Pauline McNeill
Scottish Labour · Scotland
“Does she welcome what I am setting out to do in providing an expansion in GPS technology for bail management and home detention curfew, in order to give reassurance around the community management of offenders? Pauline McNeill: Yes, I do. I would like an early indication of additional investment in GPS technology.”
“I have consistently raised my concerns about prisoners not being guaranteed time out of their cells, and a number of prisoners have written to me, as a criminal justice spokesperson, because they cannot get access to the rehabilitation programmes that it is vital for them to do in order to be considered for release back into the community…”
“Scottish Labour welcomes the opportunity to have an early discussion on the state of the Scottish prison system. There is a lot in the amendments from the other parties with which we agree. We have just heard a considerable announcement. I will address some of it, albeit briefly.”
“The Cabinet Secretary for Justice has just taken up his post, and I respect the fact that he is at least attempting to put some bold proposals out there. I will address some of them briefly. Changing the definition of long-term sentences from more than four years to more than five years has serious implications.”
“What investment is the Scottish Government prepared to make to commit in the longer term to robust alternatives, such as GPS monitoring, which is referred to in the Scottish Labour amendment, to ensure that communities are safe? I do not mind saying that I have had this conversation with many previous cabinet secretaries.”
“On the release of long-term prisoners at 60 per cent or two thirds of their sentence, when I was not in Parliament, one of the big issues around the release of long-term prisoners was that the public thought that a prisoner’s sentence would be served in jail, and nobody could really follow the number of years that they would spend there.”
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“It is also extremely important that we have the relevant expertise in our National Crime Agency to be able to deal with it, because there are clever people behind such crimes, as we know. Last month, the chief constable, Jo Farrell, told the Criminal Justice Committee that there has been “an increase in the use of cyber to commit crime, including fraud”. She also noted that money laundering was on the rise—I was surprised that people still use money. In a cashless economy, the greater threat is to vulnerable individuals, as many members have talked about, and to the economy itself. The chief constable also noted that there has been a dramatic rise in reports of online abuse of children.”
“Its growth does not just affect large corporations—as Maggie Chapman and others have said, small businesses are commonly targeted, as they tend to have weaker defences. Davy Russell made an important point about intimate image-based abuse, which is an area that I have been doing work in. The rise in the number of deepfakes is alarming, particularly in relation to pornography. It is very important that we are vigilant and legislate accordingly. I welcome Police Scotland’s recent establishment of the cyber and fraud unit. The pressure on Police Scotland to investigate crime that is increasingly complex due to a cyber or digital component is greater than ever.”
“I thank the clerks and the witnesses who gave evidence on which to draw up the report, which I found very interesting. Onlookers might not find the subject matter interesting, but I do. The inquiry drew to my attention the importance of the Criminal Justice Committee taking time to tackle the issue. The current levels of cybercrime are around double pre-pandemic levels. We are living more of our lives online, and our children are therefore more exposed to the risk of cybercrime. In fact, cybercrime is one of the most serious threats to national security. If anyone has the chance to watch the “Panorama” programme, it is definitely worth doing so—it is actually quite scary. Cybercrime is usually associated with data theft and ransomware, but it also includes offences such as child abuse and human trafficking.”
“However, it is important that we have an effective strategy. Alexis Jay talked about the need for that to be undertaken in a sensitive manner, so we will take advice from the strategic group when it meets in January in relation to how we engage, but we will also continue our work with the CPG, noting its expertise in that area. The Deputy Presiding Officer: As members might expect, there is considerable interest in asking questions. I will try to get everybody in, but the questions will need to be fairly brief.”
“These independent inspectorates have responsibilities and statutory powers that do not rest with ministers. They are able to interrogate information from local authorities, for example, and they will be able to come back with evidence, advice and guidance. Throughout that process, Professor Alexis Jay will inform the methodology that they use, and she will provide expertise on that. She spoke to some of those matters in front of the education committee this morning. The final point that Ms McNeill raises relates to victim engagement. Again, that is a matter that the strategic group is taking forward, as I understand it, at its next meeting in January. I, along with Ms Constance, have also committed to engaging with the CPG and survivors. I have been very open to that and have already started to undertake some of that work.”
