Draft Order laid before the Scottish Parliament under section 25(2)(b)(i) of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 for approval by resolution of the Scottish Parliament.
2013 No.
The Public Services Reform (Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland etc.) Order 2013
Made
Coming into force
The Scottish Ministers make the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 14 of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 20101 and all other powers enabling them to do so.
The Scottish Ministers consider that the conditions in section 16(2) of that Act are satisfied.
They have consulted in accordance with section 26 of that Act.
They have laid an explanatory document in accordance with section 25(2)(b)(ii) of that Act.
In accordance with section 19(2) of that Act, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body has consented to the laying of a draft of this Order.
In accordance with section 25(2)(b)(i) and (c) of that Act, a draft of this Order has been laid before and approved by resolution of the Scottish Parliament2.
Citation and commencement1
This Order may be cited as the Public Services Reform (Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland etc.) Order 2013 and comes into force on 1st July 2013.
Interpretation2
In this Order, “the Act” means the Scottish Parliamentary Commissions and Commissioners etc. Act 20103.
Establishment of Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland etc.3
1
For section 1 (establishment, members and functions of the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland) of the Act substitute—
1The Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland
1
There is to be a Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (the “Commissioner”).
2
The Commissioner is to be an individual appointed by the Parliamentary corporation with the agreement of the Parliament.
3
The functions of the Commissioner are those conferred on the Commissioner by the following enactments—
a
the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 7),
b
the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002 (asp 16), and
c
the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4).
2
The modifications to the Act in Schedule 1 have effect.
Transfer of functions to Commissioner4
1
There are transferred to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland—
a
the functions of the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland under—
i
the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000; and
ii
the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002; and
b
the functions of the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland under the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003.
2
Accordingly—
a
the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland is dissolved; and
b
the following offices are abolished—
i
the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland; and
ii
the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland; and
c
the modifications to enactments in Schedule 2 have effect.
Transfer of staff, property and liabilities5
Schedule 3 (which provides for the transfer of staff, property and liabilities) has effect.
Transitional and savings provision6
Schedule 4 (which makes transitional and savings provision) has effect.
SCHEDULE 1Modifications to the Act
1
The Act is amended in accordance with this Schedule.
2
Omit section 2 (functions of the Commissioners) and schedule 1 (consequential amendments).
3
For section 3 (status of Commission and Commissioners) substitute—
4Status of Commissioner and Commissioner’s staff
1
Neither the Commissioner nor any member of the Commissioner’s staff—
a
is a servant or agent of the Crown,
b
has any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.
2
The Commissioner’s property is not to be regarded as property of, or property held on behalf of, the Crown.
3
The Commissioner is, as such, to be regarded as a juristic person distinct from the natural person holding the office.
4
In section 4 (independence of Commissioners)—
a
for “their respective functions, the Commissioners are” substitute “the Commissioner’s functions, the Commissioner is”;
b
in paragraph (b), for “Executive” substitute “Government”; and
c
in the title, for “Commissioners” substitute “Commissioner”.
5
For section 5 (protection of Commission from actions for defamation) substitute—
5Protection from actions for defamation
1
For the purposes of the law of defamation—
a
any statement made by the Commissioner or a member of the Commissioner’s staff in pursuance of the Commissioner’s functions under the Ethical Standards Act or the Parliamentary Standards Act is absolutely privileged,
b
any statement made by the Commissioner or a member of the Commissioner’s staff in pursuance of the Commissioner’s other functions has qualified privilege, and
c
any statement made to the Commissioner or any member of the Commissioner’s staff in pursuance of the purposes of the Ethical Standards Act, the Parliamentary Standards Act or the Public Appointments Act has qualified privilege.
2
In subsection (1), “statement” has the same meaning as in the Defamation Act 1996 (c.31).
6
Omit section 6 (designation of Chief Commissioner).
7
In section 7 (appointment of acting Commissioner)—
a
in subsection (1), for “a” in the first two places it occurs, substitute “the”;
b
omit subsection (3);
c
in subsection (4), for “a” in the second place it occurs, substitute “the”;
d
in subsection (5) for “Commission’s” substitute “Commissioner’s”;
e
omit subsection (6); and
f
in subsection (7)(d) omit “in respect of whom the acting Commissioner was appointed”.
8
For the cross-heading immediately before section 1 (establishment, members and functions of the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland) substitute—
The Commissioner
9
In section 8(1) (disqualification)—
a
for “a Commissioner” substitute “the Commissioner”; and
b
in paragraph (f), for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”.
