§ 44. Mr. Peter Fraserasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many High Court prosecutions have been delayed or abandoned as a result of industrial action in the courts this year.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandOn 9 March the High Court was to have commenced sittings at Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. Because of industrial action these sittings were delayed for a day. At the High Court at Glasgow a case involving three accused who were due to stand trial on 30 March was dropped from the roll. However, the accused will be re-indicted for the sitting which is due to commence on 5 May 1981. The accused are all on bail.
§ Mr. FraserWhile the problem is not yet acute, does my hon. and learned Friend accept that if this industrial action continues for any length of time there will be serious problems in the prosecution of crime in Scotland and highly serious complications arising from the operation of the 110-day rule?
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandI can assure the House that no cases in the High Court or on indictment will be lost. I do not for a moment underestimate the seriousness of the loss of cases of drunk driving or of driving without insurance. However, the matter is at the moment contained.