QUALIFICATION AND DISQUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS (Hansard, 21 June 1988)

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
I beg to move amendment No. 46, in page 4, line 15, leave out `A minor may be a' and insert 'A young person may be a co-opted'.

§ Mr. Deputy Speaker
With this, it will be convenient to discuss the following amendments:

§ Mr. Forsyth
I recall the Committee discussion on this matter. The question revolved around whether it was appropriate for young people below the age of 16 to be co-opted on to school boards. In an effort to be as flexible as possible and to allow for as much local democracy as possible, the Bill as originally drafted would allow for minors to be co-opted.
The effect of Government amendment No. 46 is to substitute the words "young person" for "minor". In the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 a young person is defined as somebody between the ages of 16 and 18. The amendment would make it plain that these pupil members of a board, if any, would be co-opted. I think that the amendment meets the views of the Standing Committee and I hope that it will be accepted.

§ Mr. Norman Hogg
I am pleased that the Government have tabled these amendments. We shall not press amendment No. 17, as the objective which we set ourselves in that amendment has clearly been met.