Finance Committee, 24 Apr 2001
Meeting date: Tuesday, April 24, 2001
Official Report
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International Criminal Court (Scotland) Bill
The next item is the International Criminal Court (Scotland) Bill. We still have responsibility for considering financial memorandums relating to bills. I understand that that is likely to continue until May, when, except in exceptional circumstances, we will cease to have that duty—that is one of a number of recommendations that the Procedures Committee has made to the Parliament.
Members will have seen the explanatory notes that accompany the bill, which include a brief financial memorandum. In the circumstances, I am tempted to say that it is not inappropriate for the financial memorandum to be so brief. Do members have other views?
I cannot envisage that there will be any great excitement about the financial implications, which will depend on how many war criminals we catch and put in our jails at a cost of £23,000 or whatever a head. No one can tell us how many there will be; that is not a matter for us.
On a more general note, I understand that, under the new dispensation—whatever that will be—the Finance Committee will still have an opportunity to comment on financial memorandums, although we will not be obliged to. If we feel that there is something relevant in a financial memorandum, we will be able to have a go.
I support your comment, convener, that the financial memorandum seems to be okay.
Do members agree formally that a financial resolution is required for the International Criminal Court (Scotland) Bill?
Members indicated agreement.