PLENARY BUSINESS
Wednesday 25 May 2005
Time for Reflection: Canon Bill Anderson, St Francis
of Assisi Church, Aberdeen
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
Ministerial Statement:
Building a Health Service Fit for the Future
Executive Debate: 3rd Meeting,
World Youth Congress
Business Motion
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
Decision
Time
Members’ Business:
Debate on the subject of S2M-2553 Kenneth Macintosh: Action on Skin Disease
Thursday 26 May 2005
Parliamentary Bureau Motions
Scottish National Party Business
General
Question Time
First Minister’s Question Time
Themed Question Time
Enterprise,
Lifelong Learning and Transport
Justice and Law Officers
Stage 3 Proceedings:
Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill
Parliamentary
Bureau Motions
Decision Time
Members’ Business: Debate on the subject
of S2M-2770 Richard Lochhead: Proposed Closure of Rural and Special
Needs Schools in Aberdeenshire
COMMITTEES
The Equal Opportunities Committee will meet on 24
May 2005 at 10.00am in Committee
Room 4 to discuss: 1. Scottish Parliament Equality Framework: The Committee
will hear evidence from: Duncan McNeil MSP, Scottish Parliament Corporate Body
(SPCB); Levi Pay, Scottish Parliament Equalities Manager; Ian Macnicol, Scottish
Parliament Head of Personnel; and Rosemary Everett, Scottish Parliament Head
of Visitor & Outreach Services. 2. Gypsy/Travellers - Review of
progress:
The Committee will hear evidence from: Panel 1: Dr Gwynnedd Lloyd and Dr Pauline
Padfield, Scottish Traveller Education Programme (STEP); Dr Rafik Gardee and
Martha Kennedy, National Resource Centre for Minority Ethnic Health (NRCEMH);
and Dave Simmers, Traveller Education & Information Project (North East)
(TEIP); Panel 2: Assistant Chief Constable Allan Burnett, Association of Chief
Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS); and Inspector Ian Taggart, Grampian Police.
3. Mainstreaming equality in the work of committees of the Scottish
Parliament:
The Committee will consider an approach paper. 4. Disability inquiry: The Committee
will consider whether to take a future item on its approach to the disability
inquiry in private.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 7 June, it
is expected that the Committee will continue to take oral evidence on Gypsy/Travellers
- Review of progress. The Committee will also continue its inquiry into disability.
The Finance Committee will meet on 24 May 2005 at 10.00am in Committee Room
4 to discuss: 1. Budget Seminar: The Committee will consider a paper on its
Budget Seminar in March 2005. 2. Efficient Government: The Committee will
consider an approach paper on the future monitoring of the Efficient Government
initiative.
3. Health Committee post-legislative inquiry: The Committee will consider
an approach paper. 4. Family Law (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee
will
consider its draft report on the Financial Memorandum of the Family Law (Scotland)
Bill.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 14 June, it is expected
that the Committee will consider its approach to Stage 2 of the Budget Process;
its cross-cutting inquiry into deprivation; and a Committee away day. The
Committee will also discuss site visits it has made in connection with its
scrutiny of
Efficient Government. These site visits will take place on 7 and 21 June
2005. The Committee will continue to scrutinise Efficient Government and will
carry
out its inquiry into deprivation at subsequent meetings.
The Procedures Committee will meet on 24 May
2005 at 10.15am in Committee Room 2 to discuss: 1.
Sewel Convention: The Committee will consider its general approach to procedural
and policy issues raised in the inquiry, based on a summary of relevant
evidence. 2. Admissibility of public petitions: The Committee will consider options
for effecting a prohibition on the resubmission of recently closed petitions.
3.
Work programme: The Committee will consider options for its next main
inquiry and other prospective items of business.
Proposed future business
At
its
next meeting on 7 June, the Committee will agree its approach to a number
of the
issues raised in the Sewel Convention inquiry. The Committee will also
decide on a structure and timescale for a short inquiry on the procedures
in relation
to crown appointees and may consider a draft report on the admissibility
of public petitions.
