Subordinate Legislation Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Official Report 331KB pdf

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High Hedges (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1

Agenda item 5 gives us an opportunity to consider the response to the committee’s stage 1 report on the High Hedges (Scotland) Bill from Mark McDonald MSP, who is the member in charge of the bill. Members will have seen the briefing paper and the response from Mr McDonald.

In the light of Mr McDonald’s offer to write to the committee again prior to stage 2, we may consider the bill again, but if no amendments that affect the delegated powers provisions are made to the bill at stage 2, it might not be necessary for us to look at the bill thereafter. Therefore, members are invited to make any comments that they wish to make on the bill at this stage.

Do members have any comments?

My only comment is that I am very pleased that the bill has been introduced. I am certain that the Parliament and the committee to which it has been allocated will consider it fully. I wish it every success.

I am sure that every constituency MSP around the table is looking forward to the bill being passed.

High hedges have never been an issue for me. It is because of the weather—the west of Scotland is more affected by high hedges than the east.

Are we content to note the response and, if necessary, to reconsider the bill once we have received further correspondence from the member in charge of the bill or if any relevant amendments are made to the bill at stage 2?

Members indicated agreement.