Thank you, convener. I reciprocate in wishing you all a happy new year. I hope that you had a good festive break. I also thank the committee for what I think have been extremely thorough and helpful evidence-taking sessions. We have reflected on that evidence in the run-up to this particular meeting.
In recent years, significant changes have been made to the criminal justice system to recognise the interests of vulnerable witnesses. Those measures have included strengthened arrangements to extend access to special measures in court that have been appropriate to help keep children and other vulnerable witnesses out of court through, for example, greater access to remote videolink for summary and solemn cases. However, I strongly believe that more can and should be done to support child and other vulnerable witnesses while protecting the interests of those who have been accused of crimes. That is why, in ensuring that children in the most serious criminal cases can have their evidence recorded in advance of the trial, the bill is a progressive and ambitious step forward.
I have listened with great interest to the evidence that the committee has taken from a broad range of stakeholders over the past couple of months, and I am very pleased that the overwhelming response has been positive and supportive. That said, I accept that some issues were raised in the evidence sessions. It might be helpful if I address a few of them very briefly this morning.
Many stakeholders have asked how and when we intend to commence the bill’s provisions and, in particular, when the power in section 3 will be commenced. We have always made it clear that our initial focus will be on child witnesses in the most serious cases. I trust that the committee received the letter that I sent yesterday. It sets out our proposed approach to commencement—provided, of course, that the bill is approved by the Scottish Parliament—and attached to it is a draft implementation plan. As members will note, and as the letter sets out, it is important that the bill’s provisions be commenced in a phased, manageable and effective way. I know that some stakeholders support that approach.
It is of the utmost importance that we do not overwhelm the system and that we get it right for children and vulnerable witnesses. Not to do so would be to undermine the policy aims of the bill and, more important, to risk making matters worse for the very people whom we seek to protect. However, members will note that the Scottish Government intends to extend the new provision to adults who are deemed vulnerable witnesses, including complainers in sexual offences cases. It is likely that that will initially be commenced in the High Court.
It is important that each stage of the roll-out be evaluated and monitored to ensure that the justice system as a whole is ready to move to the next phase of implementation. I cannot stress enough that I want the justice system to be fully prepared and the necessary information technology and infrastructure to be in place before we move from one phase to another.
As the committee is aware, the Government has already invested almost £1 million to create a new vulnerable witnesses suite in central Glasgow. We have made a further £1.1 million available to the courts service, and we continue to work with it on upgrading other venues and IT equipment so that the court infrastructure is ready for the increase in the number of witnesses having their evidence pre-recorded.
I am aware that some concerns have been raised in relation to potential miscarriages of justice, and I hope that I can allay those concerns. Evidence is and will continue to be tested. Witnesses will continue to be cross-examined in evidence by commissioner hearings under the new statutory rule. They will also have the oversight of a High Court judge or a sheriff.
The bill in no way undermines those fundamental principles, nor does it amend the current definition of vulnerability or the current special measures; it creates a statutory framework to enable the greater use of pre-recorded evidence so that our most vulnerable citizens do not have to undergo the additional stress of having to await trial before giving evidence.
I am, as always, happy to take questions.