The Subordinate Legislation Committee will meet on
24 May
2005 at 10.30am in Committee Room 6 to discuss: 1.
Delegated powers scrutiny: The Committee will consider a
response from the Executive on the delegated
powers provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.2.
Delegated powers scrutiny: The Committee will consider a
response from the Executive on the
delegated powers provisions in the Licensing (Scotland) Bill at Stage
1. 3. Protection of Children (Scotland) Bill: The Committee
will consider correspondence from the Deputy Minister for Justice, Hugh
Henry MSP. 4.
Prohibition of
Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will
consider correspondence
from the Deputy Minister for Justice, Hugh Henry MSP. 5.
Draft instruments subject
to approval: The Committee will consider the following:
the Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2003 (Amendment of Police (Scotland)
Act 1967) Order
2005
(SSI 2005/draft); the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 (Consequential Modifications
and
Amendments) Order 2005 (SSI 2005/draft); and the Mental Health (Safeguards
for Certain Informal Patients) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/draft).
6. Instrument subject to approval: The Committee
will consider the following: the Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions)
(Amnesic Shellfish
Poisoning)
(West Coast) (No.4) (Scotland) Order 2005 (SSI 2005/260). 7.
Instruments subject to annulment: The Committee will consider
the following: the Common Agricultural Policy Single Farm Payment
and Support Schemes (Scotland) Amendment Regulations
2005 (SSI 2005/257); the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland (Appointment
of Medical Commissioners) Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/261); the Mental
Health (Conflict of Interest) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/262);
the Additional
Support for Learning (Appropriate Agency Request Period and Exceptions)
(Scotland) Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/264); the Additional Support
for Learning (Changes
in School Education) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/265);
the Additional Support for Learning (Co-ordinated Support Plan) (Scotland)
Regulations 2005
(SSI 2005/266); the Additional Support for Learning (Publication
of Information) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/267); the St.
Mary’s Music School
(Aided Places) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/269);
and the Education (Assisted Places) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations
2005 (SSI 2005/270).
8. Instruments not laid before the Parliament: The
Committee will consider the following: the Water Environment and
Water Services (Scotland) Act 2003
(Commencement No.3) Order 2005 (SSI 2005/256); the Education (Additional
Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 (Commencement No.2) Order
2005 (SSI 2005/263);
and Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session Amendment No.7)
(Miscellaneous) 2005 (SSI 2005/268). 9. International conference:
The Committee will consider a proposal that the Parliament hosts
an international conference on the scrutiny
of delegated legislation.
Proposed future business
At its next meeting on 31
May, it is expected that the Committee will consider the Charities and Trustee
Investment (Scotland) Bill as amended at Stage 2.
The Enterprise and Culture
Committee will meet on 24 May 2005 at 2.00pm in Committee Room 1
to discuss: 1. Items in private: The Committee will consider whether to take
agenda item
5 at this meeting in private and whether to consider its approach
to fact-finding visits as part of its inquiry into business growth in private
at a future meeting.
2. Inquiry into business growth: The Committee will take evidence
from: Janet Brown, Head of Competitive Business and Clusters, and Terry Currie,
Director,
Small Business Services, Scottish Enterprise; Jackie Wright, Director
of Growing Businesses, Highland and Islands Enterprise; Ken Abernethy, Chief
Executive,
Argyll and the Islands Enterprise; and Ian Howie, Head of Business
Growth and Innovation Division, and John Ireland, Head of Analytical Services
Division,
Enterprise, Transport and Longlife Learning Department, Scottish
Executive. 3. Arts in the Community: The Committee will consider a response
from the Scottish
Executive to its 1st Report 2005: Report on Arts in the Community
(SP Paper 302). 4. Restructuring Scotland’s Tourism Industry: The Committee will
consider a response from the Scottish Executive to its 2nd Report 2005: Restructuring
Scotland’s Tourism Industry (SP Paper 305). 5. Internal
reviews in the BBC: the Committee will consider a draft report.
