Committee News
Issue 2, 26th June 2000
Finance
This week’s big news from the Finance Committee is the publication of their report on the Executive’s annual expenditure document, Investing in You.
The Committee has welcomed the Executive’s intention to consult on its budget process but has "significant concerns about the effectiveness of the consultation process this year."
The Committee believes that the autumn budget process review should encompass a far-reaching look at what the purpose of the document should be and, in light of this, what information needs to be contained within the document.
The Finance Committee debate in the Chamber on Wednesday afternoon will concentrate on the findings of this report, which is available via the hyperlink: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/whats_happening/news-00/cfin00-019.htm
Audit
The Audit Committee are meeting this week and are taking evidence on the Auditor General’s Report on the Agricultural Business Scheme (ABIS).
Rural Affairs
Following the Rural Affairs Committee consideration of the National Parks Bill, the Committee have returned to their ongoing inquiry into changing employment patterns.
This week’s meeting will consider a report from Elaine Murray MSP outlining a possible response to the Digital Scotland Taskforce Report.
Transport and Environment Committee
The Committee continued taking evidence on Stage 1 of the Transport (Scotland) Bill, with contribution from a number of business organisations last week. Some concerns were raised by these organisations on the principle of congestion charging and their interpretation of the impact that would have on business. The Committee will take evidence from a variety of environmental organisations and trade unions this week.
The Committee will also consider Genetically Modified Organisms and written submissions on concessionary transport. Both these items will be taken in private.
Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee
The Committee last met on the 14th June where they considered the economic dimension of the Transport (Scotland) Bill, and took evidence from business organisations and the STUC. Whilst the business organisations showed some concern towards the issue of road user charging, there was a general acceptance that the Just-In-Time model for logistics means that congestion on Scotland’s roads is a significant cost to business. There was, however, widespread opposition to the principle of workplace parking charges.
This week the committee will consider a draft report on its consideration of the Transport (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 and the appointment of an adviser to assist with its inquiry into the impact of the new economy. Both these items will be taken in private.
The committee will also consider its progress with its investigation on fuel prices.
Procedures
Donald Gorrie’s paper - calling inter alia for longer speeches and a record of occasions when members are not called to speak - won some sympathy from Murray Tosh. After discussion it was referred to the Bureau.
Members of the Committee noted with concern the huge number of Parliamentary Questions submitted by certain members. It was agreed to offer training for researchers on alternative sources of the information they are looking for.
European
The Committee has been considering the European Water Framework Directive. This has been an issue for many years. Essentially the Directive seeks to license water extraction, a vital issue in countries where water is scarce. Exemptions were proposed for areas (such as the Scottish Highlands) with high rainfall. Recently the European Parliament removed this exemption, the Council of Ministers have reinstated it, and the whole issue is now in what is called the "conciliation procedure." There is a race to settle the matter before France takes over the EU Presidency this week. The European Committee supported the Council’s action in reinstating the high rainfall exemption.
The Committee is still considering in private its report on the implementation of structural funds.
Health & community care
Evidence was heard from Northern Ireland on the benefits for community care of an integrated model combining health and social work services in one trust. It was noted, though, that integration occurred many years ago on paper and is only now becoming real on the ground.
Local Government
The committee met yesterday in Glasgow to take evidence from the following trade unions: STUC, GMB, TGWU, UNISON, UCATT, AEEU, and EIS. The broad purpose of this meeting was to hear from employees within local government on current issues. After discussion with the STUC, the unions are expected to address the following issues: Best Value, housing stock transfer and staff transfer, McIntosh report, PFI and PPP and education issues.
The committee also considered a report from Frank McAveety on the outcomes of the Scottish Executive’s consultation on the McIntosh Report. The Minister has offered to attend the committee to present the report, and is expected to attend in September. The Executive response can be read by clicking on: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library2/doc04/ser-00.htm
Post-consultation, the Executive have also addressed the issue of directly-elected mayors, concluding that, at present there is a lack of demand and they have no immediate plans to develop this idea. The Executive have also stated that the issue of eligibility of council employees to become councillors will be addressed in any future local government legislation.
Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector
The committee met yesterday and took evidence on their inquiry into Drug Misuse and Deprived Communities from Greater Glasgow DAT and Ayrshire and Arran Primary Care NHS Trust.
Equal Opportunities
Today, the committee will take evidence from Jim Wallace on the Executive reports The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: an action plan for Scotland and Towards a Just Conclusion.
The Scottish Office consultation document Towards a Just Conclusion described the help currently given to intimidated and vulnerable witnesses and proposed recommendations. The Executive responded on Friday in the Towards a Just Conclusion Action Plan, which presents the results of the Scottish consultation, provides information about the progress which has been made to date, and sets out a timetable for the achievement of the remaining recommendations. The Action Plan includes a response to the recommendation: "That all those involved in the criminal justice process participate in the preparation of national standards for witnesses in Scotland, including seeking information about the training provided in witness care. (Recommendation 18)". The Executive will consult with relevant interests on the content of a National Strategy for Victims, with a timescale of autumn 2000. To read both documents click below:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library/documents-w3/tajc-00.htm
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library2/doc16/tjcap-00.asp
The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry: an action plan for Scotland responds to recommendations by the Macpherson Report. To read the action plan please click on:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library2/doc01/sli-00.htm
Education, Culture and Sport
The committee continues taking evidence for their Special Educational Needs Inquiry, this week from Independent Special Educational Advice, the Forum on Scottish Education, the GTC and from the Inclusion Group. The committee will also consider reports from Jamie Stone on issues facing rural schools and from Cathy Peattie on petition 175 about school closures in Argyll and Bute.
The committee will also discuss the written evidence they have received for their Schools Infrastructure Inquiry with their advisors Professor Rob Ball and Dr Maryanne Heafey in private.
Justice and home affairs
The Committee considered amendments at stage 2 to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill.
A debate is ongoing regarding the point at which evidence of surveillance is destroyed. In order not to disclose techniques then you must never disclose any surveillance targets, even those who were wrongly under surveillance. The SNP want all people who have been surveyed to be automatically informed afterwards. The Committee want to ensure that they have dealt with this thoroughly before stage 3, and the minister is willing to discuss the matter further.
The Executive position has been revised on the granting of authorisation for surveillance. The wording has been changed so that the person granting surveillance should be ‘satisfied’ rather than ‘believe’ that the surveillance warrant is justified - the committee felt that the new word was a stronger test.
Questions have been raised around a catch-all power for Scottish ministers to authorise surveillance, given that the ECHR allows such things as surveillance for the ‘protection of morals.’ Angus Mackay has given reassurance on this.
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