Thursday 20 December 2012

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Enterprise and Environment Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the , further to the answer to question S4W-10906 by Paul Wheelhouse on 20 November 2012, whether it will address the issue raised in the question as to which of the proposals in the Report on Proposals and Policies will be adopted. (S4W-11727) Paul Wheelhouse: The draft Second Report on Proposals and Policies currently under development will set out our proposals and policies for meeting our greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for the period 2013 to 2027. The draft report will be laid in Parliament in early 2013. Parliament will have the opportunity to comment on which proposals should be adopted during the consultation period.

Governance and Communities Kezia Dugdale (Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Executive how many full-time equivalent staff and at what grade are employed in its (a) freedom of information unit, (b) national conversation, referendum and elections division, (c) media monitoring unit, (d) events and speechwriting division and (e) UK relations unit. Holding answer issued: 10 November 2011 (S4W-3641) John Swinney: The following table details the number of full time equivalent staff by grade in the Freedom of Information Unit, Elections and Constitution Division*, Media Monitoring Unit, Visits and Events team and the UK Relations team.

Total number of full-time equivalent staff, by grade at 30 November 2012** Temp Fast Agency A3 A4 B1 B2 B3 Stream C1 C2 C3 Worker Total Freedom of Information Unit 1 0 1.0 2.9 1.0 0 1.0 0 0 0 6.9 Elections & Constitution Division 0 1.0 1.0 1.8 3.0 1.0 3.4 4.0 1 0 16.2 Media Monitoring Unit 0 0 3.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 ***1 4.0 Visits & Events team 1.0 0 2.0 2.0 3.0 0 1.0 0 0 0 9.0 Speechwriter 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.0 0 0 0 1.0 UK Relations 0 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.9 0 1.0 0.6 0 0 5.5 Notes: *Formerly the National Conversation, referendum and elections division **Includes vacancies *** Agency staff do not carry civil service grades – this post is B1 equivalent. Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how it promotes the tourism potential of ski centres. Holding answer issued: 18 December 2012 (S4W-11674) : The Scottish Government is determined to maximise tourist growth and draw new visitors to Scotland and adventure activity has been identified as an area of tourism with great growth potential in the industry-led “Tourism Scotland 2020” strategy. We recognise that the promotion of snow sports and our ski centres is one way to do this and, with 2013 having been designated the Year of Natural Scotland, we have a great opportunity to promote snowsports in Scotland. VisitScotland is a member of the Snowsports Scotland Marketing Group (SSMG) and assists the group in producing and implementing an annual marketing plan. SSMG has also recently been awarded £24,000 from the VisitScotland Growth Fund to support its “Getting Started” initiative on World Snow Day to encourage participation in snowsports in Scotland. We are working closely and collectively with the centres, our enterprise agencies, sportscotland and VisitScotland to enable this important sector of our tourism industry to benefit from a more focussed and strategic support structure. That process has included a series of meetings with the centres. I have personally met with the ski centres on three occasions since taking up the role as the Minister for Energy, Enterprise and Tourism. The first meeting took place on 24 October 2011 to provide me with the opportunity to hear first-hand, what the centres’ expectations and aspirations are for the industry’s future development. I have also chaired a meeting on 24 May 2012, following the 2011-12 season, at the Lecht Snowsports Centre. The most recent engagement took place on 3 October 2012 when I met with representatives from the BBC, STV and the centres to explore how information on winter sports is publicised in the broadcast media, how information could be shared between the centres and broadcasters and the potential for improving information on snow conditions to allow snowsports enthusiasts to plan excursions more effectively, thereby increasing participation. I also plan to show the Scottish Government’s support for snowsports in Scotland next month when I visit one of the ski centres to acknowledge the hard work being done to encourage snowsport participants of all levels to make the most of Scotland’s ski centres. Iain Gray (East Lothian) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the promotion of (a) Gaelic, (b) the Scots language and (c) other indigenous languages in each year from 2007-08, broken down by category of expenditure. (S4W-11785) Alasdair Allan: In the following table we have listed the amounts spent by the Scottish Government on Gaelic and Scots broken down by categories of expenditure. Gaelic and Scots Spend since 2007 Body / Area of 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Expenditure MG ALBA £11.9m £12.4m £12.4m £12.4m £11.8m £11.8m Bòrd na £4.459m £5.459m £5.459m £5.459m £5.150m £5.150m Gàidhlig Gaelic £6.141m £6.641m £8.941m £8.150m £7.565m £7.930m Education GaelicSpend £22.5m £24.5m £26.8m £26.009m £24.635m £25.0m Scottish £0 £0 £200k £200k £200k £200k Language Dictionaries Scots £0 £0 £70k £70k £70k £70k Language Centre Scots £0 £0 £30k £30k £0 £0 Development Fund Scots Spend £0 £0 £300k £300k £270k £270k * The Scottish Government also supports various services using British Sign Language but figures are not held centrally. ** The Scottish Government also spends significant funds on the English language. This information also is not held centrally. Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many applications were made to Disclosure Scotland regarding people employed as Father Christmas and his assistants prior to Christmas (a) 2009, (b) 2010 and (c) 2011. (S4W-11787) : For the years in question, Disclosure Scotland has been able to identify the following number of applications from people being employed in the role of Father Christmas and his assistants. In 2009 44 applications; in 2010, 18 applications and in 2011, 27 applications.

