Chamber and committees

I will stay on the topic of rape myths and juries. You say in your submission that there is no evidence that juries act on those myths or that they fail to try the accused on the basis of the evidence presented. Will you please expand on why your members believe that to be the case? What evidence are you referring to?

I have a final question on rape myths. I am sure that your members have followed the evidence that the committee has taken on rape myths, not just in committee meetings but in written submissions and in research that we are aware of. A strong body of evidence appears to suggest that rape myths exist and are problematic. As you will understand, we are working with a broad church of views. Given the evidence that we have received—that there is such a thing as rape myths—what would be your members’ position on what the committee should consider in addressing that issue?

Okay. You might not know this off the top of your head, but how many criminal defence lawyers are there in Scotland?

Thank you. That is helpful background information.

I will bring in Sharon Dowey and then Russell Findlay. I ask you to make your questions fairly succinct.

We have run out of time, so I must bring the session to a close. Thank you very much indeed for attending, Mr Brown.

Tomorrow morning, in what will be our final evidence session on the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, we will take evidence from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs.

Phil Fairlie of the Prison Officers Association Scotland recently described the use of remand as “ridiculously high”, and said that far too many people are entering prison on short-term sentences. Does the cabinet secretary agree with Mr Fairlie’s suggestion of reviewing sentencing policy and increasing community alternatives to custody?

Ensuring fair access to higher education is clearly critical in ensuring that Scotland has the skilled workforce that we need for the future. I ask the minister for his response to the report from the Commissioner for Fair Access that was published earlier this week.

Yes.

Thank you very much, Lord Matthews. You have set out a very comprehensive and well-articulated position. I will bring in Sheriff Cubie on that same question.

Sheriff Cubie, would you like to come in on that?