Representation of the People (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2010

I also thank the Minister for his clear explanation of the regulations. They seem to be uncontroversial, and it is to be hoped that the Government will be able to expedite their enactment so that they indeed come into effect before the general election. In so far as they have any purpose, it appears that it is to simplify the arrangements for holding papers. So far as I can understand, there is no substantive change in the nature of the papers that will be retained by the returning officers and those that are held by sheriff clerks. It was stated, when the regulations were introduced in another place, that there had been difficulties with access and with the fees to be charged. I am not clear why there were difficulties, but it is important to be reassured that those difficulties have been addressed and in particular that the fees regulations to which the Minister referred are not intended to do more than cover reasonable costs. Local authorities are under considerable pressure, and one would not wish the public's free access to matters connected with elections, to which they would otherwise be entitled, to be in any way restrained by action that might be taken to raise funds from such matters. I assume that these things are handled by relatively few people and that the costs will be minimal. I hope to be reassured on that point.