The first statutory instrument before us is the Plant Protection Products Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SSI 2001/161). The extract of the Subordinate Legislation Committee report on the instrument is attached in annexe B of the documents that have been circulated. I notice that the Subordinate Legislation Committee drew attention to some drafting defects, although it stated that they should not affect the instrument's validity.
The second instrument before us is the Inshore Fishing (Prohibition of Fishing and Fishing Methods) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001 (SSI 2001/174).
I am delighted to see this SSI. I have been involved with this issue for some time. It just shows how a small community of inshore fishermen can have beneficial changes made to the law. The instrument does not say this, but because the loch will be closed, studies of conservation methods will be undertaken. That is a good thing.
Do members wish to make no comment on the instrument in their report to Parliament?
The final instrument is the Water (Prevention of Pollution) (Code of Practice) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2001 (SSI 2001/175). We received the extract from the Subordinate Legislation Committee report very late. The papers have been circulated, but I do not know whether members have had the opportunity to read them. They contain responses to questions that were raised by the Subordinate Legislation Committee. As explained in the papers, the reason why we are discussing the instrument today is that the instrument must be dealt with by 11 June and our next scheduled meeting is 12 June. If members have any problems with the instrument, we will have to arrange an additional meeting. Are members content with the Executive's responses to the Subordinate Legislation Committee's queries?
It seems that the Subordinate Legislation Committee raised some technical points to do with the drafting of the document but that the content of the document did not cause anyone any problems. I took an interest in this issue when I was on the Transport and the Environment Committee, lodging questions and so on. I am therefore pleased to see that the document has been published. I hope that it will contribute to good practice.
Are members content to make no comment in their report to Parliament?
That brings us to the end of item 6. We have agreed to take item 7 in private.
Meeting continued in private until 16:50.
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