§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has to improve the programming of business in the sheriffs' courts.
§ Mr. LangConsultations with interested parties indicated general support for the recommendations in the first report on court programming prepared by groups under the chairmanship of Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson QC and Sheriff Principal, then Sheriff, Graham Cox, QC. Following consultation with the sheriffs principal, I have decided to set up a group under the chairmanship of Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson, QC to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations in the first report and to bring under review other aspects of court programming. The membership of the group will be as follows:
- Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson, QC (Chairman), Lothian and Borders
- Mr. Roy Cameron, QPM, Chief Constable, Dumfries and Galloway
- Sheriff Robert Dickson, Airdrie
- Mr. James Friel, Regional Procurator Fiscal, North Strathclyde
- Mr. Andrew Gallen, Solicitor, Glasgow
- Mr. Duncan Lowe, Crown Agent
- Mr. Gordon Murray, CB, Director, Scottish Courts Administration
- Ms Alison Paterson, Director, Victim Support
- Ms Marilyn Riddell, (Secretary), Edinburgh Sheriff Court
- Mr. John Robertson, Regional Sheriff Clerk, Grampian, Highland and Islands