The children's hearings system in Scotland is still "slow and
inconsistent", the minister for young people has said in response
to a report from the Scottish executive.
Although there have been improvements in the system, the annual
report on how quickly children are dealt with highlights delays in
the youth justice system and gaps in data. It states that new
national standards may not be met by the 2006 target.
The minister, Peter Peacock, said key agencies would now be brought
together every quarter to ensure there was a "continuous emphasis
on delivering swift and effective action".
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Children's Hearings Time Intervals 2002-3 at
www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/education/chti03-00.asp
