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The third item on the agenda is consideration of negative instruments. I think that, notwithstanding the endeavours of our legal adviser, Fergus Ewing wanted to raise a point about the Non-Domestic Rate (Scotland) Order 2000.
I hoped beyond hope that, of all the statutory instruments coming before this committee, this particular order might have contained a fatal flaw. Sadly, I am advised that that is not the case. However, I ask the Executive to check whether it has made an error in setting a rate of 45.8p, which is curiously larger than the English rate. I realise that this committee is probably not responsible for that matter, and raise the point more in hope than in expectation.
I am sure that we can oblige Fergus, and we await the Executive's response with interest.
Fergus, as ever, sails very close to the wind.
As for the other three negative instruments under consideration, our legal advice is that no matters arise.