Committee News
Issue 12, 7th November 2000
As a result of last week’s business motions, all Committees except for Justice & Home Affairs have new members. Changes in personnel are in Italics at the end of each section.
Rural Affairs
Last week the Committee heard evidence on shellfish poisoning and on the 2001/02 Budget proposals. Elaine Murray (LAB) and Richard Lochhead (SNP) were appointed reporters on the budget proposals.
The Committee agreed to take oral evidence on the Salmon Conservation Bill and agreed a draft research proposal in support of an Agricultural Inquiry. The committee’s report into the impact of the closure of the Islay Creamery is now in draft form and constituency and regional list MSPs for the area are being consulted.
This afternoon the Committee will carry on it’s work on the Salmon Conservation Bill, hearing a final set of witnesses and considering their conclusions. Last week media coverage alleged that the Bill was not compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights. The Parliamentary authorities and the Presiding Officer have, however, attested to the fact that the Bill is in fact ECHR compliant, and issues relating to the exercise of private rights will be considered in the context of any regulations proposed under the Bill. The Committee will also look at their draft reports on the impact of the closure of the Islay Creamery and the Scottish Executive Budget Proposals.
Fergus Ewing (SNP) and Duncan Hamilton (SNP) this week take places on the Rural Affairs Committee, vacated by Irene McGugan (SNP) and Alasdair Morgan (SNP)
Transport & Environment
In last week’s committee, it was agreed to write to the Scottish Executive inviting Ministers to consider the issue of oil seed crushing.
The Committee has agreed to hold a two stage inquiry into Water and the Water Industry. Stage 1 (December – March) is to look into EC water directives, the Water Commissioner, the Executive’s consultation "Managing Change in the Water Industry", investment and funding. Stage 2 is to address the implications of the EC Water Framework Directive. An advisor is to be appointed and oral evidence will be taken in the North. A fuller remit is to be published shortly.
On Wednesday morning, the Committee will take it’s fourth session of amendments to the Transport (Scotland) Bill, including the controversial workplace charging proposals which are expected to be dropped by the Executive. There will also be further consideration of the terms of reference for the Committee’s inquiry into water and the water industry.
Bruce Crawford (SNP) & Fiona McLeod (SNP) this week officially replace Kenny McAskill (SNP) and Linda Fabiani (SNP) as Committee members.
Education, Culture & Sport
Last week the Committee took evidence from SQA officials for the SQA inquiry and met to agree the questions that the Committee would submit regarding the advice given to Ministers by civil servants which relates to the SQA.
This Wednesday the Committee will consider a paper on themes and issues arising from the inquiry, but will also work on other business, including its forward programme of work and the appointment of a contact for the ongoing research project into consultation with children and young people.
Fiona McLeod (SNP) leaves the Committee this week to be replaced by Irene McGugan (SNP).
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning
Last week the Committee gave thorough scrutiny to the Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Department’s budget, and heard its first oral evidence on the Graduate Endowment Bill.
The Executive made representations to the Committee to indicate that the Graduate Endowment Bill was to be withdrawn and re-submitted in order to bring forward drafting changes. The Committee agreed to this, but noted that while this was preferable to the Executive submitting a raft of amendments at Stage 2, it was important that the Bill should be implemented by the start of the 2001-2 academic year, in order to provide the maximum support for students entering education next year.
This week the Committee meets on Wednesday morning to consider its draft report on the SQA inquiry and to discuss the implication of changes to the Graduate Endowment Bill. The Committee will also consider its response to last week’s evidence from the Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning on the Enterprise & Lifelong Learning department’s budget.
John Home Robertson (LAB) will join the Committee this week, in place of Allan Wilson (LAB).
Finance
As widely reported in the press, last week the Committee heard from the Parliament’s Chief Executive Paul Grice and Ken Macintosh MSP on the Holyrood Project. The outcome was broadly that it was still possible for the new Parliament building project to go over-budget.
The Committee then agreed to the expenditure required by the Salmon Conservation Bill, and heard a presentation from Professor Arthur Midwinter on the external research that the Committee has commissioned into public spending after devolution.
