Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Meeting date: Tuesday, March 26, 2019
Official Report 456KB pdf
Contents
- Attendance
- Decision on Taking Business in Private
- European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018: Instrument Procedure and Category
- Instrument subject to Affirmative Procedure
- Instruments subject to Negative Procedure
- Instruments not subject to Parliamentary Procedure
Instruments subject to Negative Procedure
Town and Country Planning and Electricity Works (EU Exit) (Scotland) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2019 (SSI 2019/80)
The first instrument for consideration under agenda item 4 is SSI 2019/80, which we also considered under item 2. We are now undertaking technical scrutiny of the instrument.
The instrument contains minor drafting issues relating to clarity of meaning in specific regulations. The Government has acknowledged those issues. Full details can be found in the correspondence with the Government that is included in our published papers.
Does the committee wish to draw the instrument to the attention of the Parliament under reporting ground (h) as the form of regulations 5(10)(c), 5(14)(a)(i) and 6(11)(a)(i) could be clearer?
Members indicated agreement.
As the drafting issues are minor and corrective action is not urgent, is the committee content with the Government’s assurance that it intends to bring forward an amending instrument?
Members indicated agreement.
Teachers’ Superannuation and Pension Scheme (Scotland) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Amendment Regulations 2019 (SSI 2019/95)
SSI 2019/95 makes provision to ensure that the current employer contribution rate of 17.2 per cent will continue to apply until 31 August 2019, with a revised rate of 23 per cent applying from 1 September.
The instrument was laid before the Parliament on 18 March and comes into force on 1 April. That does not respect the requirement that at least 28 days should elapse between the laying of an instrument that is subject to the negative procedure and the coming into force of that instrument. Standing orders require the committee to draw to the Parliament’s attention any failure to respect the 28-day laying requirement.
The Scottish Government’s reasons for not complying are set out in correspondence with the Presiding Officer, which is available in our published papers.
Does the committee wish to draw the instrument to the attention of the Parliament on reporting ground (j), as it fails to comply with the requirements of section 28(2) of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010?
Members indicated agreement.
Is the committee content that the failure to comply with section 28 of the 2010 act is acceptable in the circumstances?
Members indicated agreement.
Scottish Road Works Register (Prescribed Fees) Regulations 2019 (SSI 2019/96)
We have one more instrument to consider under item 4, on which no points have been raised by our advisers. Is the committee content with the instrument?
Members indicated agreement.