Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill
Overview
The Bill provides a pardon for miners who were convicted of certain offences relating to the 1984-1985 miners’ strike where the conditions of the pardon are met.
The offences are:
- breach of the peace
- breach of bail conditions – Section 3 of the Bail etc. (Scotland) Act 1980
- obstructing police etc. – Section 41(1)(a) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967
The offence must have been committed while the miner was taking part in a picket line, demonstration or similar gathering in support of the strike - or while travelling to or from a picket line, demonstration or similar gathering.
If the Bill is enacted, a pardon will apply automatically. Miners will not need to apply for a pardon.
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill as introduced (167KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021
The Bill was passed on 16 June 2022 and became an Act on 26 July 2022
Contents
Overview
The Bill provides a pardon for miners who were convicted of certain offences relating to the 1984-1985 miners’ strike where the conditions of the pardon are met.
The offences are:
- breach of the peace
- breach of bail conditions – Section 3 of the Bail etc. (Scotland) Act 1980
- obstructing police etc. – Section 41(1)(a) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967
The offence must have been committed while the miner was taking part in a picket line, demonstration or similar gathering in support of the strike - or while travelling to or from a picket line, demonstration or similar gathering.
If the Bill is enacted, a pardon will apply automatically. Miners will not need to apply for a pardon.
Read more about this in the explanatory notes (119KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021
Why the Bill was created
In 2018 the Scottish Government launched an independent review of the policing of the miners' strike, 1984-1985. The review specifically looked at the impact the policing had had on communities.
The independent review's final report was published in 2020. The report recommended that the Scottish Government should pardon people convicted of certain offences related to the strike. This Bill takes forward that recommendation.
The Scottish Government has outlined that it has a vision for a just, safe and resilient Scotland. The Government has said it has created this Bill to help it achieve that vision.
Read more about this in the policy memorandum (230KB, pdf) posted 28 October 2021