This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Statement on legislative programme
22/06/2006
Changes to the programme of legislation laid out by Ministers last September will strengthen existing priorities, the Parliament was told today.
Minister for Parliamentary Business Margaret Curran confirmed that new Bills to protect vulnerable groups and address issues around asbestos related disease will be brought forward as soon as possible.
She also confirmed the Sentencing Bill would focus on release of offenders and knife crime.
She added:
"Much hard work has been done to progress the ambitious agenda announced by the First Minister last September, particularly in the areas of health, crime, education and the environment.
"And I know we have more hard work ahead of us to pass bills on adoption, criminal proceedings and planning, for example. However, we must also be able to respond to new developments in areas of existing priorities like justice and young people.
"The adjustments I am announcing today will ensure that we continue to make Scotland safer by tackling crime and protecting those in our society who are vulnerable"
Read the full text of the Parliamentary statement
The programme outlined today confirmed:
- Transport and Works, Schools (Nutrition and Health Promotion) and Aquaculture and Fisheries Bills be introduced as planned
- The Sentencing Bill will focus on knife crime and release of offenders
- Consultation on The Children's Hearing and Integrated Services and Scottish Judiciary Bills will go ahead and draft Bills will be prepared before May 2007
- New Bills on Protection of Vulnerable Groups, Damages and the nuisance caused by street prostitution will be introduced
Since the beginning of the second session of Parliament in 2003, 32 Executive Bills have been passed and enacted with a further three Executive Bills awaiting Royal Assent.
There are currently 10 Bills from the 2005-2006 programme before the Parliament:
- Scottish Commissioner for Human Rights
- Bankruptcy and Diligence
- Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services
- Planning
- Criminal Proceedings etc (Reform)
- Legal Profession and Legal Aid
- Crofting Reform
- Tourist Boards
- Adoption and Children
- Adult Support and Protection