“I want to put on the record—I have checked this with my officials—that, on 20 November, the first version of the signed national review proposal was received from the Care Inspectorate, Healthcare Improvement Scotland, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland and Education Scotland, and it was shared with Professor Alexis Jay for expert advice. On 28 November, feedback from Professor Jay on the national proposal was shared with all four inspectorate partners. I am not necessarily sure that I follow Ms McNeill’s argument on the Care Inspectorate, but, just for assurance, my officials are engaged directly with it, and they have been appraised of that. In relation to Pauline McNeill’s point about the national review, I go back to the points that I made in the chamber two weeks ago.”
“Has it really treated the issue with the seriousness that it deserves? I still await an answer about the 46 children on the Police Scotland list, because we still do not know what has happened to that list. I was promised an answer last week. Can the Government convince me today that I will get an answer to my question? Jenny Gilruth: I thank Ms McNeill for her question and her on-going interest in these matters. I come to the point about the Care Inspectorate in particular, which is one of the four independent inspectorates that will lead the national review.”
“Every day, the Government’s approach to the grooming gangs inquiry is more chaotic—we have a cobbled-together response and a structure that is still confusing. Last week, the four inspectorates that the press asked about the matter were still awaiting guidance, and the Care Inspectorate said that it still had not been contacted by the Government. I ask the cabinet secretary whether it is not time to agree with Scottish Labour that the review requires clear leadership and the obvious person to lead it is Professor Alexis Jay herself. She is the right expert to direct such a review. Further to that, is the cabinet secretary satisfied that victims have full confidence in what she has announced today? I asked the Government why it did not seem to have any prior understanding of the seriousness of organised child exploitation.”
“Parents seek a diagnosis, and then, within the education system, children are denied community services such as occupational therapy or speech and language therapy because their private diagnosis does not link in with the school’s way of recording and reporting, and supporting people. Parents report to me that they feel that public services—health services, social care, education and criminal justice—lack a basic understanding on the front line. That is an important point, and I will finish on it. The resources are often there, at what has been described to me as quite a high level, but the question is how we enable the front- line teams to pick up on the issues. I would have liked to say more, Deputy Presiding Officer, but I appreciate the time. 13:12”
“Many children—and, as we now know, adults—are seeking private assessment after having made many attempts to get an assessment through the national health service. The long NHS waiting lists and the lack of service mean that exhausted families are often using much of their own money and resources to get a diagnosis. That is very stressful, and even after they do that, there is no clear pathway for them. Many of us in the chamber have heard about how poorly co-ordinated shared care is. That has been mentioned today, so I will not go over it again. However, I note that families are often rejected not just for medication, but by GPs and CAMH services. A constituent raised with me a similar situation in our education system.”
“Is the member aware and does she agree that, historically, ADHD has been underdiagnosed in girls and women as a result of differences in the presentation of symptoms? While boys often display hyperactivity and externalised behaviours, girls might show inattentiveness, emotional sensitivity and internalised struggles. The profession is only just realising that. Does the member agree that part of the strategy should focus on girls and women? Carol Mochan: I thank the member for that important intervention; I have had that issue raised with me in casework. I believe that colleagues in the chamber have heard very similar requests from constituents. More recently, I have heard about the use of the private sector for assessment, which can be incredibly stressful, as other members have mentioned.”
“We also announced that the Care Inspectorate and His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland will lead an independent national review of responses to group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation. In support of that work, Professor Jay met the chief inspector of constabulary and senior officials from the Care Inspectorate to offer her expertise and to progress that work at pace. Further detail on that will be set out in the Government’s statement next week. Once that independent national review is complete, the group, which is chaired by Professor Jay, as I have just stated, will then consider the findings and provide further advice to ministers on next steps. On Ms McNeill’s second point, I will have to come back to her with the details.”
“I highlighted in last week’s debate that there was a list of 46 children—including Taylor, who is a victim—and Police Scotland said that there would be an investigation. Given the importance of the issue—I also said this last week—I would like to know whether that list is included in the review on grooming gangs before we get to the question whether we need a full-blown inquiry. The Presiding Officer: I remind members of the substantive question. Minister, please answer in that regard. Natalie Don-Innes: For clarity, last week we announced that Professor Alexis Jay has been appointed as the independent chair of the national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group.”
