Chamber and committees

Discussions have taken place between Disclosure Scotland officials representing Scottish Ministers, the Scottish police forces and the ACPOS strategic lead for this area of work.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-10280 on 7 November 2012. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Eligibility criteria for the PVG Scheme differ from those for enhanced disclosures, so it is not possible to give a precise figure about the number of people with enhanced disclosure certificates who will apply to join the PVG Scheme during the retrospective checking period, though Disclosure Scotland anticipates there will be such movement. It is also the case that the enhanced disclosure has been retained for a number of other purposes, for example, prospective adoptive parents and applicants for certain gaming and lottery licences.

At 23 October 2012, 267,700 people had joined the PVG Scheme. By the end of retrospective checking, Disclosure Scotland anticipates that there will be between 750,000 and 800,000 PVG scheme members.

The organisation of departments within the Police Service of Scotland is an operational matter for the chief constable. Disclosure Scotland will liaise with the existing Force Disclosure Units until such time as the chief constable has made a decision about the future arrangements.

The Scottish Government recognises that more needs to be done to ensure that victims and witnesses get better information and support. The recent consultation paper Making Justice Work for Victims and Witnesses contained proposals on a comprehensive package of both legislative and non-legislative measures designed to provide better support to victims and witnesses and improve their experience of the criminal justice system. This included proposals on the provision of information and a commitment to commission a feasibility study into developing an online data hub to provide case specific information to victims and witnesses.

Work in this area is ongoing, and details of provisions to be included in the Victims and Witnesses Bill will be announced in due course.

There is no legal reason to prevent witnesses being informed of the result of a pleading diet prior to the receipt of their citation to appear in court and the information can be provided to victims and witnesses from the Scottish Court Service or Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). COPFS (through its Victim Information and Advice service) is pro-active in providing information to victims about the dates of court hearings prior to the issue of a citation, where the case involves solemn proceedings, domestic abuse, hate crime or a sexual offence and in cases involving children and vulnerable victims and witnesses or in any case involving a death.

Yes, officials have regular meetings with the administrators of the present custody visiting schemes, and work closely with them on a number of issues. No central count of such meetings since 2007 is held.

Officials are currently working with custody visiting scheme administrators to consider options and recommendations for a new statutory scheme under the reform agenda. The scheme will be Scotland-wide. Decisions on the administration and operation of the scheme will be a matter for the Scottish Police Authority.

Officials are currently working with custody visiting scheme administrators to consider options and recommendations for a new statutory scheme under the reform agenda. No new guidance has been issued to administrators or visitors to date.

This is not part of the National Police Reform Team’s remit. Justice officials are, however, working with administrators of the current custody visiting schemes to consider options for a new statutory scheme, and to make recommendations to the Scottish Police Authority.