§ Lord Macaulay of Bragarasked Her Majesty's Government:
(a) What are the most recent figures for convictions in the Scottish courts in trials involving allegations of rape; (b) whether consideration has been given, or will be given, to granting anonymity to the accused, as is given to the alleged victim, until a verdict of guilt is returned against him; and (c) how many cases of false allegations of rape have occurred in the latest year for which figures are available.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office (Lord Strathclyde)In the latest five years for which figures are available a charge of rape was proved against the following numbers of persons as the only or principal charge:
Number 1985 39 1986 29 1987 34 1988 47 1989 150 1 Provisional. The protection of the victim's anonymity in rape cases in Scotland is a matter of convention rather than law. Under Section 11 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, however, the court may prohibit publication of a name or any other matter. The use of this power is a matter for judicial discretion.
Figures for false allegations of rape are not available.