“From what we have just heard, it is clear cut that Professor Alexis Jay’s advice in that letter was consistent with this Parliament supporting the Tory amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill. That is clear. However, rather than bring clarity last week on the review on grooming gangs, there is further confusion about who is leading the review. Last week, the Government seemed to give the impression that Professor Alexis Jay is leading it, but all press reports say that that is not the case. Can the minister confirm which of the two groups is leading the review? Is it His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland or the strategic group? We need to know who is leading it.”
“However, we ultimately need to show victims— past and present—that we will bring perpetrators to justice, that this Parliament and this Government are not afraid to look behind difficult issues and that we will do everything that we can to show the victims that we brought independent oversight. We must do the right thing and show that, in Scotland, we are not complacent about the exploitation of children in our country. I move, That the Parliament believes that there should be independent oversight of the Police Scotland review into group-based sexual exploitation of children, and calls on the Scottish Government to urgently clarify whether it will conduct an inquiry into grooming gangs in Scotland. 16:07”
“As Baroness Casey said, “children are children.” If we also believe that in this Parliament, I would like to draw the Scottish Government’s attention to the reforms that the Parliament made in 2009. Looking back, I think that those reforms were wrong, because the rape of a child who is aged 13 or 14 is no longer considered statutory rape. I ask the Scottish Government whether it will look at those provisions. As I have said, we must take similar action in Scotland, and so I turn to the amendments. We have one disagreement with the Tory amendment, which is that we believe that there should first be a review, but we recognise that that could lead to a public inquiry. Apart from that, we support what the Conservatives say in the amendment. We recognise the work that Police Scotland and the National Crime Agency have carried out.”
“As Joani Reid MP, who has been championing this cause, has said, we need independent experts to look at the case files—whether they are open or not—and to interview victims and speak to the social workers and educational establishments that have supported children and young people when they have made accusations. This summer, the previous Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said that the law on rape would be tightened so that adults cannot use consent as a defence against the charge of raping a child who is under 16. Baroness Casey’s report concluded that too many grooming gang cases have been “dropped or downgraded from rape to lesser charges” because a 13 to 15-year-old was perceived to have been “in love with” or “consented” to sex with the perpetrator.”
“Does anyone need any convincing that, from what we have learned in recent weeks, there are similar threads to what happened in Rotherham and Rochdale? There must be transparency on exactly what we know about the scale of the problem in Scotland. There must be an assessment of how we are protecting children in care, who are the most vulnerable children in our society, and we must ask what changes we need to make to ensure that children’s protection is paramount. In June this year, Baroness Casey told the Home Affairs Committee that “People do not necessarily look hard enough to find these children, in particular ... it is clear that it is still happening.” She said that we do not have enough data in Scotland. We urgently need to change that, because we know very little.”
“She said that she was sexually exploited by grooming gangs. ITV’s Peter Smith reports that Taylor’s care records showed that “staff at the care unit described her as disruptive” and that “she was encouraged to wear less fake tan and make up” and stop “drawing attention to herself.” That is utterly shocking. Taylor went on to say, importantly, that she was added to a list, kept by Police Scotland, of 45 other children who were vulnerable to sexual exploitation, but no one yet knows what happened to that list or whether further action was taken. In fact, Taylor said that no one at the care unit asked her any questions about it, despite her records clearly documenting that there were concerns that she was being sexually exploited.”
“The Government has got itself into a complete mess. Today, it has had to cave in and do now what it should have done in the first place: announce an independent review. Despite that, Scottish Labour welcomes the last- minute announcement that Professor Jay will lead a review of the handling of complaints against grooming gangs, which could lead to an inquiry. We want full and unfettered access for Professor Jay to all the data, and the review must be done urgently. We want there to be independent oversight of Police Scotland’s review of historical and current cases so that it is not, in effect, marking its own homework. We know that Scotland is not immune to organised grooming gangs. Many of us have seen the interview that was given by Taylor, who relayed a horrific account of what happened to her, aged 13.”
“Professor Alexis Jay, who produced the “Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham” report, said that there were 1,400 victims in Rotherham alone, and that a common thread in Manchester and South Yorkshire was the catastrophic failure of agencies, including the police, local councils and social services. What made the Scottish Government so complacent about the situation in Scotland? What made the Scottish Government think that it could dismiss calls for an independent review? What made the Scottish Government believe that it could dismiss a proposed amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, justifying its position by misusing a quote by Professor Alexis Jay, who serves on the national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group? The Government was complacent.”
