To ask the Scottish Executive what information it has on the length of detention prior to surrender of each person whose surrender has been requested in a European Arrest Warrant issued by authorities in Scotland.

Colin Boyd QC:

It is difficult to be certain in all cases exactly the length of detention undergone by those in respect of whom Scotland has issued a European Arrest Warrant, before their eventual return to Scotland.

However, from the information available to me I can say that of the five individuals returned to Scotland since 1 January 2004 under the provisions of the European Arrest Warrant, three individuals were detained in custody in the executing state for periods of 52, 12 and 56 days. In respect of the other two individuals, I have no accurate information.