HC Deb 16 January 1985 vol 71 cc331-2
34. Mr. Foulkes

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many people charged with offences arising out of the mining dispute have been refused unconditional bail; and, of these, how many had previous criminal convictions.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

As at 9 January 1985, 20 persons had been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with offences arising out of the mining dispute. Of the 20 persons, two were subsequently released on appeal and one immediately changed his plea to that of guilty. As some persons still await trial, it would be inappropriate to release information about previous convictions. Information on the imposition of any special conditions of bail is not available centrally.

Mr. Foulkes

Will the Solicitor-General for Scotland confirm that it is not normal to refuse unconditional bail for first offenders and that, by doing so, the courts—especially the sheriffs courts at Dunfermline and Kilmarnock — are acting in a political manner that is quite unacceptable and are deliberately trying to intimidate pickets and limit their activities? Will he confirm that such behaviour is improper, and say what action he intends to take?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

The only thing that I should have thought improper is the hon. Gentleman's attempt to attack sheriffs—

Mr. Foulkes

I am protecting my constituents from them, and the Solicitor-General should be as well.

Mr. Speaker

Order.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

The hon. Gentleman knows that that is not the case. If people believe that their applications for bail should not have been refused, there is a clear and speedy appeal procedure to enable them to have the bail decision reviewed by a High Court judge. As I said in my original answer, on the two occasions when that has been done, the appeals have been sustained.

35. Mr. McKelvey

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many prosecutions related to the coal dispute have been dealt with by Kilmarnock courts to date.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

As at 9 January 1985, 92 prosecutions for offences arising out of the mining dispute had been dealt with in Kilmarnock courts.

Mr. McKelvey

Notwithstanding the answer that the hon. and learned Gentleman gave my hon. Friend the Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes), does he share the anxiety that many of us feel that there is a hint in some press reports that there has been some political collusion in regard to miners arriving at courts and being tried? There should be some form of inquiry into police activities in Ayrshire during the strike and how matters have been dealt with in court.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

If the hon. Gentleman is making allegations about the conduct of judges in Scotland concerning political interference in the administration of justice, he should do so through a substantive motion to be presented to the House, rather than rely on repeating broad and unfounded allegations without giving any detail of the circumstances in which such political motivation is said to have occurred.