§ Mr. Dempseyasked the Lord Advocate if he is aware of the concern felt in Scotland at the practice of not proven verdicts operating in Scottish courts, which free a man without clearing his name; and if he will introduce legislation to put an end to this practice.
§ The Lord AdvocateAlthough I have recently seen views expressed both for and against the not proven verdict in the Press, I have received no representations on the matter. The present system has worked satisfactorily for many years and I do not think that any alteration is called for.