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Chamber and committees

Official Report: search what was said in Parliament

The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.  

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Dates of parliamentary sessions
  1. Session 1: 12 May 1999 to 31 March 2003
  2. Session 2: 7 May 2003 to 2 April 2007
  3. Session 3: 9 May 2007 to 22 March 2011
  4. Session 4: 11 May 2011 to 23 March 2016
  5. Session 5: 12 May 2016 to 5 May 2021
  6. Current session: 12 May 2021 to 5 July 2025
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Displaying 4106 contributions

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Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]

Fatal Accident Inquiries and Deaths in Custody

Meeting date: 25 June 2025

Audrey Nicoll

Our next agenda item invites us to consider three letters from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs that relate to fatal accident inquiries and deaths in custody. I refer members to paper 4.

One letter is addressed to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, which the Criminal Justice Committee is copied into for information, about the announcement of a chair who will lead an independent review of the fatal accident inquiry system when dealing with deaths in custody.?The other two letters, which are addressed directly to the Criminal Justice Committee, relate to wider reforms around deaths in custody.

I invite members to make any comments on any of the letters.

As there are no comments, are members happy to note the letters’ contents, which have been published online?

Members indicated agreement.

Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]

Fatal Accident Inquiries and Deaths in Custody

Meeting date: 25 June 2025

Audrey Nicoll

This is our last meeting before the summer recess, so, before I close the public session, I wish everyone an enjoyable and relaxing summer break. We will now move into private session.

12:02 Meeting continued in private until 12:48.  

Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]

Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 25 June 2025

Audrey Nicoll

I have a final question before I bring in Liam Kerr. You said that you anticipate that an additional 3,000 domestic abuse offenders would be included in the MAPPA process. Have you taken account of the possibility that some of the individuals might, bearing in mind the existing MAPPA criteria, already be in the process by virtue of their other offending?

Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]

Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 25 June 2025

Audrey Nicoll

I think that I am right in saying that your bill began its journey back in 2022. To what extent have you made sure that the figures that you are looking at on the cost implications are up to date? Secondly, I am interested in hearing what discussions you have had with justice partners with regard to the cost implications that they might face.

Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]

Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 25 June 2025

Audrey Nicoll

I will bring in Pauline McNeill, who I think wanted to come in earlier.

Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]

Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 25 June 2025

Audrey Nicoll

We have only four or five minutes left, and a couple of other members want to ask questions, so perhaps you could follow up on that in writing.

Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]

Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 25 June 2025

Audrey Nicoll

Thank you. I will bring in other members, and I hand over to Liam Kerr.

Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]

Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 25 June 2025

Audrey Nicoll

As I said at the outset of our previous session with Pam Gosal, the Criminal Justice Committee regularly considers the issue of tackling violence against women and girls, which we take extremely seriously, as I am sure you know.

I will start with a general opening question, before bringing in Liam Kerr. As you will be aware, the minister said in a letter to the committee that

“There remain significant questions and concerns regarding the measures within the Bill and how they would work in practice, the extent to which they would deliver on the policy intent, and the associated financial implications.”

It is quite a broad question, but could you respond to those comments?

Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]

Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 25 June 2025

Audrey Nicoll

I have another couple of questions. You have spoken about other models, such as those in Sweden and Northern Ireland. The consultation responses indicate that there is a significant amount of support for the bill’s provision that would more fully criminalise those who are seeking to buy sex. However, I am aware of the work that has been done on legislation in Northern Ireland which, essentially, did the same thing, in that it criminalised the purchase of sex. The Department of Justice commissioned an official review in 2019 which found that there was

“no evidence that the offence of purchasing sexual services has produced a downward pressure on demand for, or supply of, sexual services”.

What is your view on the Northern Ireland experience? How might that shape your thinking about the legislative provision in Scotland?

Criminal Justice Committee [Draft]

Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Meeting date: 25 June 2025

Audrey Nicoll

Liam Kerr has a question, following which I will bring in Rachael Hamilton.