“Grooming vulnerable children for sexual exploitation is one of the most heinous crimes that can be committed, but for that to be compounded by systematic failures by institutions that are meant to protect those children—after crimes that have been conducted for so long and on such a scale—is unforgivable, and a scar on our society. The scale of those crimes in Rotherham and Rochdale was unprecedented. Hundreds of vulnerable girls, many of them in local authority care, were systematically groomed, plied with drugs and alcohol, and trafficked.”
“Angela Constance: I will certainly consider the detail of Ms McNeill’s question, but I hope that she can be reassured, at least in the short term, that there is, right across Government, a clear commitment to comply with the law, which includes equality legislation. The Government has clearly stated that it accepts the ruling from the Supreme Court. As previous updates by colleagues have confirmed, a breadth and depth of work is taking place to review policies and practices across the piece, which is obviously applicable to the justice system. For example, work has already taken place with Police Scotland on its interim code on stop and search, and there has been a change to guidance in schools and to gender representation on public boards. Scottish Prison Service (Transgender Women Prisoners) 5.”
“Until the Scottish Prison Service recognises the Supreme Court ruling on the meaning of sex and the Equality Act 2010, it will not be complying with the decision. That means that it implements a policy that assesses those with a history of violence and manages that at its discretion. We have seen today that Girlguiding and the Women’s Institute have already complied, so why not the Scottish Prison Service? What mechanisms are in place to monitor and review the current application of SPS policy on the admission of transgender prisoners to women’s prisons? Will the Government publish data on how often that policy has been applied?”
“We cannot seem to find any mechanism afforded to MSPs that allows us to get answers to the questions that we have asked—I know that Pauline McNeill has asked serious questions in relation to Parliament being misled and comments that have been put on the record by the cabinet secretary. That is why I believe that there has to be a statement or another mechanism to allow MSPs in this place to ask questions and finally receive answers from the Government. Better yet, let us have the inquiry now. Victims deserve justice, they deserve to be heard and they deserve an inquiry. That is why we need an inquiry now. The Presiding Officer: I call the minister to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau. 18:24”
“I, too, had concerns about the fact that the cabinet secretary was not here to answer what has now become a really important national question. The member and I might slightly disagree on the approach, but we agree that the Government’s complacency is a cause for concern to us in the chamber, to victims and to agencies. I called for a case-by-case review, at the very least, but I got no answer to that call. Does the member share my frustration that we have to try other ways to get answers that we are not getting in the chamber? Meghan Gallacher: That is exactly why I am here this evening: because there is a frustration. We cannot get answers.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to reports of alleged animal welfare abuse at a Bakkafrost Scotland salmon farm. (S6O-05197)”
“Strategic Group has been an important first step”, and I think that the actions that were then taken speak directly to the asks that the NSPCC has made, which were “ministerial leadership ... a clearer picture of the problem and greater investment in prevention and recovery.” Based on the actions that the group announced today that it will take, as well as the work undertaken by Police Scotland that I have already alluded to, I am confident that we are taking the correct approach, and we will be informed by the data and the evidence that we gather from those approaches.”
“How will the Government restore confidence among experts, agencies and victims that it has a serious strategy to combat child sexual abuse in this country? The Presiding Officer: I call the minister. Natalie Don-Innes: —take this seriously— The Presiding Officer: Minister, I ask you to begin again, as we were unable to hear you. Natalie Don-Innes: Of course. I have been very clear and outlined the steps that the Government is taking, to assure members that this is an absolute priority and something that the Scottish Government is extremely committed to. I think that we need to look in full at the quote from the NSPCC, which as I have said, is a very valued member of the national group. It stated that “the formation of the Scottish Government’s ...”
“—what approach to take in tackling organised— The Presiding Officer: Ms McNeill, I ask you to begin again. We were unable to hear you at first. Thank you. Pauline McNeill: The Scottish Government is in danger of completely losing its grip over what approach to take in tackling organised child sexual abuse. Last week, the Government would not say whether it had spoken specifically to expert Professor Alexis Jay, after having to apologise to her. Now a respected organisation—the NSPCC— has questioned whether the Scottish Government can provide the leadership that is required, citing a lack of reliable information. Has the Government now finally spoken to Professor Jay? Will it conduct a case-by-case review so that we can establish the scale of child sexual abuse in Scotland?”
