Scottish Parliament Committee News
Enterprise & Culture Committee
The Committee continued its examination
of the new Area Tourist Boards by
questioning Visit Scotland and the Tourism Minister, Frank McAveety,
raising concerns about the structure and finance of the new tourist hubs. The Committee felt that there was a risk that
local authority and business funding of tourism would be reduced or lost. The Minister was robust in his response,
saying that change was required and would go ahead. However, he reassured the Committee that his discussions
with local authorities and businesses in terms of securing finance had been
positive.
Environment and Rural Development Committee
The Committee
nominated Alasdair Morrison (LAB) as its representative on the working group to
monitor progress under the strategic
framework for Scottish Aquaculture.
The Committee also considered,
in private, a third draft report on its inquiry into the implementation of CAP reform. The Committee agreed the report, subject to
specified changes being made. The Committee also agreed arrangements for the
publication and launch of the report.
Equal Opportunities Committee
Members heard from Inclusion
Project Manager, Alistair Pringle and Deputy Health Minister, Tom McCabe on
moving towards a healthier LGBT
Finance Committee
The Committee took evidence on Stewart Maxwell's (SNP) Prohibition
of Smoking in Regulated Areas (Scotland) Bill, hearing from the
Scottish Licensed Trade Association; the Scottish Executive; and Mr Maxwell
himself. Draft reports on the Committee's
relocation inquiry and Stage 1 of
the 2005-06 Budget Process are being
prepared and will be considered at future meetings.
Health
Committee
Members took
evidence on the Breastfeeding
etc. (Scotland) Bill from a range of witnesses including a number of
local authorities; the Bill’s sponsor, Elaine Smith (LAB); and Health
Minister, Malcolm Chisholm - who stated support in principle. However, the Minister also indicated that the
Crown Office should have some input and, consequently, they have been invited
to give evidence at a later date. The
Committee also looked at a number of pieces of subordinate legislation, one of which, on Amnesic Shellfish
Poisoning, went to a vote.
Justice 1 Committee
The main item of
business was the Emergency Workers
(Scotland) Bill, with evidence from the Fire Service
representatives across
Local Government and
Transport Committee
The Committee took extensive Stage 1 evidence from Margo McDonald (IND) on her Prostitution
Tolerance Zones (Scotland).
Subordinate Legislation Committee
A large part of Tuesday’s
meeting was taken up by discussions surrounding the Crofting Community Body Form of Application for
Consent to Buy Croft Land etc and Notice of Minister's Decision (Scotland)
Regulations 2004. This is the first in a package of instruments under
the Land Reform Act 2003 prescribing various procedural requirements in
relation to the community and crofting rights to buy.
These regulations prescribe the form of application for consent to buy croft
land and the form in which Ministers are to give notice of their decision with
regard to any such application. Some concern was raised regarding the quality
of the drafting and other errors contained. Legal advisors suggested that the
Executive consider revisiting the instruments with a view to their amendment as
soon as possible.
Other Committee
Homepages:
Audit Committee
Communities Committee
Education Committee
European
and External Relations Committee
Justice 2 Committee
Procedures Committee
Public
Petitions Committee
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