Inspired Question · S4W-17751 · Session 4
What developments there have been in relation to the Royal Charter on self-regulation of the press since the Parliament passed a resolution…
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what developments there have been in relation to the Royal Charter on self-regulation of the press since the Parliament passed a resolution on the matter on 30 April 2013.
The answer
On 30 April 2013, the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed a resolution, lodged in my name and supported by the leaders of all the parties within the Parliament, in the following terms:
That the Parliament notes the publication on 29 November 2012 of Lord Justice Leveson’s report, An inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press; further notes the subsequent production of the draft Royal Charter on self-regulation of the press on 18 March 2013; agrees to Scottish participation in the Royal Charter, subject to its amendment to reflect properly Scotland’s devolved responsibilities, Scots law and Scottish circumstances; further agrees to consider possible incentives for membership of a new regulatory body for the press, and asks the Scottish Government to proceed on this basis, recognising that, in the event of a material change to the text of the Royal Charter, the Parliament will be consulted again.
Following that mandate from the Parliament, the Scottish Government has been in discussion with the UK Government to achieve a Royal Charter that reflects properly Scotland’s devolved responsibilities, Scots law and Scottish circumstances. I have also consulted with the leaders of the non-governmental parties as part of the consensual approach we have adopted in Scotland.
The Scottish Government sent draft illustrative amendments to the UK Government on 1 April 2013 and to the Education and Culture Committee on 19 and 23 April 2013. We sent the same draft illustrative amendments to the Press Board of Finance on 28 May 2013. These draft illustrative amendments informed the advice that the Education and Culture Committee published on 24 April 2013.
I am content that the amendments proposed to be included in the draft Royal Charter currently being discussed by the Westminster parties reflects Scottish interests appropriately – in particular, that there is appropriate reference to to the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010; that experience of the nations and regions within Great Britain will be reflected in the membership of the Boards of the Recognition Panel and of any recognised regulator, and that the Scottish Parliament will have a continuing role before amendment of the Royal Charter, in relation to devolved competences, or its dissolution.
Although we are fully aware that any requirement for a vote to be carried by a two thirds majority in any one Parliament could be over-turned by a future Parliament, as part of the cross party support that should be required for any decision on dissolution or amendment we have agreed to the inclusion of that provision for the Scottish Parliament in draft Royal Charter currently being considered.
I have written to the leaders of the non-Governmental parties in the Parliament, and to the Convener of the Education and Culture Committee in these terms and will place a more specific list of Scottish amendments in the Scottish Parliaments Information Centre (Bib. number 55326).
We understand that a revised draft Royal Charter is to be considered at a meeting of the Privy Council on 30 October 2013.
That the Parliament notes the publication on 29 November 2012 of Lord Justice Leveson’s report, An inquiry into the culture, practices and ethics of the press; further notes the subsequent production of the draft Royal Charter on self-regulation of the press on 18 March 2013; agrees to Scottish participation in the Royal Charter, subject to its amendment to reflect properly Scotland’s devolved responsibilities, Scots law and Scottish circumstances; further agrees to consider possible incentives for membership of a new regulatory body for the press, and asks the Scottish Government to proceed on this basis, recognising that, in the event of a material change to the text of the Royal Charter, the Parliament will be consulted again.
Following that mandate from the Parliament, the Scottish Government has been in discussion with the UK Government to achieve a Royal Charter that reflects properly Scotland’s devolved responsibilities, Scots law and Scottish circumstances. I have also consulted with the leaders of the non-governmental parties as part of the consensual approach we have adopted in Scotland.
The Scottish Government sent draft illustrative amendments to the UK Government on 1 April 2013 and to the Education and Culture Committee on 19 and 23 April 2013. We sent the same draft illustrative amendments to the Press Board of Finance on 28 May 2013. These draft illustrative amendments informed the advice that the Education and Culture Committee published on 24 April 2013.
I am content that the amendments proposed to be included in the draft Royal Charter currently being discussed by the Westminster parties reflects Scottish interests appropriately – in particular, that there is appropriate reference to to the Arbitration (Scotland) Act 2010; that experience of the nations and regions within Great Britain will be reflected in the membership of the Boards of the Recognition Panel and of any recognised regulator, and that the Scottish Parliament will have a continuing role before amendment of the Royal Charter, in relation to devolved competences, or its dissolution.
Although we are fully aware that any requirement for a vote to be carried by a two thirds majority in any one Parliament could be over-turned by a future Parliament, as part of the cross party support that should be required for any decision on dissolution or amendment we have agreed to the inclusion of that provision for the Scottish Parliament in draft Royal Charter currently being considered.
I have written to the leaders of the non-Governmental parties in the Parliament, and to the Convener of the Education and Culture Committee in these terms and will place a more specific list of Scottish amendments in the Scottish Parliaments Information Centre (Bib. number 55326).
We understand that a revised draft Royal Charter is to be considered at a meeting of the Privy Council on 30 October 2013.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-17751 by reference.