Structured Deferred Sentences are primarily aimed at offenders with underlying problems such as drug or alcohol dependency, mental health or learning difficulties or who are unemployed.

No specific guidance is being issued. However, the court must obtain a Social Enquiry Report before considering use of structured deferred sentences as a sentencing option.

S3W-9698 was answered on 24 April 2008. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11258 on 17 April 2008. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11258 on 17 April 2008. 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 Police Services Authority (SPSA) provides forensic science services to Scottish police forces. The SPSA budget for forensic science services, which includes DNA testing, was £24.3 million in 2007-08. This was funded as part of SPSA''s overall Grant-In-Aid of £83.1 million which was paid by the Scottish Government and included provision for SPSA''s VAT liability. The relationship between the forensic services provided by SPSA and individual police forces is covered by detailed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and there is no direct cost to police forces for forensic science, provided it comes within the scope of a SLA. No additional charges were imposed on Scottish police forces by SPSA in respect of forensic services in 2007-08. Police investigations are operational matters for chief There has been no suggestion either from SPSA or police forces that the cost of DNA testing acts as a barrier to police investigations.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11258 on 17 April. 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.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11258 on 17 April 2008. 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.

EventScotland works to bring major events to Scotland that boost the economy and/or that raise Scotland''s profile around the world. The MTV Europe Music Awards delivered against both of these objectives and EventScotland is working to follow up on this success.

EventScotland works to secure and support major cultural and sport events in Scotland and provides funding through its international and regional programmes.

Music industry events with confirmed support through EventScotland''s regional programme for 2008 are:

Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, Callandar Jazz and Blues Festival, Creetown Country Music Festival, Dundee Jazz Festival, East Neuk Festival in Fife, Ullapool''s Loopallu, Nairn International Jazz Festival, Northern Nashville Caithness Country Music Festival, Schubertiad in Perth, Sound in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, Orkney''s St Magnus Festival, and the World Ceilidh in Dumfries and Galloway.

The international programme will support Piping Live! in 2008 and 2009, and the World Pipe Band Championships in 2010, 2011 and 2012. In addition to these, EventScotland is in discussion with a number of event owners and organisers about supporting other music industry events as part of the international programme and further information will be made available as negotiations are concluded.

For 2009 EventScotland is developing the programme of events for the Homecoming Scotland celebrations and has received a number of funding applications from music industry event organisers. Information about which events will be included in the programme will be available when it is launched at the end of May.