PLENARY BUSINESS
Wednesday 25 January 2006
Time for Reflection - Mrs Alison Twaddle, General Secretary of the Church of Scotland Guild
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
Stage 1 Debate: Abolition of NHS Prescription Charges (Scotland) Bill
Business Motion
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
Decision Time
Members’ Business – Debate on the subject of S2M-3825 Iain Smith: NHS Fife Waiting Times
Thursday 26 January 2006
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
The Clerk has been advised of the topics of the following Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party business
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: The East Coast Economy with special relevance to Transport Links
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Future Energy Policy
General Question Time
First Minister’s Question Time
Themed Question Time—
Finance and Public Services and Communities;
Education and Young People, Tourism, Culture and Sport
Stage 1 Debate: Budget (Scotland) (No.3) Bill
Ministerial Statement: Forestry
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
Decision Time
Members’ Business – Debate on the subject of S2M-3553 Jackie Baillie: The Thistle Travel Card Scheme
COMMITTEES
The Finance Committee will meet on 24 January 2006 at 10.00 am in Committee Room 1 to discuss:
1. Inquiry into Cost of Local Authority Single Status Agreement: The Committee will take evidence from—
Ian Drummond, Solicitor to the Council, Glasgow City Council; Brian Lawrie, Head of Finance and Asset Management, Fife Council and Gavin Whitefield, Chief Executive, North Lanarkshire Council;
and then from— Councillor Pat Watters, President and Rory Mair, Chief Executive, COSLA.
2. The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006: The Committee will take evidence on the regulations from— Stephen Body STUC; Tim Page, TUC and Dave Watson, Unison; and then from— Iain Moore, Head of Policy Unit; Paul McNulty, Head of Procurement Policy and Best Practice Branch and Josephine Mitchell, Senior Procurement Officer, Best Practice Unit, Scottish Executive.
3. Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider its approach to the scrutiny of the Financial Memorandum of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill.
4. Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider its approach to the scrutiny of the Financial Memorandum of the Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Bill.
5. Items in private: The Committee will decide whether to consider papers on future inquiries in private at its next meeting.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 31 January, it is expected that the Committee will take further oral evidence on the cost of the Single Status Agreement; consider the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 and take oral evidence on the Financial Memorandum of the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill. The Committee expects to continue to take evidence on its inquiry into the cost of the Single Status Agreement and to take evidence on various Financial Memoranda at subsequent meetings.
The Procedures Committee will meet on 24 January 2006 at 10.15 am in Committee Room 6 to discuss:
1. Review of Parliamentary Time: The Committee will take evidence, in an open forum discussion, from members, including— Patrick Harvie MSP; Margo MacDonald MSP; and Alex Neil MSP.
2. Motions and decisions: The Committee will consider a paper on possible minor changes to Chapter 8 and Chapter 11 of the standing orders.
3. Amendment of ASPs by UK subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider a letter from the Convener of the Subordinate Legislation Committee.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 8 February, the Committee will take further oral evidence on its Review of Parliamentary Time. It will also take oral evidence on its new inquiry on Consolidation Bills and consider a revised draft report on the Procedures relating to Crown appointments.
The Subordinate Legislation Committee will meet on 24 January 2006 at 10.30 am in Committee Room 5 to discuss:
1. Delegated powers scrutiny: The Committee will consider the delegated powers provisions in the following bill— Scottish Commissioner for Human Rights Bill at Stage 1.
2. Delegated powers scrutiny: The Committee will consider the delegated powers provisions in the following bill— Human Tissue (Scotland) Bill as amended at Stage 2.
3. Executive responses: The Committee will consider responses from the Executive to points raised on the following— the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/1); the Utilities Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/2); the Food Hygiene (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/3); the Older Cattle (Disposal) (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/4); and the Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Scotland) Amendment Rules 2006, (SSI 2006/5).
