Seòmar agus comataidhean

I want to stay on the theme of resource implications and bring in other panel members for any comments that they wish to make on that.

Thank you. Is there anything that John Watt wants to comment on?

Thank you for that comprehensive answer. I do not know whether Laura Buchan wants to add anything. My question was more about the broad resource implications. Training is an aspect of that, but are there other areas where you see particular resource implications? I am sure that there are.

We are coming to the end of the session. I have a question for David Fraser on part 3 of the bill—on special measures in civil cases—which we have not touched on this morning. What are the resource implications of implementing part 3? I note that you set that out in your submission, but what are the implications of implementing it as currently drafted and the implications if it were to include more ambitious proposals, which some victims organisations have indicated that they would like the Scottish Government to consider?

In the context of the proposals potentially being a little bit more ambitious, is that feasible?

In part 3, there is a proposal to extend special measures to civil cases, and you have just outlined the implications for IT systems from that. Should the proposals be expanded from what they are at the moment in the bill? Would that have any impact?

Thank you. Your submission sets out the impact of reduced resources, particularly due to the increase in your statutory functions. For example, you highlight the expansion of arrest referral services, increases in the number of diversion from prosecution cases and a number of other areas. If that is the case—I am sure that it is—that will be at one end of the system, so what are your concerns about the impact that that will have on the preventative work that we want to be developed? That contemporary effective work is well set out in “The Vision for Justice in Scotland”.

Okay. I will open this up to members and bring in Russell Findlay to kick off.

Thank you. A few more members would like to come in and then we will have to call the session to a close. Rona Mackay and then Pauline McNeill.

Is there anything further that you want to add to what you were outlining?