At the next meeting of the Committee on 14 November, Alex Neil (SNP) will replace John Swinney (SNP).
Audit
Lloyd Quinan (SNP) replaces Andrew Wilson (SNP) on the committee. The Committee meets next on 14 November.
Social Inclusion, Housing & Voluntary Sector
On its meeting on Wednesday the Committee will consider petition PE242 by Action of Churches together in Scotland, Scottish Refugee Council and Amnesty International concerning asylum seekers. It will consider its report into stage 1 of the Family Homes and Homelessness (Scotland) Bill along with a further draft report of its inquiry into Drug Misuse and Deprived Communities. In last week’s meeting, the Committee approved the draft Stage 1 report on the Mortgage Rights (Scotland) Bill.
Johann Lamont (LAB) will replace Margaret Curran (LAB) on the Committee.
Local Government
Today the Committee will consider a paper on proposals for consideration at Stage 1 of the Education Bill. The Committee will consider a draft letter to the Finance Committee regarding Stage 2 of the Budget Process. The Committee will also consider a paper on the procedures for questioning witnesses. In last week’s meeting the Committee approved an affirmative instrument on Rateable Values of Train Operating Companies.
Equal Opportunities
On its meeting today the Committee will take evidence from the Disabled Persons Housing Service regarding better Homes for Scotland’s Communities.
The Committee will also consider Learning Teaching Scotland’s consultation ‘Sex Education in Scotland’s Schools’, papers on an equalities checklist and a research proposal on mainstreaming equalities in the Scottish Parliament. Finally, the Committee will consider the Executive’s Equality Strategy.
Trisha Marwick (SNP) and Shona Robison (SNP) leave the Committee and will be replaced by Linda Fabiani (SNP) and Kay Ullrich (SNP).
Public Petitions
At its last meeting on Tuesday the 24th of October, the Committee reviewed a petition from the Scottish Organisation Relating to the Retention of Organs (SORRO) calling for the Scottish Parliament to initiate a public inquiry into the practice of organ retention at post-mortem without the appropriate parental consent. The Committee agreed to defer consideration of this petition until a response was received from the Scottish Executive in relation to the issues raised in the petition.
Christine Grahame (SNP) will be replaced by Winnie Ewing (SNP) on the Public Petitions Committee.
Justice & Home affairs
Last week the committee:
This week’s agenda includes subordinate legislation on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act; a report on Barlinnie; the budget; and further private consideration of the Leasehold Casualties Bill.
There are also two petitions on the ECHR and the Scottish Legal Aid Board. The ECHR petition relates to the parole system, and is likely to be addressed by forthcoming Executive legislation; the legal aid petition to the payment of compensation.
Health & community care
Both last week and this week the committee continues its inquiry into community care. These discussions remain private, but we anticipate publication of a report before Christmas.
This week will also see consideration of subordinate legislation on shellfish poisoning and risk materials; the public sector ombudsman; and next year’s budget.
Duncan Hamilton (SNP) & Kay Ullrich (SNP) are leaving the Committee, and Shona Robison (SNP) & Nicola Sturgeon (SNP) are taking their places.
Procedures
Another heavy agenda this week will include:
Mike Russell (SNP) leaves the Committee, to be replaced by Kay Ullrich (SNP).
Subordinate legislation
Last week’s meeting saw a brief consideration of an expanded remit for the committee, something Kenny MacAskill (SNP) is very keen on. In advance of this, both Fergus Ewing (SNP) and David Mundell (CON) tried to go beyond the committee’s existing remit to make points about the Salmon Conservation and Graduate Endowment Bills.
As regards the latter they wish to replace the word ‘endowment’ with the word ‘tax.’ Bristow Muldoon (LAB) made the point that an endowment is of benefit to someone - in this case future generations of students.
Fergus Ewing (SNP) leaves the Committee to be replaced by Dorothy Grace Elder (SNP).
European
The publication of the Committee’s report on additionality is to be expected shortly.
Winnie Ewing (SNP) & Bruce Crawford (SNP) are leaving the Committee, making way for Richard Lochead (SNP) and Lloyd Quinan. (SNP)
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