Scottish Parliament Committee News
Issue 151, 9th February 2005

 

Communities Committee
The Committee took evidence on the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Bill, from the Deputy Minister for Communities, Johann Lamont. The Minister emphasised the value of the Scottish Charities in financial terms, who raise around £2 billion a year. She also made the point that the main objective of the Bill is to ensure there is a robust, proportionate and transparent regulatory framework which protects public interest and helps charities flourish.  An important area which the Minister addressed was that of the “independence test” aspects of the Bill and the affect it might have of charitable NDPBs.  Ministers had decided that, although it may have an impact on some such bodies, the policy that public bodies should be directly accountable to them and that charities should be independent should be maintained. The Executive has accepted that for some bodies that conflict may mean that they lose either their NDPB or charity status.  But the position on each body would be considered on a case by case basis.  The Minister also felt it was important for public reassurance that charities should register with the OSCR and that any significant operations by charities is regulated by the Scottish regulator.

 

Enterprise & Culture Committee
The terms of reference for the business growth inquiry were agreed.  These include looking at sustainability.  There was also a long discussion on the Business in Parliament conference, the date of which has been set for 8th and 9th September.

 

Environment and Rural Development Committee
Evidence taking on climate change continued.  This week, the focus was on dealing with the effects of climate change and minimising its impact, mainly focussing on energy efficiency.  Issues discussed included the possibility of setting energy efficiency targets for different sectors of the economy and the leadership roles of businesses, local authorities and others.

 

Equal Opportunities Committee
Deputy Justice Minister, Hugh Henry, gave evidence on the Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill.  The Committee raised concerns including the consultation process and non English speaking communities; the possibility that a mental health clause in the bill could be exploited as a loophole; the impact of the Bill on current piercing and cosmetic surgery practices; and how the Bill will apply to asylum seekers.  The Minister assured the Committee that, while he was sure that the mental health clause would be interpreted properly by medical practitioners and the courts, he would look at the issue again.  He also reassured the Committee that the Bill did not intend to outlaw cosmetic surgery and piercing.  However, he agreed to examine the issue of cosmetic surgery to ensure consistency across the UK.  On asylum seekers, the Minister noted the Committee’s concerns and stressed the complexities of the extra territorial powers available to the Executive and the UK government. 

 

European and External Relations Committee
The Committee spent its time discussing the formulation of the (draft) report on the Inquiry into promoting Scotland Worldwide: Strategy, Policy, Activities of the Scottish Executive.  There was also some further discussion around the Committee’s next report, which will centre on the forthcoming G8 Conference in Gleneagles

 

Finance Committee
In relation to the 2005-06 Budget Process, the Committee took evidence from Deputy Minister for Finance and Public Sector Reform, Tavish Scott and Scottish Executive officials. Discussion was focused primarily around local government finance.

The Committee also considered Stage 2 of the Budget (Scotland) (No.2) Bill and agreed it without amendment.

The report on the Financial Memorandum for the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Bill was also agreed. The Committee is concerned about the financial implications of the Bill for those “dual status” Non Departmental Public Bodies which are also charities. Various institutions noted that, if they were to lose their charitable status, there would be greater financial repercussions than those estimated in the Financial Memorandum. The Committee is concerned to ensure that the financial viability of such “dual status” NDPBs is not jeopardised by the Bill.

Finally, Holyrood’s newest MSP, Mid Scotland and Fife Lib Dem List member, Andrew Arbuckle (the replacement for Keith Raffan), replaced Jeremy Purvis (LD) on the Committee.

 

Health Committee
The main item on the agenda was a presentation on the Committee’s research into access to dental health services in Scotland.  This highlighted the difficulties with recruitment and retention and cast doubt on the ability to fulfil the pledge to offer free dental check-ups to all by 2007.  Following this, the Committee agreed to put in a bid for a Committee debate on this issue.

The Committee also considered a draft report into its short eating disorders inquiry.

The Committee’s next meeting will be in Ireland, where it will investigate the effect of the smoking ban on Ireland’s licensed trade.

 

Justice 1 Committee
Members took evidence on a Statutory Instrument on Electronic Monitoring from Hugh Henry, Deputy Minister for justice. There were no serious issues of contention.

 

Justice 2 Committee
Evidence taking on the Youth Justice Inquiry continued with evidence from Cathy Jamieson, Minister for Justice. The Minister went on to give evidence on the UK Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill, where she put forward a supplementary which withdrew provision relating to trespass. The Minister made the point very strongly that she had come to the conclusion that there was clearly no Parliamentary majority for this aspect of the Bill and it was incumbent upon her to ensure that other aspects of the Bill were protected. She made particular reference to issues surrounding the regulation of the Private Security Industry and, in light of this, it was deemed more prudent to withdraw the trespass aspect at this time.

 

Local Government and Transport Committee
The Committee met in private to discuss a draft report of its inquiry into the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001.

 

Procedures Committee
Members heard from Minister for Parliament, Margaret Curran, regarding the Executive’s proposals for a new system for handling Private Bills.  The Committee also agreed on a number of witnesses for its Sewel inquiry, however the Committee disagreed on a proposal to invite political pundit Gerry Hassan to give evidence and the proposal was rejected 4 votes to 2.

 

Public Petitions Committee
The Committee considered a Petition from the “Cod Crusaders” which saw Ted Brocklebank (CON) attempt to push the Conservative proposals to renegotiate the CFP.  Other petitions of note included a petition on communication masts on Network Rail land and Permitted development Rights; and a request to introduce a moratorium on the closure of community hospitals.

 

Subordinate Legislation Committee
The inquiry into the Regulatory Framework in Scotland continued with interesting evidence from Dr Aileen McHarg, Senior Lecturer in Public Law at the University of Glasgow. Dr McHarg took a view of opposition to a large number of the proposals in the regulatory reform framework. Whilst she could not object to the idea of better regulation, she felt the disadvantages in the introduction of a formal system for controlling the production and review of regulation were greater than the advantages.

The Committee also discussed the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Bill and the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Bill.  Nothing controversial was raised.  The Water Services etc. (Scotland) Bill was also raised and the Committee was pleased to note that its recommendations had been accepted by the Executive.

 

Other Committee Homepages:

Audit Committee
Education Committee
Standards Committee

 

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