Scottish Parliament e-Brief

Issue 142, 9^th December 2002

SECTION 1 - BUSINESS THIS WEEK

THE CHAMBER

IN COMMITTEE
The likely highlights in the Committee Rooms this week include:

• Justice 2 hears evidence on religious prejudice in connection with the Criminal Justice Bill.
• Public Petitions covers the fishing communities campaign, and also has Scottish Prison Service Chief Executive, Tony Cameron in attendance.
• Audit considers the Auditor General’s report on youth justice.
• Education talks about Mike Russell’s (SNP) Gaelic Language Bill
• Rural Development discusses Robin Harper’s (GRN) Organic Targets Bill, and votes on the controversial Cairngorms National Park orders.
• Enterprise continues with its inquiry into tourism.

SECTION 2 - NEWS

FESTIVE ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN
A road safety campaign focusing on drink driving during the festive season was launched today.

The campaign, organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers, involves all police forces in Scotland will run until January 6^th 2003. In addition to drink driving, the campaign will concentrate on speeding, drug driving and not wearing seat belts. Radio and poster advertising will highlight the likelihood that drink drivers will be caught and that anyone can report a drink driver to the police.

Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald said:

"The message is simple - people should not drink and drive. Anyone can report a drink driver to the police, by using the Crimestoppers hotline. [0800 555 111] The consequences for those caught can last a lifetime. The consequences for victims of drink related accidents can be the loss of a life."

One in five road deaths in 1999 across Scotland was the result of drink driving.

Full Story

REPORT ON IMPACT OF "POLICE VISIBILITY"
Local policing policies, more engagement with the public and better resource management are some of the recommendations made in a report today by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary on the impact of police visibility on public reassurance.

Additional recommendations in the report relate to the development of:

• Evidence based, consistent policing policies;
• Locally sensitive policing strategies;
• Good communication of strategies;
• More consistent management of the grading of calls and the police response; and
• Operational strategies which ensure healthy recruitment, retention and efficient resource deployment.

Market research commissioned as part of this study provided a snapshot in relation to public perceptions of reassurance. When asked about their awareness of police officers on foot patrol, some three-quarters of adults indicated they had seen officers patrolling on foot in public places at certain times.

When asked: "Where and when would it be most important for you to see or see more police officers on foot?" the following responses were given:

• 68% thought it most important to see police officers on foot patrol within housing estates during the evening / at night;
• 39% thought it most important to see police officers on foot patrol outside pubs and clubs at closing time;
• 33% thought it most important to see police officers on foot patrol at known local hotspots at crucial times;
• 28% thought it most important to see police officers on foot patrol at schools at starting and closing times;
• Over 80% agreed that such an enhanced and targeted visible police presence - ideally involving actual contact or engagement between the officers and the public - would make local people feel safer and would either reduce or prevent crime.

Full Story

SECTION 3 - NOTES ON THIS WEEK’S CHAMBER BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY begins with Stage 1 of the Mental Health (Scotland) Bill.

Introduced in the Parliament on 16^th September 2002, the Bill is largely based on the work done by the Millan Committee - the independent committee, chaired by former Scottish Secretary Bruce Millan, set up to review Scotland's mental health law. It proposes a series of radical reforms to Scotland's outdated mental health laws.

The Bill's main aims are:

• To update and clarify the rules on the compulsory detention and treatment of people with mental disorders;
• To provide people with mental disorders with rights and safeguards; and
• To make provision in the criminal law for mentally disordered people.

In its Stage 1 Report on the Bill, the Parliament's Health and Community Care Committee endorsed the Bill's principles. It did express concern, however, that the cost of implementing the Bill may have been underestimated and asked the Scottish Executive to review the Bill's Financial Memorandum.

Click here to read the Stage 1 Report
Click here to read the Bill as introduced
Click here to read the Explanatory Notes
Click here to read the Policy Memorandum

The day closes with a Member's Business debate on The Sale of The Herald, Sunday Herald and Evening Times by SMG from Labour's, Karen Gillon.

THURSDAY morning is devoted to an SNP debate on Children and Young People's Services in Scotland.

As is normal with opposition debates, the motion has not yet been published, leaving the focus of the debate and the arguments to be put forward unclear.

As always, however, the full text of both motions will be published in the Business Bulletin in due course and a transcript of the debates will be available from the Official Report from 08:00 on Friday.

In the afternoon, after Question Time and First Minister's Question Time, there will be an Executive Debate on Fisheries 2003.

Again, the motion has not yet been published. However, the recent controversy surrounding the recommendation by European Union scientists that fishing in the North Sea be significantly cut back and the resultant impact on the Scottish fishing industry are likely to feature prominently.

As always, the full text of both motions will be published in the Business Bulletin in due course and a transcript of the debate will be available from the Official Report from 08:00 on Friday.

The day concludes with a Member's Business debate on Debt and Lending from the Liberal Democrats' Donald Gorrie.

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