Current status: Answered by Kenny MacAskill on 28 May 2008
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps have been taken to meet the recommendations of the Scottish Sentencing Commission which reported in 2006 on improving the scope and consistency of sentencing.
The Scottish Government is aware of the recommendations made by the Sentencing Commission in August 2006, in particular that steps should be taken to introduce a procedure that gives effect to a system of sentencing guidelines.
As set out in our manifesto, we believe that such a system would deliver more consistent and transparent sentencing and intend to set up a sentencing council to take this work forward. We plan to consult with key interests and stakeholders, especially the judiciary, on the issues around establishing such a body before coming forward with detailed proposals.