Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC says he has trust and confidence in those who prosecute in Scotland and they have a responsibility to apply the law.

The Lord Advocate says he relies on the judgement and expertise of individual prosecutors.

Mr Wolffe says the review is taking concrete steps to return decision making to front line prosecutors and he does not sense any loss in morale.

Tory MSP Donald Cameron says it is estimated that there will be 200 job losses in the COPFS over the next five years.

Mr Cameron says there has been a lowering of morale in local procurators' offices.

The Tory MSP says witnesses perceive that the service is "just about managing" which should "shake us into action".

Mr Cameron says the report provides a lot of positive feeback, but also a lot of recommendations that must be acted on to ensure the COPFS gets a clean bill of health.

Tory MSP Donald Cameron says, despite the fact that this is a committee debate, it does seem a shame that the Justice Secretary Michael Matheson is not here.

Mr Cameron says the nature of the COPFS work is sensitive and can have life changing consequences for people.

The Tory MSP says that 10 years ago there was a small number of staff dealing with a large number of cases.

He says the report has identified various issues still remain and that it also points to pressure within the service.

Labour MSP Mary Fee says the evidence tells us that the effectiveness and efficiency of the COPFS has been hampered by cuts.

Ms Fee says the Crown Office must protect the workforce from further cuts.

She says there was much praise for the staff of the Victim Information and Advice Service.

However the Justice Committee heard that some domestic abuse victims were traumatised by the court process, says the Labour MSP.

She says there is a problem with the communication between the COPFS and victims.

Labour MSP Mary Fee says this inquiry is long overdue and that the recommendations have been made in the sincere wish that the system can meet the needs of victims and witnesses whilst being fair to the accused.

Ms Fee says she is pleased to hear the Lord Advocate acknowledge the concerns of the report.

The Labour MSP says there has been a real-terms cut of 21.5% to the COPFS and that the organisation is struggling.

She says targets are being met but at a high cost to those working within the service.

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SNP MSP Mairi Evans says the COPFS is regarded as a hard working, professional and rigorous prosecutor of crimes in Scotland.

Ms Evans says there were still areas that could be developed and she says she will focus on one of these, the treatement of victims.

She says the demands on the Victim Information and Advice Service, external have grown.

The SNP MSP says there is a disconnect between prosecution and victims.

The COPFS accepts there is a gap between the service it would like to provide victims and the one it does she says.

Ms Evans says one domestic abuse victim said she would rather take another beating than go through the court process again.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart says the COPFS service is a rigorous and fair service but that "cracks are beginning to show."

Mr Stewart says staff resilience is at breaking point and that victims must have confidence in the system.

"Extra training is required so that we can all benefit from the service," he says.

The Tory MSP says that staff are overworked and funding has declined.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson says the number of crimes have fallen to the lowest level in 40 years.

The SNP MSP says some parts of the system are startlingly efficient and he welcomes the planned reduction in temporary staff.

Mr Stevenson says that Tory MSP Douglas Ross had criticised local closures.

Tory MSP Douglas Ross intervenes to say that he was quoting the bar service who are concerned by local closures.

Mr Stevenson says he accepts that is a useful intervention.

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Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur says he is particularly grateful to the victims who shared their experiences with the committee.

Mr McArthur says gaps still remain and the provision for children and vulnerable witnesses improvements must be made.

He says there were horror stories around COPFS staffing, but he says the Crown agent did not seek to duck this criticism.

The Lib Dem MSP says there is a move towards permanent contracts and ensuring staff are valued and looked after.

Green MSP John Finnie says the Justice Committee met with COPFS this morning over the Domestic Abuse Bill.

Mr Finnie says the COPFS is being seen as the complainer's lawyer and the role of the Crown is to act in the public's interest.

The Green MSP says the citizen has a role to cooperate with police, the COPFS and to participate in the system.

Mr Finnie says "the public should have confidence that it is a rigorous and fair prosecutor."

He says the justice committee welcomes the fact that there will be an independent review of legal aid.

Ms Baker says the committee's view is that the failings brought forward by the victims of crime are "entirely unacceptable".

The Labour MSP says there needs to be greater progress to meet the needs of children and young people.

She says the challenges that have been identified must not damage the service.

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The Labour MSP says there is a concern that more rape victims will go to a civil court as they feel let down by the court system.

She says this means they will lose anonymity.

Ms Baker says the Scottish government and COPFS must make it clear rape is a criminal matter.

Ms Baker says there has been a 59% increase in jury trials.

The Labour MSP says the number of adjournments and delays are increasing and this is a matter, not only for COPFS, but also for the government.

She says the increased pressure on the Crown Office has led to delays in decision making.

Ms Baker says only 12% of reported and attempted rapes make it to court in Scotland.

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Labour MSP Claire Baker says the report says the Justice Committee heard praise for COPFS and its hard working and dedicated staff.

Ms Baker says the report also says "the service remains under considerable pressure, there can be no room for complacency".

She says the prosecutors union says the COPFS funding has reduced by a fifth in real terms.

The Labour MSP says number of trials being adjourned due to a lack of court time has increased by 66%.

Mr Ross says many witnesses had never heard of the Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland (IPS).

The Tory MSP says "it is surely a very poor reflection of a body that was established in 20013," that it has such a "poor profile".

Mr Ross says there is more to do and the Scottish Conservatives will keep an eye over changes to make sure they bring about changes.

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Mr Ross says witnesses give up their time to attend court only to be told the case is not proceeding.

The Tory MSP says some witnesses may be deterred from reporting a crime due to their experience as a witness to a previous crime.

He says witnesses were disappointed by the service before, during and afterwards and says this was due to to few staff.

Most witnesses said they had never heard of the Inspectorate of Prosecution in Scotland and he says the IPS is almost anonymous.

Tory MSP Douglas Ross says witnesses who work with COPFS suggested that more resource would be required for the changes necessary.

Mr Ross says the Scottish government have cut the budget.

The Tory MSP says the court system is "not fit for purpose" when it comes to technology.

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Conservative MSP Douglas Ross congratulates the Lord Advocate on his maiden speech.

Mr Ross says everyone praised the staff of COPFS.

The Tory MSP says the committee also heard of the difficulties they face.

He highlights the issue of lack of resource and under staffing.

The Tory MSP asks why the Scottish government delivered a real terms cut to COPFS.

Justice Committee convener Margaret Mitchell asks for timetables for the changes and the digital changes.

Mr Wolffe says it will depend on current reviews.

Scotland's Lord Advocate says COPFS is a robust service.

He says he looks forward to working with the committee on the changes.

Mr Wolffe says prosecutors cannot do their job without witnesses and victims coming forward.

The Lord Advocate says the indications are that the service is meeting the challenges, but it will continue to build on this.

It will also try to obtain better feedback from victims, he says.

Mr Wolffe says prosecutors understand vulnerable witnesses, like children, can find it traumatic to give evidence and this is being addressed.