Health and Social Care Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government how many road accidents have been recorded as caused by drivers falling asleep at the wheel as a result of obstructive sleep apnoea in each year since 1999. (S4W-11874) Michael Matheson: This information is not collected centrally.

Learning and Justice Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many students aged (a) 16 to 19 and (b) 20 to 25 were enrolled in colleges in (i) Aberdeen and (ii) Aberdeenshire in each of the last five years. Holding answer issued: 17 December 2012 (S4W-11634) Michael Russell: The latest data on students in colleges in Scotland is Scottish Funding Council data for 2010-11. Students (FTEs) enrolled in colleges in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire by age Colleges Age 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Aberdeen College 16-19 3,850 3,880 3,995 3,960 3,895 20-25 1,765 1,745 1,695 1,700 1,840 Total 16-25 5,615 5,625 5,690 5,660 5,740 Banff and Buchan College of Further 16-19 1,020 1,025 1,080 1,045 1,075 Education 20-25 260 285 305 350 340 Total 16-25 1,280 1,310 1,385 1,395 1,415 Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire 16-19 4,870 4,905 5,070 5,005 4,970 students 20-25 2,025 2,030 2,000 2,050 2,185 Total 16-25 6,895 6,940 7,075 7,055 7,155 Source: Scottish Funding Council. FTEs = Full-time equivalents.

Hugh Henry (Renfrewshire South) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether there will be a Scottish hardship fund for victims of crime. (S4W-11719) Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government already provides direct funding to Victim Support Scotland to maintain a Victims’ Fund, which provides direct assistance to victims of crime. We will be bringing forward shortly, within the Victims and Witnesses Bill, proposals for a victim surcharge to require offenders to contribute towards an additional source of revenue to meet the immediate needs of victims of crime. Following completion of work on the Victims and Witnesses Bill, we intend to consult on proposals for a Scottish Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The consultation will seek views on how compensation might better meet the immediate needs of victims.

John Lamont (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take in the event of an unresolved dispute between the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland and the Chair of the Scottish Police Authority regarding (a) who is responsible for the heads of backroom functions and (b) any other application of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012. (S4W-11751) Kenny MacAskill: The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 sets out clear roles and responsibilities for the Scottish Police Authority and the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Scotland. It is for them, not Ministers, to decide how best to fulfil those responsibilities.

