Chamber and committees

In accordance with the Civil Service Code, the department has a policy of providing accurate factual information to media enquiries and to organisations and individuals who express an interest in the public services which its staff provide. The department publishes an annual report and places relevant information on its publicly accessible website:www.crownoffice.gov.uk.Also, representatives from both a departmental and local level of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service regularly attend at specially organised events in such places as schools and universities to educate and inform members of the community about their role and duties performed.

The department does not operate a specific discretionary bonus scheme, but under the annual staff appraisal system managers may make recommendations for bonus payments to staff.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-23156.

The Future Office System (FOS) is intended to enable case marking and summary processing work to be carried out almost entirely electronically. The software programmes will permit standardisation of procedures, thereby increasing consistency, reducing the potential for errors and producing high quality case documentation. FOS should provide better management information, faster processing of initial court documentation, speedier notification of decisions to our criminal justice partners and reductions in administrative effort.

From 11 March 2002 the department has two full-time welfare officers. The department also has a contract for the provision of welfare services to its staff by the Employee Counselling Service.

The Rural Stewardship Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2001 set out the legal framework within which the Rural Stewardship Scheme is operated. Additional guidance on the operation of the scheme is set out in the scheme literature, which includes the Explanatory Booklet and the forms which accompany this. The Scottish ministers are considering whether any changes should be made to the way in which the scheme is operated, in the light of the experience of the first year of operation.The Rural Stewardship Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2001 are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 16006). The Rural Stewardship Scheme Explanatory Booklet and forms are available in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 19601).

The Scottish Executive has no function in relation to the health and safety implications of the European Commission's proposed Physical Agents directives.The Scottish Executive is in regular contact with the UK Government on a wide range of issues, including health and safety.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:HMP Peterhead plan to host four Learning Activity Days on:14 May 200226 June 20024 September 20026 November 2002.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The STOP programme has been delivered since 1993 in four sites. Such detailed information is not readily available.

I have asked Tony Cameron, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:The STOP programme has been delivered since 1993 in four sites. Such detailed information is not readily available.