Seòmar agus comataidhean

The Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2000 introduced a new offence of abuse of trust. There are no immediate plans to amend these provisions.

There are no plans at present to extend the law on admissibility of previous convictions beyond the existing provisions in the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995 including those in section 275A which came into effect on 1 November 2002 as part of the Sexual Offences (Procedure and Evidence) Act 2002.

The Lord Advocate has already taken steps to clarify the law on consent in rape cases. Last year, he referred the case of Edward Watt to the High Court and secured a ruling that clarified the definition of rape in Scots law. The High Court held that the general rule relating to the law of rape is correctly stated by reference to a woman's lack of consent. This ruling should make prosecution possible in some cases in which it was not previously possible. In view of this clarification we do not consider that there is currently any need for further work to be undertaken in this area.

We are currently considering, in consultation with Crown Office, whether a new offence of grooming is needed in Scotland. We closely monitor other child protection issues to ensure that best practice is adopted throughout Scotland and participate in internet safety campaigns to highlight how to avoid the possible dangers of using the internet.

This is an operational matter for the Enterprise Networks.

The Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill currently progressing through the Parliament provides for the establishment of a new public body, the Risk Management Authority (RMA). The authority will be a centre of expertise in the fields of risk assessment and risk minimisation. One of the RMA's key functions will be to provide the framework for the multi-agency assessment and management of the risk posed to the public by sexual and violent offenders.

Our Domestic Abuse Service Development Fund is providing £117,659 this year to organisations that specifically support victims of rape, sexual assault and sexual abuse. In addition, a section 10 grant of £100,000 is being provided to enable a national office to be established for the Scottish Rape Crisis Network.Victim Support Scotland is funded by the Executive to provide support, information and advice to all victims of crime, including those who have been victims of sexual offences. In 2002-03 this funding amounts to £2.8 million.

The planned consultation paper relating to future changes to the discount rate has not yet been issued. The Executive has postponed this so that it might form part of wider consultations on damages, taking account of recent developments, that we plan to carry out during 2003.

It is not possible to provide meaningful figures for all sheriff court districts. Figures throughout the year will vary according to the volume of business and the complexity of cases. The availability of part-time sheriffs is also a factor in securing writing days for permanent sheriffs to complete written judgements. Sheriffs Principal monitor avizandum lists and they take such action as they can to secure completion of written work within reasonable time.

I refer the member to the answer given to question S1W-27759 on 15 August 2002. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/search_wa.