Proposed future business
At
its next meeting on 31 May, the Committee will take evidence on Scottish football
and business growth. The Committee expects to take further evidence on these
matters at subsequent meetings.
The European and External Relations Committee will meet on 24
May 2005 at 2.00pm in Committee Room 2 to discuss:
1. Inquiry into the Scottish Executive’s Fresh Talent initiative: The Committee
will take evidence from: Mike Johnstone, Managing Director, Sourcing Partnerships
Limited; Sylvia Halkerston, Scottish Food and Drink Federation; and Eric Stewart,
Managing Director, First Bus. 2. Annual Report: The Committee will consider
a draft of its Annual Report for 2004 -2005. 3. Promoting
Scotland worldwide:
An inquiry into the external relations policy, strategy and activities of the
Scottish Executive: The Committee will consider the response to its inquiry
report from the Scottish Executive. 4. Pre-and post-EU Council
scrutiny: The
Committee will discuss the agendas and information received from the Scottish
Executive on the following meetings of the Council of the EU: Forthcoming Councils:
Education, Youth and Culture Council, 23-24 May; Agriculture and Fisheries
Council, 30 May; Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs, 2-3
June; Justice and Home Affairs Council, 2-3 June; Competitiveness (Internal
Market, Industry and Research) Council, 6-7 June; ECOFIN Council, 7 June; and
Previous Councils: Competitiveness (Internal Market, Industry and Research)
Council, 18 April; Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, 21 April;
General Affairs and External Relations Council, 25-26 April; Agriculture and
Fisheries Council, 26 April. 5. Sift of EC/EU documents and
draft legislation:
The Committee will consider the latest list of EC/EU documents and draft legislative
proposals received for this meeting. 6. Transposition and
implementation of EU legislation in Scotland: The Committee will consider an update from the
Scottish Executive. 7. Convener’s Report: The Convener will update the
Committee on: the Letter from the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform,
Tom McCabe MSP, concerning the European Commission’s Second Implementation
Report on the 2003-2005 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines (BEPG); and the Letter
from the Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform, Tom McCabe MSP, to
the Convener of the Enterprise and Culture Committee, Alex Neil MSP on the
establishment of a First Secretary/Counsellor post in the People’s Republic
of China.
Proposed future business
On 7 June the Committee hopes to continue
to take oral evidence in its Inquiry into the Scottish Executive’s Fresh
Talent Initiative. The theme of the evidence session will be equal opportunities,
human rights and issues relating to immigration and asylum seekers.
The Health
Committee will meet on 24 May 2005 at 2.00pm in Committee Room 5
to discuss: 1. Items in private: The Committee will consider whether to take
agenda item
4 in private. 2. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider
the Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Scotland) Regulations 2005
(SSI 2005/243).
3. Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill: The Committee
will consider the Bill at Stage 2 (Day 2). 4. Work programme: The Committee
will consider
aspects of its forward work programme.
Proposed future business
At
its next meeting on 31 May, the Committee will continue consideration of the
Smoking, Health
and Social Care (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2. Specifically, the Committee
will consider Part 5, sections 24 to 30 on infection with hepatitis C as a
result
of NHS treatment, amendment of the Regulation of Care (Scotland)
Act 2001 and amendment of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. At
its meeting
on 7 June, the Committee will complete Part 5, considering sections
31 and 32 on joint ventures. The Committee will also consider sections 33 to
36 of
Part 6, and schedules 2 and 3. At its meeting on 14 June, the Committee
will consider Part 1 on the prohibition of smoking in certain wholly enclosed
places.
Finally, the Committee will consider Part 6, section 37 on commencement.
