Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee, 10 Nov 1999

Meeting date: Wednesday, November 10, 1999

Official Report 281KB pdf

---

Subordinate Legislation

The next item on the agenda is the consideration of two statutory instruments that have been referred to us for consideration by the Subordinate Legislation Committee. At our previous meeting, I was concerned that specific points were raised on statutory instruments for which the committee clerk and I were unable to provide answers. I felt that that was unsatisfactory.

Today, on the Education (Student Loans) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/124), we are joined by Gillian Thompson of the Scottish Executive enterprise and lifelong learning department. On the Thurso College (Change of Name) (Scotland) Order 1999 (SI 1999/126), we are joined by Colin Reeves from the same department. I am grateful for their attendance to give specific answers to concerns raised by the committee. Their attendance is a point of practice that we have to establish to ensure that we are able to consider such issues properly.

Do members have any points to raise on the Education (Student Loans) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/124)?

As the instrument is a negative one, will it become law unless the appropriate motion is moved?

Yes. That is correct.

The practice is that the instrument is notified to the committee. We must give any objections to the contents of the regulations before 29 November.

I share the concerns raised by the Subordinate Legislation Committee. If we are being asked to follow a model that has been pursued south of the border, the sooner we are made aware of that the better.

Are there any other comments?

That point will be in the Official Report of our meeting and will be fed back to ministers. On that basis, I take it that the committee has no other comments to raise on the regulations. Are we agreed that the Parliament's attention need not be drawn to the regulations that are before us today?

Members indicated agreement.

The secondary statutory instrument that we must consider is the Thurso College (Change of Name) (Scotland) Order 1999 (SI 1999/126). Are there any points on that?

I am tempted to raise a point just to give the Scottish Executive officials something to do but, as I come from Renfrewshire, I will not be so impertinent.

The point of practice—that we are equipped to answer any points that arise—is an important one.

Are we agreed that the Parliament's attention need not be drawn to the regulations that are before us today?

Members indicated agreement.

Thank you. I also thank Colin Reeves and Gillian Thompson for their attendance. I hope that when we deal with other statutory instruments, we will make matters more taxing for them.