Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/19)
Agenda item 4 is subordinate legislation. We have three negative instruments to consider. The first is the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/19), which provides for a reformed pension scheme for firefighters in Scotland. The Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee agreed not to draw the attention of the Parliament to the instrument. Do members have any comments?
I want to say what a disappointing state of affairs it is that we have moved to the new scheme. I know that there are interim arrangements, and I know that it is outwith the control of this Parliament, but that is worth saying.
I share your concerns. The retirement age, as I understand it, is 60—apart from the interim measures. In certain professions, it could be physically difficult for people to fulfil the requirements of their job up to that age, notwithstanding the fact that some of us who are approaching 60 are still able to do it. I knew that that would make members smile.
Apart from that, are there any other comments on the instrument?
Could we record the fact that we all agree with that sentiment?
Yes. Is it agreed, therefore, that we make no recommendation on the instrument, apart from that observation?
Members indicated agreement.
Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (Procedure for Appointment of Members) Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/53)
The second negative instrument is the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (Procedure for Appointment of Members) Regulations 2015 (SSI 2015/53), which sets out the procedure for the selection and nomination for appointment of members of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service. Again, the DPLR Committee agreed not to draw the attention of the Parliament to the instrument. Are members content with it?
Members indicated agreement.
Scottish Administration (Offices) Order 2015 (SI 2015/200)
The final negative instrument is the Scottish Administration (Offices) Order 2015 (SI 2015/200), which specifies that the clerk and deputy clerk to the sheriff appeal court are offices in the Scottish Administration that are not ministerial offices for the purposes of the Scotland Act 1998. These are new offices and those in them are to be office-holders in the Scottish Administration in the same way as the existing posts of sheriff clerk and sheriff clerk deputy are such offices. The DPLR Committee agreed not to draw the attention of Parliament to the instrument. Are members content to make no recommendation in relation to the instrument?
Members indicated agreement.
12:32 Meeting continued in private until 12:34.