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Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.) Order 2007

The Explanatory Notes refer to functions transferred to Scottish Ministers, "““for the purpose of preventing or detecting serious crime or, in circumstances equivalent to that, for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of any international mutual assistance agreement””." Nobody could disagree with that. However, will the Minister state categorically that this is not just a clarification but an absolutely necessary measure to make it clear what the Scottish Executive can and cannot do? Some years ago I was a Minister and had to answer a debate on telephone tapping, with the late Robin Cook. We took our duties very seriously to make absolutely certain that correct procedures should be followed. I note that the Home Secretary is entitled to set strategic priorities for the Serious Organised Crime Agency. Obviously, operational matters and strategic priorities have a relationship with each other. In dealing with the Scottish Executive on these matters, there should be clarity and goodwill as well as good working relations, with the stress on best practice. Everybody has a common interest in crime prevention. We hope that a meeting of minds will be possible between Her Majesty's Government and the Scottish Executive in the public interest.