Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 06 January 2016
06 Jan 2016 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Portfolio Question Time
Short-term Sentences (Consultation)
Justice and the Law Officers
The nub of the issue is that Governments must neither obstruct nor compromise the freedom of judges to impose a custodial sentence of any length where the judge considers that that is how best to serve the interests of justice and the victim. Will the cabinet secretary guarantee with the same welcome clarity as his colleague Mr Wheelhouse the continuing protection of that freedom?
In the same item of business
7. Annabel Goldie (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish its response to the consultation on the presumption against short-term sentences. (S4O-05210)
The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Michael Matheson)
SNP
The consultation on proposals to strengthen the presumption against short sentences closed on 16 December. We received 63 responses in total, and I record my...
Annabel Goldie
Con
The nub of the issue is that Governments must neither obstruct nor compromise the freedom of judges to impose a custodial sentence of any length where the ju...
Michael Matheson
SNP
A presumption is exactly that: it is a presumption. It will be open to sheriffs to determine these matters when the issue is laid before the court. That is t...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
That concludes questions on the justice and the law officers portfolio. My apologies to those members I have not been able to call.