§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will allow police officers in Scotland the right to legal representation at a disciplinary hearing before a chief constable.
§ Mr. YoungerHaving carefully considered the views of the police staff associations on this matter, I have concluded that police officers in Scotland, of the rank of chief superintendent or below, should have the same right to be represented by a solicitor or counsel at certain disciplinary hearings as is now embodied in the Police and Criminal Evidence Bill for their colleagues in England and Wales. The disciplinary hearings in question are those at which officers are liable, if found guilty, to be punished by dismissal, requirement to resign or reduction in rank. I therefore intend, after I have undertaken appropriate consultations with the police representative bodies and with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, to bring forward regulations providing for the introduction of legal representation in Scotland in the circumstances outlined.