Chamber and committees

The Summary Justice Review Committee is currently undertaking a public consultation exercise on first order issues. Its consultation document can be found at:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/summaryjusticereview.On the current timetable, the committee's report will be published in summer 2003.

We have no plans for community support officers with police powers to undertake neighbourhood patrols. However, the Executive has provided funding under the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund for a pilot to explore the use of neighbourhood wardens in part of Paisley. The role of these wardens, who will be employed by Renfrewshire Council and work closely with Strathclyde Police, will be to observe and report incidents with the aim of reducing vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

The Scottish Executive has been aware from the outset that many of the provisions in the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill would require to be formulated carefully to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. Ministers consider that the provisions in the bill achieve that outcome, and that there are no grounds on which it could successfully be argued that there is incompatibility with the convention.

The following table contains the information requested. It should be noted that the figure for any one year can be skewed by the release on life licence of one or more prisoners after serving especially long periods in custody.

Year of Release	Average Sentence Served by Life Prisoners by Year of Release from Prison
1992	12 years 7 months
1993	12 years 2 months
1994	13 years 2 months
1995	13 years
1996	13 years 6 months
1997	15 years 3 months
1998	13 years 9 months
1999	14 years
2000	13 years 3 months
2001	13 years 6 months

Under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, local authorities have a general duty to secure the expeditious, convenient and safe movement of traffic. This general duty is met by the local authority making traffic regulation orders, which can be introduced for a variety of reasons. This could include the restriction of overnight parking of heavy commercial vehicles in residential streets, with associated penalties.

Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill for the first time creates clear and unambiguous rights of general access to land. In recommending the creation of rights of responsible access to land, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Access Forum highlighted the confusion that exists amongst members of the public as to where they may legally go in the countryside. It is important that all members of the public have the opportunity to enjoy our natural heritage and participate in healthy outdoor activities. The legislation has been drafted to balance the demand for greater access with the rights of those who live and work in the countryside. We are content that the provisions are proportionate and comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Scottish Parliament, like all high profile organisations with a presence on the internet, is a target for attempted hacking and for virus attacks. The Parliament employs several layers of security in line with BS7799 and IT Security best practices, to provide a secure environment for the Parliament's computer system, and the security measures are constantly monitored and regularly updated.

It is for Chief Constables to determine how best to discharge their duties in relation to court orders after having due consideration to the original offence and, where necessary, in consultation with the Procurator Fiscal.

The membership of the Crofting Consultative Panel referred to in paragraph 33 of the Policy Memorandum on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill is as follows:OrganisationsArgyll and Bute CouncilAssynt Crofters TrustBorve and Annishader TrustCOSLACrofting Law GroupDeer Commission for ScotlandThe Highland CouncilHighlands and Islands EnterpriseInstitute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in ScotlandJohn Muir TrustNational Farmers' Union of ScotlandThe National Trust for ScotlandRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in ScotlandScottish Crofting FoundationScottish Land CourtScottish Landowners' FederationShetland Islands CouncilStornoway TrustValuation Office, InvernessWestern Isles CouncilIndividualsSir Crispin Agnew of LochnawMr Derek FlynnMr Simon FraserMr Magnus D HoustonMr Alexander M Murray.

The 15 replies referred to in paragraph 33 of the Policy Memorandum on the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill were from the following: Bidwells Property ConsultantsCrofters CommissionThe Highland CouncilHighlands and Islands EnterpriseLaid Grazings CommitteeThe National Trust for ScotlandRoyal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in ScotlandScottish Crofting FoundationScottish Landowners FederationSir Crispin AgnewDr Jean Balfour, CBEThe Hon GE LopesJames McPhersonCllr R J MurrayConfidential responseThe original consultation indicated that responses would be treated as confidential. We have since asked the authors whether we may publish their responses and copies of responses from those organisations or individuals who are content for their comments to be made public have now been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 19868).