§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Crown Office has yet received a report about the Gecas case.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIt is not the normal practice of my noble and learned Friend the Lord314W Advocate to disclose the names of individuals who may be under investigation or to comment on the stage that any particular inquiries may have reached.
§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the total cost incurred in respect of war crime investigations in Scotland in each of the last five years;
(2) how many prosecutions in respect of war crimes are being contemplated in respect of Scotland for the current year;
(3) how many people in Scotland (a) have been investigated over the last five years and (b) are currently being investigated in respect of alleged war crimes committed during the second world war.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe total cost incurred in respect of war crimes investigations in Scotland in 1991–92 was £267,520. For 1992–93 the latest available figures show that the cost was £352,966. Costs did not arise before those financial years.
It has never been the practice of my noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate or his predecessors to disclose, at the stage of investigations and before investigations are complete, whether or not prosecutions are being contemplated. In the course of the investigations conducted over the past two years allegations against 17 named individuals have been, or are being, considered and investigated in Scotland.