Minutes: 03 May 2023

1. Decision on taking business in private:

The Committee agreed to take item 6 in private.

2. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee took evidence on the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 (Consequential Modifications, Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2023 [draft] and on correspondence from the Minister, from—

Siobhian Brown, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Mary Hockenhull, Safer Communities Policy and Fiona McDiarmid, Unit Head, Building Safer Communities, Scottish Government.

3. Subordinate legislation:

Siobhian Brown (Minister for Victims and Community Safety) moved—

S6M-08408—That the Criminal Justice Committee recommends that the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 (Consequential Modifications, Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2023 [draft] be approved.

The motion was agreed to.

4. Subordinate legislation:

The Committee considered the following negative instrument—

Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022 (Designation of Events and Incidental Provision) Regulations 2023 (SSI 2023/98)

The Committee agreed to make no recommendations in relation to the instrument.

5. Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered a draft report to the Education, Children and Young People Committee. Various changes were agreed to, and the report was agreed for publication.

6. Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill (in private):

The Committee considered its initial approach to the scrutiny of the Bill at Stage 1. The Committee agreed to hold a discussion, in private, at the end of each meeting on the oral evidence heard and to consider any further approaches to the scrutiny of the Bill, and all draft reports on the Bill in private. It also agreed, under Standing Order Rule 12.4.3, to delegate to the Convener responsibility for arranging to pay expenses to witnesses which may arise under the SPCB witness expense scheme.