§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest available total number of cases referred to the local procurator fiscal in respect of non-payment of the Skye bridge toll; when he expects the procurator fiscal to report further; if such alleged offences will be subject to civil or criminal proceedings; and if he will make a statement. [8677]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe latest available figures relating to non-payment of the Skye bridge toll in contravention of section 38(1) of the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 are as follows
There have been 466 instances of non-payment which have been reported to the procurator fiscal; these instances involve 186 separate individuals. The procurator fiscal has been instructed by the Lord Advocate to institute criminal proceedings in respect of all instances where there is a sufficiency of evidence and the charges are now in course of preparation. The procurator fiscal will report the results of these proceedings to the Crown Office.