§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will introduce alternatives to imprisonment for those offenders with drink problems.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI am satisfied that offenders with drink problems can, upon conviction, be dealt with appropriately through the existing range of disposals available to the courts, both custodial and non custodial. Some may, in place of prosecution in appropriate cases, be diverted from the criminal justice system in a number of ways including referral to social work or psychiatric assistance or to a designated place or similar facilities.