Scotland law on smacking on way

The campaign to protect children from physical punishment will take a step forward with the publication of the Scottish Executive's criminal justice bill in the new year. A White Paper published last week, Making Scotland Safer - Improving the Criminal Justice System, sets out the Executive's proposals in advance of the bill. The new law will outlaw blows to the head, shaking and the use of implements on children. Any physical punishment of children up to and including the age of two will also be forbidden.