Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid)

Meeting date: Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Official Report 966KB pdf

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

The next item of business is consideration of nine Parliamentary Bureau motions. I call Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to speak to and move motions S5M-24160 to S5M-24164, on approval of Scottish statutory instruments, and to move motions S5M-24166 and S5M-24167, on approval of SSIs; S5M-24168, on recess dates; and S5M-24171, on committee meeting times.

Motions moved,

That the Parliament agrees that the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 14) Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/35) be approved.

That the Parliament agrees that the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Local Levels) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 15) Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/54) be approved.

That the Parliament agrees that the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/49) be approved.

That the Parliament agrees that the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel, Public Health Information and Pre-Departure Testing) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/34) be approved.

That the Parliament agrees that the Health Protection (Coronavirus) (International Travel, Prohibition on Travel from the United Arab Emirates) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/52) be approved.

That the Parliament agrees that the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Amendment of List of Responders) (Scotland) Order 2021 [draft] be approved.

That the Parliament agrees that the Human Tissue (Authorisation) (Specified Type B Procedures) (Scotland) Regulations 2021 [draft] be approved.

That the Parliament agrees, for the purposes of the pre-election campaign period from 25 March to 4 May 2021 (inclusive), the following parliamentary recess dates under Rule 2.3.1: 25 March to 4 May 2021 (inclusive).

That the Parliament agrees that, under Rule 12.3.3B of Standing Orders, the Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints can meet, if necessary, at the same time as a meeting of the Parliament on Wednesday 24 February and Wednesday 3 March 2021.—[Graeme Dey]

I will speak to the three motions on Coronavirus restrictions, as I am required to do under the Covid protocol.

Motion S5M-24160 modifies some of the restrictions and requirements in relation to prohibiting mortgage repossessions from taking place in level 3 and level 4 areas. Those regulations came into force on 23 January.

Motion S5M-24161 sets out changes to the level that applies to the Western Isles, moving that area from level 3 to level 4. All other areas remain in the same level. Those regulations came into force on 30 January.

Motion S5M-24162 provides that suitable premises required to close to the public in level 3 and 4 areas may be used for purposes connected to an election; removes restrictions placed on premises used by food and drink businesses in level 3 areas where premises are to be used in connection with the carrying out of electoral functions; makes amendments to level 4 areas to enable places of worship and holiday accommodation to be used in connection with the carrying out of electoral functions; adjusts the restrictions on drive-in and drive-through events to make clear that they are not permitted in level 3 and 4 areas; and adjusts examples of reasonable excuse to enter a level 4 area to bring the marriage, civil partnership and funerals excuses into line with the excuses to leave home for those who are living in a level 4 area. Finally, the regulations extend the expiry date of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Directions by Local Authorities) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (SSI 2020/262) from 31 January 2021 to 31 March 2021. The regulations came into force on 29 January.

Thank you, minister. That was helpful. The questions on the motions will all be put at decision time.