§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding he intends to make available to procurators fiscal in Glasgow and Edinburgh mediation and reparation projects similar to those operating in Aberdeen and Motherwell/Hamilton as an alternative to the court process for victim and accused. [1264]
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§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonDiversion from prosecution projects, including mediation and reparation, are not funded through the procurator fiscal service., In 1995–96, the Scottish Office will make available £52,180 and £75,277 through the urban programme for mediation and reparation projects in Aberdeen and Motherwell/ Hamilton respectively. A further £25,680 is provided for the project in Motherwell/Hamilton through 100 per cent. funding of criminal justice social work services. There are a number of additional mediation and reparation programmes, funded through the urban programme, but which are not specifically related to the criminal justice system. Pilot schemes which were provided in Glasgow and Edinburgh by the Scottish Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders, through short-term funding under section 10 of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, are no longer in operation.
The Scottish Office plans to invite local authorities to submit proposals for inclusion in a pilot programme within 100 per cent. funding of criminal justice social work services to assess the costs and effectiveness of diversion from prosecution schemes. This will he pursued in the light of available resources and other priorities. There will be scope for including mediation and reparation projects in such diversion scheme applications.