Committee News

Issue 6, 12^th September 2000

Rural Affairs Committee

The main item on the agenda is Stage 1 of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill. Last week the Committee decided to take two more weeks to consider the 3780 pieces of evidence already received on the Bill. Mike Rumbles (Lib Dem) argued for an immediate dropping of the Bill, but Committee members agreed that respect should be given to the evidence already received.

The Committee has also agreed to work with the Health & Community Care Committee about the possibility of an inquiry into dental services in rural areas.

On Tuesday the Committee will discuss Stage 2 amendments on Tavish Scott’s (Lib Dem) Sea Fisheries Bill, and Rhoda Grant’s (Lab) report on Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning.

European Committee

Amidst the normal discussions of fisheries and structural funds, the Committee was more than usually exercised when talk turned to football and the implications of the European Commission’s proposals for transfer fees. Next week there will be evidence from the SPL, SFA etc leading to a submission to the Executive about the implications of this issue for Scottish football.

Subordinate legislation Committee

The only debate of substance last week concerned the delegated powers in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill. Fergus Ewing (SNP) continued to pursue his concern about the theoretical ability of quangos to survey him. The issue, however, did not arise in the Stage 3 debate last Thursday.

Standards Committee

The committee last week appointed a Standards Adviser. This will ensure a proper professional mechanism for investigating complaints, based on sound investigation and sound evidence.

This week the Committee will receive the results of a survey on lobbying in the Parliament. This will inform discussion leading to clear guidelines both for Parliamentarians and for those wishing to lobby.

Health & Community Care Committee

The Committee is coming to the end of taking evidence in its inquiry into community care. Last week was dominated by the issue of care for older people and the Sutherland Report. This week evidence comes from users, carers & advocates of mental health services, and GPs.

Audit Committee

In its first meeting since June, the Audit Committee will discuss arrangements for its inquiry into the Holyrood Project in advance of the publication of the Auditor General for Scotland’s report on the Project. The committee will also consider its draft report on the Agricultural Business Improvement Scheme.

Local Government

At last week’s meeting, the Committee heard evidence from Frank McAveety on the Executive’s response to the McIntosh report and, in particular, quizzed the minister on the issue of council employees becoming councillors and local government finance. Evidence was also taken from COSLA on local government requirements for 2001/2004.

Transport and Environment Committee

Genetically Modified Organisms: Last Wednesday the Committee heard more evidence on GMOs, from the Scottish Crop Research Institute, one of the agricultural research bodies funded by the Scottish Executive.

Justice & Home Affairs Committee

Justice continues to have a heavy agenda. Last week’s meeting included the following:

• Discussion with Ministers about forthcoming work. The contentious issue of private sector involvement in the prison service was raised, and this is likely to provoke debate in the future. The forthcoming white paper on family law was also highlighted, including the measures to allow fast-track divorce.
• Domestic Violence Bill. The Committee is proceeding with this legislation, with Maureen Macmillan (Lab) as reporter. It is proposed to introduce interdicts, with arrest for those breaching them, to protect people where there is an ongoing pattern of severe abuse, whether inside marriage or not. Finer details are still to be discussed.
• Legal Aid inquiry. This is at the outset, but could well raise wider issues of overall access to justice.

This week’s agenda includes:

• Warrant Sales – timetabling for stage 2 of the bill.
• Prisons – evidence from the Chief Inspector following his report in the summer.
• Leasehold Casualties – the Executive is not opposing the Bill co-sponsored by Adam Ingram (SNP) and Pauline McNeill (Lab). This will abolish another archaic remnant of land and property law whereby the holders of certain titles are entitled to occasional payments for no apparent reason. Concerns have been expressed about the proposal to pay such people compensation, but it is believed that this is necessary to comply with the ECHR.

As well as the ECHR, forthcoming work will include land reform and freedom of information.

Procedures Committee

Procedures Committee faces a colossal agenda this week which includes such diverse matters as subordinate legislation procedure, a Convenors’ Liaison Group, changes to committee standing orders, and amendments to and timetabling of bills. There is also a paper on private legislation (bills proposed by an external party in excess of the general law – recent examples include the Church of Scotland varying its trust provisions and Lerwick Harbour Trust extending the harbour boundaries.)

Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Committee

The committee will this week hold an e-seminar during its meeting, as part of its inquiry into the impact of the New Economy Inquiry. This will involve some e-business entrepreneurs in a round table discussion with Committee members.

The meeting will also hear Committee members reports on their recent case study visits as part of the enquiry into the New Economy, on the new economy in traditional industries, on the oil and gas industry, on electronics and software and in remoter areas.

The meeting will also agree the Committee’s remit and work programme for the Inquiry into the SQA.

Education, Culture and Sport Committee

In agreeing the remit for their inquiry into the school exam results, it was agreed to consider whether the implementation of Higher Still was contributory to difficulties encountered this year.

On the issue of calling Brian Wilson MP and Helen Liddel MP as witnesses, written evidence will be asked for first, before considering the value of calling them as witnesses. The committee is expected to report by early November at the latest. To read the full remit, click here.

Equal Opportunities Committee

In response to evidence given by witnesses from the travelling community last session, the Committee will consider a draft remit for an inquiry into Travelling People and Public Sector Policies.

Also on the agenda is the issue of single sex schools, with reference to Notre Dame High School. Labour members are keen to look at the issue in the wider context of gender performance in schools.

Social Inclusion, Housing & Voluntary Sector Committee

Following evidence from Angus Mackay last week, the committee will consider a draft report for their inquiry on drug abuse.

They will also take evidence from Shelter and the Scottish Council for Single Homeless on Robert Brown’s Family Homes and Homelessness Bill, Stage 1 of Cathie Craigie’s Mortgage Rights Bill and the proposed Housing Bill. Shelter argue that Robert Brown’s bill is largely covered by either Cathie’s bill or the Executive’s, but they would like to amend the proposed Housing Bill by adding section 6 from the Family Homes and Homelessness Bill, concerning appeals to the sheriff court.

Finance Committee

The Committee will meet briefly this week to discuss financial implications of the Transport Bill.

[ HOME ] [ News ] [ Articles ] [ Calendar ] [ Contacts ] [ Links ] [ E-Mail ]

[ Copyright ] [ Open Government ] [ Scottish Parliament ]

Previous Page