- The Deputy Convener:
Does the committee agree that the Scottish Government has provided a satisfactory response on the matter that has been raised concerning the interaction between paragraphs (a) and (f) of new section 88C(4) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and is the committee content with the instrument?
Members indicated agreement.
- Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con):
The issue, once again, is that the fact that we were signed up under the Scotland Act 1998 to the European convention on human rights is causing problems with Scots law. The amount of money and hassle that that has caused, to the detriment of the Scottish legal system, is really quite disturbing. I have no objection to what is proposed in the order, as it is simply plugging a gap, but the gap should not have been there to be plugged.
- The Deputy Convener:
I thank Bill Aitken for putting that on the record. It is for this committee to ensure that the structure under which it operates is appropriate, not to decide on the policy with regard to whether we should have signed up to the ECHR.
Does the committee also agree to draw to the attention of the lead committee new section 88H of the 2003 act and the power to amend the maximum notification periods? The power can be used to extend the period as well as to shorten it, and we might suggest to the lead committee that it may wish to explore the need for that.
Members indicated agreement.
- Bill Aitken:
I am sure that the lead committee will have some sport in that respect.
- The Deputy Convener:
I suspect that you are on that particular committee, Mr Aitken.