Regulatory Framework Inquiry
Item 2 is on the Subordinate Legislation Committee's draft report on its inquiry into the regulatory framework in Scotland, which recommends that Scottish statutory instruments should be subject to a new system of scrutiny called the Scottish statutory instrument procedure. All the Parliament's committees have been invited to comment on the recommendations.
A series of questions has been provided to help people to respond to the consultation. Given that the questions are quite substantial, it might be advisable to take time to consider them carefully. We can put the item back on the committee's agenda shortly after the Parliament recommences in September, when we can have a substantial debate on the various points. There is probably broad agreement that the way in which statutory instruments are considered needs to be improved, but we should consider the recommendations further rather than respond today. We have until 22 September to do so. After we have done that, we can publish our views to help to inform the Subordinate Legislation Committee on how it should take the issue forward.
Do members have any comments? If not, I take it that members are agreed that, as I have proposed, we should continue our consideration of the issue after the recess. I encourage members to consider the recommendations in detail over the recess, during which I am sure everyone will be working very hard.
Is that an attempt to get us to read the report? I see.
More summer reading.
Does Mike Rumbles have trouble sleeping?
We will put the item on the agenda after the recess.