§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many cases at the sheriff court and the High Court video link equipment has been employed in order to allow for the examination of child witnesses outwith the court in each of the past three years; in which courts these trials took place; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 26 July 1993]: Section 56 of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1990 which provides for the giving of evidence by a child by live television links came into force on 30 September 1991 and had been used in 16 cases up to 1 June 1993 the latest date for which figures are available. The table sets out the courts in which the trials took place by year:
11991 1992 21993 High Court, Edinburgh 0 3 1 High Court, Glasgow 0 5 4 Sheriff Court, Edinburgh 0 0 1 Sheriff Court, Glasgow 0 1 1 1 October to December. 2 January to May.