Question reference: S6W-15331
- Date lodged: 23 February 2023
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Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 9 March 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its response to the UK Government's use of an order under section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to prevent the Scottish Parliament’s Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from proceeding to Royal Assent.
Answer
The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was passed by an overwhelming majority of the Scottish Parliament, with support from members of all parties. The UK Government's use of section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 to prevent the Bill proceeding to Royal Assent represents an unprecedented challenge to the Scottish Parliament's ability to legislate on devolved matters.
The Scottish Government has provided detailed responses to questions from the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee in a letter of 5 February, is now considering the reasons given by the UK Government for its use of the section 35 power, and will update Parliament on next steps in due course.
We note the Committee has expressed disappointment that the Secretary of State for Scotland made little attempt to answer directly any of the questions it raised.