Scottish Adviser Opposes AALA Abolition Plans

9th November 2011

Nigel Marshall, Chair of the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education has described plans to abolish the AALA regulatroy scheme with a voluntary code as "a negative step"

The Health and Safety Executive consultation process on the plans ended in September but the situation in Scotland is different to England and Wales in that this is a devolved issue. This means that the Scottish government can come up with separate proposals if it is not happy with the post-AALA regulatory plans.

Mr Marshall said: "The real concern is that the code of practice will not reassure parents. To abolish inspection and to do away with any sort of monitoring is a negative step and it's a position we're not comfortable with." He added: "This is a perception thing. We really have to maintain the perception that outdoor learning is a safe thing. It's beneficial - it's a great thing for young people. Everybody gets so much out of it, and we want to continue with that."

Scottish Sports Minister said: "Changes were brought in for a good reason and we need to make sure that whatever replaces it is as robust..... If people don't feel confident then that could be very damaging to the sector."

Source: BBC Scotland