HC Deb 01 April 1998 vol 309 cc560-1W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he plans to introduce emergency legislation to prevent summary criminal prosecutions being abandoned because of the holding of more than one intermediate diet in the criminal proceedings taken against the accused concerned. [36868]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: Yes. A Bill is being introduced today to address the implications of the High Court of Justiciary's recent decisions about the validity of orders made at intermediate diets held in certain circumstances in summary criminal proceedings.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many summary criminal prosecutions have been deserted, since 12 March, between the conviction and the sentencing of the accused, on account of the fixing or holding of more than one intermediate diet in the criminal proceedings taken against the accused concerned. [36869]

Mr. Dewar

Desertion is only one of a number of means by which a summary criminal prosecution can be brought to an end. However, between 12.3.98 and 27.3.98, eighteen (18) were deserted as a result of the decision inVannet v Milligan.

Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many summary criminal prosecutions have been deserted, since 12 March, before the conclusion of a trial diet, on account of the fixing or holding of more than one intermediate diet in the criminal proceedings taken against the accused concerned. [36870]

Mr. Dewar

[holding answer 30 March 1998]: Desertion is one of a number of means by which a prosecution can be brought to an end. However, between 12 March 1998 and 27 March 1998, fifty three (53) summary criminal prosecutions were deserted as a result of the decision in Vannet v Milligan.