HC Deb 26 October 1977 vol 936 c1436
26. Mr. Sproat

asked the Lord Advocate what consultation he has had regarding the recommendations of the Dunpark Committee.

The Lord Advocate

A wide range of bodies representing the legal profession, police, prisons, courts, universities and civic, social, consumer and commercial interests, as well as those individuals who gave evidence to the Committee, have been invited by the Scottish Home and Health Department on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself to submit views on the Committee's recommendations by the end of January 1978.

Mr. Sproat

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman agree that the Committee's proposals to make the criminal compensate the victim are long overdue in Scotland? Is he aware of the widespread feeling that a disproportionate amount of attention has been paid to the problems of the criminal and not enough to the victim? Can he give an estimated date when the Dunpark Committee's proposals may become operative?

The Lord Advocate

I am unable to give any precise date in reply to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's question. In regard to his broader observations, I agree that the recommendations help to strike a better balance between the victim and the convicted criminal. The proposed changes are broadly in line with those operating south of the border.