Scottish Government Considering 3 Options To Replace AALA

9th January 2012

The Scottish Government have launched a consultation process to determine the replacement for the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) in Scotland. Although the current Activity Centres (Young Persons' Safety) Act 1995 is UK wide legislation, the Scottish Government is of the view that the subject matter of the 1995 Act involves both devolved and reserved matters. Therefore, in order to be repealed, Scottish Parliament must be given the opportunity to provide its consent. There is therefore the ability for Scotland to develop an independent solution that will be different to the solution adopted in England and Wales.

This consultation paper sets out what the Scottish Government considers are possible options for creating a safe system for adventure activities in Scotland. It seeks the views of stakeholders and those with an interest in adventure activities to assist them in deciding what should be put in place to achieve what we want in Scotland.

The 3 options under consideration are:

1. Adopt the model being proposed by England, i.e. Replacing AALA with a voluntary Code of Practice which HSE will monitor and oversee
2. Develop a non-statutory accreditation scheme, i.e. Replace AALA with a voluntary inspection scheme that would give an element of assurance to users with compliance promoted and encouraged by the Scottish government
3. Develop a new statutory scheme with an increased scope of activities. This scheme would need to be largely self-financing.

Consultation commenced on Friday 6 January 2012 and will run for 12 weeks ending on 30th March.

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