THE Scottish Parliament today passed the first law in Britain making it a criminal offence for parents to smack their children.
The Children (Equal Protection From Assault) Bill, proposed by Green MSP John Finnie, passed by 84 votes to 29 today and won support from all parties except the Conservatives.
Proposing the Bill Mr Finnie cited “irrefutable” academic research and evidence from countries which have implemented similar legislation.
The new Scottish Parliament looks set to continue a cycle of managerial tinkering while public services face the axe, writes STEPHEN LOW
NORMA AUSTIN HART reports from a conference on on the rights of women prisoners in the Scottish criminal justice system
Susan Galloway talks to ASH REGAN MSP about her “Unbuyable” Bill, seeking to tackle the commercial sexual exploitation of women in Scotland