“I am not clear on how I have given any false information. Professor Alexis Jay sits on the national child sexual abuse and exploitation strategic group, so her advice is regularly sought through that process. I believe that that answers Pauline McNeill’s question. The Presiding Officer: That was not a point of order, minister. I call”
“What was the point of your selecting the urgent question? I asked a specific question: I want to know whether the Government asked Professor Alexis Jay for her advice. If I cannot even get an answer on that, what is the point of having an urgent question? The Presiding Officer: Although standing orders are silent when it comes to responses, it is of paramount importance that members, including ministers, give accurate information to the Parliament, correcting any inadvertent errors at the earliest opportunity. Responsibility for the content of members’ contributions is generally a matter for the member making them, but it is extremely important that answers are as comprehensive and accurate as time allows in any item of business. Natalie Don-Innes: On a point of order, Presiding Officer.”
“Sexual abuse and exploitation are abhorrent crimes that have devastating impacts on victims and their families. In my response to Mr Kerr, I set out clearly the position on the comments around Ms Jay and on the positioning and the clarity that needed to be provided in relation to the amendment. I have been clear that we are taking a number of steps in relation to the actions that Police Scotland and the national group are progressing. I understand the importance of the issue to members. Subject to the usual parliamentary processes, business managers have been informed that we intend to bring forward a parliamentary statement before the end of the year to inform members of next steps. Pauline McNeill: On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I rarely raise points of order, but I seek your guidance.”
“This week, I wrote to the cabinet secretary to ensure that the Government is not dismissing the fact that Scotland does not yet know the extent of the problem of grooming gangs, and asking for a briefing on the issue for Opposition parties. Given that the Scottish Government, in persuading Parliament not to vote for Liam Kerr’s amendment, relied on the words of, and quoted, Professor Alexis Jay but had not spoken to her, can the minister, on behalf of the cabinet secretary, tell Parliament whether the Government has now spoken to her? Do you have her advice on whether there should be a further inquiry into the sexual abuse of children in Scotland? The Presiding Officer: Always speak through the chair, please. Natalie Don-Innes: I have been clear that protecting children from harm is an absolute priority for me and the Government.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what action it has taken to improve Glasgow city’s regional economy, in light of the economic effect of the Covid-19 lockdown on the city. (S6O-05162)”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the economy secretary has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the impact on Glasgow’s economy, and the wider regional economy, of the absence of a rail link from Glasgow airport to the city centre. (S6O-05141)”
“We must aspire to have better community bus services that take people to the places where they need to go. 16:47”
“During my first term in the Parliament, in 2016, I worked on a member’s bill on the subject, because I have always believed in concessionary fares and that we have to reduce them—and not just on buses. I believe that it is also important to make train fares affordable. Mark Ruskell referred to a cliff edge, which also affects 16-year-olds, because, when people turn 16, they have to pay full fare on the trains. That is something that the Parliament could look at in a future session. It is about having affordability, reliability and concessionary fares. I will conclude by commending the bus industry for the progress that it has made, particularly on the decarbonisation of vehicles. Concessionary schemes are very important, and we support them. We implemented them when we were in government.”
“Recently, in Glasgow, which I represent, an 18- year-old girl was waiting for the number 57 night bus, which was the second-last bus home, but it did not turn up. The app that she should have been able to look at did not show her where the bus was, and the next bus was also cancelled. When she questioned the bus company about it, it was clear that road works played a big part in the delay. The company accepted that that is not where it wants to be with the reliability of its service and that it does not want to have to cancel buses. However, I would be concerned for a young female constituent who could not afford to get a taxi home. In 2025, we really should not have to hear about that happening—women’s safety is really important in this.”
“As Claire Baker said, there is a lot to be learned from other cities, such as Manchester and Edinburgh. Edinburgh has a popular bus service whose usage reflects residents’ confidence in it, and it is certainly cheaper than Glasgow’s. For me, the debate is about customer affordability, reliability and equivalency to other public transport sectors, such as rail. If you go into a railway station, you can see the timetable and whether the train is late. I know that the bus industry aspires to have that, and the same information should be available if you are waiting for a bus. If we do not aspire to have that level of service, maybe we can understand why many people still will not use the bus.”
