Subordinate Legislation Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Official Report 397KB pdf

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Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill: After Stage 2

Agenda item 6 is consideration of the delegated powers provisions in the Alcohol (Minimum Pricing) (Scotland) Bill, after stage 2.

Members will have seen the briefing paper and that the Scottish Government has provided a supplementary delegated powers memorandum. Stage 3 is due to take place on Thursday 24 May. The deadline for lodging amendments is 4.30 pm this Friday, 18 May. In that case, the committee may wish to agree its conclusions today.

Do members have comments on the papers?

I remain sceptical about the efficacy of the bill, but I am realistic about the parliamentary process and I know what will happen next Thursday. If we are to have a proper opportunity to lodge amendments and if Parliament is to have the fullest opportunity to consider them, what is proposed is eminently sensible. If the proposals for a sunset clause and for reporting to take place are to be introduced, that has to be the way that we get them into the parliamentary system before next Thursday, so I am totally content with it.

Forgive me, but I am not quite sure what you are content with.

I am content with the process. You are asking whether the deadlines should be as laid out, and I am completely content that that is the appropriate way to do it.

It is suggested that we produce a report that will note the Government’s responses to our stage 1 report and what changed at stage 2. I suggest that we also note that it is clearly necessary that information be provided every time a price point is changed. We understand that and the Government understands that, so that is fine.

I also suggest that we note the point that has been made to us that the different elements of the bill need, in principle, to be commenced at the same time. However, it would almost be an insult to the Government to suggest otherwise, because that is part of the parliamentary process. We might note that it is not in the bill, but I suspect that we need go no further, because that is what any Government would do.

Are members content that we produce a report noting the various comments that have been made in the briefing paper?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you very much indeed. Unless I have missed something, that concludes item 6.

16:02 Meeting continued in private until 16:45.