Ms Mitchell says the staff feedback says 44% of the staff find the workload is unacceptable, which is 2% above the civil service average.

Crown Agent David Harvie says his letter highilghts the need for significant change, indeed system change in its entirety.

Mr Harvie says the second purpose of the letter was to seek to give reassurance that many of the issues had been recognised.

He says the evidence before the committee had led to new issues being identified.

Committee convener Margaret Mitchell says her initial reaction to the Crown Office agent's submission is that it is not listening to staff concerns.

The Conservative MSP asks if the Lord Advocate is taking advantage of the very dedicated, hard working workforce, with 40% saying they don't wish to stay in the service.

She says some of the staff have been scared of coming forward.

Mr Wolffe says he has been very clear that the greatest resource of its service is its staff.

The Lord Advocate says it is encouraging to see the proportion of staff who wish to stay is considerably higher than the civil service average.

Mr Ross asks about the £750,000 being taken from non staff costs and asks where that 50% of the £1.5m cut from the Scottish government will come from.

Mr Harvie says there have been savings made in expert witness costs and he is seeking to focus on pathology.

The Tory MSP says a saving of £1.5m must be made this year and asks if there is a danger more cuts will have to be made in staffing.

Mr Harvie asks: "There is that risk, but I don't think it is a significant risk."

Tory MSP Douglas Ross asks about job losses at the Crown Office.

David Harvie from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service says the £750,000 cut will lead to about 30 job losses.

Mr Ross asks if all the fat that can be cut has been cut at senior levels and will budget cuts lead to lower level job losses.

Mr Harvie says it has become increasingly challenging but intelligent choices can be made.

He says he will seek to protect frontline staff.

Mr Ross says he has some concerns that nothing is a priority for the Lord Advocate

The Tory MSPs says he was quite disappointed that a large bulk of the Crown Office response is that the evidence of problems is wrong.

He asks if there will be an overhaul of the justice system as witness after witness has said is required.

Mr Wolffe says that is an unfair reading of the Crown Office agent's response.

The Lord Advocate says he acknowledges the challenges COPFS faces.

He says there are challenges and the Crown Office recognises those.

Tory MSP Douglas Ross asks what the biggest failing is the Lord Advocate has identified in the COPFS.

Mr Wolffe says he hopes Mr Ross will forgive him if he does not identify one issue that is the biggest failing.

He says there are a number of challenges the service faces.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson asks the Lord Advocate to "lighten his personal darkness" about his role.

Lord Advocate James Wolffe says he and the Solicitor General are members of the government.

Mr Wolffe says by statute he is required to have retained functions, referring to functions long before devolution that go back centuries.

He says his role as head of prosecutions services is independent.

The Justice Committee, external continues its Inquiry into the role and purpose of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service:

Committee convener Margaret Mitchell introduces 

• Rt Hon James Wolffe QC, Lord Advocate
• David Harvie from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service 

Holyrood’s Justice Committee is to conclude its five month investigation into the effectiveness and efficiency of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) by questioning Lord Advocate, James Wolffe. 

During its inquiry the Committee has heard from a wide range of organisations including COPFS employees and unions, victims’ groups, representatives of people in the criminal justice system, lawyers, environmentalists and police.

Concerns raised throughout the inquiry include:

• the Crown Office’s prosecution policies and working practices
• the support offered to victims and witnesses
• the resources available to the COPFS
• the efficiency of criminal trials
• possible reforms to improve the service

Mr Wolffe previously appeared at Holyrood to give evidence about the draft budget, at which point he argued the Crown Office had adequate resources to fulfill its role.

Crown Agent David Harvie, the professional head of the service who is also appearing before the committee, submitted written evidence, external voicing appreciation for the "keen interest" members had taken.

He said: "The committee's inquiry, and the evidence which it has heard, have provided us with an opportunity to reflect on our current plans, to build on the good work which has been done before, and to take on board the comments and views of those with whom we work and those we serve."

MSPs are to question Scotland's Lord Advocate over "serious concerns" about the country's prosecution system.

Holyrood's justice committee has been holding an inquiry into the role of the Crown Office.

Members will put issues raised by previous witnesses about resources and victim support to the Lord Advocate, James Wolffe QC, on Tuesday morning.

Convener Margaret Mitchell said she hoped Mr Wolffe had listened to the "legitimate concerns" raised so far.

The committee has taken evidence from Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) employees and unions, victims' groups, lawyers and the police so far, across a five-month inquiry.

Good morning and welcome to Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 17 January 2017.

This morning we will bring you full and extensive coverage of the Justice Committee as it continues its inquiry into the role and purpose of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.

Image source, BBC/Getty

This afternoon in the chamber, we begin with topical questions on air pollution and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

The government will then lead a debate on protecting Scotland's interests in negotiating our future relationship with Europe. 

Following decision time, SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson will lead this evening's member's debate entitled: 'A Sea of Opportunity'.