Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Official Report 453KB pdf

Instruments subject to Affirmative Procedure

Under agenda item 2, we are considering two instruments, on which no points have been raised.

Criminal Justice Act 1988 (Offensive Weapons) (Amendment, Surrender and Compensation) (Scotland) Order 2022 [Draft]

Surrender of Offensive Weapons (Compensation) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 [Draft]

Is the committee content with the instruments?

Members indicated agreement.

The draft regulations on the surrender of offensive weapons were relaid by the Scottish Government following questions by the committee. The error that the committee highlighted was resolved in the version that is before us this morning.

Mr Simpson wants to comment.

The two instruments relate to the surrender of, and a compensation scheme for, what are known as zombie knives. Obviously, I am in favour of getting rid of what look to be pretty offensive weapons—if you google “zombie knife”, you will see what I mean. However, the lead committee should be absolutely certain that the regulations are clear on what is meant by a zombie knife, as opposed to any other knife. Obviously, the law needs to be absolutely clear, and we do not want knives to slip through the net. We should raise with the lead committee the need for it to be absolutely certain that the instruments are clearly defined.

Thank you, Mr Simpson. That is a valid point, and I am content for us to raise the issue with the lead committee for it to take into account when it considers the instruments.