Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill Working
Party
Scottish Government's consultation document
The Society set up a small working party to consider the
Scottish Government's proposal for an Interpretation and
Legislative Reform (Scotland) Bill. The working party agrees with
the Scottish Government that the Bill, while very technical in
nature, represents a worthwhile analysis of the current
arrangement. The Bill proposed to replace the three
transitional orders which currently govern how Acts of the Scottish
Parliament and SSIs are to be interpreted, how SSIs are to be made
and published and the special parliamentary procedure which applies
to certain orders. The consultation document posed a number of
questions on these areas and and other possible topics which could
be included in the Bill. The Society's response focuses on the
interpretation provisions of the Bill.
Introduction of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform
(Scotland) Bill
The Bill was introduced to Parliament on 15 June by Alex Salmond
MSP. The Subordinate Legislation Committee has been designated the
lead committee for this Bill and will be deciding on their approach
to the scruting of the Bill at stage 1 shortly. The Society will
continue to engage with the government over this important
Bill.