§ Mr. Steeleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the work of the Scottish Advisory Council on the Treatment of Offenders.
§ Mr. MaclayThe Council has recently submitted to me two reports, one on short sentences of imprisonment and the other on the custodial sentences on young offenders. I am most grateful to Sheriff Leslie and the Council for the careful and comprehensive way they have dealt with these subjects.
Most of the Council's recommendations would involve legislation, and will need careful study. Meantime, I am arranging for both reports to be printed and published, and for duplicated copies of the report on short sentences to be placed in the Library immediately, since it has a bearing on the First Offenders (Scotland) Bill now before the House.