This is a Committee bill
The Bill became an Act on 21 April 2021
This Bill was passed and is now an Act of the Scottish Parliament.
This is a Committee Bill introduced by the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee.
Currently, Scottish ministers and their advisers can see official statistics before they are published. This is called pre-release access (PRA). The current law says ministers can have PRA up to 5 days before publication, or 1 day for market-sensitive statistics. Market-sensitive statistics include information about GDP, retail sales, Quarterly National Accounts Scotland and Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS).
The Bill would change the law so that all economic statistics can only be shared with ministers 1 day before they are published. PRA for GDP and retail sales would be reduced to zero after 2 years. If the Bill becomes an Act, this would be reviewed after 3 years.
The Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee looked at PRA in 2017 as part of its inquiry on economic data. It published its report for the committee Bill on PRA in 2019.
The Committee wants to reduce PRA and so they have introduced a Bill.
You can find out more in the Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee's proposal for the Bill that explains the Bill.
Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Bill as Introduced (302KB, pdf) posted 08 September 2020
Explanatory Notes (131KB, pdf) posted 08 September 2020
Financial Memorandum (165KB, pdf) posted 08 September 2020
Statements on legislative competence (89KB, pdf) posted 08 September 2020
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
Andy Wightman, MSP is the additional member in charge for the Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Bill.
The Member who introduces the Bill is also, in the first instance, the ‘Member in charge’ of it. They may choose to name an ‘additional Member in charge’. This gives the Member in charge an assurance that any necessary procedural steps can still be taken if they are unavailable for a period or on a particular occasion.
The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is not required for this Bill.
For each Bill, the Presiding Officer must decide if a 'Financial Resolution' is required. The main reasons a Bill would need a Financial Resolution are that:
If a Bill requires a Financial Resolution:
The Bill was introduced on 8 September 2020
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
If a Bill is relevant to more than one committee, 'secondary committees' may consider and report on the general principles of the Bill to the lead committee. Some Bills may also be considered by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee or the Finance and Public Administration Committee.
A Stage 1 debate took place on 12 November 2020 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.
The Bill ended Stage 1 on 12 November 2020
At Stage 2, MSPs can propose changes to a Bill. These are called 'amendments'. Any MSP can suggest amendments but only members of the Stage 2 committee can decide on them.
The Bill ended Stage 2 on 27 January 2021
At Stage 3, MSPs can propose further amendments (changes) to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber. At this stage, all MSPs can vote on them. There is then a debate on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it ‘falls’ and can't become law.
Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.
Result 62 for, 0 against, 56 abstained, 11 did not vote Vote Passed
See further details of the motion
The Bill ended Stage 3 on 4 March 2021
If the Bill is passed, it is normally sent for Royal Assent after about 4 weeks. Royal Assent is when the Bill gets formal agreement by the King and becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament. Some Acts become law straight after Royal Assent. Some only come into force on a later date. Sometimes different bits of the same Act become law on different dates.
This Bill was passed on 4 March 2021 and became an Act on 21 April 2021.
Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Act 2021