Written question asked by Roseanna Cunningham (Scottish National Party) on Thursday, 26 March 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 2 April 1998. It was answered by Henry McLeish (Labour) on Thursday, 2 April 1998 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, when the Crown Office was informed of a problem relating to the statutory basis for Intermediate Diets in Summary Criminal Procedure; and if he will place in the Library copies of the correspondence between the Crown Office and offices of the Procurators Fiscal bearing on the case of Mackay v PF (Linlithgow), 1998 SCCR:790. - (Holding answer 1 April 1998).

Answer: Ms Roseanna Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Crown Office was informed of a problem relating to the statutory basis for Intermediate Diets in Summary Criminal Procedure; and if he will place in the Library copies of the correspondence between the Crown Office and offices of the Procurators Fiscal bearing on the case of Mackay v. PF (Linlithgow), 1998 SCCR:790. [37232] Mr. McLeish: [holding answer 1 April 1998]: The Crown Office was informed of the problem when the opinion of the court in Vannet v. Milligan was delivered on 12 March 1998, although it became aware of the potential problem when the decision of the court in Mackay v. Ruxton was delivered. Communications between the Crown Office and Procurators Fiscal are confidential. However, on 19 November 1997, when the decision in Mackay v. Ruxton was announced, immediate steps were taken by the Crown to minimise any potential effect arising from it.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 309 c612W; 37232
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Criminal proceedings Administration of justice Judgements Scotland Crown Office for Scotland Linlithgow Procurators fiscal Intermediate diets