J1/S2/05/4/M

4th Meeting, 2005 (Session 2)

Wednesday 9 February 2005

Present:

The meeting opened at 9.38 am.

1. Item in private: The Committee agreed to take item 4 in private.

2. International Organisations Bill (UK legislation): The Committee took evidence on the Bill from —

Hugh Henry, Deputy Minister for Justice, Paul Cackette, Head of Civil Justice Division, and Daniel Jamieson, Policy Officer, Criminal Procedure Branch, the Scottish Executive.

The Committee agreed not to report to the Parliament on the Bill.

3. Subordinate legislation: The Committee considered and noted the following negative instruments—

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 (Prescribed Police Stations) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/9);

Part 1 Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003: Draft Guidance for Local Authorities and National Park Authorities (SE/2005/14).

4. Family law reform (in private): The Committee agreed to appoint an adviser in respect of the Family Law ( Scotland) Bill, considered a list of possible candidates and agreed a preferred candidate for appointment.

5. Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this item until later in the meeting.

6. Inquiry into the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes in prisons (in private): The Committee considered a draft report. Various changes were agreed.

There was a suspension from 11.48 to 11.53 am.

7. Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee considered a draft report. Various changes were agreed.

The meeting closed at 1.39 pm.

Alison Walker
Clerk to the Committee