Chamber and committees

Prior to 1 April 2008, debtors presented petitions for their own bankruptcy to the courts. Since 1 April 2008 those people who wish to make themselves bankrupt must apply directly to the Accountant in Bankruptcy by way of debtor application.

The following table shows the number of debtor petitions to the courts in the third quarter of 2007-08 and the number of debtor applications to the Accountant in Bankruptcy in the third quarter of 2008-09. The number of awards of bankruptcy as a result of debtor petitions or applications in the same periods are also shown.

There is no direct correlation between the petitions or applications for bankruptcy and those awarded in any particular period of time due to internal processes.

Debtor Petitions/Applications and Awards “ Third Quarter

	2007-08	2008-09
Debtor petitions to the courts	604	-
Debtor applications to AiB	-	3,245
Awards as a result of debtor petition/application	619	3,251

Note: Information on numbers of petitions supplied by the Scottish Court Service. Information on debtor applications and awards collated by the Accountant in Bankruptcy.

*No information is recorded on debtor petitions to the Court of Session “ the vast majority of debtor petitions would have been presented at a sheriff court.

No direct comparison can be made between the figures in the current year and figures reported on in previous years as the application process and criteria for award of bankruptcy are different.

The number of debtor applications and the increase in the number of awards in 2008-09 is associated to a new route into bankruptcy for those with Low Income, Low Assets (LILA) which was introduced on 1 April 2008.

This question was answered in the Chamber. The answer can be viewed in the Official Report using the following link:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/officialReports/meetingsParliament/or-09/sor0305-01.htm

National Debtline is highly effective in helping clients to resolve their debt problems and to avoid further difficulties with debt.

In their 2008 evaluation, 80% of clients reported that they were able to reach an adviser on the first attempt. 95% of clients expressed themselves as satisfied or very satisfied with National Debtline''s service (79% very satisfied), and 98% of clients said they would recommend or probably recommend the service to someone else who was experiencing difficulty with debt (85% definitely recommend). 91% of clients who set up an arrangement with their creditors said they had maintained it.

90% of clients felt that they were more knowledgeable about financial matters after receiving advice from National Debtline, and 85% of clients thought that they would be less likely to find themselves in a similar situation again.

The following guidance has been issued to NHS boards:

Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy and Scottish Action Plan, 2002.

Scottish Medicines Consortium published Antimicrobial Prescribing Policy and Practice in Scotland (2005).

Scottish Management of Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan (ScotMARAP) March 2008. ScotMARAP has replaced the 2002 guidance document and outlines the national programme for Scotland in tackling antimicrobial resistance and prudent prescribing over the next five years in primary and secondary care.

On 8 July 2008, CEL 30 2008, was sent to all chief executives, medical directors, and infection control manager of NHS boards and Special Health Boards, seeking the immediate implementation of the national policies set out in ScotMARAP.

Other sources of guidance for prescribers include the British National Formulary which provides advice on the prescribing of medicines including antibacterial drugs for the treatment of MRSA.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20547 on 4 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Information on the charging policies of each local authority for specific social care services or client groups is not held centrally.

The National Assistance (Assessment of Resources) Regulations 1992 provide the framework for local authorities to charge for care that they provide or arrange in residential care homes, including for people with learning disabilities.

Under Section 87 (1A) of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 a local authority may charge for certain adult non-personal domiciliary services it provides. In keeping with local accountability, it is for local authorities to decide their charging policies for these non-personal care services. The legislation requires that any charges levied should not be more than appears to be reasonably practicable for the recipient to pay, taking account of his or her other financial commitments.

Guidance issued to local authorities by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities in January 2006 recommends a consistent framework for charging and encourages councils to demonstrate that they are following best practice. The guidance is currently under review by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20547 on 4 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20547 on 4 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20547 on 4 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

During 2008, National Debtline received 256,173 calls. 171,647 were answered by an adviser and a further 2,476 calls were dealt with on their literature order line. In addition, they handled 7,971 email enquiries. Some 3% of clients were signposted on for debt advice elsewhere (generally because they needed face-to-face advice) and 17.5% of clients were signposted elsewhere for matters other than debt (for example, to a doctor or lawyer).