HC Deb 22 October 1986 vol 102 cc1160-1
38. Mr. Henderson

asked the Solicitor-General for Scotland if he will make an official visit to the procurator fiscal at Cupar to discuss prosecution policy.

The Solicitor-General for Scotland (Mr. Peter Fraser)

I hope to visit Cupar in the near future and will be glad to discuss with him any points that he raises.

Mr. Henderson

I am glad to hear that from my hon. and learned Friend. Will he discuss the merits, and possibly some of the difficulties, of extending the principle of fixed penalties for a wider variety of motoring offences?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

Perhaps I should emphasise that the fixed penalty system that was introduced in England and Wales and involves the police is not a system that is currently in operation in Scotland. There is a fixed penalty scheme for moving traffic offences involving the procurator fiscal service, which is working extremely well and going a considerable way towards alleviating pressure on the courts. Fiscals have reported that there has been some criticism of the form of notice sent out to those who are offered the opportunity of a fixed penalty. I am examining this to ensure that the notice is properly understandable by members of the public.

Mr. Wallace

If the Solicitor-General were to go to Cupar, would he discuss what policy the procurator fiscal should follow? Should he, through absence of the sheriff-clerk, find that the sheriff court does not operate, will he be able to assure the procurator fiscal in Cupar that that court will not have the same fate as Kirkwall sheriff court in the last week in August, when, because of public expenditure cuts, the so-called Government of law and order could not stand the court keeping open?

The Solicitor-General for Scotland

I am glad that the hon. Gentleman is more interested in this matter than in shipping and terminals in Orkney and Shetland, a topic which was raised earlier this afternoon. If he wants to raise with me a specific issue relating to the cover of the sheriff clerks in any court in his constituency, I hope that he will let me know. We want to ensure that throughout Scotland criminal trials and civil cases can come before the courts to be dealt with as expeditiously as possible.