Further to the answer to question S5O-01779 by Michael Matheson on 8 February 2018, whether it will set out the outcome of the Cabinet Secr…

In exchanges in Parliament on 8 February, I agreed to ensure that the issues raised were highlighted to the Lord President to see whether any further progress could be made on improving how transparency in the system of sentencing could be made. I can confirm I have brought the official report of those Parliamentary exchanges to the attention of the Lord President and will raise the matter when I meet with him next.
As I indicated in Parliament in answer to S5O-01779, sentencing in any given case, including whether to publish a sentencing statement, is a matter for the court. Separate to that, the independent Scottish Sentencing Council has as one of its objectives the promotion of greater awareness and understanding of sentencing policy and practice.