Committee
Economy and Fair Work Committee 18 February 2026 [Draft]
18 Feb 2026 · S6 · Economy and Fair Work Committee
Item of business
Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
Amendment 3 relates to good-faith acquisition for value in section 4(2) of the bill. In its stage 1 report, the committee called on the Scottish Government to reflect on the framing of the provision after hearing from a representative of the Faculty of Advocates that the existing provision would benefit from being reframed so that ownership by a good-faith acquirer for value is stated in a positive sense. The bill provides that such an acquirer is not prevented from becoming the owner of a digital asset, but it does not positively state that the acquirer will become the owner.Following stage 1, officials engaged with the Faculty of Advocates, to which I express my gratitude for its on-going involvement with the bill. I am pleased to confirm that the faculty has indicated its support for the reframed version that is set out in amendment 3.I move amendment 3.
In the same item of business
The Convener (Daniel Johnson)
Lab
Good morning, and welcome to the sixth meeting of the Economy and Fair Work Committee in 2026. This morning, we have three items for consideration: the Digit...
The Convener
Lab
Amendment 1, in the name of the minister, is grouped with amendments 2 and 4.
The Minister for Business and Employment (Richard Lochhead)
SNP
Good morning. It is good to join committee members for stage 2 consideration over the next five minutes or so—maybe longer. I thank the committee and all sta...
The Convener
Lab
As no members have indicated that they wish to speak, I invite the minister to wind up, if he wishes to do so, and to press or withdraw amendment 1.
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I thank committee members for understanding the need for the amendments, which are about providing clarity and listening to the feedback in the committee’s r...
The Convener
Lab
Amendment 3, in the name of the minister, is in a group on its own.
Richard Lochhead
SNP
Amendment 3 relates to good-faith acquisition for value in section 4(2) of the bill. In its stage 1 report, the committee called on the Scottish Government t...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I welcome the Government’s amendment in response to concerns from the Faculty of Advocates. The one point that occurred to me—we touched on this in stage 1 e...
The Convener
Lab
As no other member has indicated that they wish to speak, I invite the minister to wind up and to press or withdraw the amendment.
Richard Lochhead
SNP
I will just respond to Murdo Fraser and then wind up. We have reflected on all these issues. We are considering stage 3 amendments, but that issue is not one...
The Convener
Lab
That ends consideration of the Digital Assets (Scotland) Bill at stage 2. Although we did not quite meet his five-minute challenge, I thank the minister.10:1...