Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr Murray Tosh): Con

We now come to stage 3 proceedings on the Protection of Children (Scotland) Bill. Members will need copies of the bill, the marshalled list and the groupings...

Section 3—Reference by employmentagency etc

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

The first group of amendments relates to the duty to make a referral. Amendment 1 is grouped with amendment 2.

The Minister for Education and Young People (Cathy Jamieson): Lab

Amendments 1 and 2 will extend the duty to make referrals to employment businesses. That duty will be backed up by the offence that all organisations will co...

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I am not rising to speak against amendment 1. In fact, the SNP will not oppose any of the amendments that have been lodged at stage 3.The stage 2 amendment t...

Cathy Jamieson: Lab

I welcome Irene McGugan's commitment that the SNP will support the amendments that have been lodged. I hope that that is an example of good practice, because...

Amendment 1 agreed to.

Amendment 2 moved—Cathy Jamieson—and agreed to.

Section 7—Provisional inclusion in list

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

The second group of amendments is on the extension of provisional listing. Amendment 3 is in a group on its own.

Cathy Jamieson: Lab

Amendment 3 will allow ministers to apply to the sheriff for an extension to the six-month limit on provisional listing. The sheriff would be able to grant a...

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): SNP

I am grateful to the minister for moving amendment 3. I moved a large number of amendments at stage 2 and the amendment to which she referred is the only one...

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): Con

We, too, support amendment 3. We supported Mike Russell's amendment at stage 2 to remove provisional listing, but we are content that limiting it to one peri...

Ian Jenkins (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): LD

I endorse the comments of the two previous speakers and I thank the minister for taking note of the committee's feelings. As the minister knows, I am hesitan...

Cathy Jamieson: Lab

I thank members for their support for amendment 3. I acknowledge the concerns about provisional listing that were expressed during stage 1 and stage 2. We mu...

Amendment 3 agreed to.

After section 8

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

The third group of amendments deals with protection from defamation. Amendment 9 is in a group on its own.

Cathy Jamieson: Lab

Amendment 9 seeks to clarify the laws on defamation as they apply to the bill. Any information that is submitted with a reference for inclusion in the list o...

Michael Russell: SNP

During stage 2, in response to my moving of an amendment, the minister made a commitment to reconsider the issue. I am grateful that she has returned with a ...

Ian Jenkins: LD

I support Michael Russell's position. The situation to which he referred is a difficult one. The arguments that Michael Russell has made are worthy of consid...

Cathy Jamieson: Lab

It would not be appropriate for me to comment at this point in time on the case that Michael Russell mentioned.During stage 2 consideration of the bill, I ga...

Amendment 9 agreed to.

Section 11—Searches of lists: amendment of Police Act 1997

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

Amendment 4 is grouped with amendments 7 and 8.

Cathy Jamieson: Lab

Amendments 4, 7 and 8 are technical amendments, which are consequential on the Education Act 2002.Amendment 4 is a minor amendment, which would make it clear...

Amendment 4 agreed to.

The Deputy Presiding Officer: Con

Amendment 5 is grouped with amendment 6.

Cathy Jamieson: Lab

Amendment 5 is a minor drafting adjustment, which will correct an error that has been noted in the amendments made to the Police Act 1997.Amendment 6 will re...

Amendment 5 agreed to.