§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Lord Advocate if he is now able to state the steps to be taken to enable Scottish courts in criminal charges to award costs to acquitted persons; if he has yet referred 87W this problem to the Scottish Law Reform Committee for its consideration and report; and with what result.
The Lord Advocate: As I said in a written reply to a Question by the hon. and learned Member on 28th July last, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I preferred to await the report of the Committee considering legal aid in criminal cases before deciding whether the question of costs in criminal cases should be investigated, and, if so, whether by the Scottish Law Reform Committee or by some other body. I have nothing to add to this, except to say that I understand from my right hon. Friend that he is expecting the report of the Committee on criminal legal aid shortly.