Scottish Parliament Committee News
Audit Committee
The Committee discussed an
issues paper on medical equipment and
a draft report on the NHS Overview in
private. It also heard from the Auditor General
for Scotland (AGS) on day surgery in the
NHS. The report noted that day
surgery continues to grow, but the pace has slowed significantly. The AGS will be concentrating on improving
the collection of data in order to more effectively monitor what is happening.
Communities Committee
Two busy meetings of the
Communities Committee last week saw more discussion of Stage 2 amendments to
the Antisocial
Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Bill. On Wednesday, Patrick Harvie (GRN) put forward a motion
on closure of premises. After a great deal of discussion and debate, an
amendment was lost in favour of Mr Harvie's motion.
The Executive will re-visit this amendment in due course. Cathie Craigie (LAB) put forward amendments
on a National Registration of Private Landlords Scheme. This would take the
form of a licence for private landlords. They would need to go through a “fit
and proper person” test and their properties would need to be registered.
Failure to register would be a criminal offence punishable by fines. If
landlords let property without a licence, local authorities could take court
action. These amendments were carried.
Paul Martin's (LAB) amendments
on compensation were not moved as further discussion with the Minister was
agreed to.
Education Committee
Members heard from CoSLA and
the Scottish Council of Independent Schools on the School
Education (Ministerial Powers and Independent Schools) (Scotland) Bill. CoSLA is staunchly opposed to the proposals,
with its written submission to the Committee stating that allowing intervention
would “promote the idea of local authorities doing agency working at the
behest of central government”
Enterprise & Culture Committee
Last week’s private meeting
finalised reports on the broadband
inquiry, renewable energy and the
budget.
Environment and Rural Development Committee
The Committee had a
very positive report from Deputy Environment Minister, Allan Wilson, on the Organic Action Plan. The main conclusion from the Committee was
that more resources are required for organics and that the Executive should use
its public procurement role, particularly in health and education, to
facilitate this.
The Committee also met in
private to discuss the budget report.
Equal Opportunities Committee
The Committee
discussed its draft budget report.
European
and External Relations Committee
A panel of witnesses,
including Philip Riddle, CE VisitScotland; Tom Wright,
CE VisitBritain; and Jim McFarlane, CE Scottish
Enterprise, Edinburgh & Lothian, gave evidence on Promoting
Finance Committee
Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Services, Tavish
Scott, and Scottish Parliament Chief Executive, Paul Grice, gave evidence for
the Committee's consideration of the Budget
(
Health
Committee
Members took evidence
on the Breastfeeding
etc. (Scotland) Bill from a range of witnesses including the Scottish
Licensed Trade Association; the Scottish Police Federation; and the
Breastfeeding Network. The Committee also dealt with a number of pieces of subordinate legislation and discussed
the budget and its workforce planning inquiry.
Justice 1 Committee
Last week’s
meeting saw a discussion of issues surrounding the UK Civil Partnership legislation, with evidence from the Law Society; Prof
Norrie of Strathclyde University; and Deputy Justice Minister, Hugh Henry.
Following this, members looked at their draft report on the issue, discussions
on which should be completed in two weeks time.
Justice 2 Committee
The Committee
took evidence on the
Local Government and
Transport Committee
Stage 2 of the Local Governance
(Scotland) Bill continues and last week saw a raft of divisions on
amendments to the Bill. David Mundell (CON) sought limit future rises in remuneration to
Councillors to RPI, he also sought to delay the Bill by proposing a halt until
Scottish Secretary, Alistair Darling’s review into Scottish Parliament
seats was completed. Two other
amendments of note were withdrawn with the intention of bringing them back at
Stage 3. These were Bruce McFee’s (SNP) attempt to compensate councillors who
lose their seats and Helen Eadie’s (LAB) proposal
for a referendum on the move to STV voting.
Procedures Committee
A marathon meeting for
the Procedures Committee last week saw evidence from a range of witnesses on its
inquiry into the legislative process. It also discussed the inquiry into Non-Executive Bills in private, as well
as recommending a review of the new
question time procedures.
Public
Petitions Committee
The new
petitions considered covered topics including legislative changes to the
granting of licences for Houses of
Multiple Occupation; religious involvement in civil partnerships; and sub-let
provisions in the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001.
Subordinate Legislation Committee
The Committee discussed a
note from the Legal Advisor on Delegated Powers of Scrutiny regarding the Emergency Workers
(Scotland) Bill at Stage 1. They also considered Executive
Responses to the European Communities
(Services of Lawyers) Amendment (
Stewart Maxwell's Members
Bill – the Prohibition of
Smoking in Regulated Areas (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 – was discussed. Much of the debate centred on the definition
of “regulated areas.” At the moment, regulated areas relate solely
to enclosed public spaces where food is supplied and consumed. Section 2 of the
bill, however, gives the power to Scottish Ministers to amend the definition to
extend the provision of the bill to apply to other areas. This power cannot,
however, be used to remove any of the areas covered by the Bill. Section 2(2) places
a requirement on the Scottish Ministers to consult with appropriate bodies or
persons before they make any orders under subsection 1. The Committee was concerned
that any moves to extend the Bill might be controversial.
Other Committee
Homepages:
[ HOME ] [ News ] [ Report to the People ] [ Interact ] [ Links ] [ E-Mail ]
[ Copyright ] [ UK Online ] [ Scottish Parliament ]