PARENTS are being asked their views on a smacking ban, as the Scottish Parliament launches a consultation on making it illegal to hit a child.

Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee is asking for views on proposed changes that would remove the defence of “reasonable chastisement” from Scots law.

At the moment, parents and guardians can rely on the defence to punish their children physically, provided there is no blow to the head, shaking or “punishing with an implement”.

Green MSP John Finnie has brought forward a private members’ bill to remove the defence and give children “equal protection from assault”.

The measure has cross-party support and last year the Scottish Government said it would “ensure” it became law.

However a recent Panelbase poll found only 30% of Scots backed a ban, while 53% believed smacking should still be allowed and the remainder were unsure.

A recent Panelbase poll found 30% backed a ban, while 53% believe smacking should still be allowed and the remainder were unsure.

The campaign group Be Reasonable Scotland - supported by The Christian Institute and The Family Education Trust - argues a ban will “criminalise parents”.

Ruth Maguire, the Equality Committee’s SNP convener, who is Mr Finnie’s daughter, said the Bill had aroused “strong views”.

She said: “There are passionately held beliefs on both sides of this argument – from those who think that physical punishment violates a child’s human rights, to those who feel parents should have a right to smack their children.

“As the proposed law starts making its way through the Parliamentary process, we are keen to hear from people in Scotland who have a view on this subject.”

A spokesperson for Be Reasonable Scotland said: “This Bill could see them in the dock for simply tapping their kids on the back of the hand or pulling them away from the side of the road.

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The call for views closes on January 25.