Justice and Home Affairs Committee,

Meeting date: Monday, May 22, 2000

Official Report 243KB pdf

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Scottish Parliament Justice and Home Affairs Committee Monday 22 May 2000 (Afternoon)

[The Convener opened the meeting at 13:31]

Good afternoon. I have received apologies from Phil Gallie, Maureen Macmillan and Pauline McNeil. They are casualties of the switch to a Monday at relatively short notice, which has caused difficulties to several people.

I talked to Pauline McNeill today and she has some concerns about item 4 on the agenda, the Divorce etc (Pensions) Scotland Regulations 2000. Her concerns relate generally to the fact that the relevant date in the regulations is the date of application in respect of a claim on a pension as opposed to the dates that are usually used in matrimonial matters—either the date of marriage or the date of separation. This is a negative instrument, which must be finalised by 3 June. We do not have a great deal of time. As Pauline has raised the matter as something that she would like to consider, I will defer consideration of the instrument until next Tuesday. That will give us an opportunity to meet the deadline of 3 June and allow Pauline a couple of days to decide whether she wants to lodge a motion or to deal with the matter more informally. However, we will proceed on the European Communities (Lawyer's Practice) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 today.

I also want to ask the committee to meet in private next Tuesday to consider a draft stage 1 report on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Bill. We are somewhat breathless at the speed with which we are going through the matter. There will be a draft stage 1 report next Tuesday, and our normal practice is to consider draft reports in private. Do we agree to consider the draft report in private?

Members indicated agreement.

I should point out that although we are about to consider a draft stage 1 report, the bill has not been formally introduced. We expect that to happen later this week. If the bill is not formally introduced and referred to this committee by Thursday, we will not be able to proceed to consideration of a draft stage 1 report next Tuesday. I am looking meaningfully at the minister as I say that.

Last week, members indicated that they would like to hear from the Scottish Police Federation on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Bill. We contacted the organisation. The general secretary simply confirmed in writing that the federation does not have a formal policy on the issue and that its views would be similar to those already expressed to the committee by the Association of Chief Police Officers. There would appear to be nothing further that we can do in that area.

If that is the answer, then that is the answer.

Christine Grahame, you had a point to raise in respect of the Accounts Commission's offer to give us a community safety partnership briefing. Is that right?

No. Did I? Oh yes. I am busy trying to adjust myself. Let me settle my head a bit. Can we come back to this when I have remembered what it was I had to say? I sent so many e-mails this morning that that one has got lost in the post in my head.

Sorry about that, convener.

When will you remember, Christine?

Shortly.

We should move on at this point, since we have the minister here.

I will have to give up the chair briefly and let Gordon Jackson have a turn. I will return as soon as possible.