Committee
Local Government and Regeneration Committee 16 March 2016
16 Mar 2016 · S4 · Local Government and Regeneration Committee
Item of business
Subordinate Legislation
Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016 (SSI 2016/72)
First, I welcome the fact that the minister has brought forward this SSI. At every stage, I have said that I support it. I do not wish to interrupt the pilot—I think that starting it is important. The minister says that he will keep the evaluation under review, and I hope that he will find a means of examining how these groups could be included in the evaluation in some form, rather than waiting until the end of the pilot year. I do not believe that the numbers involved would be very large—which is important because local authorities would not want to deal with large numbers—but I do believe that if members of these groups are excluded, it will be damaging to their health and that they should, therefore, be included. However, given the minister’s assurances that he will keep the issue under evaluation and my hope that the working group itself will undertake a review in greater detail—perhaps researching how many individuals in care homes or patients in long-stay residences might be affected—and that the minister might consider consulting groups such as the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, which might be helpful, I will not press my motion to annul. Motion, by agreement, withdrawn.
In the same item of business
The Convener
SNP
The substantive agenda item is item 2, under which we will take evidence on motion S4M-15895, in the name of Dr Richard Simpson. I welcome Derek Mackay, Min...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
Thank you, convener. I am sorry to drag the committee here on such a busy day. This is a new experience for me—I have not moved an motion to annul a Scottish...
The Convener
SNP
You do not have the opportunity to respond to the minister until we get to the moving of your motion; you will be able to say what you want at that point.
Dr Simpson
Lab
That is excellent; I will conclude at that point.
The Convener
SNP
As there are no questions from members for Dr Simpson, would you make a statement, minister, please?
The Minister for Transport and Islands (Derek Mackay)
Thank you. I welcome the opportunity to speak today. I have one point of immediate clarification on Dr Simpson’s question about children with learning disabi...
The Convener
SNP
Thank you. As no member has a question for the minister, we will move on to agenda item 3, which is formal consideration of motion S4M-15895. I will set out...
Dr Simpson
Lab
Thank you. It is important to recognise that we are dealing with individuals; in Parliament, we tend to get lost in dealing with categories. The minister say...
The Convener
SNP
As there are no contributions from members, I call the minister.
Derek Mackay
I just want to outline to the committee that it has options here. A request has been made of me that I can certainly agree to, which is that the on-going pi...
The Convener
SNP
Thank you for that, minister. I ask Dr Simpson to respond and to press or withdraw the motion, please.
Dr Simpson
Lab
First, I welcome the fact that the minister has brought forward this SSI. At every stage, I have said that I support it. I do not wish to interrupt the pilot...
The Convener
SNP
Dr Simpson, this committee has kept a very close eye on this SSI. I believe that the original date of its discussion was given to you and I have to say that ...