§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknishasked Her Majesty's Government:
In the light of the Lord Advocate's decision on the prosecution of those who refuse to pay the tolls on the Skye bridge, whether a similar policy exists for those who refuse to pay when crossing the Erskine, Forth and Tay bridges.
§ Lord HardieThe recent decision regarding the prosecution of those who refuse to pay tolls on the Skye bridge was taken in light of the exceptional circumstances prevailing there. It is not in the interests of justice to treat these cases differently from others by prosecuting each and every offence. In future, the question of prosecution will be left to the discretion of the procurator fiscal. Decisions whether to prosecute those who refuse to pay tolls when crossing the Erskine, Forth and Tay bridges will continue to be considered by procurators fiscal based on the facts and circumstances of each case.