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All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
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Displaying 1639 contributions
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 13 September 2023
Russell Findlay
What is the most likely timescale for it going into service?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 13 September 2023
Russell Findlay
I will keep an eye on the clock and try to be quick.
My first question is for Mr McQueen. On a recent visit to Victim Support Scotland’s offices in Glasgow, we were shown a new facility that should allow witnesses to give evidence directly to court from its premises. So far, though, it has been used only for a case involving a Canadian court rather than a court in Scotland. Do you know if the non-implementation of the facility—I was going to say “delay”, but it is perhaps not that—has anything to do with budgets, or is it more to do with practical issues?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 13 September 2023
Russell Findlay
The Scottish Government is legislating for the creation of a new criminal court to deal with sexual offences. Have you done any work on evaluating how much that might cost? As it will not involve physically building a new court, is it not essentially a rebranding exercise, or will there be any costs?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 13 September 2023
Russell Findlay
This is perhaps a slightly technical question, but evidence on commission happens already. It is recorded prior to the hearing.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 13 September 2023
Russell Findlay
However, I am talking about live evidence being given from elsewhere. That is the issue that is being worked on.
12:00Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 13 September 2023
Russell Findlay
Thank you.
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 13 September 2023
Russell Findlay
Good morning. My question is for DCC Connors. A pilot project in north-east Scotland will see certain crimes not being investigated. Do you envisage that pilot being extended to elsewhere in Scotland?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 13 September 2023
Russell Findlay
So, is it safe to say that there are no plans to roll it out further, at this stage?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 13 September 2023
Russell Findlay
This question is also for DCC Connors. It has been reported the cost of operation Branchform to Police Scotland has now exceeded £800,000. I know that we cannot and should not talk about the investigation, but can you provide us with an update on the cost and indicate whether it is expected to rise further?
Criminal Justice Committee
Meeting date: 13 September 2023
Russell Findlay
Okay. My next question is for David Page and/or James Gray. In its submission, the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents referred to Police Scotland having a problem with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. We have already heard from Ross Haggart that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has similar problems, with 14 stations identified and a cost of about £70 million to fix the issue.
I see no reference to that issue in Police Scotland’s submission. If it has been identified as a problem, what is the extent of it in terms of numbers of premises, and can you give an idea of the cost to fix it?