We have for our consideration 12 Scottish statutory instruments that are subject to the negative resolution procedure.
Act of Sederunt (Fees of Solicitors in the Sheriff Court) (Amendment) 2008 (SSI 2008/40)<br />Act of Sederunt (Fees of Solicitors in the Sheriff Court) (Amendment No 2) 2008 (SSI 2008/72)
Police Grant (Scotland) Order 2008 (SSI 2008/46)<br />Advice and Assistance (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/47)
Civil Legal Aid (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/48)<br />Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 (Adults with Incapacity) (Consequential Provisions) Order 2008 (SSI 2008/50)
Adults with Incapacity (Accounts and Funds) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/51)<br />Adults with Incapacity (Public Guardian's Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/52)
The Subordinate Legislation Committee raised no points on the first eight instruments. Is the committee content to note them?
Members indicated agreement.
Adults with Incapacity (Recall of Guardians' Powers) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/53)
The regulations were drawn to the committee's attention on the ground of failure to follow normal drafting practice—although not to the extent that their validity would be affected. If members have no comments, are we content to note the regulations?
Members indicated agreement.
Adults with Incapacity (Reports in Relation to Guardianship and Intervention Orders) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/55)
The regulations were drawn to the committee's attention on the ground that they contain a footnote that could affect their operation. I invite comments.
An explanation may be required—or desirable. Is it within our compass to ask the Government to prepare an explanatory note in which it makes the point that the footnote contains a phrase that is ambiguous—
We have that in appendix 2 of annex A to paper J/S3/08/8/10.
So the explanatory note accompanies the regulations.
Yes.
Forgive me, but that note was written for the committee. I am asking for a note to be made available to the general public. Those who have to fill in the form need that assistance. If the footnote is ambiguous or iffy, the Government should ensure that the form is accompanied by an explanatory note. That is my request.
I am quite relaxed about that. We will write to the Government to draw our minor concerns to its attention and to suggest that, in order to prevent any misunderstanding on the part of the general public, a note of explanation should be issued with the regulations.
That is what I am asking for.
Is that agreed?
Members indicated agreement.
Adults with Incapacity (Certificates in Relation to Powers of Attorney) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/56)<br />Charities References in Documents (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2008 (SSI 2008/59)
The Subordinate Legislation Committee raised no points on these instruments. Is the committee content to note them?
Members indicated agreement.
Meeting suspended.
On resuming—