Hansard

09:01

The Convener SNP

Our next item of business is consideration of an affirmative Scottish statutory instrument and three negative instruments.I welcome to the meeting Màiri McAl...

The Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Màiri McAllan) SNP

Thank you, convener, and good morning, committee. Thank you for the invitation to attend to give evidence on the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2...

The Convener SNP

Thank you, cabinet secretary. We will now move to questions. Our questions will be directed to you, but you are, of course, welcome to invite any official to...

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab

I welcome the regulations that are being introduced. I have some questions for clarity. You mentioned the guidance that is being prepared. When will it be pr...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I will go through your questions, Ms Baker, and bring in my officials when I need to.The first question is on the statutory guidance. It has been developed a...

Craig McGuffie (Scottish Government)

Ground 15A, which is being added to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, will enable a social landlord to seek the termination of a joint tenant’s interest in a ...

Claire Baker Lab

Thank you.

Elena Whitham (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (SNP) SNP

Good morning. As a former Scottish Women’s Aid worker, I am delighted that we are having this discussion, and I hope that the regulations will be approved.My...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I welcome that question. The dangers and difficulties that women face when they are being subjected to abuse make all of this much more complicated and sensi...

Elena Whitham SNP

One of my big worries is about ensuring that the victim/survivor is in the driving seat as much as possible. I worked previously with social landlords in thi...

Màiri McAllan SNP

It absolutely does. We will seek to foster that approach through the guidance.

Elena Whitham SNP

Thank you.

Jeremy Balfour (Lothian) (Ind) Ind

Good morning. I have two questions.I welcome the regulations, but I would like clarification on a couple of issues. From your discussions with social landlor...

Màiri McAllan SNP

On your first question, I am not concerned that there will be a freezing effect on landlords’ willingness to rent to couples or families. Abuse can arise in ...

Craig McGuffie

It is important to remember that these are civil, not criminal, proceedings. The court has to be satisfied, on the balance of probability, whether there has ...

Jeremy Balfour Ind

That is helpful.There is quite a lot of responsibility on social landlords. What training are you planning to provide over the next six months, up to August,...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I will answer your final question first. As I said to Ms Baker, the guidance is under development. It has been shared with stakeholders and we will now incor...

The Convener SNP

As there are no further questions, we move to item 3, which is formal consideration of motion S6M-20309. I invite the cabinet secretary to speak to and move ...

Màiri McAllan SNP

I ask the committee to consider the motion favourably, as the regulations represent a significant step forward in protecting the housing rights of victim sur...

The Convener SNP

As members have no comments to make, I invite the cabinet secretary to sum up.

Màiri McAllan SNP

I have nothing further to add.Motion agreed to.

The Convener SNP

Are members content to delegate to me responsibility for approving a short factual report to the Parliament on the affirmative instrument?Members indicated a...

The Convener SNP

Our next item is consideration of four negative Scottish statutory instruments, three of which were referred to in evidence under item 2. Do members have any...