§ 44. Mr. Pollockasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland whether he has any plans to meet the sheriffs principal.
§ The Solicitor-General for Scotland (Mr. Nicholas Fairbairn)I do not have any plans at present to meet the sheriffs principal, but my right hon. and noble Friend the Lord Advocate and I have meetings with them from time to time.
§ Mr. PollockWhen my hon. and learned Friend next has such a meeting, will he discuss with them the options at present available to children's panels for the disposal of cases coming before them? Will he especially consider the wisdom of introducing another option for disposal, namely, financial reparation from the child involved or, more importantly, from its parents?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandAny improvement that we can make in the effectiveness of children's panels is something that I am sure both sides of the House would wish to achieve. To that end I am visiting a children's panel hearing at 9.15 am on Friday.
§ Mr. MaxtonWhen the Solicitor-General meets the sheriffs principal, will he discuss with them the new Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill that has been published today? Will he inform them of the timetable that he expects for the Bill in both this House and the other place during the next few months, and when he finally expects it to become part of our statute law?