Deadlines for submission of amendments for these meetings is the Thursday before
the
meeting at noon (with the exception of the meeting on 31 May where
the deadline will be Tuesday 24 May at noon).
The Justice 2 Committee will meet
on 24 May
2005 at 2.00pm in Committee Room 4 to discuss:1.
Management of Offenders etc (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider a
draft Stage
1 report.
Proposed
future business
At its next meeting on 31 May, it is expected
that the Committee will consider further the draft report on the Management
of
Offenders etc (Scotland)
Bill and its draft report on Youth Justice Inquiry. The Committee
will continue to consider the draft report on the Management of Offenders
etc (Scotland)
Bill at subsequent meetings.
The Local Government and Transport
Committee will meet on 24 May 2005 at 2.00pm in Committee Room 6 to discuss:
1. Tendering
of Ferry Services in the Clyde and Hebrides: The Committee
will take evidence
from Dr Paul Bennett, Institute of Geography, University
of Edinburgh; and Professor Neil Kay, Economics Department, University of Strathclyde.
Proposed
future business
At its next meeting on 31 May, it is expected
that the Committee
will take oral evidence on the proposed tendering of ferry
services
in the Clyde and Hebrides and consider a draft Stage 1 report on the
Licensing (Scotland)
Bill. The Committee expects to continue considering its Stage
1 report on the Licensing (Scotland) Bill at subsequent meetings.
The Environment
and
Rural
Development Committee will meet on 25 May
2005 at
9.45am in
Committee Room 5 to discuss: 1. Water Environment and Water Services
(Scotland) Act
2003: The Committee will consider the Water Environment and Water Services
(Scotland)
Act 2003: Annual Report to the Scottish Parliament – 2004, and take evidence
from Lewis Macdonald MSP, Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development.
2. Subordinate legislation: Lewis Macdonald MSP, Deputy Minister for Environment
and Rural Development, to move motion S2M-2748 That the Environment and Rural
Development Committee recommends that the draft Water Environment (Controlled
Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005 be approved. 3.
Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Bill (in private): The Committee will consider a draft Stage 1 report.
Proposed
future business
At its next meeting on 1 June, it is expected that the Committee
will continue to consider its draft Stage 1 report on the Environmental Assessment
(Scotland) Bill and will receive an update from the Convener on European issues.
The Committee expects to take evidence on Phase 2 of its inquiry into rural
development at its subsequent meetings in June.
The Justice 1 Committee will
meet on 25 May 2005 at 9.45am in Committee Room 1 to discuss:
1. Family Law (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will take evidence at Stage 1
from the following
witnesses: Panel 1: Professor Eric Clive, School of Law,
University of Edinburgh; and Professor Paul Beaumont, School of Law, University
of Aberdeen; Panel 2:
Michael Clancy, The Law Society of Scotland; Morag Driscoll,
The Law Society of Scotland; John Fotheringham, The Law Society of Scotland;
and Anne McTaggart,
Family Law Association.
Proposed future business
At its next
meeting on 1 June, it is expected that the Committee will take oral evidence
in relation to the
Family Law (Scotland) Bill, from Gary Strachan, Alan Finlayson
OBE and Hugh Henry MSP, Deputy Minister for Justice. The Committee expects
to consider the
outcomes of its oral evidence sessions on the Family Law
(Scotland) Bill at subsequent meetings.
The Public Petitions Committee will
meet on 25 May 2005 at 10.00am in Committee Room 2 to discuss: 1.
