§ 17. Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Association of Sheriffs in Scotland concerning sentencing policy for women. [76322]
§ Mr. McLeishI meet Sheriffs regularly and discuss various matters. Of course, sentencing is a matter for the courts. The Government's role is to ensure that the courts have a range of effective disposals for offenders. We have set up a project in Glasgow under the chairmanship of 129W Professor Sheila McLean to tackle the particular issues related to female offenders. We have introduced Supervised Attendance Orders to all sheriff and district courts throughout Scotland, to ensure that an alternative to custody for fine default is always available.
From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.