The Report of the Working Group on Marches and Parades and accompanying Guidance for Scottish Local Authorities are being published in early December 2006. These documents draw upon the 38 recommendations of Sir John Orr's Review and were issued for consultation in July to local authorities, police forces, key marching organisations and a wide range of other bodies.
The Report published by the Working Group sets out how all 38 of Sir John's recommendations should be taken forward by all the partners in the process – not just local authorities and provides practical and workable solutions to all of the problems areas highlighted.
As part of our work on marches and parades, we recognised that some processions have in the past attracted abusive hangers-on where innocent bystanders suffered from violent or abusive behaviour.
This led to the Minister for Justice coming together with North Lanarkshire Council; Glasgow City Council; the Scottish Trades Union Congress; Strathclyde Police; Cairde na hEireann and the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland to sign the joint Statement on Tackling Abusive Behaviour at Marches and Parades on 2 May 2006.
Additional signatories to the statement include the Ancient Order of Hibernians; and the Provincial Grand Black Chapter of Scotland. You can view PDF versions of the signed documents in the Resources section of the Marches and Parades page.