10
In section 9 (terms of office and remuneration)—
a
in subsections (1) and (5), for “Each” substitute “The”;
b
in subsections (2) and (3), for “A” substitute “The”;
c
in subsection (6), for “each” substitute “the”; and
d
in subsection (9), for “a” substitute “the”.
11
In section 10(1) (pensions etc.)—
a
for “The Commission may, with the approval of the Parliamentary corporation,” substitute “The Parliamentary corporation may”; and
b
for “a” substitute “the”.
12
In section 11 (subsequent appointments etc. of former Commissioner)—
a
in subsection (1)—
i
for “a Commissioner” substitute “the Commissioner”;
ii
in paragraph (a), for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”; and
iii
in paragraph (e), for “a” substitute “the”; and
b
in subsection (2)(a), for “a” substitute “the”.
13
In section 12 (general powers)—
a
in subsection (1)—
i
for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”; and
ii
for “its” in both places it occurs, substitute “the Commissioner’s”;
b
in subsection (2), for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”;
c
in subsection (4)—
i
for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”; and
ii
from “it” to the end, substitute “, or on behalf of, the Commissioner in the performance of, or in connection with, the Commissioner’s functions.”; and
d
in subsection (5)—
i
for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”; and
ii
omit “by it”.
14
In section 13 (payment of witnesses’ expenses)—
a
for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”; and
b
for “it” substitute “the Commissioner”.
15
In section 14 (strategic plans)—
a
in subsection (1)—
i
for “Commission” in the first place it occurs, substitute “Commissioner”; and
ii
for “Commission and each Commissioner propose to perform their respective” substitute “Commissioner proposes to perform the Commissioner’s”;
b
in subsection (2)—
i
in paragraph (a), omit “Commission’s and each”; and
ii
in paragraph (b), for “Commission and each Commissioner propose” substitute “Commissioner proposes”;
c
in subsection (3)—
i
for “Commission” in the first place it occurs, substitute “Commissioner”; and
ii
in paragraph (b), for “Commission think” substitute “Commissioner thinks”; and
d
in subsections (5), (6) and (7), for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”.
16
In section 15 (procedure and validity of acts)—
a
omit subsections (1), (2) and (4);
b
in subsection (3), for “a” in both places it occurs, substitute “the”; and
c
in the title, for “Procedure and validity” substitute “Validity”.
17
In section 16 (delegation)—
a
omit subsections (1) and (2);
b
in subsection (3)—
i
for “a Commissioner” substitute “the Commissioner”;
ii
omit “the other Commissioner or”; and
iii
for “Commission’s” substitute “Commissioner’s”; and
c
in subsection (4)—
i
for “either of the Commissioners” substitute “the Commissioner”; and
ii
for “that” substitute “the”.
18
In the cross-heading immediately before section 12 (general powers), for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”.
19
In section 17 (staff)—
a
in subsection (1)—
i
for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”;
ii
omit “, for the purposes of section 1(7),”; and
iii
for “it” substitute “the Commissioner”; and
b
in subsection (2)—
i
for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”; and
ii
for “its” substitute “the Commissioner’s”.
20
In section 18 (advisors, assessors and other services)—
a
in subsection (1)—
i
for “Commission may obtain for itself or for a Commissioner” substitute “Commissioner may obtain”; and
ii
for “Commission” in the second place it occurs, substitute “Commissioner”; and
b
in subsection (2)—
i
for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”; and
ii
for “it” substitute “the Commissioner”.
21
In section 19 (accountable officer)—
a
in subsection (1)—
i
for “a Commissioner” substitute “the Commissioner”; and
ii
for “Commission’s” substitute “Commissioner’s”;
b
in subsection (2), for “Commission” in the three places it occurs, substitute “Commissioner”; and
c
in subsection (3)—
i
after “officer” in the first place it occurs, insert “is not the Commissioner and”; and
ii
in paragraph (a), for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”.
22
In section 20 (budget)—
a
in subsection (1)—
i
for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”; and
ii
for “its” substitute “the Commissioner’s”; and
b
in subsections (2), (3) and (4), for “Commission” in the four places it occurs, substitute “Commissioner”.
23
In section 21 (funding)—
a
in subsection (1)(a), for “each” substitute “the”;
b
in subsection (1)(b)—
i
for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”;
ii
for “its” substitute “the Commissioner’s”; and
iii
for “it” substitute “the Commissioner”;
c
in subsection (1)(c)—
i
omit “Commission and each”;
ii
for “it or, as the case may be, that” substitute “the”; and
iii
for “its or, as the case may be, that” substitute “the”; and
d
in subsection (2), for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”.
