Teachers’ Pension Scheme (Scotland) (No 2) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/292)
Looked After Children (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/310)
Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (Ancillary Provision) (No 2) Order 2014 (SSI 2014/315)
Education (Disapplication of section 53B) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/318)
Our next item is to consider four negative Scottish statutory instruments. Do members have any comments to make on any of the instruments?
I have a comment on the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (Scotland) (No 2) Regulations 2014. We looked at the original regulations at the end of October. I note that the purpose of the regulations is
“to provide ... implementation of the Public Service Pensions Act 2013”.
When will the
“Further instruments ... that will complete the statutory arrangements”
be prepared? What is the reason for the delay, and will it have any impact on the pension scheme itself? I am slightly surprised at the delay, for which we have not had any explanation.
I am not aware that it will have any impact, but those are entirely reasonable questions. If I submitted a letter to the appropriate minister in the Government to ask those specific questions, would you be content with that?
Yes, very content.
We in what was the Subordinate Legislation Committee—now the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee—have railed long and hard about the various errors that crop up in the production of subordinate legislation. That is really a matter for the DPLR Committee, but a fairly strong message was sent from the committee when I was on it to encourage those who draft legislation or amendments to legislation to do so accurately, so that those who are impacted, such as teachers with respect to their pension arrangements, do not have to go through the hiccup of having to consider redrafted orders and so on.
Given that there have been some comments, I will go through the instruments individually.
Does the committee agree to make no recommendation to the Parliament on the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (Scotland) (No 2) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/292)?
Members indicated agreement.
But we are seeking further information.
Yes: we will be writing a letter.
Thank you—that is perfect.
However, we have no recommendation to make to the Parliament on the regulations.
Does the committee agree to make no recommendation to the Parliament on the Looked After Children (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/310)?
Members indicated agreement.
Does the committee agree to make no recommendation on the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014 (Ancillary Provision) (No 2) Order 2014 (SSI 2014/315)?
Members indicated agreement.
Lastly, does the committee agree to make no recommendation to the Parliament on the Education (Disapplication of section 53B) (Scotland) Regulations 2014 (SSI 2014/318)?
Members indicated agreement.
We previously agreed to take the next item in private. I therefore close the meeting to the public.
11:25 Meeting continued in private until 12:25.