It follows the introduction of a member’s bill by Green MSP John Finnie in May to give ‘children equal protection from assault’ by banning physical punishment by parents and others caring for, or in charge of, children.
The bill has also received the backing of Scottish Labour.
If the move, which is expected to be put to a vote next year, is given the go ahead, it will make Scotland the first country in the UK to outlaw smacking.
In England, Ireland and Wales children are allowed to be given ‘reasonable punishment’, providing no injuries or bruising is caused.
As of 2010, all carers and tutors in England who work with children outside of the family are banned from smacking. The restriction does not include nannies, au-pairs or babysitters.
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