West Scotland MSP Jamie Greene has secured a meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Mr Michael Matheson MSP, over the Air Weapons and Licensing Act after raising in Parliament and in local press that its implementation was having a negative effect on businesses in North Ayrshire.
Jamie Greene MSP had been in contact with Saltcoat’s business ‘Jay’s Wedding Cars’ over the damaging effects the Air Weapons and Licensing Act is going to have on wedding and private car hire operators across Scotland as it added extra burden on the licensing implications of those businesses.
The meeting comes after writing to the Scottish Government on numerous occasions and directly questioning Nicola Sturgeon during an FMQ session about the problem.
The meeting will also be attended by Shadow Justice Secretary Douglas Ross MSP.
Mr Greene commented: “I’m delighted to be able to have this meeting with the Scottish Government to have a chance to stand up for a local business. This has been a long and drawn out process trying to get the Scottish Government to listen to the concerns of Mr Jay but we’re finally in a position to mitigate the effects of this legislation on Saltcoats.”
“The Scottish Conservatives voices concerns over this Bill in the previous term of parliament, not because of its aims on licensing firearms, but on the many other aspects of the Bill which affects a whole range of industries who require to be licensed. We said it might have unintended consequences for innocent businesses. It’s time for the Scottish Government to listen to some of the real concerns that local businesses have and advise them on the best course of action. ”
