Sentencing in criminal cases including for housebreaking is a matter for the court. The Scottish Government does not comment on nor intervene in any specific cases.

Housebreaking is generally prosecuted under the common law with maximum penalties up to life imprisonment available depending on the level of court in which a case is prosecuted.

The independent Scottish Sentencing Council has recently published its first Business Plan for the period up to September 2018. Included within this Plan is a future commitment to consider preparing sentencing guidelines in the area of property theft during the Council's next business planning period.

The Scottish Government is committed to providing person centred care ensuring access to the best possible care and support, and from healthcare services that are safe and effective. The person centred approach covers all aspects of how NHS Boards should inform, engage, and consult with their local communities to allow them to deliver services that meet the needs of their local populations.

The Scottish Health Council has a role in improving patient and public participation across NHSScotland. This includes supporting NHS Boards to adopt new methods of involving people. e-Participation refers to the ability to engage with patients using a wide variety of methods including social media and web-based tools to share information, promote discussion and build relationships. The tools can provide access to information, promote peer support for self-management of long term conditions, influence local service development and take part in a dialogue with local NHS Boards.

The e-Participation Toolkit provides examples of how online technology is being used to involve people both in their own care and when designing and delivering local health and care services. This Toolkit is designed to complement rather than replace more traditional methods of engaging.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-06779 on 22 February 2017. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

The Scottish Government is aware of local concerns about the length of time the crossing barriers are down during normal operation and that the barrier down time has increased recently due to a period of unreliability with the barrier mechanisms. Network Rail is working on some modifications to the barrier equipment to improve the reliability.

Police Scotland is responsible for investigating incidences of laser pens being shone at transport operators. We have not received representations from transport operators or Police Scotland about laser pens and would encourage any transport operator to report incidences to Police Scotland for investigation.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-06779 on 22 February 2017. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Prosecutions in relation to laser pen attacks can be raised under the common law offence of culpable and reckless conduct. In respect of laser pens being shone at aircraft, prosecutions can be raised as a contravention of the statutory Air Navigation Order 2016. We have no plans to create new offences in respect of lasers being shone at aircraft or other forms of transport. As aviation safety is reserved to the UK Government, any legislative changes would apply to the whole of the UK.

The Scottish Government is committed to achieving safer road travel in Scotland, which is why Scotland’s Road Safety Framework to 2020, written in 2009, contains challenging casualty reduction targets and an ultimate vision where there are no fatalities on Scotland roads. Recently, the Framework underwent a mid-term review which identified speed, age and vulnerable road users as key priority focus areas.

For 2016-17, Road Safety Scotland - the Scottish Government's principle road safety delivery partner - developed three planned road safety campaigns around the focus areas in an effort to meet the Framework's outcomes:

• Vulnerable road users - £365,000

• Motorbikes - £50,000

• Country roads - £250,000

In addition, the Scottish Government also spent £30,000 on a Drink Drive Festive campaign, which supported Police Scotland's enforcement campaign.

The Scottish Government does not hold all the information requested. However, we know that in 2012, there were approximately 1,500 Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in Scotland and the most recent figures show that there are now 1,723 Schemes in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has supported Neighbourhood Watch Scotland (NWS) since it was established in 2008. Over this period, the Scottish Government has provided funding of £652,152.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with Neighbourhood Watch Scotland to offer reassurance to local communities and advice on keeping safe. It has also supported NWS in the establishment of Rural Watch Scotland and the development of the Neighbourhood ALERT system, which provides real time community messaging and shares alerts on potential criminal activities.