The Committee has been designated as the lead committee at Stage 1 of the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill. Further information on the Committee's scrutiny of the Bill can be found on the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill Committee page.

The Committee has been designated as the lead committee at Stage 1 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill. Further information on the Committee's scrutiny of the Bill can be found on the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill Committee page.

The Committee has been designated as the lead committee at Stage 1 of the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill. Further information on the Committee's scrutiny of the Bill can be found on the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill Committee page.

Further to the completion of its inquiry into the effective use of police resources, the Committee agreed to conduct an inquiry into community policing. Please see the community policing inquiry homepage for further information.

The Committee is currently considering the following petitions:

Petition PE997 - Abusive Parents

• Official Report of meeting on 11 September 2007
• Minute of meeting on 11 September 2007
• Official Report of meeting on 11 December 2007
• Minute of meeting on 11 December 2007
• Official Report of meeting 28 October 2008
• Minute of meeting on 28 October 2008

Petition PE1063 - Legal System (Fee Arrangements)

• Official Report of Meeting on 25 March 2008
• Minute of meeting on 25 March 2008
• Official Report of meeting 28 October 2008
• Minute of meeting on 28 October 2008

• From the Lord Advocate on Summary Justice Reform (173 KB pdf posted 12.09.2008)

The Committee is currently scrutinising the Scottish Government's 2009-10 budget proposals and is taking evidence on the prisons and police elements of the draft budget. Submissions received and oral evidence can be found below.

Written evidence

• Scottish Prison Service (579 KB pdf)
• Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (107 KB pdf)
• Scottish Prison Service supplementary submission (1,386 KB pdf)
• Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland supplementary submission (147 KB pdf)
• Cabinet Secretary for Justice (113 KB pdf)
• Scottish Government Finance Directorate (192 KB pdf)
• Minister for Community Safety (08.10.08) (56 KB pdf)
• Minister for Community Safety (03.11.08) (100 KB pdf)
• Lord Advocate (90 KB pdf)

Oral evidence

• Official Report of meeting 30 September 2008
• Official Report of meeting 7 October 2008