§ Mr. Canavanasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland how many teachers have been prosecuted over the past three years for assaulting pupils; how many such complaints have been forwarded to procurators fiscal; and how many warnings have been issued by procurators fiscal to the teachers concerned.
§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandThe information requested is not avaiable as neither the police nor procurators fiscal keep figures for the number of teachers charged with assaulting pupils or proceeded against in respect of such offences.
§ Mr. Canavanasked the Solicitor-General for Scotland what are the criteria used by procurators fiscal in deciding whether to prosecute teachers for alleged assault on pupils.
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§ The Solicitor-General for ScotlandThe criteria used by procurators fiscal when deciding whether to take proceedings against a teacher for alleged assault on pupils are the same criteria as are used in any case where there is an allegation of criminal conduct, namely: whether the facts disclose a crime; whether there is sufficient evidence in support of the facts; whether there is sufficient excuse for the conduct of the accused such that proceedings would not be justified; and whether the conduct is of sufficient seriousness to merit criminal proceedings.