Chamber and committees

I want to continue with that line of questioning, and then I have a question for Marsha Scott. I think that it is hugely positive that this provision has been written into the bill, but I completely agree with the views that were expressed in the conversation that we have just had. Should the standards of service—on, for example, reorganising courts so that victims do not meet perpetrators, communication with victims and the conduct of defence—be spelled out more in the bill? I take John Swinney’s point about independence, but should we be more explicit about this instead of simply saying that practice should be trauma informed? If that is doable, should we do it?

Good morning. I want to come to Sandy Brindley first. You said at the start that you were not whole-heartedly in support of the creation of the role of commissioner, although I understand your argument about it being another voice for victims. What would make you convinced that we should have a victims and witnesses commissioner? Would the commissioner having the ability to intervene directly in cases do that? What would solidify it in your mind that we should definitely have such a commissioner?

You said that you were disappointed that the commissioner would not be able to intervene in individual cases. If the commissioner was able to do so, would that make a difference to people saying, “What’s the point?”?

Is that the case on the civil side?

Basically, you are saying that we should work together, that we should be much more transparent about information and data and that the data should be collected. After all, we all want the same thing.

Thank you.

That is fine.

You will probably mention this later, but I want to mention the bairns’ hoose. You spoke earlier about nothing being done for children, but I think that the bairns’ hoose is fairly significant.

Bill Scott, is there enough in the bill about disability and inclusion, and are those issues addressed sufficiently with regard to the role of the victims commissioner?

I am sorry to interrupt but, in your opinion, is it the responsibility of their legal representative to make it clear that they are vulnerable and need special measures?

I have a brief question for Graham O’Neill. Just for clarity, I will ask you a question that I should probably know the answer to. Do refugees currently have the right to language support and interpreters when they go to court?

My questions are solely about the victims commissioner.

Dr Hill, you talked about your good relationship with the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland and how you work well with them, and you then spoke about problems with existing legislation. How do you see that role with regard to children who are victims? Should the children’s commissioner take that role on, or should it be the victims commissioner? Do you see a clash in that regard?