§ 36. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Lord Advocate when he next intends to visit the courts in Glasgow.
§ The Lord AdvocateI intend to visit the courts in Glasgow soon.
§ Mr. TaylorI am very glad about that. Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware of the anxiety in Glasgow about the substantial increase in the number of cases coming before the courts, particularly the sheriff court, involving violence? Is the Lord Advocate satisfied that the courts have the facilities to cope with this increase? Is he prepared to discuss with his right hon. Friends new policies to deal with the upsurge in violence?
§ The Lord AdvocateThe provision of courts is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The Government are looking into jury accommodation, and plans for the new sheriff court building are at a very advanced stage and costings are being examined. There are no instant remedies for the problem of crime, particularly violence. Excessive drinking and the carrying of offensive weapons are two features that can be isolated and they can be usefully considered in the review being carried out by the Government in the light of the Thomson Committee's Report.