Scottish Parliament Committee News
Audit Committee
The Committee spent
its meeting considering the joint report from the AGS and the Accounts
Commission on Maintaining
Scotland’s Roads. The report
found that 90% of motorways and trunk roads are in an acceptable condition but
that, due to previous underinvestment, additional investment is required to
maintain local roads.
Communities Committee
Evidence was taken from the
Chartered Institute of Housing and other housing organisations, as well as
Communities Minister, Malcolm Chisholm and officials on the Budget. This was followed by questions
on issues surrounding the provision of affordable
housing and closing the opportunity
gap. The Housing Organisations, whilst welcoming increases and the targets
on affordable homes, raised concerns as to whether sufficient new homes would
be built to meet the demand and obligations placed on local authorities as a
result of the Housing Act and the Homelessness Act. The Minister responded by
saying that considerable investment had been made by the Executive in this
area. The Department Officials robustly asserted that they were on the way to
meeting the targets set for new homes.
Education Committee
The Committee heard from the
Minster for Education and others on the Budget
process and the curriculum review.
Enterprise & Culture Committee
The Committee continued
taking evidence on the Further
and Higher Education (Scotland) Bill.
The main item of contention is the proposal to give Ministers the power
to impose variable fees in certain circumstances. While this power is envisaged to be used to
safeguard the position of Scottish students in the medical field, the NUS and other students’ associations giving evidence
voiced strong opposition to it.
Environment and Rural Development Committee
The Committee agreed
its forward work programme and decided to carry out two inquiries over the
coming months: one on Climate Change as
a case study on the extent to which the Scottish Executive is pursuing
sustainable development between departments; and another on Rural Development and the extent to
which the Executive is addressing rural issues in every department.
It was also agreed to
invite the Minister to speak to the Committee on the Sustainable Development Report, December Fisheries Council and the
European
and External Relations Committee
The Committee continued
taking evidence for its forthcoming report on Promoting Scotland. This week, evidence came from representatives of
organisations of Gaelic Sport and Culture. It was decided that the Committee
would conclude its evidence taking in December, with Executive Ministers being
invited to the final evidence taking session. Members propose to publish the
Committee Report early in the New Year.
Finance
Committee
The Committee met with Minister for Finance and Public Sector Reform, Tom
McCabe and took evidence from him on the Spending
Review 2004, the Draft Budget and
EYF. The
Minister responded to comments in the morning's papers about the Executive
delaying publication of its efficient government plan. It was due to be
published this week, but has been delayed in order to enable a proper
parliamentary debate and to ensure MSPs have an opportunity to scrutinise the
plans. In relation to EYF, the Minister discussed a
new financial mechanism to be established which will see a fall in the EYF total by making a distinction between true underspending and provisions made for future spending. It
will be called the Central Unallocated Provision and will allow portfolios to
store resources for future spending and is analogous to a bank account.
The Committee also took
evidence from Executive officials on the Financial Memorandum for the Gaelic
Language (Scotland) Bill. The Committee raised concerns over the
figures set out in the Financial Memorandum and agreed to commission further
research on the accuracy of the cost projections. An adviser will be appointed
to provide expert advice.
The Committee agreed to
undertake level one scrutiny (seek written submissions only) of the Financial
Memoranda of the Prohibition
of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill and Protection
of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill.
Health
Committee
The Committee
concluded taking evidence on the inquiry into workforce planning - questioning a range of witnesses, including
Health Minister, Andy Kerr. Among the
subjects discussed were specialisation and workforce planning in a rural
setting. The Committee also considered
the main themes for the forthcoming report.
The Committee hopes to produce an interim report before Christmas.
Justice 1 Committee
The Committee
took evidence on HM Chief Inspector of
Prisons for
The Committee then went
on to consider its approach to the Protection
of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill. This Bill
was introduced to the Parliament on
Justice 2 Committee
The Committee
discussed the Budget and finalised
its Draft Report in private. Members also took evidence from Deputy Justice
Minister, Hugh Henry, on the Fire
(Scotland) Bill.
Local
Government and Transport Committee
The Committee questioned Finance Minister, Tom McCabe, on the budget process. The Minister confirmed that further quality
of life funding would be forthcoming, as well as stating that further funding would
be given to local authorities to address the repair of local roads. The Committee also discussed the Audit
Scotland report on maintaining
Public
Petitions Committee
The Committee
received confirmation from the Executive that it would be issuing guidance on
the Code of Conduct for Councillors 2003.
This relates to the role of Councillors in planning applications in their area
and their ability to make representations on behalf of constituents. The Committee took a number of interesting
new petitions - including a call for the restructuring of the Scottish Football
Team’s management structure, the establishment of the golden eagle as the
national bird of
Procedures Committee
The Committee
continued taking evidence on its inquiry into Private Bills, which included questioning Rhona Brankin (LAB) and
Bill Butler (LAB). There was general
agreement that the present procedures are cumbersome and outlining his
experience on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine Rail
Committee, Mr Butler suggested that there should be a move to introducing a
Bill similar to the Transport & Works Act 1992 which covers
infrastructure improvements in
The Committee
completed its initial consideration of the Members’
Interest Order. A draft report is
due to be produced shortly. Following
this, the Committee will proceed to drafting a Bill.
Subordinate Legislation Committee
The Committee discussed Delegated Powers in relation to the Gaelic
Language (Scotland) Bill. The Committee considered that, given the
importance of the national Gaelic language plan in providing strategic
direction for Scottish public authorities on Gaelic language development, there
may be a case for greater parliamentary involvement in the approval process.
The Committee is generally content with the delegated powers in the Bill, but
agreed to ask the Executive for further comments on the powers contained in
certain sections.
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