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 1 - General principles
Committees examine the Bill and gather views. They produce reports before MSPs debate the Bill in the Chamber. MSPs then decide on the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
The Bill ended Stage 1 on 31 March 2022
Committee Examination
The lead committee for this Bill is the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Find out more about this committee
Timetable
Committee consideration of the Bill at Stage 1.
23 November 2021 (in private)
Briefing from the Scottish Parliament's Legislation Team, followed by
Briefing from the Scottish Government's Bill Team.
14 December 2021 (in private)
Consideration and agreement of approach to engagement on the Bill at Stage 1.
11 January 2022
Evidence session with Miners' representatives and academics, followed by
Evidence session with Police representatives.
8 February 2022
Evidence session with the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans.
22 February 2022 (in private)
Consideration of key issues and recommendations.
Submit your views
Those submitting evidence to the Committee should feel free to address any, or all, of the policy issues contained in the Bill.
It would be helpful if any written submissions could address the following questions:
- Whether the legislation is necessary or whether an alternative approach should be considered.
- Your views on Section 1 of the Bill which limits the pardon to picketing/demonstration and connected travel.
- Your views on Section 2 of the Bill which details the range of offences which are covered by the pardon.
- Whether previous or subsequent convictions should disqualify a miner from receiving a pardon.
- Any other comments you have regarding the Bill
The call for views closed on Friday 14 January 2022.
Who spoke to the lead committee of the Parliament
MSPs met with people in committee meetings to discuss what the Bill will do.
Minutes of 23 November 2021 (private)
Minutes of 14 December 2021 (private)
Minutes of 11 January 2022
Minutes of 8 February 2022
Minutes of 22 February 2022 (private)
Minutes of 8 March 2022 (private)
Meeting on 11 January 2022
Engagement
Other ways the committee heard views and experiences
1 February 2022 (in private)
Informal engagement hearing from individuals with lived experiences of the 1984-85 miners' strikes.
Correspondence
Committee correspondence sent and received while the Bill progressed through Parliament
Work by other committees
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Committee report
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
Debate
MSPs debate the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
Minutes of proceedings (136KB, pdf) posted 31 March 2022
Meeting on 31 March 2022
Vote
MSPs vote on the general principles of the Bill.
Meeting on 31 March 2022
Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill
- Submitted by: Keith Brown, Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Scottish National Party.
- Date lodged: Tuesday, 29 March 2022
- Motion type: Motion For Debate
- Motion reference: S6M-03864
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 31 March 2022