asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a state ment of the Government's intentions on the implementation of the report of the Bryden working group on identification procedure under Scottish criminal law.

The report "Identification Procedure under Scottish Criminal Law", Cmnd. 7096, of the Bryden working group was published in April 1978. The group found the Scottish criminal law on identification generally satisfactory, but made a number of recommendations for improvement. These have been welcomed by those consulted on the report and are generally acceptable to the Government. Most, including the revision and publication of departmental guidance to the police, are appropriate to administrative implementation, and the necessary action is being taken. A small number require legislation and it is proposed to include them in the forthcoming Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill.