§ 37. Mr. Bill Walkerasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what action has been taken by his Department to restrict the procurator fiscal of Perth and Kinross in prosecuting travelling people.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandThe procurator fiscal for Perth and Kinross, in common with all other procurators fiscal, has been instructed to report to Crown Office for the instruction of Crown counsel any case reported by the police involving unauthorised encampment by travelling people.
§ Mr. WalkerI thank my hon. and learned Friend for that reply. Will he be surprised to know that I have in my hand a letter from the Tayside police which states "The Crown Office states"—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Member for Perth and East Perthshire (Mr. Walker) must paraphrase the letter.
§ Mr. Walker—that no proceedings can be taken in this case. I also have a letter from the Scottish Home Office which indicates that it has been instructed not to take proceedings. The people in my constituency are deeply concerned because there appears to be one law for tinkers and another law for other people.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandWith respect—[Interruption.] The tinkers on the Opposition Benches must not be so sensitive. Opposition Members did 546 my hon. Friend great credit by suggesting that he could read, which perhaps some of them cannot do. All prosecutions concerning travelling people are referred to my right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate before there is any justification for prosecution.