The Scottish Cabinet looks set to overturn a 100-year ban on publishing a background report on the man who carried out the Dunblane school massacre.

It is understood that the excluded document covers a report to the procurator fiscal about Thomas Hamilton's earlier involvement in a children's camp.

There had been claims that the material was hushed up to protect senior figures.

The issue was discussed by the cabinet on Wednesday.

A background report was prepared on Hamilton

Lord Advocate Colin Boyd will now examine whether the report can be published with children's names deleted.

Hamilton broke into Dunblane Primary School on 13 March, 1996 and opened fire on a class in the gym, killing 16 children and a teacher.

In addition to those killed, he injured 12 other children and two teachers before killing himself.

Charlie Clydesdale, whose daughter Victoria was killed, is among those who have called for the report on Hamilton to be made public.

Scottish National Party MSP Michael Matheson said he had been contacted by a number of families affected by the tragedy since it emerged that the papers were being withheld from publication.

Public interest

"They asked me to press the lord advocate to ensure the report is published, and I hope the lord advocate recognises the considerable public interest in this report," he said.

"While we all accept the need for the identities of children not to be divulged, we can see no reason for the rest of the report not to be published.

"It is clear it is in the public interest for this information to be released and I hope that the lord advocate comes to this conclusion."

An executive spokesman confirmed that Mr Boyd had briefed the cabinet on the media coverage of the issue.

The lord advocate will look at the practical feasibility of making information on the report available Scottish Executive spokesman

"He stressed that protecting children had to be the overriding priority," he said.

"He was aware, however, that the coverage had raised concern about information being withheld."

Ministers backed the "fundamental principle" of protecting children, said the spokesman.

But he said: "Cabinet accepted that there is a high level of public interest and the lord advocate will look at the practical feasibility of making information on the report available.

"The lord advocate will be looking at the possibility of making available copies, with names of individuals and details which could identify them deleted for the protection of children."

The Crown Office has dismissed allegations that the report was being kept secret because it contained information about senior political figures in Scotland.