HC Deb 19 May 1998 vol 312 cc776-7
Mr. McLeish

I beg to move amendment No. 181, in page 40, line 1, leave out from beginning to end of line 3 and insert `any other office-holder in the Scottish Administration.'.

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this, it will be convenient to discuss Government amendment No. 182.

Mr. McLeish

Clause 86 places a duty on the Parliament to make provision for the investigation of certain complaints of maladministration made to Members of the Scottish Parliament. At present, the clause refers to members of the Scottish Executive and certain other members of the Scottish Administration. Government amendment No. 181 clarifies that, in addition to members of the Scottish Executive, all other office holders in the Scottish Administration come within the scope of the Parliament's duty. That amendment is linked to other Government amendments concerning what is meant by "the Scottish Administration".

The present clause sets out what the Parliament must do. I am certain that the Parliament will want to consider what additional provision concerning the investigation of maladministration it will wish to make. Government amendment No. 182 is intended to ensure that the Parliament is able to do so. It is intended that the Parliament will be able to make arrangements for the investigation of complaints of maladministration against all members of the Scottish Administration, and Scottish public authorities, including local authorities and the health service. It is also intended that it will be able to make provision regarding cross-border public authorities where the complaints are about non-reserved matters concerning Scotland. I urge right hon. and hon. Members to accept the amendments.

Mr. Jenkin

I thank the Minister for introducing amendments that go some way to allaying concerns expressed in Committee. We welcome them.

Amendment agreed to.

Amendment made: No. 182, in page 40, line 8, at end insert— `( ) The Parliament may make provision for the investigation of complaints in respect of—

  1. (a) any action taken by or on behalf of an office-holder in the Scottish Administration,
  2. (b) any action taken by or on behalf of a Scottish public authority to which paragraph 1A or 1B of Part III of Schedule 5 to this Act applies, or
  3. (c) any action concerning Scotland and not relating to reserved matters which is taken by or on behalf of a cross-border public authority.'.—[Mr. McLeish.]

Forward to