§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the approximate number of convictions in Scotland resulting in custodial sentences in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. AncramIn 1982—the latest year for which figures are available — 13,466 persons were given custodial sentences in Scotland.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what factors he attributes the increase in the number of requests for review of convictions resulting in custodial sentences between 1979 and 1983.
§ Mr. YoungerI cannot identify with assurance the reasons for the increase from three to 38 in the annual number of petitions for review of convictions in Scotland over the period from 1979 to 1983. It is however worth remarking that although the increase in such petitions over that period is large if expressed as a percentage, the number of petitions in 1983 is small both in absolute terms and in relation to the number of custodial sentences. The increase in petitions is not reflected in the number of convictions quashed or set aside, so that there is no reason to suppose that it is attributable to the number of convictions subsequently found to be unsafe or unsound.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his reply of 13 February, Official Report,
132W
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe information requested is given, in respect of the academic years 1977–78 to 1981–82, in the table below. Corresponding information for 1982–83 is not yet available.
column 84, in how many of the requests for review of conviction resulting in custodial sentences concern was expressed about forensic evidence.
§ Mr. YoungerIn nine of the 87 cases referred to in my reply of 13 February, at column 84, the forensic science evidence was in some degree a significant element in the petition for review.