This section makes provision for the interpretation of an Act or a Bill of the Scottish Parliament, or of subordinate legislation made, confirmed or approved or purporting to be made confirmed or approved by a member of the Scottish Executive.  The purpose of the section is to enable the courts to give effect to such legislation, wherever possible, rather than to invalidate it.  It is intended to ensure that the courts will not invalidate such legislation merely because it could be read in such as a way as to make it outside competence, such as outside the legislative competence of the Parliament or the competence of Scottish Ministers.  It provides that, in that case, such legislation is to be read as narrowly as is required for it to be considered to be within competence, if such a reading is possible.
Commentary Part V: Miscellaneous and General Purpose and Effect