4. Draft instruments subject to approval: The Committee will consider the following—
the Transfer of Functions from the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority and the Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive to the West of Scotland Transport Partnership Order 2006, (SSI 2006/draft); and the National Bus Travel Concession Scheme for Older and Disabled Persons (Scotland) Order 2006, (SSI 2006/draft).
5. Instruments subject to annulment: The Committee will consider the following—
the Bail Conditions (Methods of Monitoring Compliance and Specification of Devices) (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/7); the Restriction of Liberty Order (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/8); the Mental Health (Recall or Variation of Removal Order) (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/11); the Mental Health (Form of Documents) (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/12); the Intensive Support and Monitoring (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/15); and the Feeding Stuffs (Scotland) Amendment and the Feeding Stuffs (Sampling and Analysis) Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/16).
6. Instruments not laid before the Parliament: The Committee will consider the following—
the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Commencement No.1) Order 2006, (SSI 2006/14).
7. Inquiry into the regulatory framework in Scotland (in private): The Committee will consider its draft report.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 31 January, it is expected that the Committee will consider Scottish statutory instruments and other documents subject to Parliamentary procedure. The Committee will also further consider its draft report in relation to its inquiry into the regulatory framework in Scotland.
The Equal Opportunities Committee will meet on 24 January 2006 at 11.00 am in Committee Room 4 to discuss:
1. Disability Inquiry: The Committee will take evidence from— Allan Wilson MSP, Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 7 February, it is expected that the Committee will continue to take evidence on its Disability Inquiry – Removing Barriers and Creating Opportunities.
The Enterprise and Culture Committee will meet on 24 January 2006 at 2.00 pm in Committee Room 6 to discuss:
1. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following negative instrument— the Fossil Fuel Levy (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/641).
2. Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill: The adviser will brief the Committee on part 1 (Bankruptcy) of the bill.
3. Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence on the general principles of part 1 (Bankruptcy) of the bill at Stage 1 from— Susan McPhee, Head of Social Policy and Public Affairs, and Beccy Reilly, Money Advice Consultant, Citizens Advice Scotland; and Yvonne Gallacher, Chief Executive, and Irene Mungall, Convener, Money Advice Scotland; Anne Bryce, Director of Insolvency, and Bruce Cartwright, Convener of the Insolvency Committee, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.
4. Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider issues emerging from the evidence session.
5. St Andrew’s Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will consider a proposal to commission external research.
6. Restructuring of the enterprise agencies: The Committee will consider its views on the proposed restructuring and reorganisation of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
7. Inquiry into business growth: The Convener will give an oral report of progress with the inquiry.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 31 January, the Committee will consider a draft report on its inquiry into business growth.
The Communities Committee will meet on 25 January 2006 at 9.30 am in Committee Room 1 to discuss:
1. Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence at Stage 1 from—
Graham U’ren, Director and Ann Faulds, Legal Associate Member, Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) in Scotland Richard Hartland, Chairman and Mick Stewart, Member, Scottish Society of Directors of Planning (SSDP) Andrew Robinson, Chairman, Scottish Planning Consultants Forum (SPCF).
2. Petitions: The Committee will consider the following petitions— PE906 by Murray Dickie, on behalf of Torbrex Community Council and PE907 by Fionn Stevenson, on behalf of Tayport Local Plan Action group on planning issues.
3. Petitions: The Committee will consider the inclusion of planning issues from previous petitions in its scrutiny of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 1 February, it is expected that the Committee will continue to take oral evidence on the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill.
The Education Committee will meet on 25 January 2006 at 10.00 am in Committee Room 2 to discuss:
1. Early years inquiry: The Committee will take evidence from— Panel 1 Ian McLaughlan, Chief Executive, Scottish Preschool Play Association; Mandy Mayo, Scottish Preschool Play Association; Maggie Simpson, Director of Childminding Development, Scottish Childminding Association; Panel 2 Gavin Fergie, Professional Officer, Community Practitioners and Health Visitors’ Association; Heather Gunn, Service Manager, Dundee City Council, Association of Directors of Social Work.
2. Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider a draft report.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 1 February, it is expected that the Committee will consider the final draft Stage 1 report of the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill in private; take oral evidence from the Care Commission and Minister for Education and Young People on its early years inquiry. The Committee expects to continue to take evidence on its early years inquiry and consider the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill at Stage 2 at subsequent meetings.
The Environment and Rural Development Committee will meet on 25 January 2006 at 10.00 am in Committee Room 6 to discuss:
1. Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider a draft Stage 1 report.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on Wednesday 1 February, it is expected that the Committee will take evidence on its inquiry into the Food Supply Chain, and a further draft Stage 1 report on the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Bill.
BILL TRACKER
Abolition of NHS Prescription Charges (Scotland) Bill (M)
Stage 1 (debate, meeting of the Parliament) 25 January
Stage 1 Report – Health Committee (1st Report, 2006)
Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Bill (Ex)
Stage 1 (lead committee (Environment & Rural Development)) 25 January
Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill (Ex)
Stage 1 (evidence, lead committee (Enterprise and Culture)) 24 January
Budget (Scotland) (No.3) Bill (Ex)
Stage 1 (debate, meeting of the Parliament) 26 January
Council Tax Abolition and Service Tax Introduction (Scotland) Bill (M)
Stage 1 Report (Local Government & Transport) to be published 24 January
Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill (P)
Consideration Stage (Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill Committee) 31 January
Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Bill (P)
Consideration Stage completed 21 December
Final Stage amendments may now be lodged with the clerks to the Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Bill Committee
Family Law (Scotland) Bill (Ex)
Royal Assent 20 January
Human Tissue (Scotland) Bill (Ex)
After Stage 2 (Subordinate Legislation Committee) 24 January
Stage 2 completed 17 January
Stage 3 amendments may now be lodged with the clerks to the Health Committee
Joint Inspection of Children’s Services and Inspection of Social Work Services (Scotland) Bill (Ex)
Passed 19 January
Local Electoral Administration and Registration Services (Scotland) Bill (Ex)
Stage 1 (Finance Committee) 24 January
Stage 1 (evidence, lead committee (Local Government & Transport)) 31 January
Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill (Ex)
Stage 1 (Finance Committee) 24 January
Stage 1 (evidence, lead committee (Communities)) 25 January
Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill (Ex)
Stage 1 Report (Justice 2 Committee) published 23 January
Scottish Commissioner for Human Rights Bill (Ex)
Stage 1 (Subordinate Legislation Committee) 24 January
Stage 1 (lead committee (Justice 1)) 1 February
Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill (Ex)
Stage 1 (lead committee (Education)) 25 January
St Andrew’s Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Bill (M)
Stage 1 (lead committee (Enterprise & Culture)) 24 January
Waverley Railway (Scotland) Bill (P)
Consideration Stage (Waverley Railway (Scotland) Bill Committee) 23 January
OTHER EVENTS
Monday 23 January 2006
Global Philanthropy, Committee Room 4, 15:00
Tuesday 24 January 2006
Children First Exhibition
Social Workers Reception, Garden Lobby, 18:00
Wednesday 25 January 2006
Children First Exhibition
09:00 Dragons' Den (Futures Forum), Chamber
17:30 Cross Party Group Buidheann Thar-Phartaidh na Gàidhlig – The Cross-Party Group on Gaelic Committee Room 4
Thursday 26 January 2006
Children First Exhibition
Linkliving, Committee Room 5, 12:00
Address by the Austrain Ambassador to the UK, Committee Room 2, 14:15
12:30 Cross Party Group Women Committee Room 4
13:00 Cross Party Group Epilepsy Committee Room 2
13:00 Cross Party Group The Scottish Economy
17:30 Cross Party Group Autistic Spectrum Disorder Committee Room4