To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he is giving to the provision in Scottish courts of law of live television links from abroad.

My noble and learned Friend the Lord Advocate has recently carried out a consultation on whether a provision should be enacted for Scotland to enable evidence to be given in Scottish criminal trials direct from other countries by live television links. There was general support for this proposal. Accordingly an amendment enabling this procedure was tabled on 15 March for consideration at the Committee stage in the House of Lords of the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill.