§ Mr. James Whiteasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement about the Report of the Working Party on Forensic Pathology Services in Scotland.
§ Mr. MillanI have now received a report of the working party, which was set up in 1972 with a remit to examine forensic pathology services in Scotland and to consider their future development in relation to both the existing requirements of the criminal authorities and the proper development of the discipline as part of general pathology. Hitherto the authorities have been well served by the informal and willing cooperation of doctors who have come to specialise in forensic pathology—the staff of university departments of forensic medicine, hospital pathologists and police surgeons. The working party reviewed the existing system, identified the future requirements of criminal authorities and of the defence, having regard to the increasing specialisation in pathology and the need to secure enough doctors trained in forensic pathology, and made recommendations accordingly. Full consultation with the interests concerned will be necessary before any decisions can be reached, and copies of the Report are being distributed to interested organisations by my Department.