The Scottish Parliament returned from summer recess on 5
September 2011. The Justice Committee immediately launched into
further oral evidence sessions about the Offensive Behaviour at
Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill. An
extended period of public consultation had taken place over the
summer so there was plenty of new material for the Committee to
consider including formal written submissions from the Catholic
Church; a joint response from the Church and Society Council of the
Church of Scotland and Faith in Community Scotland; the Scottish
Episcopal Church; the Evangelical Alliance; the Christian
Institute, and CARE for Scotland. Both the Church of Scotland and
the Catholic Church gave oral evidence to the Justice Committee on
13 September. All the written responses are available from the
Scottish Parliament website:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s4/committees/justice/inquiries/OBFTCBill/OBFTChome.htm
While welcoming the Government's commitment to tackle
sectarianism the majority of witnesses have expressed concerns
about whether the Bill is necessary given existing legislation and
whether the Bill is fit for purpose. It has been suggested that the
wide drafting of the Bill will allow ambiguity in its
interpretation and will bring too many people under within the
scope of the legislation.
The Scottish Government has announced the legislative programme
for 2011-2012. The programme is relatively limited and it is
expected that the Government will focus on economic development. As
this is a new Parliament the 2011-12 Scottish Budget will be
accompanied by a 3 year spending review which will set strategic
priorities for the rest of this Parliament. Legislation is proposed
on two topics in which churches have been actively engaged in
recent years; alcohol / minimum pricing and the Rights of Children
and Young People. This is alongside the high profile commitment to
police and fire reform and changes to legal aid.
Debate around Scotland's constitutional future is likely to be
the theme of this Parliament. The first real changes could occur
with the passage of the Scotland Bill which proposed to extend
devolution. The Scotland Bill Committee has taken evidence from the
Secretary of State for Scotland and Sir Kenneth Calman particularly
focusing on issues relating to taxation.
This month the SCPO interview is with James Kelly MSP who is
both Deputy Convener of the Justice Committee and Deputy Convener
of the Scotland Bill Committee who provides perspectives on these
important and offers an insight into the Labour Party following the
election.
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