- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 21 March 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 27 April 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to assess the effectiveness of the correctional opportunities offered to prisoners.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron,Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:
The SPS Analytical Serviceshas a programme of work to evaluate SPS accredited programmes designed toaddress offending behaviour. An assessment of the effectiveness of theseprogrammes will be undertaken by comparing the subsequent re-offending ofprogramme completers with a control group of similar offenders who have notundertaken the programme.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Thursday, 24 March 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Nicol Stephen on 22 April 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive how many green transport plans are in place in the Strathclyde Passenger Transport area.
Answer
This information is not collectedcentrally. However, a study commissioned by the Scottish Executive is currentlybeing undertaken to provide a clearer picture of green travel plan activity in Scotland. Thefindings of the study are expected to be received shortly.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 April 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 20 April 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to ensure that the science curriculum in schools is kept up to date.
Answer
The review of the school science curriculum, which is one of the main priorities identified within A Curriculum for Excellence, has commenced. Learning and Teaching Scotland, who keep aspects of the curriculum under review, launched a set of updated exemplar materials for science teachers in November 2004.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 April 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 20 April 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the shortcomings in science education identified in Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education's report, Improving Achievement in Science in Primary and Secondary Schools.
Answer
Since 2002, Education Authorities have been provided with additional funding of £18 million to invest in new science equipment and other resources. In February 2005, we announced investment of more than £300,000 to provide a programme of residential summer schools and better training opportunities to allow teachers to update their science skills.
The review of the school science curriculum which, is one of the main priorities identified within A Curriculum for Excellence, has commenced. Learning and Teaching Scotland, who keep aspects of the curriculum under review, launched a set of updated exemplar materials for science teachers in November 2004.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 21 March 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Cathy Jamieson on 20 April 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking in response to the Audit Scotland report, Scottish Prison Service: Correctional Opportunities for Prisoners, published in January 2005.
Answer
I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to respond. His response is as follows:
The information requested is available on the SPS website at:
http://www.sps.gov.uk/keydocs/Audit%20Scotland/SPS%20Response.htm.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 11 April 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Peter Peacock on 15 April 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address any shortfall in numbers of physics and chemistry teachers.
Answer
We have no evidence of any significant or generalised shortfall in numbers of physics teachers and chemistry teachers.
The Scottish Executive carries out an annual teacher workforce planning exercise to ensure at a national level the number of teachers leaving the profession is balanced by sufficient numbers joining. This takes into account factors such as the age profile of the profession; changing pupil numbers; numbers of new entrants to the profession and those leaving due to resignation, retirement etc.
As part of the exercise subject specialisms are prioritised, with universities having flexibility to adjust recruitment levels to subjects in order to accommodate localised demand. Factors which are considered in the prioritisation exercise include vacancy levels reported by local authorities and the demand from local authorities for probationer teachers in each sector/subject. The system is proving itself successful in helping match supply with demand.
Entrants to physics and chemistry Postgraduate Certificate in Education courses are up by 10%, across the two subjects.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Monday, 21 March 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Malcolm Chisholm on 15 April 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will simplify the criteria required to be met for the declaration of a pressured area under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.
Answer
We have no plans to change the criteria. The Executive is required by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to report on the effect of the right to buy by September 2006, and will consider the merits of the cases being made for further adjustments to the operation of right to buy in the light of that report.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 March 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Euan Robson on 24 March 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the increasing number of needs-based referrals to children's panels.
Answer
The Scottish Executive is implementing a range of measures to ensure that children and young people get the help they need when they need it, including Sure Start Scotland, Additional Support for Learning (ASL), the Child Protection Review Programme and implementation in Scotland of
Health for all Children (Hall4).
The Children’s Hearings Review is also considering how to improve outcomes for vulnerable children.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 March 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Tavish Scott on 22 March 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to restrict the use of special offers at off-licences and supermarkets in a similar way to proposed restrictions on happy hours in public houses.
Answer
At present there is no firm evidence available to link binge drinking with consumption from the off-sales sector. However, the Scottish Executive is committed to conduct further research into this matter and will discuss its concerns with the licensed trade and Alcohol Focus Scotland.
The Licensing (Scotland) Bill, published on Tuesday 1 March, includes a power which would permit ministers to extend the provisions concerning irresponsible drinks promotions to off-licences and supermarkets if, following further consideration, this was found to be appropriate.
- Asked by: Robert Brown, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Liberal Democrats
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 09 February 2005
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Current Status:
Answered by Hugh Henry on 9 March 2005
To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to make provision for issues regarding Jewish divorce in the Family Law (Scotland) Bill.
Answer
The Family Law (Scotland) Billwas introduced on 7 February. The bill does not contain any provisions relatingto Jewish divorce.
We remain in close contact withrepresentatives of the Jewish community in Scotland and appreciate their concernto ensure appropriate granting of religious divorce by separating spouses, as requiredby Jewish law. We are continuing our discussions in the context of the bill andwill welcome parliamentary debate and scrutiny.