New Petitions:
The Committee will consider the following new petitions: PE849 The establishment
of a sports
academy in the Scottish Borders - Kayleigh Boyd will
make a brief statement to the Committee in support of her petition accompanied
by Eilidh Hughes and
Robbie Stoddart; PE847 Public holidays to celebrate days
of importance, such as Burns Day and St Andrew’s Day - Iain Scherr will make a brief statement
to the Committee in support of his petition accompanied by Samantha Mungall
and Alexandra Gill; PE857 To ensure the adequate provision of Gaelic language
teachers; PE856 Urgent upgrade of the A90 trunk road between Tipperty and Balmedie
in Aberdeenshire in the interests of safety and the environment; PE848 Introduction
of legislation barring clergy from membership of the Freemasons; PE854 Introduction
of equitable public finance legislation in respect of all of Scotland’s
harbours. 2. The Committee will consider the
following petitions lodged by The New Party: PE835 To reduce income tax by three pence in the pound in order
to stimulate the Scottish economy and to commission a study to examine the
case for the introduction of a “flat Tax” structure; PE843 Introduction
of compulsory mediation for claims against the NHS in Scotland; PE844 Legislation
to require local authorities to sell council houses that have remained empty
for six months; PE845 A review of planning guidelines concerning planning permission
for housing developments; PE846 Establishment of a debt remedial service (DRS)
to consolidate and manage problem debts; PE851 To extend corporate responsibility
for the safe condition of public highways to the appropriate public authority
and to require latest standards in major road repairs; PE852 Funding of private
medical insurance for all Scottish citizens. 3.
Current Petitions: The Committee
will further consider the following current petitions: PE535 Inquiry into past
institutional child abuse - The Committee will consider a response from the
petitioner and the Scottish Information Commissioner; PE695 Accessible local
transport for disabled people - The Committee will consider a response from
the Scottish Executive; PE698 Introduction of a national policy for travelling
showpeople - The Committee will consider a response from the Minister for Communities;
PE717 Provision of adequate funding to allow organisations such as ISEA to
continue their work - The Committee will consider a response from the petitioner;
PE751 Inquiry into the procedures and practices of the Scottish Legal Aid Board
- The Committee will consider responses from the Scottish Legal Aid Board and
the Disability Rights Commission; PE773 Legislation for provision to offer
screening for Cardiomyopathy and other heart disorders - The Committee will
consider a response from the Minister for Health and Community Care; PE788
Legislation for the introduction of a national anthem for Scotland - The Committee
will consider a response from the Scottish Executive; PE800 Public inquiry
into windfarm construction and moratorium on windfarm developments - The Committee
will consider a response from the Scottish Executive.
Proposed future business
At
its next meeting on 6 June, the Committee will meet in Ayr. It is expected
that the Committee will consider petitions calling for the upgrade of the Southern
Section of the A77 between Ayr and Stranraer; a national policy in relation
to the teaching of singing and provision of vocal tuition for young people
in Scotland; the creation of a task force to integrate and develop Burns properties
resulting in a National Burns Heritage Trail; and clear guidance for local
authorities regarding the siting of telecommunication masts. The Committee
is also expected to give further consideration to current petitions calling
for review of the Scottish Executive’s culture and tourism policies regarding
Robert Burns; and review of guidance to local authorities and planning procedures
to safeguard the provision of playing fields and recreational open space.
The
Communities Committee will meet on
25 May 2005 at 10.30am
in Committee Room 6 to discuss: 1. Item in private: The Committee will consider
whether to take
item 4 in private, and whether to take items at future
meetings on its draft report on the Housing (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 in
private. 2. Subordinate
legislation: The Committee will consider the Fireworks
(Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2005 (SSI 2005/245). 3. Housing
(Scotland) Bill: The Committee
will take evidence at stage 1 from Malcolm Chisholm
MSP, Minister for Communities. 4. Housing (Scotland) Bill: The Committee will
consider
its approach to its
draft report on the Bill at stage 1.
Proposed future
business
At its next meeting on 8 June, it is expected that the Committee will
consider
its draft report
for the Housing (Scotland) Bill at stage 1.
The Education
Committee will meet on 25 May 2005 at 11.00am in Committee Room 4 to
discuss: 1. Early Years Inquiry:
The Committee will consider a summary of written
evidence and plan its approach to the inquiry and to witness sessions. 2.