24
In section 22 (accounts and audit), for “Commission” in both places it occurs, substitute “Commissioner”.
25
In section 23 (location of office)—
a
for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”; and
b
for “Commission’s” substitute “Commissioner’s”.
26
In section 24 (sharing of premises, staff, services and other resources), for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”.
27
In section 25 (annual reports)—
a
in subsection (1)—
i
for “Commission” in the first place it occurs, substitute “Commissioner”;
ii
for “by the Commission and each of the Commissioners of their respective”, substitute “of the Commissioner’s”;
b
in subsection (2)—
i
for “functions of the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland” substitute “Commissioner’s functions under the Ethical Standards Act and the Parliamentary Standards Act”; and
ii
in paragraph (a), for “that” substitute “the”;
c
in subsection (3)—
i
for “functions of the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland” substitute “Commissioner’s functions under the Public Appointments Act”; and
ii
in paragraph (b), for “that” substitute “the”;
d
omit subsection (4); and
e
in subsections (6) and (7), for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”.
28
Omit section 26 (Commission and Commissioners to be subject to investigations by Scottish Public Services Ombudsman).
29
Omit section 27 (Commission and Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland to be subject to Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act).
30
In section 28 (interpretation of Part 1)—
a
omit the definition of “Commission”;
b
for the definition of “Commissioner” substitute—
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland,
“the Ethical Standards Act” means the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 7),
c
after the definition of “Parliamentary corporation” insert—
“the Parliamentary Standards Act” means the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002 (asp 16), and
“the Public Appointments Act” means the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4).
31
For the heading to Part 1 substitute—
THE COMMISSIONER FOR ETHICAL STANDARDS IN PUBLIC LIFE IN SCOTLAND
32
In section 29 (standardising and other enactments)—
a
omit subsection (7); and
b
after subsection (11) insert—
12
In this section, “the Ethical Standards Act”, “the Parliamentary Standards Act” and “the Public Appointments Act” have the same meanings given by section 28.
33
Omit section 30 (interpretation).
SCHEDULE 2Modifications to other enactments
The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000
1
The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 20004 is amended in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 8.
2
In section 9 (Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland to investigate breaches of codes)—
a
for “Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland” substitute “Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland”; and
b
in the title for “Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland” substitute “Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland”.
3
In the titles to section 10 and 11, for “Public Standards Commissioner” substitute “Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland”.
4
In section 12 (conduct of Public Standards Commissioner’s investigations)—
a
omit subsection (4); and
b
in the title, omit “Public Standards”.
5
In the titles to section 13 and 14, omit “Public Standards”.
6
Omit section 27 (protection from actions of defamation).
7
In section 28(1) (definitions), for the definition of “Commissioner” substitute—
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland;
8
In schedule 1 (the Standards Commission for Scotland)—
a
in paragraph 5A(1)(b), for the words from “be a member” to “in Scotland” substitute “be, or be an employee or appointee of, the Commissioner”; and
b
in paragraph 7(1), from “and the Commissioner” to the end, substitute “to exercise its functions.”.
The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 20029
In the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman Act 20025, in schedule 2 (listed authorities)—
a
for paragraph 21ZA substitute—
21ZA
The Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland in the performance of the Commissioner’s functions under the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (asp 7) and the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4).
b
omit paragraphs 32B and 32C.
The Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 200210
In the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 20026, in schedule 1 (Scottish public authorities)—
a
for paragraph 62ZZA substitute—
62ZZA
The Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland in the performance of the Commissioner’s functions under the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 (asp 4).
b
omit paragraph 75ZA.
The Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002
11
The Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 20027 is amended in accordance with paragraphs 12 to 15.
12
In section 3(1) (functions of the Commissioner), for “Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland” substitute “Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland”.
13
In section 16 (restriction upon disclosure of information)—
a
in subsection (1), for “Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (the “Commission”)” substitute “Commissioner”; and
b
in subsection (2)(a)—
i
omit “or Commission”; and
ii
omit “or, as the case may be, Commission”.
14
Omit section 17 (protection from actions of defamation).
15
In section 20 (interpretation), for the definition of “Commissioner” substitute—
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland;
The Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 200316
In the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 20038—
a
in section 2(1) (the Commissioner’s functions), for “Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland” substitute “Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland”; and
b
in section 20 (interpretation), for the definition of “the Commissioner” substitute—
“Commissioner” means the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland;
The Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 201017
In the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 20109, in schedule 5 (improvement of public functions: listed bodies), schedule 6 (Part 2 order-making powers (request and consent): listed bodies) and schedule 8 (information on the exercise of listed bodies: listed public bodies)—
a
for the entry “Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland” in each schedule, substitute “Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland”;
b
omit the entry “Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland” in each schedule; and
c
omit the entry “Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland” in each schedule.
