Committee News
Issue 11, 31st October 2000
Despite the re-organisation of Ministerial departments, the committees of the Scottish Parliament remain the same at the moment. It is expected that plans will be made this week to re-organise committee membership following the cabinet reshuffle. These details will hopefully be available in time for next week’s Committee Brief.
Transport and Environment
Last week the Committee discussed amendments to the Transport Bill and resolved the thorny issue of maximum fares. This week the Committee will continue with Stage 2 of the Bill, and will also consider public petitions (on rape seed, the Skye Bridge and Wemyss caves) and the committee’s future inquiry into water and the water industry.
Rural Affairs
In its first meeting since recess, the Committee will take evidence on shellfish poisoning, take evidence on the budget from the Minister for Rural Development, and consider how they will take stage 2 evidence on the Salmon Conservation Bill. They will also consider petitions on angling and compensation for fish farmers, as well as a proposal for an agriculture inquiry and their report on the closure of the Islay Creamery.
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning
Last week the Committee considered a draft report on its inquiry into the SQA, and decided on who would be witnesses in Stage 1 of the Graduate Endowment Bill. This week the Committee will move on to hear evidence on that Bill, from Scottish Executive officials and the National Union of Students Scotland.
Finance
This week the committee will consider a report from Ken MacIntosh (LAB) on the Holyrood Project. It will also take evidence on the budget proposals for 2001/2002 from the body which oversees the daily running of the Parliament, the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body (SPCB). Finally, the committee will examine the financial implications of the Salmon Conservation Bill.
Audit
At its meeting last week the Audit Committee heard evidence from senior civil servants about the Holyrood building project. The Committee next meets on November 14.
Local Government
In the Committee’s first meetings since before recess, members will hear from Audit Scotland on statutory performance indictors, and take evidence on the budget from the Scottish Executive, Strathclyde University’s Professor Midwinter, and the Minister for Finance.
Education, Culture & Sport
The Committee continues its inquiry into the SQA, and a report is expected in November. In last week’s meeting the Committee heard evidence from the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, Stirling Council Student Forum and CoSLA, as well as the Former Head of Operations Unit in the Scottish Qualifications Authority.
The Committee met yesterday to take evidence from former Education Minister Sam Galbraith.
The Committee will meet again on Wednesday to hear evidence from Bill Morton and Billy MacIntyre of the SQA and to look at the budgeting process of the Education Department.
Procedures
Last week the committee took evidence from a variety of sources on private legislation – that is, Bills proposed by an external party. The Committee also looked at proposals for its Enquiry into the Application of the Consultative Steering Group Principles in the Scottish Parliament. The Committee meets again next week, on 7 November.
Equal Opportunities
The Committee has agreed to bid for Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) time to prepare a briefing on mainstreaming. The Committee will imminently appoint a reporter to assist in its Inquiry into Travelling People and Public Sector Policies.
This week the Committee will consider the Executive’s recent consultation ‘Sex Education in Scotland’s Schools’ (item postponed from last week).
European
In the first meeting since the recess today, the Committee will be discussing a draft report of its inquiry into European Structural Funds and Maureen MacMillan’s (LAB) report on the aquaculture industry.
Social Inclusion, Housing and the Voluntary Sector
On Wednesday the Committee meets for the first time since recess. They will take evidence from the Council of Mortgage Lenders on the Family Homes & Homelessness Bill, Mortgage Rights Bill and the Executive’s proposals for the Housing Bill. There will also be evidence from Jackie Baillie, the Minister now responsible for housing.
The Committee will also look at fuel poverty and houses of multiple occupation.
Standards
The committee last week approved cross-party groups on Nuclear Disarmament, Deafness, Disability and Cycling. It also agreed to produce a consultation paper on member’s interests, to be circulated to members.
The Committee next meets on November 21.
Health & Community Care
The Committee meets on Wednesday this week and hears from Health Minister, Susan Deacon on a range of topics, including the Sutherland report on long term care of the elderly, winter bed planning, hepatitis C and the budget. They will also discuss the appointment of an advisor for Stage 1 of the bill to regulate social care.
Justice & Home Affairs
The Committee meets today to discuss the remit of its Legal Aid Inquiry; consider attending STUC women’s conference; and examine a draft application for social partnership funding. It will also look at petitions on Enhanced Criminal Record Certificates and consider a draft report on the Protection of Wild Mammals Bill.
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