Scottish Parliament Committee News
Issue 138, 28th September 2004

 

Enterprise & Culture Committee
More notable than the formal business of the Committee this week was an informal meeting between the members and representatives from 20 community arts organisations from across Scotland, which has provided a useful context for the Committee’s forthcoming Inquiry.

 

Environment and Rural Development Committee
The Committee continued taking evidence on the Water Services etc (Scotland) Bill, focussing on domestic consumers, poverty and relief for charities and voluntary organisations.  This week, the Water Commissioner will be appearing before the Committee.

 

Equal Opportunities Committee
The Committee took evidence for its disability Inquiry from disability organisations.  Issues raised included whether a definition of disability should be created and used or whether a more general statement would be more inclusive; how to engage people who are excluded but don’t consider themselves disabled; overcoming barriers to employment and education; and poverty among disabled people.

 

Finance Committee
The main item was the Cross Cutting Expenditure Review into Economic Development. Peter Wood, Managing Director of Tribal HCH, was appointed as the Committee’s Inquiry Adviser in June and subsequently 15 organisations have made submissions in response to Mr Wood’s paper. The Committee considered the 15 submissions and decided the direction it wants to take for future evidence-taking meetings.  Opposition MSPs have regularly raised concerns about the Committee going into private session to consider draft reports.  However on 21st September, as on each previous occasion, it was agreed that members must have an opportunity to have an informal discussion about the Clerk's draft reports.

 

Health Committee
The main item on the agenda saw Health Minister, Malcolm Chisholm, come before the Committee to discuss the National Framework for the NHS in Scotland.  The Minister confirmed that the National Framework Advisory Committee would report before he made any decision on new Health Board recommendations for service redesign.

 

Justice 1 Committee
The Committee continued its evidence taking for the Inquiry into the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes in prisons. Evidence was taken from David Melrose, Chair of the Scottish Prison Service Trade Union Side and the Prison Officers Association (Scotland); Kenny Cassels, Vice Chair of the Prison Officers Association (Scotland); Andy Hogg, Secretary of the Scottish Prison Service Trade Union Side; and Derek Turner, Assistant Secretary of the Prison Officers Association (Scotland).  Angela Morgan and Adrienne Hunt from Families Outside also contributed.

 

Justice 2 Committee
Stage 1 evidence on the general principles of the Fire (Scotland) Bill continued, with a contribution from Jeff Ord, Chief Inspector of Fire Services. Mr Ord gave a robust outline of his own opinion on the future of fire services in Scotland, which included the controversial view that there should be one control centre for Scotland. Jim Robson, Principle of the Scottish Fire Services College presented the Committee helpful and informative evidence. Representatives from CoSLA gave evidence from their perspective, which included the hope that the Bill would ensure that Local Authorities maintain control of Fire Boards in their respective areas.

 

Local Government and Transport Committee
Members visited Stranraer and held a very successful public participation event as part of their Inquiry into issues arising from the Transport (
Scotland) Act 2001.  The meeting looked mainly at bus routes in a rural setting, taking evidence from Dumfries & Galloway Council and a number of local bus companies.

This week, the Committee continues its work in Glasgow.

 

Subordinate Legislation Committee
The Committee considered delegated powers provisions in the Fire (Scotland) Bill.

 

Other Committee Homepages:

Audit Committee
Communities Committee
Education Committee
European and External Relations Committee
Procedures Committee
Public Petitions Committee
Standards Committee

 

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