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Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
The first item on the agenda is delegated powers scrutiny of the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill, which is at stage 1. Several questions on the bill have arisen, many of which concern not the policy, but the procedure and the way in which the new powers that are to be vested in the Scottish ministers are to be exercised. The committee has made a point of questioning the use of Henry VIII powers—using subordinate legislation to amend primary legislation—and there are several instances of that in the bill. I therefore suggest that we collate our questions, forward them to the Executive officials and ask them to come to the committee next week to answer questions. Is that agreed?
This is a significant piece of our legislative programme and we have received a substantial legal briefing, for which we are grateful—if that is the right word. I agree that we need witnesses to come to clarify some issues.
Yes. That is what we will ask for. There are questions such as whether, if pilot schemes were running, it would be okay to allow a negative resolution procedure to be followed although an affirmative resolution procedure might normally be required.
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Executive Responses