Chamber and committees

I know that you did not mean to.

Tinkering with legislation retrospectively caused all sorts of problems for the Scottish Government the last time that it did it. The Salvesen v Riddell case is the best example of that. I guess that people would not want to see a return to that, as it was deeply hurtful for a variety of reasons. Could changing the legislation through the bill have a similar effect? Could you get resumptions going ahead now on the basis that there might be changes in the future?

Jeremy, do you want to pass comment on that? It is quite difficult to understand how there is a value attached to some of the things on that list.

That will be an interesting one to look at. I will move on to compensation for game damage. There are specific provisions that allow the tenant to claim against the landlord. I am not disputing anything about game birds. It is a question of deer. The tenant has a right under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 to control deer, where they are within enclosed areas, unless they are specifically reserved to the landlord. However, in the bill there is an ability for the tenant to claim for deer damage against the landlord, even though the tenant has the right to control deer themselves. Have I misunderstood that, Christopher?

Jackie, you wanted to come in briefly, and then we will move on to the next subject.

The issue is quite niche, Christopher, and a lot of other committee members want to come in. Jackie Dunbar has the next set of questions, and then I will move to Sarah Boyack.

I get enthralled listening to the questions and answers. My problem is that I have other committee members who will be nipping my head. I note that there are about 12 different sets of questions that people want to go through. There was a positive and a negative note from Jeremy. Maybe we could gently leave it there and I will move to the deputy convener to come in with his questions. I apologise, Douglas.

Absolutely. We can ask the Government for the impact assessment of the species and ask it to make sure that that is available in the future. The committee is agreed on that, so we will move into private session.

Should it be different for landlords and tenants or should it be the same for both?

My understand is that that is different to arbitration. Jeremy Moody may correct me.

Sorry to interrupt, Sarah.

Bob, I commend you for your quietness throughout the meeting. Now the floor is yours.