Communities Committee
The Committee heard from Deputy Communities Minister, Johann Lamont, on the Private Landlords Registration scheme.  The scheme is designed to: assess whether landlords and agents are fit to manage property in the appropriate manner; provide a list of properties let by, or on behalf of, private landlords; make it an offence to let out a private property without being registered with the local authority; and to stop rental income of unregistered landlords.  Also within the regulations is a duty on Landlords to deal with their antisocial tenants, with specific regulations around tenants who have been issued with ASBOs, meaning that landlords will no longer be able to ignore complaints from neighbours or other agencies if their tenant is causing problems.

Education Committee
Continuing its evidence taking on the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill, the Committee heard from the Association of Directors of Education; CoSLA; the Scottish School Boards Association (SSBA); and the Scottish Parent Teacher Council.  All were generally supportive of the general principles.  However, concerns were raised regarding rights to raise issues with HMIE; Ministerial powers to change procedures for selection of staff; composition of parent councils; and rights of elected councillors, education authority representatives, pupils and staff to attend meetings.

At its next meeting, it is expected that the Committee will hear from the Association of Head Teachers in Scotland, the Headteachers' Association of Scotland and the Educational Institute of Scotland.

Enterprise & Culture Committee
The issue of St Andrew's Day returned last week, with the Minister for Finance and Public Services, Tom McCabe, giving evidence on the next steps following the referral of Dennis Canavan's (IND) Bill back to the Committee.  Mr McCabe was clear that the Executive would not support legislation as a means of encouraging the observance of St Andrew's Day, but is keen to build on the events and initiatives being undertaken this year e.g. the free One Scotland Ceilidh in Edinburgh.  In addition, the Committee will be considering alternatives to legislation which will promote St Andrew's Day in Scotland.  This will include liaison with CoSLA and asking the Enterprise Minister to contact employers' organisations regarding the possibility of encouraging the observance of the holiday in workplaces around Scotland.  In a note circulated by the convenor prior to the meeting, Alex Neil (SNP) noted that he was unconvinced whether the consideration of other options to encourage the celebration of St Andrew's Day was a job for the Committee.  However, the Committee will be looking at the options and will also look at the costs and benefits of an additional day or the moving of an existing public holiday.

The Committee also considered its initial approach to the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Bill.

Other issues raised last week included the inappropriate sale of animals over the internet and whether the right approach was taken to the foot and mouth epidemic in 2000-01.

European and External Relations Committee
Members were updated on European Commission's "Proposal for the full accomplishment of the Internal Market for Postal Services".  The objective of the Commission's proposal is to progress the accomplishment of the internal market for postal services, while ensuring the provision of universal postal services for all users irrespective of their location in the Union.  The scope of the proposal will include, if it is appropriate, confirmation of the date of 2009 for the full accomplishment of the postal internal market (i.e. opening of remaining postal monopolies to competition) and may include, in addition, measures intended to ensure the provision of universal postal services and the protection of users in conditions of undistorted competition in the market.

At present, the UK postal regulator PostComm has granted a license to the Royal Mail which guarantees, "a universal postal service at an affordable flat rate".  The UK's mail market will be fully liberalised, that is, opened up for competition, from 1st January 2006.  This means Royal Mail will no longer enjoy the statutory monopoly it has held over the last 350 years.  New operators licensed by PostComm will be able to collect and deliver any mail, from any customers.  However, the Royal Mail will continue to be required through its license to provide a universal service.

The Committee considered the potential impact this would have on Scotland.  It concluded that any decision to open up the residential market to competition could see rural and sparsely populated areas of Scotland facing poorer standards of service or potentially higher prices for delivery of mail.  This is possible because the Royal Mail may lose revenues in large population centres due to competition, forcing it to raise prices to serve the customers it is contractually obliged to serve in the spirit of universality.  The Committee supports the UK Post Office's and the relevant Trades Union's suggestion that the weight threshold of the reserved area be reduced from 350 grams to 150 grams only.  This should produce continuing, although reduced, profit to the Post Office.

While the Committee recognises that reviews would take place in the future, it would like to see urgent consideration being given to the unique situation in Scotland before any further liberalisation takes place to ensure that the postal service is not endangered.  It is felt that this compromise position would fit with the, "balanced step-by-step approach" favoured by the Commission in the proposals.  The European Parliament will make its response to the European Commission's proposals on 22nd December.  In the meantime, Scotland's MSPs and MEPs will be lobbying the Commission and other MEPs to take account of the distinctive nature of the UK's postal service as it serves Scotland.

The Committee also considered its draft report on the Budget Process 2006-07.  Various amendments were agreed to and agreement of the final report was delegated to the Convener and Deputy Convener.  The report should be published tomorrow, in time for Chamber debate thereon, scheduled for 21st December.

Health Committee
The Committee met to agree its work programme.

Justice 2 Committee
Members considered the Scottish Prison Complaints Commissioner Annual Report 2004-05. The report recommends that the Complaints Commission be granted a statutory footing either in primary or secondary legislation, arguing that this would enhance the effectiveness of the Commission's operations and foster awareness among members of the public, the Scottish Prison Service and the Scottish Executive of the Commission's remit.

The Committee also considered a petition on the regulation of the legal profession and another an independent police complaints commission.

Public Petitions Committee
Among the petitions considered last week was one on behalf of the Save Dalkeith Park Campaign, which is opposed to the Dalkeith Northern bypass.  The group claimed to be campaigning on behalf of the community, however on close examination by the Committee it transpired that two of the individuals were from businesses which may be affected and the others were from a community council outwith Dalkeith.  The Committee has agreed to write to the community council which is directly affected, as well as other interested groups for their comments.

Another petition called for a review of the Victim Notification Scheme to ensure that the victims of serious violent and sexual crimes receive information about the release from prison of an offender who has committed a crime against them.  The Committee agreed this was a serious issue and will write to ACPOS, Victim Support Scotland, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Prison Service, the Parole Board for Scotland, SACRO and the Scottish Executive for a response.

Subordinate Legislation Committee
The Committee examined the numerous delegated powers in the Police, Public order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill.  The Committee had asked for the Executive's comments on nine issues.  One of the major points raised was that of strategic priorities of the proposed Scottish Police Services Authority. Section 4 authorises ministers to determine priorities, but says that such determination would not be set out as a Statutory Instrument. The Executive response points out that a similar power is contained elsewhere in legislation.  The Committee decided to draw this matter to the lead Committee’s attention.

The Committee also considered the Executive's response to issues raised surrounding the Criminal Legal Aid (Scotland) (Fees) Amendment No2 Regulations 2005.  After some discussion and debate, the Committee decided to draw to the attention of the lead Committee and the Parliament the issue of retrospectively and vires.