Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002 Explanatory Notes

1. Introduction

2. Summary of and Background to the Bill

3. Commentary on Sections

   1. Section 1 – Appointment of the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner

   2. Section 2 – Appointment of the acting Commissioner

   3. Section 3 – Functions of the Commissioner

   4. Section 4 – Directions to the Commissioner

   5. Section 5 – General provisions relating to an investigation into a complaint

   6. Section 6 – Stage 1: Admissibility of complaints

   7. Section 7 – Procedures at Stage 1

   8. Section 8 – Stage 2: Investigation of an admissible complaint

   9. Section 9 – Report

   10. Section 10 – Action on receipt of a report

   11. Section 11 – Withdrawal of a complaint

   12. Section 12 – Investigation into excluded complaints

   13. Section 13 – Power to call for witnesses and documents

   14. Section 14 – Witnesses and documents: notice

   15. Section 15 – Witnesses and documents: offences

   16. Section 16 – Restriction upon disclosure of information

   17. Section 17 – Protection from actions of defamation

   18. Section 18 – Annual report

   19. Section 19 – Transitional provision

   20. Section 20 – Interpretation

   21. Section 21– Short title and commencement

   22. Schedule –The Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner

4. Parliamentary History of Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002