I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for giving way, as I deduced that he was about to conclude. Is it not important to remember that the case of Cadder raised the issue of the right to legal representation and advice for someone in police custody, and that the case of Fraser raised the issue of the responsibility of the prosecuting authorities to make available to the defence all relevant evidence, perhaps to assist the defence in making a stronger case? Given that those are fundamental human rights issues is it not the case that the Supreme Court is exactly the place to determine compatibility?
Many of us in the House would wish to associate ourselves with the very generous and entirely appropriate remarks that the Minister made about Paul McBride. May I put it to the Minister that these amendments are an entirely effective antidote to the ill judged and ill informed comments made about the Supreme Court and its members by Scottish Ministers last summer?
The Minister will recall that the attitude taken, to which both of us have referred, was to suggest that there should be no role of any kind for the Supreme Court in relation to any criminal issue arising out of Scotland. The proposals that he is now arguing for so eloquently represent an effective and entirely acceptable compromise.
Menzies Campbell has signed EDM2848. Motion reads: "That this House is alarmed by the Government's plans to close coastguard stations at Clyde, Forth, Yarmouth, Thames, Portland, Brixham, Solent, Swansea and Liverpool; notes that this would reduce the number of coastguard stations in the UK from 19 to 10 with aggregate job losses of over 140 and have a negative economic impact on coastal communities; is deeply concerned over the maritime and other safety implications of reducing the number of coastguard stations; recognises that technological advances offer some opportunity for rescues to be co-ordinated from a distance but does not believe that the case has been made by the Government to implement these changes; believes that technology should complement the knowledge of local coastal areas which coastguards possess, not supplant it; and calls on the Government to ensure that no coastguard officer will be made redundant and step back from this hazardous reduction in the number of local coastguard stations."
Menzies Campbell has signed EDM2908. Motion reads: "That this House welcomes the fact that March is brain tumour awareness month; notes the e-petition of Livingston resident Rachel Clark which supports the three asks of the Brain Tumour Consortium's manifesto and aims to trigger a parliamentary debate on how the Government can raise awareness and increase funding for those affected by brain tumours; supports Brain Tumour Research and its member charities' Wear a Hat Day 2012; and urges hon. Members and parliamentary staff to Wear a Hat on 30 March to support the charity's important work on behalf of those affected by brain tumours."