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether its decision to amend section 16 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 was taken in response to advice from the Lord President. (S4W-11762) Kenny MacAskill: We have decided to clarify the law concerning consecutive sentencing for offenders who commit a further offence having been released from prison prior to their sentence end date following some concerns being expressed that the law in this area is not as clear as it could be. We have made the Lord President aware of our plans. Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether the decision to amend section 16 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993 was prompted by concerns arising from a particular case or cases. (S4W-11763) Kenny MacAskill: We have decided to clarify the law concerning consecutive sentencing for offenders who commit a further offence having been released from prison prior to their sentence end date following general concerns being expressed by justice stakeholders that the law in this area is not as clear as it could be. Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whom it consulted before deciding to amend section 16 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993. (S4W-11764) Kenny MacAskill: Our proposed changes to the law in this area will clarify the existing powers of courts in the area of consecutive sentencing. As such, they will not represent a change in sentencing policy and we do not plan to consult formally, though we will consider carefully views offered as part of the Parliamentary scrutiny of the provisions in due course. We have discussed our plans with a number of justice stakeholders, including the Crown Office, Scottish Prison Service and judicial representatives. Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the results of any consultation that was held prior to deciding to amend section 16 of the Prisoners and Criminal Proceedings (Scotland) Act 1993. (S4W-11765) Kenny MacAskill: Our proposed changes to the law in this area will clarify the existing powers of courts in the area of consecutive sentencing. As such, they will not represent a change in sentencing policy and we do not plan to consult formally on these. We have already discussed our plans with a number of justice stakeholders. We will consider carefully views offered as part of the Parliamentary scrutiny of the provisions in due course. Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many fiscal direct penalties have been discharged due to the death of the alleged offender in each year since 2009. (S4W-11858) Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days. Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many fiscal direct penalties have been discharged due to them being (a) refused, (b) recalled and (c) withdrawn in each year since 2009 (S4W-11859) Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operation matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many fiscal direct penalties have been discharged due to the alleged offender being given a (a) supervised attendance order, (b) community service or payback order and (c) prison sentence in relation to the offence in each year since 2009. (S4W-11862) Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operation matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many fiscal direct penalties have been discharged due to the alleged offender being given a (a) supervised attendance order, (b) community service or payback order and (c) prison sentence in relation to a separate offence in each year since 2009. (S4W-11863) Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operation matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days. Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many fiscal direct penalties have been discharged due to the alleged offender being given a (a) supervised attendance order, (b) community service or payback order and (c) prison sentence in relation to a person's failure to pay such penalties in each year since 2009. (S4W-11864) Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operational matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days. Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government whether the Scottish Court Service uses (a) seizure of vehicle, (b) earning arrestment, (c) deduction of benefit and (d) arrestment of funds orders to secure payment of fiscal direct penalties. (S4W-11865) Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operation matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government which parts of the declaration of income form must be completed by an alleged offender who has accepted a fiscal direct penalty and whether completion of the form is mandatory. (S4W-11866) Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operation matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.

Lewis Macdonald (North East Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many alleged offenders have been taken to court because of a failure to pay a fiscal direct penalty in each year since 2009. (S4W-11888) Kenny MacAskill: This question relates to operation matters that are the responsibility of the Scottish Court Service (SCS) corporate body. The question has been passed to the chief executive of the SCS who will reply in writing within twenty days.

Sandra White (Glasgow Kelvin) (): To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish the consultation paper on redesigning community justice structures. (S4W-11955) Kenny MacAskill: The consultation paper “Redesigning the community justice system” will be published today. It has been developed with input from key stakeholders, including COSLA and the Association of Directors of Social Work (ADSW), and sets out three options for reforming the existing arrangements to establish a more effective system, with strong leadership and accountability, to reduce rates of reoffending. The three options are: Option A: An enhanced Community Justice Authority (CJA) model, where changes are made to CJA membership and functions. Option B: A local authority model, where local authorities assume responsibility for the strategic planning, design and delivery of offender services in the community. Option C: A single service model, where a new national social work-led service for community justice (separate to and sitting alongside the Scottish Prison Service) is established. The consultation will run from 20 December 2012 until 30 April 2013. During this period we plan to hold a series of consultation events across Scotland, open to both practitioners and members of the public, to discuss what should replace the current arrangements. Further details on the dates and locations will be published shortly on the Scottish Government website: www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/offender-management. A copy of the consultation has been placed in the ’s Reference Centre (SPICe) (Bib number 54554)

Transport Scotland Neil Bibby (West Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government how many direct weekday train services between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm there are from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr and how many there were prior to the recent timetable change. (S4O-1647) : There were eighteen direct weekday services between 09:00 and 17:00 hours from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr in the December 2011 timetable. There are ten direct weekday services between 09:00 and 17:00 hours from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr in the December 2012 timetable. In addition, there are eight services from 09:00 to 17:00 hours from Paisley Gilmour Street to Ayr with an interchange at Irvine.