§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to make legislative and procedural changes to ensure that the time spent in court by police officers waiting to give evidence which is not heard on the date or at the time they are called to give evidence is minimised; and if he will make a statement. [19030]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonProposals in the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill, including mandatory first and intermediate diets and provisions for the leading of 77W certificate evidence and the agreement of evidence in advance of trial, will lead to a substantial reduction in the time spent by police officers waiting to give evidence in court. Additionally, police forces and courts are currently introducing a number of administrative changes to reduce police waiting times.