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Lords discusses Scotland Bill

21 March 2016

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The Scotland Bill had its third reading, a final chance to 'tidy up' the bill, in the Lords on Monday 21 March.

Members of the Lords discussed amendments on subjects including legislative consent motions, road parking and the Barnett formula.

The bill will now be sent to the Commons for consideration of Lords amendments.

Report stage day two: Monday 29 February

Members of the Lords discussed amendments relating to borrowing powers, energy supply and the regulation of the British Transport Police.

Third reading, a final chance to 'tidy up' the bill, is yet to scheduled.

Report stage day one: Wednesday 24 February

Members of the Lords discussed amendments relating to a review of the level of cooperation between the Scottish and UK institutions, the management of the ‘island authorities’ and arrangements for the British Transport Police in Scotland.

A second day of report stage is scheduled for 29 February.

Committee stage day three: Monday 22 February

Members of the Lords discussed amendments relating to welfare devolution, borrowing powers and the fiscal framework.

Report stage, further line by line examination the bill, is scheduled to begin on Wednesday 24 February.

Committee stage day two: Tuesday 19 January

Members of the Lords discussed subjects including parking regulations, the policing of railways and railway property, the setting of electricity feed-in tariffs, and the borrowing powers of Scottish ministers.

A third day of committee stage is yet to be scheduled.

Committee stage day one: Tuesday 8 December

Members of the Lords discussed whether the Scottish Parliament should be made permanent in UK legislation. They asked if there should be a second chamber, or Scottish senate, created in the Scottish Parliament, and discussed levels of transparency and information sharing between Scottish and UK institutions.

Additional committee stage dates, when further changes will be discussed, are yet to be scheduled.

Second reading: Tuesday 24 November

Members of the Lords discussed the key measures outlined in the bill, including taking forward the Smith agreement that the permanence of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish government be set out in UK legislation, and giving the Scottish Parliament control over other areas, including rates and bands of income tax and welfare provision.

An amendment was proposed to delay progress of the bill until the fiscal framework currently being negotiated by the Scottish and UK governments is available for scrutiny alongside the bill. This amendment was withdrawn, but members expressed concern that the fiscal framework may be delayed.

Scotland Bill summary

The bill will amend the Scotland Act 1998, and define powers and responsibilities of Scottish ministers.

Further information

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