The Public Records (Scotland) Act 201118
In the Public Records (Scotland) Act 201110, in the schedule (authorities to which Part 1 applies)—
a
for the entry “Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland” substitute “Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland”;
b
omit the entry relating to the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland; and
c
omit the entry relating to the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland.
The Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 201119
In the Public Services Reform (General Teaching Council for Scotland) Order 201111, in paragraph 4(c)(ii) of Schedule 2 (GTCS membership), for “Commission” substitute “Commissioner”.
SCHEDULE 3Transfer of staff, property and liabilities
Staff1
1
On the coming into force of this Order, each person who was, immediately before then, a member of the staff of the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (“the Commission”) transfers to and becomes a member of the staff of the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland (“the Commissioner”).
2
The contract of employment of a person who becomes a member of staff of the Commissioner by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)—
a
is not terminated by the transfer; and
b
has effect from the coming into force of this Order as if originally made between the person and the Commissioner.
3
Without prejudice to sub-paragraph (2)—
a
all the previous employer’s rights, powers, duties and liabilities under or in connection with the person’s contract of employment are, on the coming into force of this Order, transferred to the Commissioner; and
b
anything done by the Commission before then in respect of that contract or that person is to be treated from then as having been done by the Commissioner.
4
This paragraph does not prejudice any right of any person to terminate that person’s contract of employment if the terms and conditions of employment are changed substantially to the detriment of that person, but a change is not to be taken to have occurred by reason only that the identity of the person’s employer changes by virtue of this paragraph.
Property and liabilities2
1
On the coming into force of this Order, all property (including rights) to which, immediately before then, a previous body or officeholder was entitled and liabilities to which, immediately before then, a previous body or officeholder was subject transfer to and vest in the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
2
Sub-paragraph (1) has effect in relation to the property (including rights) and liabilities referred to in it despite any provision (of whatever nature) which would otherwise prevent, penalise or restrict their transfer.
3
In sub-paragraph (1), a “previous body or officeholder” means the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland, the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland or, as the case may be, the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
SCHEDULE 4Transitional and savings provisions
First appointment to the office of Commissioner1
1
The person who, immediately before this Order comes into force, holds office as the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland is, by operation of this sub-paragraph (and not section 1(2) of the Act) appointed as the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland on the coming into force of this Order.
2
An appointment under sub-paragraph (1) is for a period equal to that for which the person was appointed as the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland reduced by the time for which the person held that office.
Persons appointed by the Commissioner to provide advice, assistance or any other service2
An appointment made, or regarded as having been made, by the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland under section 18 (advisers, assessors and other services) of the Act that is current immediately before this Order comes into force is to be regarded as having been made under that section by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland on the same terms and conditions and with the approval referred to in subsection (3) of that section.
Undetermined processes3
1
When this Order comes into force, anything done or being done by or in relation to—
a
the Public Standards Commissioner for Scotland under—
i
the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 200012; or
ii
the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 200213;
b
the Public Appointments Commissioner for Scotland under the Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Act 200314; or
c
the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland under the Act,
is to be regarded, for the purposes set out in sub-paragraph (2), as done or being done by or in relation to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland.
2
Those purposes are the continuation of any process under one of those Acts begun but not determined or completed when this Order comes into force.
New Commissioner’s first budget4
1
Section 20(1) (budget) of the Act applies in respect of the financial year ending with 31st March 2014 with the modification set out in sub-paragraph (2).
2
For “before the start of each financial year” there is substituted “as soon as possible after the start of the financial year ending with 31st March 2014 and, in any event, before 30th September 2013”.
Laying of Commission’s last annual report5
If, when this Order comes into force, a report for the year beginning 1st April 2012 has not yet been laid before Parliament by the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland in accordance with section 25 (annual reports) of the Act, the report must instead be laid by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland before 1st November 2013.
New Commissioner’s first annual report6
1
Section 25 (annual reports) of the Act applies in respect of the report for the year beginning 1st April 2013 as if the amendments in paragraph 27(a)(ii), (b), (c) and (d) of Schedule 1 did not apply in relation to the period beginning 1st April 2013 and ending with 30th June 2013.
2
Accordingly, the report to be laid by the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland for the year beginning 1st April 2013 must also report on the performance by the Commission for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland and each of its Commissioners of their respective functions during the period beginning 1st April 2013 and ending with 30th June 2013.
(This note is not part of the Order)