Subordinate Legislation
Item 2 concerns the Domestic Water and Sewerage Charges (Reduction) (Scotland) Regulations 2001. The order was laid on 20 March 2001 and, as members are aware, we have been designated as the lead committee for consideration of the instrument. The order is accompanied by an Executive note and a committee covering note.
The order was laid under the negative procedure, which means that the Parliament has the power to annul the order by resolution within 40 days, excluding recess. The time limit for parliamentary action therefore expires on 10 May 2001. Any MSP may lodge a motion to propose to the lead committee that the order be annulled. We are required to report on the instrument by 7 May 2001, which means that the committee meeting on 7 May is the last scheduled opportunity for a motion for annulment to be considered by the committee.
Should a motion for annulment be lodged, under rule 10.4 the Transport and the Environment Committee must debate the issue then report to the Parliament with its decision. The Subordinate Legislation Committee considered the instrument at its meeting on 27 March 2001 and determined that the attention of the Parliament need not be drawn to the instrument. Do members have any comments on the instrument?
No.
Are we content?
Members indicated agreement.
We will report to the Parliament that we are content with the statutory instrument.
Meeting continued in private until 12:09.