§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of the composition of the Tayside crime prevention panel; how the individuals are selected for appointment; and whether they have been vetted with regard to criminal charges and for written warnings from procurators fiscal.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThere are three separate panels covering the Angus, Dundee, and Perth and Kinross districts of Tayside region. I will invite the chief constable of Tayside police to let my hon. Friend have details of the membership. Each currently has between 12 and 14 members, all appointed by the chief constable. Individuals are usually invited by him to serve either directly, or following nomination. In respect of proven criminal charges much would depend upon the nature of the offence, when it took place, and the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Written warnings are confidential to the procurator fiscal.