The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
Displaying 1639 contributions
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 16 March 2022
Russell Findlay
Yes. The Scottish Police Federation’s written submission suggests that what has been proposed has been watered down. What would you like to be reinstated?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 16 March 2022
Russell Findlay
My question is very similar to Jamie Greene’s question, so it is a bit of a damp squib now. [Laughter.] Sorry about that.
Who decides on the proposed dates? Is it correct to say that that was part of the review group’s decision making?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 16 March 2022
Russell Findlay
The consultation shows overwhelming support for no-firework zones—83 per cent of respondents backed that. At some point, the name was changed from no-firework zones to firework control areas. The SSPCA’s evidence suggests that we should revert to the original description and that there should be areas where no fireworks are allowed, with no allowance for professional displays. Can you expand on that? Would Rob Holland’s organisation agree with that?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 16 March 2022
Russell Findlay
I will not jump ahead, but I would like to come back to licensing, control zones and so on later.
We have heard in general terms from the police and Scottish Fire and Rescue and during our visit to Blackburn on Monday that the problem seems to have worsened in recent years. What seems to be lacking is any measurement of that. We have heard about incidents of firefighters and police officers being attacked and so on. I suppose that this is a question for Lorraine Gillies. Do you have anything that quantifies the prevalence of firework use over the course of a year?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 16 March 2022
Russell Findlay
I ask Gilly Mendes Ferreira for the SSPCA’s perspective. You may not have measured it in any way, but you know it to be the case, because you have experienced a significant rise over the years.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 16 March 2022
Russell Findlay
Do you agree that, once it is developed, the system will need a mechanism of that nature?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 9 March 2022
Russell Findlay
The chief inspector of prisons has raised a concern about a lack of communication from the SPS in respect of the use of these powers and the lack of an ability to properly externally monitor the decision making and the implications of what happens. Is that something that can be improved upon? That is a question, first and foremost, for Mr Purdie.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 9 March 2022
Russell Findlay
I was going to ask the previous two witnesses this question, but I ran out of time. The Crown Office’s written submission says that 850 High Court cases on indictment have yet to be allocated a trial date, and we know that there are tens of thousands of summary cases in the same position. Has any consideration been given to clearing this backlog by opening the courts up at the weekend?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 9 March 2022
Russell Findlay
So, roughly, up to nine is the kind of territory that we are talking about.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 9 March 2022
Russell Findlay
Perhaps you could also quantify any disproportionate delays in respect of multiple-accused cases compared with single-accused cases. It seems likely that there would be such delays.