Unlikethe English, the Scotsretaina "not proven" verdictin their criminal courts, and the unappealing prospect in sight is of this being the effective outcomeof the Lockerbiecase.
In Egypt, Libya's ruler, Muammar Qaddafi , signalled that the trial in the Netherlands of the two Libyan suspects in the Lockerbiecase might take place soon.
Scotland's top prosecutor had previously written to the new Libyan prime minister for help and the UK government had said it was pressing Tripoli "for swift progress and co-operation" on the Lockerbiecase.
The proposals in the second part of the bill were prompted by the case of Abdelbaset Al-Megrahi, who was convicted of murder following the Lockerbie bombing.