§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will issue a circular to police forces in Scotland suggesting means of setting up special units staffed by women to deal with complaints by women of sex-related crimes similar to the sex crime units in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindMy Department is conducting a research study into sexual assaults, including investigation of police and medical procedures and court experiences. 1 should prefer to await the outcome of that study before considering whether major changes in present procedures are needed; but I do not believe that special units of the kind mentioned are necessarily the right way to deal with this matter.