§ Mr. LawrenceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of, and how many, defendants who have pleaded not guilty to offences tried in the sheriffs' courts were convicted in the years 1985, 1986 and 1987.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe information requested is given in the table:
Persons proceeded against for crimes and offences in sheriffs1 courts, Scotland 1985 1986 1987 Persons pleading not guilty 26,267 27,402 23,802 Persons pleading not guilty but against whom a charge was proved 14,335 14,960 11,558 Percentage 54.6 54.6 48.6