Scottish Parliament Committee News
Issue 112, 18th November 2003

 

Audit Committee
The Committee considered a paper on its consideration of joint reports by the Accounts Commission and the Auditor General for Scotland (AGS).  It agreed that, in taking evidence from local authority representatives in relation to Joint Reports of the Accounts Commission and the AGS, the Committee’s interest will focus on the performance of local authorities on a national basis.

The Committee also took evidence on its Inquiry into the AGS Report on the Scottish Further Education Funding Council.

Lastly, the Committee considered and agreed a proposed submission to the Conveners’ Group seeking approval for members of the Audit Committee to undertake visits to the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons, the Audit Committee of the National Assembly of Wales and the Public Accounts Committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly.

 

Communities Committee
The Committee heard evidence from Deputy Communities Minister, Mary Mulligan, on the planning and compulsory purchase scheme.  This is UK legislation, but it is coming before Parliament on Thursday.  It also considered a paper on its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill.

 

Education Committee
At its last meeting, the Committee took evidence on the principles of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill.                                                        

 

Environment and Rural Development Committee 
The Committee has agreed its approach to mainstreaming equalities into its work.  It also, at its meeting last week, heard evidence on the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill, considered a draft report on its National Waste Plan Inquiry and considered subordinate legislation on agricultural holdings, horticultural produce and inshore fishing.

 

Equal Opportunities Committee
Last week, members took further evidence on civil partnerships.

 

Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Monday and Tuesday last week.  On Monday members were in Motherwell Civic Centre as part of the Scottish Parliament’s agenda of widening access to the parliamentary process.  The Committee considered the Budget process 2004-05 and took evidence from Deputy Minister for Finance & Public Services, Tavish Scott, as well as Richard Dennis and Richard Wilkins of the Finance and Central Services dept, Scottish Executive.

On Tuesday, the Committee was back in Edinburgh and considered the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill taking evidence from a number of people involved in nature conservation in Scotland.

Members also considered the Criminal Procedure (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill and took evidence on the Bill's Financial Memorandum from Wilma Dickson, Head of Criminal Procedures Division, Tom Fyffe, Bill Team Member and Sharon Grant Community Justice Services, all Scottish Executive.  

 

Health Committee
The Committee considered Subordinate Legislation, looking at negative instruments on the NHS (Travelling Expenses and Remission Charges), the Collagen and Gelatine (Intra-Community Trade) Scotland Revocation Regulations 2003 and the Feeding Stuffs (Scotland) Amendment No3 Regulations 2003.

 

Justice 1 Committee
Justice 1 took evidence via video link on the European Commission’s green paper on alternative dispute resolution.  The Committee also considered a note from the Scottish Executive on European regulation on parental responsibility.

 

Justice 2 Committee
Justice 2 began its work on the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill by considering its approach to the Bill and agreeing on witnesses to be called.  It was also agreed that the Committee would hold a seminar early next year to plan its proposed Inquiry into youth justice.  Finally the Committee agreed its draft report into the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Bill.

 

Local Government and Transport Committee
The Committee took evidence on the condition of
Scotland’s roads from officials from Perth and Kinross Council and Moray Council. Officials from Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire and Highland Councils gave evidence on the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill.

 

Public Petitions Committee
A somewhat bizarre meeting last week.
  Advice from the Parliament’s lawyers on the issue of the education of children at Dungavel stated that it is a matter for the Home Office.  This prompted SSP and the SNP to table a motion to ignore the advice and demand the closure of the centre anyway.  Labour members tabled a motion to accept the advice.

In the end, a compromise motion was agreed to.  The Committee will now send the advice to the Home Office, outlining their concerns and asking for a response.

 

Subordinate Legislation Committee
The Committee considered the delegated powers provisions in the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Bill. It also considered the Executive response to the Scottish Legal Aid Board (Employment of Solicitors to Provide Criminal Legal Assistance) Amendment Regulations 2003.

 

Other Committee Homepages:

Enterprise & Culture Committee
European and External Relations Committee
Procedures Committee
Standards Committee

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