Scottish Parliament Committee News
Issue 142, 9^th November 2004

 

Communities Committee
The Committee met in Perth where it took evidence from independent schools’ representatives and also from local charity and volunteer organisations on the forthcoming Charity Law Reform Bill. The first session with the voluntary sector worked through what is anticipated in the legislation and the witnesses showed general support, while expressing some concerns about specific details.  These centred around the remit, funding and resourcing of OSCAR - the body which oversees volunteer organisations with charitable status.  The Committees second session was with representatives of the independent schools sector, who were given the opportunity to put forward their case for retaining their charitable status.

 

Enterprise & Culture Committee
The Committee heard from Universities Scotland and the Association of Scottish Colleges on the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Bill.  The organisations welcomed the Bill and praised the “open and transparent manner” in which the consultation was carried out.  They noted and welcomed the changes to the Bill as a result of consultation, which meant they could now support it.  They had a few minor areas of concern which they are content can be clarified as the Bill passes through its various stages.

 

Environment and Rural Development Committee
The Committee met in private last week to discuss its draft Stage 1 report on the Water Services etc (Scotland) Bill.

 

Equal Opportunities Committee
Petitions dominated last week’s meeting.  The most reported was the request from Scottish Women Against Pornography to define pornography as an incitement to sexual hatred.  The Committee has agreed to look at this issue in the wider context with the potential of launching an inquiry on it.

 

Finance Committee
In relation to the 2005-06 Budget Process, the Committee took evidence from Professor David Bell from Stirling University and Professor Irvine Lapsley from the University of Edinburgh. The Committee agreed that it would like a written briefing on the budgetary increases for concessionary fares, higher education and care for the elderly and in areas where spending had decreased. In addition, the Committee is seeking information on the financial assumptions built into the Spending Review for Efficient Government.

Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform, Tom McCabe, had originally planned to attend this session, but will instead be coming to this week’s meeting to discuss the Budget and EYF. The following week, on 15^th November, the Committee will hold a meeting in Cupar.

 

Health Committee
New Health Minister, Andy Kerr, was questioned on the Budget process.  The Minister dealt with a range of issues, including the Argyll & Clyde Health Board situation and, following questioning from myself, confirmed that nothing would be ruled out - including disbanding the Health Board.  The Committee also took further contributions in its workforce planning inquiry.

 

Justice 1 Committee & Justice 2 Committee
A joint meeting took evidence on the draft Budget 2005-06 from Lord Advocate, Colin Boyd QC and senior officials from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. Evidence was also taken from Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson and officials.

 

Local Government and Transport Committee
The Committee questioned the Transport Minister, Nicol Stephen, on a number of issues.  The most notable issue to arise was SNP Transport Spokesman, Fergus Ewing, calling for the Minister to scrap either the proposed rail or tram link to Edinburgh airport and redirect this funding to roads.

 

Subordinate Legislation Committee
The Committee looked at the delegated powers aspects of the Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill.  The Bill makes provision in relation to the Executive's policy of preserving and encouraging the use of the Gaelic language in Scotland and contains a number of provisions which confer power on the Scottish Ministers to give directions.  These, however, are of an administrative nature rather than legislative and it was agreed that they need not detain the Committee. The Committee generally agreed that there was nothing exceptional in the proposals. In relation to the matter of the size of the Gaelic Language Board, "Bord na Gaidhlig", the Committee felt that the Executive suggestion of a board of between 5 and 11 members was not unreasonable and would be sufficient for the Board to discharge its business effectively.

 

Other Committee Homepages:

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

  

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