Seòmar agus comataidhean

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21755 on 18 January 2006. 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/webapp/wa.search.

The Scottish Executive does not have jurisdiction to authorise the use of electronic listening equipment.

The Chief Surveillance Commissioner publishes details in his annual report of the number of authorisations given under the Police Act 1997 for property interference, and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 for directed and intrusive surveillance.

The most recent report – (Bib. number 37809), document number SE/2005/203 – was laid before the Scottish Parliament on 3 November 2005.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21755 on 18 January 2006. 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/webapp/wa.search.

Information relating to the use of informants by Scottish police forces would, if held by the Scottish Executive, be exempt by virtue of sections 31 (National Security) and 35 (Law Enforcement) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. We believe it would be contrary to the public interest, to confirm whether or not any such information exists or is held by the Scottish Executive. The terms of this refusal are provided for by section 18 (1) of the 2002 act.

The use by the police, including Special Branches, of covert human intelligence sources is governed in Scotland by the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 (RIP(S)A) and Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

Section 7(3) of RIP(S)A requires that any officer within a Scottish police force who grants an authorisation for the conduct or use of a covert human intelligence source must be satisfied that the authorisation is necessary for:

the purpose of preventing or detecting crime or of preventing disorder;

in the interests of public safety, or

for the purpose of protecting public health.

Section 28(3) of RIPA provides the following additional grounds:

in the interests of national security, or

in the interests of the economic well-being of the United Kingdom.

The collection and interpretation of intelligence by police Special Branches for these purposes plays an important part in ensuring the safety of communities across the United Kingdom and the Scottish Executive supports this work.

Under section 23 of RIPSA and section 65 of RIPA, any person who is aggrieved by any conduct to which the acts apply may complain to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal if they believe that the conduct took place in relation to them or their property in challengeable circumstances.

Individuals moving to Scotland from the rest of the UK and overseas do so under a variety of means and it is not possible to identify their level of earnings or to what extent they have been influenced by the Fresh Talent initiative on every occasion. However, information on the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme will be collected through a questionnaire which the Relocation Advisory Service will issue to all successful applicants. A breakdown of the data collected through the questionnaires will be issued on a six monthly basis. We expect the first breakdown to be published in the next few months.

Individuals moving to Scotland from the rest of the UK and overseas do so under a variety of means and it is not possible to identify their level of earnings or to what extent they have been influenced by the Fresh Talent Initiative on every occasion. However, information on the Fresh Talent: Working in Scotland scheme will be collected through a questionnaire which the Relocation Advisory Service will issue to all successful applicants. A breakdown of the data collected through the questionnaires will be issued on a six monthly basis. We expect the first breakdown to be published in the next few months.

I refer the member to the answer to question S2W-21755 on 18 January 2006. 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/webapp/wa.search.

The amount of private sector grant approved for improvements for people with disabilities is shown in the following table. Data on actual spend are not broken down by type of work.

Amount of Approved Grant for Improvements for People with Disabilities: 2000-01 to 2004-05

	2000-01	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04	2004-05
Owner-occupied	9,285,000	10,549,000	11,407,000	12,831,000	15,474,000
Private sector tenant	49,000	46,000	67,000	105,000	445,000

Source: IMP1B returns by local authorities to Scottish Executive Development Department Analytical Services Division (Housing Statistics).

Notes:

1. Prior to 2004-05, the category of “tenant” included a small number of housing association tenants.

2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

3. The figures shown represent amounts approved for work identified by local authorities specifically as improvements for disabled. They do not include grants for more general improvements which may include elements of benefit to people with disabilities, such as improved accessibility.

4. Figures from the Scottish Household Survey 2001 show that, 50% of households where a member has a limiting long-term illness or disability are owner-occupied, compared to 4% in the private rented sector.

The vital role of unpaid family carers as major care providers is well recognised by the Scottish Executive. Chief Medical Officer Letter CMO(2005)07 lays out current national policy on influenza vaccination for carers, requiring NHS boards to offer influenza vaccine to “people who are the main carer for an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill”.

In May 2005, the Scottish Executive, in association with the Association of Directors of Social Work, launched a framework for supporting front line social care staff. Improving Front Line Services: A Framework for Supporting Front Line Staff offers advice to employers on, among other things, promoting a safe and healthy workforce, including the benefits of illness prevention. The document is available at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/05/13124510/45114.