MSPs debate Brexit, after Theresa May's statement

Summary

The Justice Committee takes evidence on the role of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service
Air pollution and the Scottish Ambulance Service are raised during topical questions
The government lead a debate on protecting Scotland's interests in negotiating our future relationship with Europe, following Theresa May's statement.
SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson leads this evening's member's debate entitled 'A Sea of Opportunity'

Live Reporting

Colin Bell and Craig Hutchison

Willingness to 'inform and improve' Scottish justice systempublished at 12:46 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
SNP MSP Mairi Evans asks if the government consult the Lord Advocate for justice policy issues.
Image source, Getty Images
Lord Advocate James Wolffe says this is a matter for the Justice Secretary but he'd be surprised if consultation did not take place with those in the justice system.
He says the Crown Office are heavily involved.
Crown Agent David Harvie says there is a "dynamic relationship" and a willingness to "inform and improve" the Scottish justice system.
12,375 convictions in 2015/16 in cases with a domestic abuse aggravatorpublished at 12:39 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Image caption,
Crown Agent David Harvie
Crown Agent David Harvie says there were 12,375 convictions in 2015/16 in cases with a domestic abuse aggravator, a 1% decrease from the year before.
'That is the system working'published at 12:39 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Committee convener Margaret Mitchell asks for a breakdown of the 80% of domestic abuse cases that were prosecuted and got a conviction.
Image caption,
Lord Advocate James Wolffe
Lord Advocate James Wolffe says each individual prosecutor must look at the evidence and assess whether it meets the policy test.
Mr Wolffe says it is important to recognise that a non-conviction does not necessarily mean the case should not be brought to trial.
He says it may mean that there has not been enough evidence and therefore there is an acquittal.
"That is the system working," he says.
Corroboration of domestic abuse casespublished at 12:31 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Crown Agent David Harvie says some domestic abuse takes place in private so there are issues around how the offence is corroborated.
Image caption,
Crown Agent David Harvie
Mr Harvie says approximately half of incidents police are called to end with a charge.
He says there is an issue about the sufficiency of evidence.
Postpublished at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Postpublished at 12:30 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Concern over domestic abuse casespublished at 12:28 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Lord Advocate James Wolffe
Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says fiscal debutes have raised concerns over domestic abuse cases and asks if the balance is right at this stage.
Lord Advocate James Wolffe says there are critics of the robust policy of zero tolerance.
Mr Wolffe says it is important that prosecutors continue to assess each case.
He says: "Of the domestic abuse cases we prosecute there is a conviction in 80% of them."
Postpublished at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Postpublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Are serious complex cases are almost being squeezed?published at 12:23 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Lord Advocate James Wolffe
Committee convener Margaret Mitchell says there has been a huge increase in complex sexual assault cases.
Ms Mitchell says serious complex cases are almost being squeezed.
Lord Advocate James Wolffe says he hopes that would not be the case.
Postpublished at 12:20 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Postpublished at 12:19 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Postpublished at 12:18 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Plea to test any new technology as fully as possiblepublished at 12:14 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur
Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says the committee is aware that promises with IT can come unstuck.
Mr McArthur makes a plea that the system is tested as robustly as possible before it is rolled out.
Lord Advocate James Wolffe says one of the potential benefits of new technology, provided it is robust, is that it allows for a service to be provided across the country.
Crown Agent David Harvie says improved technology could be brought in to help the system but it does not mean that will be the only option.
"It is about having a menu of options available," says Mr Harvie.
Postpublished at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Postpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Expect more from the minister this afternoon, from 2.20pm on Holyrood Livepublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Postpublished at 12:12 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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Postpublished at 12:11 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
Breaking
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Two sides of Brexit.................published at 12:10 Greenwich Mean Time 17 January 2017
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