asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will introduce legislation to seek to extend the Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act 1976 to Scotland.

As my hon. Friend recognised during the Bill's enactment, it would have been impractical, in view of basic difference in Scots law, to extend it to Scotland. My right hon. Friend has, however, requested the Scottish Law Commission to examine and report on possible changes in the law to give additional protection to a spouse threatened with violence.