Committee
Transport and the Environment Committee, 27 Nov 2002
27 Nov 2002 · S1 · Transport and the Environment Committee
Item of business
Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2
I suppose that amendment 115 begs the legitimate question of why the bill will impose a duty on ministers to deposit maps that set out the boundaries of transitional waters—which we discussed last week—but will merely give them discretion to provide the same maps of coastal waters. The answer is simple: it is easier to map coastal waters than it is to map transitional waters. For that reason, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency might without reference to ministers be able to map the extent of such waters, which is why the bill will allow the use of the discretion. I understand that mapping transitional waters is more difficult, which explains why the bill will in that regard impose a duty on ministers; however, it is not the case that coastal waters will remain unmapped. I hope that, with that reassurance, John Scott will seek to withdraw amendment 115.Amendment 116 seeks to amend section 3(10)(c) and would require ministers to issue revised maps where there appear to be changes to the limits of coastal or transitional waters; however, the bill as drafted will give ministers discretion to do so. In that context, amendment 116 is unnecessary, because SEPA should be able to make the relevant changes without referring to ministers. After all, under the characterisation process, SEPA will have the duty to identify and map all water bodies. A power to ensure that we can guide SEPA is all that we need. As I pointed out, we expect SEPA, without reference to ministers, to map coastal waters; however, as transitional waters are more complex for the reasons that we discussed last week, we feel that a duty is required.
In the same item of business
Section 3—The water environment: definitions
The Convener:
Lab
I welcome the Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development back to the meeting after our brief suspension. I also welcome various officials from the...
Members indicated agreement.
The Convener:
Lab
Amendment 115 is grouped with amendment 116.
John Scott:
Con
It is essential that, in coastal zone management, different types of areas and bodies of water are clearly defined and that information on them is readily av...
Allan Wilson:
Lab
I suppose that amendment 115 begs the legitimate question of why the bill will impose a duty on ministers to deposit maps that set out the boundaries of tran...
The Convener:
Lab
I invite John Scott to respond to the debate and to indicate whether he wishes to press amendment 115.
John Scott:
Con
As you want me to be brief, I will say merely that I want to press amendment 115.
The Convener:
Lab
The question is, that amendment 115 be agreed to. Are we agreed?
Members:
No.
The Convener:
Lab
There will be a division.
ForCrawford, Bruce (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP)McLeod, Fiona (West of Scotland) (SNP)Scott, John (Ayr) (Con)AgainstMacmillan, Maureen (Highlands and Islands...
The Convener:
Lab
The result of the division is: For 3, Against 4, Abstentions 1.
Amendment 115 disagreed to.
Amendment 116 moved—John Scott.
The Convener:
Lab
The question is, that amendment 116 be agreed to. Are we agreed?
Members:
No.
The Convener:
Lab
There will be a division
ForMcLeod, Fiona (West of Scotland) (SNP)Scott, John (Ayr) (Con)AgainstMacKay, Angus (Edinburgh South) (Lab)Macmillan, Maureen (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)M...
The Convener:
Lab
The result of the division is: For 2, Against 5, Abstentions 2.
Amendment 116 disagreed to.
Section 3, as amended, agreed to.
Section 4—Establishment of river basin districts
Amendment 34 moved—Nora Radcliffe.
The Convener:
Lab
The question is, that amendment 34 be agreed to. Are we agreed?
Members:
No.
The Convener:
Lab
There will be a division
ForCrawford, Bruce (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP)Harper, Robin (Lothians) (Green)McLeod, Fiona (West of Scotland) (SNP)Macmillan, Maureen (Highlands and Islan...
The Convener:
Lab
The result of the division is: For 6, Against 3, Abstentions 0.
Amendment 34 agreed to.