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Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill

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.

This is a Government bill

The Bill became an Act on 26 July 2022

Introduced: the Bill and its documents

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. 

Why the Bill was created

In 2018 the Scottish Government launched an independent review of the policing of the miners' strike, 1984-1985. The review specifically looked at the impact the policing had had on communities.

The independent review's final report was published in 2020. The report recommended that the Scottish Government should pardon people convicted of certain offences related to the strike. This Bill takes forward that recommendation.

The Scottish Government has outlined that it has a vision for a just, safe and resilient Scotland. The Government has said it has created this Bill to help it achieve that vision.

Accompanying Documents

Explanatory Notes (169KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021

Policy Memorandum (230KB, pdf) posted 28 October 2021

Financial Memorandum (103KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021

Statements on legislative competence (94KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021

Accompanying Documents (print versions)

Explanatory Notes (169KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021

Policy Memorandum (297KB, pdf) posted 28 October 2021

Financial Memorandum (188KB, pdf) posted 27 October 2021

Statements on legislative competence (180KB, 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.

Research on the Bill

The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.

Research briefing on the Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill

The Bill was introduced on 27 October 2021

Stage 1: general principles

At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.

Lead committee examines the Bill

The lead committee for this Bill is the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.

Call for views (closed)

The lead Committee held a call for views to help inform its examination of the Bill.

Read the call for views

Meetings

Engagement

1 February 2022 (in private)

The Committee heard from individuals with lived experiences of the 1984-85 miners' strikes.

Stage 1 report by the lead committee

The lead committee published its report on 18 March 2022.

Stage 1 report on the Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill

The Committee received the following responses to its report

Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans (336KB, pdf) posted 28 March 2022

Work by other committees

Finance and Public Administration Committee


Stage 1 Debate and decision

A Stage 1 debate took place on 31 March 2022 to consider and decide on the general principles of the Bill.
  • Motion title: Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill.
  • Submitted by: Keith Brown
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
  • Motion reference: S6M-03864
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 31 March 2022

See further details of the motion


Parliament agreed the general principles of the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 1 on 31 March 2022

Stage 2: changes to the Bill

At Stage 2, MSPs can propose changes to a Bill. These are called 'amendments'. Any MSP can suggest amendments but only members of the Stage 2 committee can decide on them. 

First meeting on amendments

Documents with the amendments considered at meeting on 10 May 2022.

Marshalled list of amendments at Stage 2 (293KB, pdf) posted 05 May 2022

Groupings of amendments at Stage 2 (320KB, pdf) posted 05 May 2022

Revised Documents

Revised Explanatory Notes (125KB, pdf) posted 09 June 2022

Revised Documents (print versions)

Revised Explanatory Notes (176KB, pdf) posted 09 June 2022

The Bill ended Stage 2 on 10 May 2022

Stage 3: final changes and vote

At Stage 3, MSPs can propose further amendments (changes) to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber. At this stage, all MSPs can vote on them.  There is then a debate on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it ‘falls’ and can't become law. 

Debates on proposed amendments

Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 16 June 2022.

Marshalled List of amendments for Stage 3 (164KB, pdf) posted 10 June 2022

Groupings of amendments Stage 3 (178KB, pdf) posted 10 June 2022

Final version of the Bill

Final debate on the Bill

Once MSPs have decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.
  • Motion title: Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill
  • Text of motion: That the Parliament agrees that the Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill be passed.
  • Submitted by: Keith Brown
  • Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 June 2022
  • Motion reference: S6M-04979
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 16 June 2022

Result 117 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 12 did not vote Vote Passed

See further details of the motion


Parliament decided to pass the Bill

The Bill ended Stage 3 on 16 June 2022

Bill becomes an Act

The Bill was passed on 16 June 2022 and became an Act on 26 July 2022.

Read the Act

Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Act 2022