§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Lord Advocate if he has yet completed his consideration of the steps to be taken to enable Scottish courts in criminal matters to award costs to acquitted persons; and why he has not yet referred this problem to the Scottish Law Reform Committee for their consideration and report.
§ The Lord AdvocateThe problem to which the hon. and learned Member refers is a complicated one, and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, and I would prefer to await the report of the Committee at present considering legal aid in criminal cases before deciding whether it should be investigated and, if so, whether it should be investigated by the Scottish Law Reform Committee or by some other body.