56.This section requires the Accreditation Committee to comply with any direction issued to it by the Scottish Ministers. This could, for example, relate to the exercising of the committee’s functions or it could relate to a more administrative matter such as how the body is to keep its records. While the Scottish Ministers will therefore be able to direct the Accreditation Committee under this section, Qualifications Scotland itself will not be able to do so (see paragraph 13(3)(a) of schedule 1).
57.Directions given by the Scottish Ministers to the committee must be in writing and published as soon as reasonably practicable after being given. A direction may be varied or revoked by a subsequent direction. There is, however, an obligation on the Scottish Ministers to consult the committee before issuing a direction, unless that direction is merely revoking an earlier direction.
Overview of the Act Accountability of the Accreditation Committee Section 26 – Scottish Ministers’ power to direct the Accreditation Committee