Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Ken Macintosh) NPA

The next item of business is stage 3 proceedings on the European Charter of Local Self-Government (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill. In dealing with the amend...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Group 1 is on the meaning and interpretation of the charter articles. Amendment 1, in the name of Andy Wightman, is grouped with amendments 2 to 5. I remind ...

Andy Wightman (Lothian) (Ind) Ind

I should say in advance that I will take a little time in speaking to the amendments in group 1 because, although they are relatively minor in certain ways, ...

The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government (Aileen Campbell) SNP

Amendment 3, in my name, is necessary to clarify the effect of section 1(2A). It will extend subsection (2A) to require the charter articles to be read subje...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Cabinet secretary, I am very sorry to do this, but I am afraid that we have lost the virtual chamber. It is not your doing at all—it is a technical fault. Th...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I apologise for the technical problem—broadcasting is now back. As we lost the broadcast only for 30 seconds, I ask the cabinet secretary to pick up from whe...

Aileen Campbell SNP

I hope that I am at the right bit. Mr Wightman’s amendments would also mean that there would still be a potential disconnect between the charter as incorpor...

Andy Wightman Ind

Those were helpful comments from the cabinet secretary. The issue arises as a consequence of the two bills before Parliament—the United Nations Convention on...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Group 2 is on scrutiny of regulations under section 6(1). Amendment 6, in the name of Andy Wightman, is the only amendment in the group.

Andy Wightman Ind

Amendment 6 does two things. First, it refines the wording of section 6A(6), which is one of two subsections to section 6A that were added by Scottish Govern...

Aileen Campbell SNP

Amendment 6 is a technical amendment that will improve the language that is used in section 6A(6). The amendment also makes it clear that, if the Scottish mi...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Does Mr Wightman wish to make any further comments?

Andy Wightman Ind

I have nothing to add, Presiding Officer. Amendment 6 agreed to.

The Presiding Officer NPA

That ends consideration of amendments. As members will be aware, at this stage in proceedings, I am required under the standing orders to decide whether, in...