Question reference: S4W-27212
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 26 August 2015
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 17 September 2015
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4W-26769 by Michael Matheson on 17 August 2015, whether it considers that the expense incurred by people having to travel to other islands or the mainland to get affidavit administration because they cannot access this on the island where they live is consistent with its policy objective of seeking to support and maintain island populations, and what the reason is for its position is on this matter.
Answer
As I said in response to S4W-26769, given the relatively low volume of affidavit administration business, the Scottish Government currently has no plans to make arrangements for affidavit administration on islands where there are no resident justices of the peace, no resident notaries public and no Justice of the peace court. However, the Scottish Government is very aware of the many unique challenges facing island communities, which is why the First Minister announced on 1 June 2015 that a public consultation will be launched later this summer on plans for more autonomy for Scotland’s islands. This will include looking at possibilities of providing more power, equality and protection for islands to allow them to build a more prosperous and fairer future for their communities.