Paragraph 5

after paragraph (1) insert–

“(1A)

Notification in writing of a decision and reasons shall be deemed to have been given to a person for the purposes of this rule where–

(a)

the Scottish Ministers and the person have agreed that decisions and reasons required under this rule to be given in writing may instead be accessed by that person via a website;

(b)

the decision and reasons are a decision and reasons to which that agreement applies;

(c)

the Scottish Ministers have published the decision and reasons on a website;

(d)

the person is notified, in a manner for the time being agreed between that person and the Scottish Ministers, of–

(i)

the publication of the decision and reasons on a website;

(ii)

the address of the website;

(iii)

the place on the website where the decision and reasons may be accessed, and how they may be accessed.”;

after paragraph (2) insert–

“(2A)

For the purposes of the previous paragraph an opportunity shall be deemed to have been afforded to a person where that person is notified of–

(i)

the publication of the decision and reasons on a website;

(ii)

the address of the website; and

(iii)

the place on the website where the decision and reasons may be accessed, and how they may be accessed.”.