Chamber and committees

Do you see progress being made in eroding the delays that exist?

Is there data that you can share with the committee on that point?

That is very helpful. Are there particular areas in which you think that there could be further improvements that would help to accelerate the progress that has been made?

That is a very helpful explanation. Will you reflect further on the cultural change that needs to be undertaken or achieved to make the process effective? Parliament may well be able to legislate for that, but the issue is how it will become a meaningful change of practice.

One of the points that you have made very powerfully is that judicial leadership has been crucial in taking us thus far. What else is required to make sure that, when we look back 10 years down the track, we see this as a significant moment in changing the experience of those who happen to be involved in the work of a sexual offences court?

My last question is about an issue that we have discussed in previous committee meetings, which is the role of defence counsel in the questioning of witnesses—although this can sometimes also apply to the actions of the Crown. Is that questioning conducted in a fashion that is compatible with the legitimate aspirations of trauma-informed practice, which I entirely endorse?

One line of argument that has been put to us is that we must be satisfied that the right questions are being asked, and in the right fashion, to ensure that a fair trial is being delivered. Obviously, I want trials to be undertaken fairly, but I am concerned that trauma-informed practice might be disregarded in the name of ensuring a fair trial. That relates particularly to the conduct of defence counsel and defence agents. I would be interested to hear your observations about what the court and the judiciary can do to ensure that we have fair trials that are conducted in a fashion that is not damaging to witnesses who come forward in good faith.

Have you had to do so?

I think that, for the committee’s benefit and to serve our understanding of the thinking that has underpinned your work, we would like to hear just a little bit more about that. Having listened to the evidence on the bill’s other contents, I find that what has really resonated with me is that culture issue and the necessity of changing the dynamics and the nature of the process that is under way. If I understand you correctly, you are telling us that cannot really achieve that by tinkering with what, for argument’s sake, is a Victorian set of procedures. Instead—and I was struck by this in your report—you need to go in with a blank sheet of paper. I think that your response to that would help us understand the cultural point that you are making.

Thank you very much.

I will move on to the position on the estate. The statistic that horrified me the most this morning was the 20 per cent occupancy level of the premises in Dalmarnock. What information can you share with the committee about the level of occupancy and utilisation of police premises around the country? Can you give us a figure? Can you say, for example, “We think the police estate is X per cent occupied”?

Chief Constable Farrell, you have been very candid with the committee about the fact that your budget ask was essentially met by the Government. That rather surprised me, given the intensity of pressure on the public finances. I think that we should acknowledge and recognise—as you have done—the significance of the financial settlement that was delivered.

I am interested in your comments in response to Sharon Dowey about the budget giving you the time and the space to redesign. I would like to explore that, because the assurance that I seek is that, when it comes to further budget rounds, Police Scotland will be in a position in which it will not have to make the significant asks on the public purse that have been met by the Government on this occasion. As you rightly say, the pressures on the public finances are not going to abate in the forthcoming years in any shape or form. How confident can we be that the budget represents an opportunity to give you the time and the space to redesign?