“Local bus services in Scotland have collapsed by 44 per cent since the SNP took over in 2007. More than 1,400 bus routes were lost between 2007 and 2024, and in one year alone—2023- 24—we lost 190 bus routes. I think that members will all be familiar with cuts to local services in our communities. I have supported—and still do support—public control and the regulation of the bus industry. I believe that it is imperative that we shorten and simplify the franchising process, to enable local authorities to bring bus services under public control. I have seen an unregulated private bus industry during my lifetime, and I do not think that it has served the people all that well. In Glasgow, taking the bus remains more expensive than taking the subway, believe it or not, with a return ticket costing nearly £6.”
“The bus remains by far the most commonly used form of public transport in Scotland, and most people who commute to work by public transport take the bus. However, with routes being cut and prices rising, which is hitting people during a cost of living crisis, action is urgently needed to prevent people from being priced out of travelling and communities from being cut off. Buses are vital for those on low incomes and those who need to access employment and leisure as well as their everyday lives. Lower bus fares are an aspiration, and it is an aspiration that I share. A 2023 NUS Scotland report, “Fighting for Students: The Cost of Survival”, found that more than a fifth of students had missed a class due to travel costs. Of course, it is students from low- income families who are most affected.”
“As the member would expect, we are looking very seriously at the Police Scotland budget request. However, the budget needs to be decided in due process. Once we know what the United Kingdom budget is, which will be after 26 November, the Scottish Government will be in a position to introduce our budget on 13 January. However, the member’s point about community policing being central to prevention, good community relationships and overall community cohesion was well made.”
“Community police officers play a key role in preventing crime. They provide a visible presence in communities, tackling antisocial behaviour and working with local people, particularly young people, to get ahead of problems that relate to alcohol, drug abuse and other issues that drive criminality. Last week, the chief constable told the Criminal Justice Committee that she wants an increase of 600 community police officers as part of the budget process. What is the Scottish Government’s position on that? Angela Constance: I am aware of the evidence that the chief constable gave to the Criminal Justice Committee. As members would expect, I have regular dialogue with the chief constable and the Scottish Police Authority. Last night, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government and I met the chief constable and the SPA.”
“The Scottish Government does not regard it as appropriate to engage in public comment in respect of live court proceedings. I say with the greatest respect, Presiding Officer, that I know that people will have different views on the law. I appreciate that there has been public commentary on the matter in the course of the weekend, but I advise members that I do not take legal advice from people on social media.”
“What safeguarding concerns do Scottish ministers have for transgender prisoners that would justify not implementing the Supreme Court judgment and going to court to defend the Scottish Prison Service’s unlawful policy, which contravenes the requirement for single-sex spaces in Scottish prisons? [Interruption.] Can Scottish ministers, including the cabinet secretary, say today why the SPS would continue to deny female prisoners the right to serve their sentence with other women? Angela Constance: If I have understood Ms McNeill correctly—I apologise if I have not, because there was some interruption in what I heard her say—I believe that she is asking me, ultimately, to lay out here the position that we will advance before the court. That is what I cannot do.”
“To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential impact that the proposed 15 walk-in primary care clinics will have on health inequalities. (S6O-05104)”
“To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government’s position is regarding the reported 200,000 public sector workers who are still waiting on their pension entitlement following the 2018 McCloud judgment on pension discrimination. (S6F-04397)”
“The member will be well aware that the return and deportation of foreign nationals is an issue for the Home Office. The Scottish Prison Service fits into that process in that it co-operates with the Home Office, but that is in and around the transfer of prisoners. However, there is a scheme in statute to facilitate that in Scottish legislation. As the member perhaps recalls, I will be laying a further statutory instrument in this regard to enable certain groups of foreign nationals to return earlier, perhaps, to their own country, but that is specific to those serving shorter sentences, as opposed to hefty, long-term custodial ones. Those matters relate to extradition and treaty-by-treaty arrangements country to country.”
“The cabinet secretary is aware of the five Romanian criminals serving long sentences—and rightly so—with the victims aged from as young as 16 to 30. Given what the cabinet secretary has said previously in relation to early release of prisoners and the complicated question of foreign nationals serving time in Scottish jails, can I have her assurance that those criminals will serve their full sentence in a Scottish jail, as they rightly should? Angela Constance: I want to reassure the member on two fronts. First, Police Scotland is of course in close contact with the criminal justice system in Romania. Secondly, any early release or return of foreign nationals to their own jurisdiction is currently restricted to short-term prisoners under very specific restrictions—and there are statutory exclusions.”