84. M. Hector Hughesasked the Lord Advocate, in view of the fact that Scottish courts have no power to award costs to a person acquitted on a criminal charge where the prosecutor was acting in good faith in the public interest, that such a person may be put to considerable expenses in preparing and presenting his defence, and that he may suffer loss and injustice thereby, if he will refer this problem to the Scottish Law Reform Committee for their consideration and report.
§ The Lord AdvocateWhile I cannot entirely agree with the statement of the law of Scotland contained in the hon. and learned Member's Question, I realise that there are certain aspects of this problem which might usefully be examined, and I shall certainly consider with greate care the hon. and learned Member's suggestion.