Committee
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee 21 March 2018
21 Mar 2018 · S5 · Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee
Item of business
Islands (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
I welcome the opportunity to speak to this group of amendments on uninhabited islands, which I appreciate is an issue of significance for many. The bill’s focus is on improving outcomes for those who live and work on the 90 inhabited islands in the seas around Scotland—the three inland islands are not covered. However, I have always been keen to stress that that does not exclude other islands that are uninhabited and that are important features of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage. The two that have often been mentioned are St Kilda, which is an obvious example that has been mentioned today, and Ailsa Craig, whose claim to fame relates to curling stones. There is nothing to prevent the national islands plan from making reference to and provision for uninhabited islands. There are instances in which a group of islands that are in close proximity, with some inhabited and some not, can have an interdependence or, indeed, a linked interest. That acknowledgement means that amendment 10 is worthy of consideration and, for that reason, I am happy to support it. Nevertheless, I have a technical concern about the amendment that relates to how easily understood section 2 would be if amendment 10 was inserted in its current form. Stewart Stevenson also referred to some of the issues with the wording. Section 2 has a particular structure, and we would be adding four lines that do not seem to fit. I am happy to work with the member, and perhaps he can work with our legal team, on the wording. Notwithstanding that, I am more than happy to support what I think is a worthy amendment. Given my support for amendment 10, there should not really be a need for John Mason’s amendments in the group, so I hope that he will not move them. I can see what the member is trying to do, but I am concerned that, in his enthusiasm, he would potentially be widening the scope of the bill beyond what the Government and Parliament intend. His amendments would expand the duties in relation to island communities to islands more generally. That would mean that, for every island off the coast of Scotland, no matter where it is or how small it is, each relevant authority would need to consider impacts in relation to the island, notwithstanding the fact that there would be no effect on island inhabitants or communities. A cursory glance suggests that we would be talking about around 800 islands, which would be a significant extension from the 90 islands that the bill currently covers. I am not sure that that is what the member intends, but his amendments would potentially lead to a lot of unnecessary work and cost.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
Item 2 is stage 2 consideration of the Islands (Scotland) Bill. I welcome back the Minister for Transport and the Islands, Humza Yousaf, and his officials fr...
The Convener
Con
The first group is entitled “Purpose of Act”. Amendment 28, in the name of Colin Smyth, is the only amendment in the group.
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am conscious that we have a number of amendments to get through today, so I will keep my comments relatively brief. As members will know, a purpose clause ...
John Mason
SNP
As I said in the chamber yesterday, I am in favour of purpose clauses. I would like the Government and anyone else who intends to introduce a bill to start w...
Stewart Stevenson
SNP
I understand and have sympathy with what Colin Smyth is trying to do, but his amendment risks diluting the bill’s ambition. All it talks about is creating “s...
Peter Chapman (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
I am minded not to support amendment 28. Although we discussed the matter at stage 1 and thought that such a provision might be necessary, I do not feel that...
Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
The Scotland Act 1998 says: “There shall be a Scottish Parliament.” As Donald Dewar said, “I like that.” It is really important to set out the purpose of a...
John Finnie
Green
I am supportive of Colin Smyth’s amendment 28. Although I suspect that you would not want us to do this, convener, we could spend all day discussing every wo...
Jamie Greene
Con
I strongly feel that the bill should have an objective, given the evidence that we have heard and after speaking to islanders at many of the focus groups. Th...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I will speak to a number of amendments on which, where we, as a Government, can be helpful and reflect, we will, because we want to progress the bill in the ...
Jamie Greene
Con
Before we move to a vote, I want to clarify the minister’s position on that. Minister, are you saying that, at stage 3, you would not consider including a pu...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I will come back to that, as I am just coming to that very point. I have a problem with putting the purpose on the face of the bill, but I think that we can ...
The Convener
Con
Thank you, minister. I ask Colin Smyth to wind up and to press or withdraw amendment 28.
Colin Smyth
Lab
I agree with John Mason’s point that a purpose clause should be introduced at as early a stage as possible. I had no control over the wording of the draft bi...
The Convener
Con
Amendment 10, in the name of Liam McArthur, is grouped with amendments 30, 41, 44, 60, 63, 66 to 68, 72, 74 to 77 and 88.
Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD)
LD
I welcome the work of the committee on the bill, and I thank the convener and other committee members for taking the time to come up to Orkney to hear direct...
John Mason
SNP
Some of my thinking is in line with what Liam McArthur has just said. The amendments are part of a package, so they all do the same thing. For example, secti...
Stewart Stevenson
SNP
In 1930, Hirta, which was the only inhabited part of the St Kilda group, was actually part of Inverness-shire rather than the Western Isles—but that is histo...
John Mason
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Stewart Stevenson
SNP
Yes, he will.
John Mason
SNP
Does he accept that, for an uninhabited island, having a community on it would be a positive outcome?
Stewart Stevenson
SNP
Yes, but I am not sure that that would be an outcome for the island; it would be an outcome for the community on the island. I am conflicted on the matter, ...
Peter Chapman
Con
I agree with amendment 10, as I think that it is important that uninhabited islands are referred to in the key definitions of the bill. Sections 1 and 2 r...
Richard Lyle
SNP
I support amendment 10. I ask John Mason not to move his amendments in the group and to discuss the issue with the minister. I do not doubt John Mason’s ent...
John Mason
SNP
Will the member take an intervention?
Richard Lyle
SNP
I have finished. Laughter.
John Finnie
Green
I support Liam McArthur’s amendment 10, and I support John Mason’s amendments. We can dance around, and I appreciate that lawyers will forever chew over the ...
Humza Yousaf
SNP
I welcome the opportunity to speak to this group of amendments on uninhabited islands, which I appreciate is an issue of significance for many. The bill’s fo...
John Mason
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Humza Yousaf
SNP
Of course.