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The available information is provided in the following tables by financial year, which have been produced from the Scottish Government’s criminal proceedings database . The Criminal Proceedings in Scotland 2017-18 will be published in late January 2019.

Number of people proceeded against in Scottish solemn courts with result 'not proven', 2014-15 to 2016-17.

One of Lord Bonomy’s recommendations in the Post-Corroboration Safeguards Review was that research was required to better understand the dynamics of jury decision making in the unique Scottish jury system. The Scottish Government agreed with Lord Bonomy that key components of the Scottish jury system (including the simple majority required for conviction, the three verdicts (including the not proven verdict), and the size of the jury) are inextricably linked.

This research is now underway and it is expected to complete in Autumn 2019. Any changes to the Scottish jury system, including the “not proven” verdict, should be made on an informed basis so require to await the findings of the jury research before considering further.

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice and the Lord Advocate meet regularly. However, there have been no recent discussions on the “not proven” verdict pending the outcome of the research.

Please see the following table with the requested information. Please also note, the Crofting Agricultural Grants Scheme commenced 01-01-2015 and the requested information is recorded by Financial Year not by calendar year.

Please see the following table with the requested information. Please also note, the Crofting Agricultural Grants Scheme commenced 01-01-2015 and the requested information is recorded by Financial Year not by calendar year.

We are currently working with the Chief Officers of Integration Authorities on the development of this commitment. This includes obtaining detailed workforce plans which provide information on workforce allocation, location of workforce (which will include the settings of prisons and police custody suites) for 2018-19 and details on the trajectory toward the 800 total by 2021-22. We expect to receive these plans for further analysis by the October recess.

The Scottish Government has committed to extending 100% superfast broadband access across Scotland by 31 December 2021 reflecting the complex nature of the rollout and its geographic focus.

Procurement for the initial phase of the reaching 100% or R100 ,programme - for which we have announced the investment of £600 million - Scottish Government 96.5 % of the funding is now well underway. We will award contracts in 2019.

The introduction of biometric identification systems is a matter for education authorities and schools. The Scottish Government published guidance to support them in their decision-making about the introduction and implementation of biometric systems in Scottish schools.

The guidance makes it clear that information collected through a biometric system must, like all personal data, be processed fairly and lawfully in line with data protection laws.

The introduction of biometric technology systems in schools is a matter for education authorities and schools. The Scottish Government has published guidance on the use and implementation of biometric identification systems in schools, which aims to support them in their decision-making about the introduction and implementation of biometric systems in Scottish schools.

This guidance is clear that the views of parents, pupils and school staff should be taken into account as part of the decision-making process to introduce and implement biometric technology systems. This guidance is available on the Scottish Government's website through the following link: https://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/11/11112141/0 .

Table 1: Number of individual prisoners liberated per month from 1 st September 2016 to 21 st August 2018.

Programme for Government 2017-18 includes a commitment to consult and develop proposals to reform crofting law during this parliamentary session. A decision on the timing of a Bill will be taken by Cabinet in the context of the Scottish Government’s other legislative priorities. Meantime, Scottish Government officials are working closely with stakeholders to consider the issues to be taken forward that will deliver change quickly and easily; to provide clarity in law and have a positive outcome for crofters and crofting communities, while avoiding unintended consequences.