§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will introduce a bill which brings forward further measures to outlaw and punish (a) illegal intimidation and harassing of potential witnesses, (b) illegal possession of shotguns, (c) illicit drugs dealing and (d) illegal money lending. [24131]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce such a Bill.
A combination of Scots common law offences and a wide range of statutory measures ensures that all these activities are already illegal. The maximum penalties available for these common law and statutory offences enable the courts to punish severely those who are convicted of serious offences.