Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
At its meeting on 23 January 2018, the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee considered the delegated powers provisions in the Gender Representation on Pubic Boards (Scotland) Bill as amended at Stage 2 ("the Bill").i The Committee submits this report to the Parliament under Rule 9.7.9 of the Standing Orders.
The Bill was introduced by the Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, Angela Constance MSP, on 15 June 2017. The Bill completed Stage 2 on 21 December 2017.
The Bill aims to increase the representation of women on public boards in Scotland. It applies to certain public sector bodies, colleges and higher education institutions in Scotland but not to the boards of voluntary organisations or private companies.
A number of amendments were made to the Bill at Stage 2. In relation to delegated powers, two existing powers have been amended and a new power added.
The Scottish Government has provided the Parliament with a supplementary memorandum ("SDPM") on the delegated powers provisions in the Bill.i
The Committee previously reported on the delegated powers provision in this Bill at Stage 1 in its 44th Report, 2017.i
The Committee considered each of the new delegated powers provisions in the Bill after Stage 2.
The Committee determined that it did not need to draw the Parliament's attention to the delegated powers in the following provisions:
Section 7: Reports on operation of the Act
Section 8: Power to modify schedule 1
Section 6A: Guidance on the operation of the Act.
Recommendation
The Committee therefore reports that it is content with the delegated powers provisions contained in the Bill as amended at Stage 2.