Chamber and committees

Under agenda item 5, we are considering an instrument on which no points have been raised.

Is the committee content with the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

Since September 2023, the committee has reported four instruments under reporting grounds that it considers to be more serious. One was under ground (e), which is

“there appears to be a doubt whether it is intra vires”,

and three were under ground (i), which is

“drafting appears to be defective”.

Are you concerned about that trend, minister, and have you taken any specific action in response?

Okay. We will move on.

Regarding the longest-outstanding issue, would you find it helpful if the committee were to write to the Scotland Office about the fact that that document has now been sent to it? We have had engagement with that office in the past.

As colleagues have no other questions, I thank the minister and his officials for their evidence. The committee might follow up later with any additional questions stemming from the session.

Is the committee content with the instrument?

Members indicated agreement.

With that, I will move the committee into private.

Good morning, and welcome to the ninth meeting in 2024 of the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee. We have received apologies from Oliver Mundell MSP, and Jeremy Balfour is in another committee to speak to amendments to a bill. I remind everyone to switch off, or put to silent, mobile phones and other electronic devices.

The first item of business is to decide whether to take items 3, 4 and 5 in private. Is the committee content to take those items in private?

Members indicated agreement.

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