Chamber
Plenary, 31 Jan 2007
31 Jan 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill
I welcome the minister's comments and the clarity that she attempted to give. We in the Conservative party welcome much of the content of the bill. A number of concerns have been raised with us on different sides of the argument about the enforcement powers that are contained in the bill and about the fact that much of the detail will be left to secondary legislation. That is a petty issue, but it is a fact of life that we have to have clarity.
The minister made comments about immunity and, quite rightly, Stewart Stevenson talked about the duties that are placed on people who exhibit and borrow works of art. Recently, I had a meeting with the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities. It does not seek dramatic changes to the bill but, understandably, it—and, perhaps other minority groups as well—would like us to ensure that the bill enables ministers to make a regulation that says that, when a work of art comes into the country, information about it is put on a public website, as part of a public notification system, so that people will know what is coming in and who is borrowing it. We look forward to an answer from the minister on that point.
The minister made comments about immunity and, quite rightly, Stewart Stevenson talked about the duties that are placed on people who exhibit and borrow works of art. Recently, I had a meeting with the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities. It does not seek dramatic changes to the bill but, understandably, it—and, perhaps other minority groups as well—would like us to ensure that the bill enables ministers to make a regulation that says that, when a work of art comes into the country, information about it is put on a public website, as part of a public notification system, so that people will know what is coming in and who is borrowing it. We look forward to an answer from the minister on that point.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5427, in the name of Cathy Jamieson, on the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Bill, which is United Kingd...
The Deputy Minister for Justice (Johann Lamont):
Lab
Presiding Officer, I am conscious of the limited time available, so, with your permission, I will speak only briefly in my opening contribution. I hope to be...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
A number of members want to speak. I will not get them all in unless remarks are kept closer to two, rather than three, minutes.
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
In a world of shifting boundaries—one thinks of the Balkans, Africa and the middle east—and with the overhang of history from the Holocaust, there are many c...
Mr David Davidson (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I welcome the minister's comments and the clarity that she attempted to give. We in the Conservative party welcome much of the content of the bill. A number ...
Donald Gorrie (Central Scotland) (LD):
LD
The Scottish Council of Jewish Communities is, naturally, one of the groups that has studied this issue carefully because of the problems arising from the Na...
Chris Ballance (South of Scotland) (Green):
Green
I will be brief, but I think that it is important that the breadth of voices of those in the chamber who have worries about part 6 of the bill in particular ...
The Presiding Officer:
NPA
Order. A little more courtesy, please. There are too many private conversations going on.
Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab):
Lab
I echo the comments of colleagues from all parties. Although we support most of the reforms in the legislative consent motion, a particular issue that arises...
Johann Lamont:
Lab
This is a significant debate. I have to say that I disagree strongly with the contention from our friend from the Green party that some folk in the chamber w...