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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S1W-19202

Asked by: Brian Fitzpatrick, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 October 2001
Current Status: Answered by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18631 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what specific encouragement it has given to women and others from non-traditional backgrounds in respect of appointment to Senators of the College of Justice.

The Scottish Executive is committed to making the judicial appointments process a more transparent and fair system for all who are interested in becoming Judges or Sheriffs. The appointment process which took place during the summer was the first in which Court of Session vacancies were publicly advertised and candidates were interviewed by a selection panel. Advertisements for the Chair and lay members of the Judicial Appointments Board appeared in the press on 12 October 2001 and I expect the board to be in operation early next year. Part of the board's remit will be to consider ways of recruiting judges, sheriffs principal and sheriffs who are as representative as possible of the communities they serve, while always maintaining the principle of appointment on merit. I shall give guidance to the Board on the importance of attracting applications from groups which are currently under-represented on the judicial bench.

Question reference: S1W-19215

Asked by: Brian Fitzpatrick, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 October 2001
Current Status: Answered by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has held with the National Hi-tech Crime Unit on its remit regarding cases which threaten the online safety of children.

Question reference: S1W-19208

Asked by: Brian Fitzpatrick, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 October 2001
Current Status: Answered by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18642 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what steps it is taking to reduce the calls upon retired judges called for sittings of the Supreme Courts.

Question reference: S1W-19218

Asked by: Brian Fitzpatrick, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 October 2001
Current Status: Answered by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what agencies and organisations participate in the work of the Internet Crime Forum.

The Internet Crime Forum (ICF) brings together representatives from government, law enforcement agencies, including the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, and the Internet industry. A list of those ICF members who have authorised disclosure of their details has been placed in the Parliament's Reference Centre (Bib. number 17128). Further information about the ICF is also available on the Forum's web site at:www.internetcrimeforum.org.uk.

Question reference: S1W-19210

Asked by: Brian Fitzpatrick, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 October 2001
Current Status: Answered by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18643 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what the average waiting period was for (a) a civil appeal and (b) a solemn conviction shown in calendar weeks.

Question reference: S1W-19205

Asked by: Brian Fitzpatrick, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 October 2001
Current Status: Answered by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18632 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, how many interviews it has (a) held with candidates for appointment to Senators of the College of Justice since March 2001 or (b) intends to hold.

Question reference: S1W-19207

Asked by: Brian Fitzpatrick, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Friday, 19 October 2001
Current Status: Answered by Iain Gray on 16 November 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-18636 by Mr Jim Wallace on 12 October 2001, what representations it has received since 1999 on the effects of new business before the Outer House of the Court of Session on its judicial resources.

Question reference: S1W-19622

Asked by: Brian Fitzpatrick, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 November 2001
Current Status: Answered by Wendy Alexander on 15 November 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what information it holds on the average full-time salary for (a) female and (b) male academic staff at (i) the University of Aberdeen, (ii) the University of Glasgow, (iii) the University of St Andrews, (iv) the University of Edinburgh, (v) the University of Dundee, (vi) Glasgow Caledonian University and (vii) the Glasgow School of Art.

Question reference: S1W-19620

Asked by: Brian Fitzpatrick, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 November 2001
Current Status: Answered by Wendy Alexander on 15 November 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to ensure equal pay for work of equal value by academic staff in higher education establishments.

Academic pay is a matter for institutions to decide in conjunction with employees and their representatives. My guidance letter to the sector in November last year indicated that "staff are the key resource of universities and colleges and we must continually strive to improve people management, staff development and succession planning."In addition, in March 2001, the Scottish Executive launched the "Close the Gap" initiative with a range of partners including The Equal Opportunities Commission, Scottish Enterprise and STUC. This initiative is a bid to raise awareness of the gap between men and women's pay in all areas of enterprise and the economy and to encourage action to close it.

Question reference: S1W-19621

Asked by: Brian Fitzpatrick, MSP for Strathkelvin and Bearsden, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 01 November 2001
Current Status: Answered by Wendy Alexander on 15 November 2001

To ask the Scottish Executive what trends have been identified in average salaries for male and female academic staff in higher education establishments.