of the guidance is available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 44485). It can also be found on the Scottish Government''s website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/12/17133313/0.