Chamber and committees

There would be financial and economic benefits were the construction of the Glasgow Southern Orbital and the M77 extension to coincide, and consideration is being given to a joint contract to achieve this. It is too early to say whether this will be achieved as there are technical, financial and procedural matters to be considered. These include resolution of objections to the Glasgow Southern Orbital.If there is not to be a joint contract, East Renfrewshire Council and South Lanarkshire Council, the promoters of the Glasgow Southern Orbital, would decide on the timing of the construction of that road. It would be for those two councils also to advise you as to the likely effects of that road on employment in Ayrshire.

Orders were made on 17 December 1999 which include the power to purchase land to permit a full connection of the existing A77, and thereby B764 Eaglesham Moor Road with the proposed M77 at Kingswell. However, if proposals can be confirmed to construct the Glasgow Southern Orbital at the same time as the M77, then the need for the south-facing slip roads may be reconsidered. In that case these slip roads will not be required at this junction as the strategic east-west traffic would no longer use the Moor Road. Local traffic would be able to use the south-facing slip roads at Fenwick.

This information is not available.

This underspend will be deployed on a range of other initiatives across the Justice Department. These include making resources available for the Scottish Partnership on Domestic Violence, increasing the funding of Victim Support initiatives and supporting a range of investments to provide the police with the infrastructure they need to tackle crime effectively.

We are co-operating fully with HM Treasury who are the lead UK government department on matters relating to the euro. In common with Whitehall departments, and other devolved administrations, we have prepared preliminary estimates of the time and direct costs that might be incurred in any transition to the euro. In particular, we sought to identify (a) any business areas where work on euro-compliance might have to begin in advance of any decision to join the single currency; and (b) any computer systems where the euro compliance could be incorporated in upgrades that were already planned.Various systems, including our system for calculating and paying agricultural grants, have been identified as needing to be able to handle euro irrespective of whether or not the UK joins the single currency.

In accordance with section 2 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993, the Parole Board, sitting as a Designated Life Tribunal, will consider on 24 January 2000 whether or not Miss Barbara Glover requires to continue to be confined for the protection of the public. In accordance with standard procedures, a statement recording Scottish Minister's views on that matter has been submitted to the Parole Board. In accordance with the Parole Board (Scotland) Rules 1993, any information in connection with the proceedings before a Tribunal shall not be disclosed, either directly or indirectly, to any person not involved in those proceedings or to the public, except -

(i) insofar as the chairman of the Tribunal otherwise directs; or

(ii) in connection with any court proceedings.Accordingly, it would not be appropriate to comment any further on this matter.

If the family of the late Diane Watson have received threats to their safety they should bring the matter to the attention of the police.

One of the environmental aims of the new parliament building will be to reduce the amount of waste disposed at landfill. As a result, recycling will be an integral part of the facilities available. This will include the recycling of waste paper, aluminium cans, vending cups, cardboard, and any other materials should a suitable outlet for them exist.

The table below provides the requested data to 1999. Future staffing levels are not projected, they will reflect the needs of the service.

Year	No. of Staff in the SPS
1979	2,756
1980	2,887
1981	2,827
1982	2,835
1983	2,843
1984	2,937
1985	3,042
1986	3,249
1987	3,455
1988	3,499
1989	3,912
1990	4,109
1991	4,135
1992	4,540
1993	4,759
1994	4,619
1995	4,324
1996	4,575
1997	4,654
1998	4,856
1999	4,898

From 1988 the data is based at 31 March.

From 1979-1987 the data is based at 31 December.Part-time Medical Officers and Chaplains are included up to 1998.

Scotland's prison population will vary in line with crime rates, convictions and the sentences imposed by the courts. The Scottish Executive does not directly control prison population numbers, but does aim to provide a range of non-custodial sanctions for those whose offences do not merit imprisonment.