Additional Support for Learning:
The Committee will consider the Scottish Executive’s
draft code of practice and take evidence from:
Euan Robson, Deputy
Minister for
Education and Young
People; Mike Gibson, Head of Additional Support
Needs Division; Robin McKendrick, Team Leader,
Additional
Support for Learning;
and John
Bissett, Team Leader,
Additional Support Needs.
Proposed future business
At
its next meeting on 1 June, the Committee plans
to consider
the subordinate
legislation
relating to the
Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland)
Act 2004 and will take further evidence in its
pupil motivation
inquiry.
Further
evidence
for the
pupil motivation inquiry will be taken at subsequent
meetings. The Committee is conducting an inquiry
into early years education
and
childcare and
will take evidence later in the year.
BILL TRACKER
Abolition of NHS Prescription Charges (Scotland) Bill (M): Stage 1 (lead committee
(Health)) 1 February 2005
Baird Trust Reorganisation Bill (P): Preliminary Stage
(Baird Trust Reorganisation Bill Committee) 3 May 2005
Charities and Trustee
Investment (Scotland) Bill (Ex): Stage 2 completed 4 May 2005
[em]Stage 3 amendments
may now be lodged with the Clerks to the Communities Committee [/em]
Council
Tax Abolition and Service Tax Introduction (Scotland) Bill (M): Stage 1 (lead
committee (Local Government and Transport)) 25 January 2005
Edinburgh Tram
(Line
One)
Bill (P): Consideration Stage (Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill Committee)
17 May 2005
Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Bill (P): Consideration Stage (Edinburgh
Tram (Line Two) Bill Committee) 18 May 2005
Environmental Assessment
(Scotland) Bill (Ex): Stage 1 (lead committee (Environment and
Rural Development)) 25 May 2005
Family Law (Scotland) Bill (Ex): Stage 1 (Finance Committee)
24 May 2005, Stage 1 (evidence, lead committee (Justice 1)) 25 May 2005
Further
and
Higher Education (Scotland) Bill (Ex): Passed 20 April 2005
Gaelic
Language (Scotland) Bill (Ex): Passed 21 April 2005
Housing (Scotland)
Bill (Ex):
Stage 1 (evidence, lead committee (Communities)) 25 May 2005
Licensing
(Scotland) Bill (Ex): Stage 1 (lead committee (Local Government
and Transport)) 31 May 2005
Management of Offenders etc. (Scotland) Bill
(Ex): Stage 1 (lead committee (Justice 2)) 24 May 2005
Prohibition of Female
Genital
Mutilation (Scotland) Bill (Ex): Stage 3 (debate, meeting
of the Parliament) 26 May 2005
Prohibition of Smoking in Regulated Areas
(Scotland) Bill
(M): Stage 1 Report (Health Committee) published
11 January 2005
Prostitution Tolerance Zones (Scotland) Bill (M): Stage 1
(lead committee (Local Government and Transport)) 12 April 2005
Protection of Children
and Prevention
of Sexual
Offences (Scotland)
Bill (Ex): Stage 2 completed 4 May 2005
[em]Stage
3 amendments may
now be
lodged
with the Clerks to the Justice 1 Committee [/em]
Smoking, Health
and Social Care (Scotland) Bill (Ex): Stage
2 (Day 2) (Health Committee) 24 May 2005
St Andrew’s Day Bank Holiday (Scotland) Bill (M): Introduced
19 May
Transport
(Scotland) Bill (Ex): Stage 2 completed
10 May 2005
[em]Stage 3 amendments may
now be lodged with the Clerks to the
Local Government and Transport Committee [/em]
Waverley
Railway (Scotland) Bill (P):
Preliminary Stage (Waverley Railway
(Scotland) Bill Committee) 1 June
2005
OTHER EVENTS
Cross-Party Group on the Scottish Economy: Wednesday 25 May at 1.00pm
Cross-Party
Group on Oil and Gas: Wednesday 25 May at 5.45pm
