Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill
Overview
The Bill provides a pardon for miners who were convicted of certain offences relating to the 1984-1985 miners’ strike where the conditions of the pardon are met.
The offences are:
- breach of the peace
- breach of bail conditions – Section 3 of the Bail etc. (Scotland) Act 1980
- obstructing police etc. – Section 41(1)(a) of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967
The offence must have been committed while the miner was taking part in a picket line, demonstration or similar gathering in support of the strike - or while travelling to or from a picket line, demonstration or similar gathering.
If the Bill is enacted, a pardon will apply automatically. Miners will not need to apply for a pardon.
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill as introduced (167KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021
The Bill was passed on 16 June 2022 and became an Act on 26 July 2022
Contents
Introduced
The Scottish Government introduces the Bill and accompanying documents to the Parliament which publishes the Bill.
The Bill was introduced on 27 October 2021
Bill as introduced
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill as introduced (167KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021
Financial resolution
The Presiding Officer has decided under Rule 9.12 of Standing Orders that a financial resolution is not required for this Bill.
Related information form the Scottish Government on the bill
Explanatory Notes
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill explanatory notes (119KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill explanatory notes (print version) (169KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021
Explanation of the Bill
Policy Memorandum
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill policy memorandum (230KB, pdf) posted 28 October 2021
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill policy memorandum (print version) (297KB, pdf) posted 28 October 2021
Why the Bill is being introduced
Financial Memorandum
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill financial memorandum (103KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill financial memorandum (print version) (188KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021
How much the Bill is likely to cost
Statements on Legislative Competence
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill legislative competence (94KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill legislative competence (print version) (180KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021
Statements on whether the Bill is within the Parliament’s “legislative competence” (if the Parliament has the power to make the changes to the law proposed by the Bill).
Scottish Parliament research on the Bill
Read the research done by the Scottish Parliament on specific parts of the Bill: