§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many cases at (a) the High Court and (b) the sheriff court have been abandoned because of the inability of child witnesses to give evidence in each of the past four years; and if he will make a statement; [3211]
(2) in respect of how many cases at (a) the High Court and (b) the sheriff court closed circuit television has been employed in the examination of child witnesses in each of the past four years; [3212]
(3) if he will list the courts which (a) currently have closed circuit television and (b) are to have such equipment installed within the next two years; and if he will make a statement. [3213]
222W
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonStatistics regarding the abandonment of such cases are not available, but indications are that the numbers are not substantial. A range of measures contribute to this. To assist those children whom it is anticipated may have difficulty giving evidence in a conventional court setting, applications may be made before the trial for the use of screens, closed circuit television or evidence on commission. Since 1 April 1996, prior statements of witnesses, including children, may be admissible in terms of the new exceptions to the hearsay rule contained in sections 259 to 262 of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995. There have been a number of instances where prosecutors have had recourse to these provisions, which allow for the introduction of prior statements by a child, providing at the time a statement was made, the child would have been a competent witness.
CCTV has been employed in the examination of child witnesses on the following occasions:
Year Sheriff Court cases High Court cases 1993 2 5 1994 6 5 1995 6 5 1996 (to 30 September) 0 6 CCTV equipment is available in the High Court in Edinburgh and in each sheriffdom. It can be made available for all High Court sittings at which it is required. For the sheriff courts, equipment is based at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Greenock, Aberdeen, Airdrie and Falkirk sheriff courts. Installation of CCTV equipment is included in the plans for the refurbishment of the High Court buildings in Edinburgh and Glasgow.