Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 17 March 2021
I want to make one thing abundantly clear at the start: the pandemic is not over, and it will not be over if Donald Cameron simply uses the word “hopefully”.
I also want to make it clear that it is vital that the regulations be approved. The two Scottish acts contain essential practical measures that enable ministers and public authorities to take steps to mitigate the impact of Covid. Let me offer two examples to illustrate that.
Justice provisions that are much talked about by the Conservatives, which enable business to be conducted by electronic means, such as those that allow for remote jury centres and the digital sharing of case documentation, enable the justice system to function as safely and efficiently as possible. We would lose those provisions.
Valuable protections are afforded to renters that help to provide certainty for tenants, including those who have become unemployed during the pandemic. Those protections would finish, and evictions could start.
The importance of those measures was reflected in evidence that was given to the COVID-19 Committee when it called for views. Evidence from Shelter Scotland, the University and College Union Scotland, the National Union of Students Scotland, Citizens Advice Scotland, the Law Society of Scotland, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service and the Lord President, to name but a few respondents, was strongly supportive of having the provisions available after 31 March. That is the question. The question is not about the coming election; the question is, what will happen in two weeks’ time?
I am disappointed that the Conservative Party has chosen to vote against the regulations. The convener of the COVID-19 Committee justified that position by saying that we should take stock. However, that is precisely what the legislation does. The two acts deliberately ensure that the provisions are renewed regularly. I have been clear that they should be available only for as long as is necessary, and I have reported to the chamber on every occasion that the legislation has required me to. We have regulated to expire or suspend provisions when that has been appropriate. I ask members to agree to the continuation of the provisions, which remain essential to dealing with the pandemic.
The convener of the COVID-19 Committee said that it will be for a new Administration to decide on the necessary measures. I do not disagree; that is perfectly possible. However, there will be no new Administration in place on 1 April, and, if the regulations are not renewed, that is the date on which the provisions will fall. [Interruption.] No, I would like to finish, please.
I believe that that would be reckless and would leave Scotland without the ability to appropriately respond to many of the negative impacts of the coronavirus. I cannot believe that that is the position that the Parliament would wish to put itself or the people of Scotland in. Therefore, I ask Parliament to renew the regulations. In doing so, I remind members that ministers will continue to be required to report on the legislation on a bi-monthly basis. We will publish such a report on 14 April, even though the Parliament will not be in session, and we will retain provisions only for as long as is necessary.