Third Reading

Part of Scotland Bill – in the House of Lords at 3:30 pm on 24 April 2012.

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Photo of Lord Wallace of Tankerness Lord Wallace of Tankerness Lords Spokesperson (Attorney General's Office), Lords Spokesperson (Wales Office), The Advocate-General for Scotland, Lords Spokesperson (Scotland Office) 3:30, 24 April 2012

The noble and learned Lord is, I suspect, going slightly wider than the Bill, but I am sure there will be many lessons learnt from the way that the Bill has progressed-not least the way in which we have dealt with it. I pay tribute to those within your Lordships' House who have contributed in debates and representations, as well as to others outside your Lordships' House who have contributed too. What we have at the end is something worth while, given that some months ago we did not have the easiest circumstances. I obviously wish to confirm that although the group that I set up was referred to as the expert group, that in no way detracts from the expertise of the group chaired by the noble and learned Lord, Lord McCluskey. I was very conscious that when he, along with Professor Sir Gerald Gordon and Sheriff Charles Stoddart, came to see me, I was in the presence of the two people who had taught me criminal law in the late 1970s. I certainly listened very carefully to what they and the noble and learned Lord said, and I am pleased that the position we have reached appears to command support across the House. I therefore commend the amendment.

Amendment 8 agreed.

Clause 36 : Convention rights and EU law: criminal appeals to the Supreme Court

Amendment 9

Moved by Lord Wallace of Tankerness

9: Clause 36, page 29, line 5, at end insert-

"( ) Subsection (5) does not apply if it is an appeal by the Lord Advocate or the Advocate General for Scotland against a determination by the High Court of a compatibility issue referred to it under section 288ZB(2)."

Amendment 9 agreed.

Clause 45 : Short title

Amendment 10

Moved by Lord Forsyth of Drumlean

10: Clause 45, page 33, line 22, leave out "Scotland Act" and insert "Scottish Income Tax, Enabling of Scottish Taxation and Borrowing, and Miscellaneous Provisions (Scotland) Act"