Chamber
Plenary, 20 Feb 2003
20 Feb 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill
As Johann Lamont mentioned, the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill represents the culmination of a lot of hard work by the subject committee and occasional visitors to the committee. The progress that was made on the issues of lifetime supervision orders, fast-track youth procedures, anti-social behaviour, the risk management agency and victim statements give the lie to Bill Aitken's rather weary and predictable comment on the bill. The people who contribute their time to children's panels do not deserve the unfair gloss that Bill Aitken put on their activity. I urge him to reflect on that.
An important security was achieved on the issue of physical chastisement for Scotland's most vulnerable youngsters. Some of the opposition in respect of the shaking of children stands in the face of and disregards the obvious medical evidence. I am glad that members had the courage to stand up to that behaviour.
On the statutory aggravation of an offence by religious prejudice, I rehearsed the contra argument in front of the Justice 2 Committee and I will not repeat it now. As I listened to Donald Gorrie yesterday, my support waned—after two years' work, he seemed to demonstrate less understanding of the issues. I support the movement on that issue for reasons that were not advanced by Donald Gorrie. I do so for reasons that relate to the collection of data and, more important, to the notice of previous convictions. People will no longer be able to pretend that they have not participated previously in their behaviour or say that the offence is a first-time event. That is a real achievement.
Bill Aitken lodged a well-intentioned but badly drafted and defective amendment on the subject of police officers. I was delighted to hear the words from the minister about improving on that position.
Although there is no time for victory laps—nor should there be victory laps—the bill represents real progress and should be welcomed for that reason.
An important security was achieved on the issue of physical chastisement for Scotland's most vulnerable youngsters. Some of the opposition in respect of the shaking of children stands in the face of and disregards the obvious medical evidence. I am glad that members had the courage to stand up to that behaviour.
On the statutory aggravation of an offence by religious prejudice, I rehearsed the contra argument in front of the Justice 2 Committee and I will not repeat it now. As I listened to Donald Gorrie yesterday, my support waned—after two years' work, he seemed to demonstrate less understanding of the issues. I support the movement on that issue for reasons that were not advanced by Donald Gorrie. I do so for reasons that relate to the collection of data and, more important, to the notice of previous convictions. People will no longer be able to pretend that they have not participated previously in their behaviour or say that the offence is a first-time event. That is a real achievement.
Bill Aitken lodged a well-intentioned but badly drafted and defective amendment on the subject of police officers. I was delighted to hear the words from the minister about improving on that position.
Although there is no time for victory laps—nor should there be victory laps—the bill represents real progress and should be welcomed for that reason.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr Murray Tosh):
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S1M-3730, in the name of Mr Jim Wallace, that the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill be passed.
The Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice (Mr Jim Wallace):
LD
The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill is a substantial and significant piece of legislation. It is only right that it should have been subject to rigorous and...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
A long list of members wish to take part in the debate, so I ask everyone to keep tightly to the three-minute time allocation.
Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP):
SNP
At stage 1, I expressed my concern that the bill represented a return to the bad old days of the law reform (miscellaneous provisions) (Scotland) bills. The ...
Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con):
Con
The minister mentioned some aspects of the bill that are highly satisfactory and for which we commend the Executive. Other aspects, such as civilianisation a...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab):
Lab
I begin by thanking the Justice 2 Committee very much for its hard work. There was not a single issue that the Parliament was concerned about that the commit...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
I will call as many members as I can.
Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
I, too, support the bill, although I do not do so unreservedly. I thank my colleagues on the Justice 2 Committee. As I come to the end of my time in the Parl...
Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to welcome the passing of this important bill. I, too, congratulate the Justice 2 Committee—in particular the convener—on its hard ...
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton (Lothians) (Con):
Con
It is regrettable that there has been insufficient time to give full attention to many of the issues that were before the committee. To give just one example...
George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD):
LD
As the Deputy First Minister said, the bill is a substantial piece of legislation, which will have a major impact in improving Scotland's criminal justice sy...
Dr Richard Simpson (Ochil) (Lab):
Lab
I join others in congratulating the minister and the committee on the way in which they have tackled the issues in the bill.The Justice 2 Committee's scrutin...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
If Irene McGugan will restrict herself to two minutes, I will be able to give two minutes to Brian Fitzpatrick, who will be the last member to speak.
Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I will confine my remarks to the physical punishment of children. The bill is a step in the right direction, but it is a small step. As Richard Simpson sugge...
Brian Fitzpatrick (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (Lab):
Lab
As Johann Lamont mentioned, the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill represents the culmination of a lot of hard work by the subject committee and occasional vis...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
My regrets to the four members whose names remain on my screen, but the clock has beaten us. I call Hugh Henry to wind up the debate.
The Deputy Minister for Justice (Hugh Henry):
Lab
Like the minister, I thank all those who worked so hard on the bill and the organisations and individuals who provided written submissions and gave oral evid...