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
Stage 2 - Changes to detail
MSPs can propose changes (“amendments”) to the Bill. The amendments are considered and decided on by a committee.
The Bill ended Stage 2 on 10 May 2022
Meeting on amendments
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held 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
Bill as amended at Stage 2
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill as amended at stage 2 (323KB, pdf) posted 10 May 2022
Additional information from the Scottish Government on the Bill following Stage 2
Revised Explanatory Notes
Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill revised explanatory notes (125KB, pdf) posted 09 June 2022
Miners' Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill revised explanatory notes (print version) (176KB, pdf) posted 09 June 2022
Explanation of the Bill