Glasgow Clyde College (Removal and Appointment of Board Members) (Scotland) Order 2015 (SSI 2015/348)
The next item on the agenda is the consideration of subordinate legislation. Do members have any general comments on the instrument?
The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee has looked at the instrument and it complies with powers under the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992. As I said when the statement was made to Parliament, it is not a comfortable position for the minister or the Parliament. The task force has been established, but we need to return to the issue in due course. I do not know when the task force is due to report back, but lessons have to be learned. A nuclear option is being proposed and it would be useful for the committee to explore the checks and balances that led up to the point where the minister felt that she had no option but to take the decision.
I support Liam McArthur’s point. The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee has considered the matter and it is not clear that there is any great benefit in trying to reverse what has happened. However, the matter is so serious for the sector, the college and the individuals involved that there is an obligation on the committee to consider what has happened in rather more detail, at the very least to learn what lessons might be applied in the future. The committee should commit to ensuring that it does that.
I agree with both those comments. Given that the task force has been established and will publish a report in the new year, it is important that we go over the issue and learn any lessons that we can.
If the committee agrees, I suggest that we return to the matter in the new year, in the context of the task force’s publication. Do members agree?
Members indicated agreement.
There are two issues in relation to the instrument. We will come to the general question in a moment.
Under rule 10.3A of standing orders, the committee is required to decide whether the reasons given for the breach of the 28-day rule as provided by the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 are acceptable in the circumstances. Does the committee agree that the reasons are acceptable?
Members indicated agreement.
Finally, does the committee agree to make no recommendation to the Parliament on the instrument?
Members indicated agreement.
Meeting closed at 13:28.Previous
Education (Scotland) Bill