Chamber and committees

Unlike the other disability provisions of the UK Government's Special Educational Needs and Disability Bill, which are reserved, clause 13 is concerned with local authority organisation and management which is devolved. The clause will therefore not extend to Scotland. The Executive is considering how best to introduce similar provisions here.

Officials in the Executive undertook a round of informal discussions with telecommunications companies on their plans for the provision of broadband technology. Further consultations have recently taken place at a UK level. We are in close contact with Whitehall departments to ensure co-ordination of policy.

All crimes and offences recorded by the police are covered in the published statistics on recorded crime, including those which result in a fiscal fine. Totals of the number of criminal reports concluded by way of a fiscal fine are given in the annual Scottish Executive Justice Department statistical bulletin on criminal proceedings in Scottish courts and also in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Annual Report. Information on the numbers of fiscal fines paid is included in the annual statistical returns made by the district courts.

The Scottish Executive recognises the high importance of ensuring businesses have access to the telecommunications they need to help them achieve maximum competitiveness. This will largely be achieved through the promotion of competition.There are, however, actions falling to the Executive which may contribute. These will include building on public sector demand for higher bandwidth services to encourage the spread of appropriate infrastructure. The Executive is now in discussion with UK departments on these issues.

The number of Procurators Fiscal in Glasgow has increased over this year, with three additional deputes. A further depute and five precognition officers have just been added to the structure and will be in place by early January. The resource planning process which will set staffing levels and other resource allocations from April 2001 onwards is under way, and will be completed early next year. During that process current and projected workload statistics, including an increase in reports of serious crime in Glasgow, will be carefully taken into account.

It will be for Dr Jandoo to determine the extent and form of the input that he seeks during his inquiry. I understand he intends to consult with representatives of the ethnic minority communities and his remit requires him to consult with the Chhokar family and their representatives and the Commission for Racial Equality.

The names of the first tranche of appointments to the new office of part-time sheriff were announced on 13 October 2000.

The following table shows the number of summary trials called and adjourned at Glasgow Sheriff Court during the period from September 1999 to August 2000. Trials can be adjourned for a variety of reasons including, for example, the unavailability of witnesses. The table, therefore, also provides information on the percentage of trials adjourned due to lack of court time.

	Trials Called	Trials Adjourned	Adjourned Lack of Time
Sept 1999	805	270	1.3%
Oct 1999	873	327	3.2%
Nov 1999	832	279	1.4%
Dec 1999	548	188	0.9%
Jan 2000	665	242	1.3%
Feb 2000	861	271	1.9%
Mar 2000	782	304	1.2%
Apr 2000	695	252	3.8%
May 2000	782	259	2.0%
June 2000	790	268	1.8%
July 2000	680	235	3.6%
Aug 2000	676	249	3.9%

The attached table shows the number of civil proofs fixed at Glasgow Sheriff Court during the period from September 1999 to August 2000. The 12 week target was met throughout the period with the exception of December 1999 when the period increased to 15 weeks. The table also provides information on the percentage of proofs/debates adjourned due to lack of court time.

While trial diets may be available within the 12 week period, dates for individual cases may be fixed outwith this timescale to suit the convenience of the parties to the action at the request of solicitors.

The statistical information available does not differentiate between those proofs fixed within the 12 week waiting period or those fixed outwith this period at the request of solicitors.

	Civil Proofs Assigned	Adjourned Lack of Time
Sept 1999	53	0
Oct 1999	133	0
Nov 1999	111	1.3%
Dec 1999	63	0
Jan 2000	65	0
Feb 2000	64	1.1%
Mar 2000	52	0
Apr 2000	56	1.5%
May 2000	61	1.3%
June 2000	65	0
July 2000	57	0
Aug 2000	63	1.2%

The trial of David Montgomery and Andrew Coulter for the murder of Surjit Singh Chhokar concluded today at the High Court in Glasgow. Neither was convicted of the murder. Andrew Coulter was convicted of assaulting Surjit Singh Chhokar, while acting along with Ronnie Coulter, by repeatedly striking him on the body with a piece of wood and metal. He was also convicted of a charge of housebreaking at Mr Chhokar's house and theft of a cooker and giro cheque and of a charge of uttering in connection with the giro cheque. He received a total sentence of 15 months detention, consecutive to the sentence that he is currently serving.David Montgomery was acquitted. I acknowledge that mistakes were made in this case, particularly in relation to the level of support and information given to the late Mr Chhokar's family. I am determined that all possible lessons will be learnt and I am today setting up independent inquiries to look into two separate aspects of the case.Sir Anthony Campbell, of the Northern Ireland Judiciary, will carry out an independent examination of the Crown's decision making following the death of Surjit Singh Chhokar, including the decision to indict Ronald Coulter separately from Andrew Coulter and David Montgomery. He will have the opportunity to interview all staff in the PF office at Hamilton and Crown Office as well as Advocate Deputes and Law Officers who dealt with the case. Sir Anthony will make such findings and recommendations for changes in practice and procedure as he sees fit. Sir Anthony's findings will be published.Raj Jandoo, Advocate and Deputy Chair of the Scottish Executive Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Steering Group, will review and report on the liaison arrangements between the police, the Procurator Fiscal Service, and the Crown Office and the family of Surjit Singh Chhokar. As part of his remit, Dr Jandoo will consider and complete an internal report prepared by the Crown Office. He will take evidence from the family of Surjit Singh Chhokar, their representatives and from the police. He will also consult the Commission for Racial Equality and Victim Support Scotland. While most of the inquiry will be conducted in private, there will also be a public dimension to consider draft recommendations. Dr Jandoo's findings and recommendations for action will also be published.The Deputy First Minister will be inviting the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Steering Group, which comprises representatives of the police, Crown Office, Commission for Racial Equality and independent members, to oversee the implementation of Dr Jandoo's recommendations.A number of measures have already taken place to implement the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry in Scotland, including the production of a Racial Diversity Strategy and Guidance Manual by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, Crown Office guidance prosecution of racist crimes and a programme of anti-racist training for Crown Office staff. Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary has carried out a thematic inspection on the police and race issues in Scotland which will be published in the New Year. The steering group has reviewed the Executive's action plan and their report will also be published shortly. We intend to build on this progress that has already been made in taking forward the lessons to be learnt from the Chhokar case.