§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to establish a witness protection scheme in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 1 December 1993]: My right hon. Friend has no plans to introduce a national witness protection scheme. Provision already exists in law to take action against people who threaten or injure witnesses. Decisions about the level of protection to provide for witnesses in individual cases are an operational matter for the police.