§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce legislation to ensure that the scale of compensation for witnesses incurring travelling expenses and loss of wages is adequate in all Scottish courts.
§ Mr. RossI am not aware of a need for legislation on this subject. In civil cases, the amount of travelling expenses and loss of earnings allowance payable to witnesses appearing in the Court of Session and the Sheriff Court is regulated by Act of Sederunt. In criminal cases, the amount of fees to Crown witnesses appearing in the High Court of Justiciary and the Sheriff Court is fixed administratively and was reviewed last year; in the burgh and justice of the 381W peace courts, witnesses' fees are, under statute, a matter for the discretion of those courts.