Chamber and committees

This information is not held by the Scottish Government.

This information is not held by the Scottish Government.

Ministerial responsibility for the National Automatic Number Plate Recognition Data Centre lies with the Home Secretary.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras are operated by Police Scotland to help detect, deter and disrupt criminality. Any such information relating to the police use of ANPR technology is held by Police Scotland, not the Scottish Government. ANPR technology is also operated by Transport Scotland within a number of its camera systems for journey time calculation and detecting overweight vehicles. No formal register of number plate records is currently retained.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) published its fourth report on monitoring of availability and accessibility of legal services on 4 February 2016 in line with its statutory duty set out in the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. The report reflects on data collected on the willingness of solicitors or advocates to act in areas of law for different client groups which is used for trends analysis purposes.

The data do not suggest there are any systemic problems with access to legal services, nor do they reflect any reported problems with access to legal services.

However, in relation to these specific areas a general concern was expressed by a number of local and national sources. Therefore, SLAB will undertake follow-up survey work with relevant organisations, including Citizens Advice Bureaux and others in respect of repossession of owned property.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) published its fourth report on monitoring of availability and accessibility of legal services on 4 February 2016 in line with its statutory duty set out in the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. The report reflects on data collected on the willingness of solicitors or advocates to act in areas of law for different client groups which is used for trends analysis purposes.

The data do not suggest there are any systemic problems with access to legal services, nor do they reflect any reported problems with access to legal services.

The work in this area addressed legal services in relation to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, and not welfare and benefits issues in relation to mental health. The assessment was based on analysis of data which suggested that there may be availability problems in three specific areas of the country; however, no reports of specific instances of access problems occurring in these areas were received. Nonetheless, SLAB will continue to monitor this issue and follow up with relevant local organisations.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-29859 on 9 March 2016. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

The Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) published its fourth report on monitoring of availability and accessibility of legal services on 4 February 2016 in line with its statutory duty set out in the Legal Services (Scotland) Act 2010. The report reflects on data collected on the willingness of solicitors or advocates to act in areas of law for different client groups which is used for the purpose of undertaking analysis of trends.

The data do not suggest that there are any systemic problems with access to legal service, nor do the data reflect any reported problems with access to legal services.

The analysis for protective orders in relation to antisocial behaviour was based on a potential issue with availability that was highlighted via the Access to Justice Reference Group. No reports of specific instances of availability problems in this area were raised and we are of the view that this area of law constitutes a comparatively low risk.

No specific instances of availability problems were received in relation to contentious pensions, unfair dismissal or redundancy matters. We are of the view that this area of law also constitutes a low risk.

The assessment of the risk of exposure of legal services for victims of domestic abuse and access to judicial review fell within the lowest risk category.

Based on the analysis and assessments carried out by SLAB, the Scottish Government is satisfied that there are currently no systemic problems with access to legal services resulting from a change in the law or lack of availability for any of the areas.

The Scottish Government has provided a £16 million aid package in response to recent flooding, principally providing grants to individuals and businesses but also supporting councils with reparation costs, which may include Scottish landfill tax.

The Bellwin Scheme has also been activated. This allows ministers to provide extra revenue support to local authorities to help with the immediate and unforeseen costs in dealing with the aftermath of large-scale emergency incidents, including housing of residents and the clean-up operation.

The Scottish Government is of the view that direct support is a more effective and efficient way to facilitate the speedy clean-up of flood affected areas.

We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with the local authorities affected.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-28458 on 2 December 2015, I will provide to Parliament our analysis of the consultation in due course. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.