Suspension and Variation of Standing Orders

That, subject to the Parliament’s agreement that the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill be treated as an Emergency Bill, the Parliament agrees:
(a) to consider the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill as follows: stage 1 on Wednesday 13 May 2020; stage 3 on Wednesday 20 May 2020;
(b) that, for the purposes of consideration of the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill at stages 1 and 2, paragraphs 5 and 6 of Rule 9.21 of Standing Orders be suspended and replaced with:
“5. The COVID-19 Committee shall consider, and report to the Parliament on, the general principles of the Bill. Once that Committee has reported on the Bill, the Parliament shall consider the general principles of the Bill and decide, on a motion of the member in charge of the Bill, whether to agree to those general principles. Any provisions in the Bill conferring powers to make subordinate legislation, or conferring powers on the Scottish Ministers to issue any directions, guidance or code of practice, are not required to be considered by the committee mentioned in Rule 6.11.
6. Stage 2 of the Bill shall be taken by the COVID-19 Committee. The committee mentioned in Rule 6.11 is not required to consider the Bill if it has been amended at stage 2 so as to insert or substantially alter provisions conferring powers to make subordinate legislation, or conferring powers on the Scottish Ministers to issue any directions, guidance or code of practice.”;
(c) that, under Rule 12.3.3B of Standing Orders, the COVID-19 Committee can meet, if necessary, at the same time as a meeting of the Parliament on Tuesday 19 May 2020 for the purpose of considering the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill at stage 2; and
(d) that, for the purposes of consideration of the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Bill, Rules 9.7.8.A and 9.7.8B of Standing Orders be suspended.