Transport and the Environment Committee, 04 Jul 2000

Meeting date: Tuesday, July 4, 2000

Official Report 321KB pdf

---

Subordinate Legislation

Agenda item 3 is subordinate legislation. We will consider the negative Scottish statutory instrument, the Environmental Protection (Waste Recycling Payments) (Scotland) Regulations 2000 (SSI 2000/185). I refer members to the covering note that goes with the instrument.

The instrument was laid on 15 June and the Local Government Committee was designated as the lead committee. We have been identified as a secondary committee for the consideration of the instrument. Under rule 10(2) of the standing orders, the committee may make any recommendations that it wishes to the lead committee. The order comes into force on 7 July 2000, and the time limit for parliamentary action expires on 18 September 2000. Any MSP may lodge a motion to propose to the lead committee that the order be annulled. The lead committee is required to report on the instrument by 11 September 2000. Should a motion for annulment be lodged under rule 10(4), the Local Government Committee must debate the issue and then report to Parliament with its decision.

The Subordinate Legislation Committee considered this instrument on 20 June. Its view was that the instrument need not be drawn to the attention of the Parliament. We have been asked to consider the instrument and make any recommendations that we consider necessary to the Local Government Committee.

Have there been any representations from interested bodies to the Executive in respect of this instrument?

Not that I am aware of. We can ask the lead committee to put that question to the Executive.

If there have been no such representations, I am disposed to make no further comment on the instrument.

Fine.

I wondered about the effectiveness of the instrument when only five local authorities have chosen to operate the scheme. That does not affect the decision on whether we should take any action, but it seems as if the instrument is not hitting the intended target.

We can make that point to the Local Government Committee.

Do members agree that we wish to note the instrument but take no further action?

Members indicated agreement.

I suggest that we adjourn this meeting until 3.30 pm in committee room 4—

Part of the reason for adjourning the meeting was that I had to go a meeting of the Public Petitions Committee. That meeting was held this morning at 11 o'clock. Does that allow us to bring forward our meeting?

Unfortunately not, because of the availability of rooms. The Subordinate Legislation Committee is now meeting in the early part of the afternoon, before our meeting.

I got your e-mail, Helen, but meetings had already been arranged. We will meet in private to agree on the contents of our report on the Transport (Scotland) Bill, and to discuss our approach to taking evidence on the water inquiry. I thank committee members for their co-operation in a long but useful session this morning.

Meeting adjourned until 15:32 and continued in private until 17:26.