Communities Committee
Taking evidence on the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill, the Committee last week took evidence from various representatives with an interest in National Scenic Areas.  Representatives included the Scottish Executive, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Cairngorms & Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Parks, Scottish Environmental LINK & Scottish Renewable Forum.

Education Committee
The Committee dealt with a petition calling for minimum safety standards on school buses.  An agreement was made to invite the petitioner to give evidence at the the next update on school transport.

Further evidence was also taken on the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Bill.  Last week, it heard from the Muslim Association of Britain; the Bishops' Conference of Scotland; the Scottish Interfaith Council; CARE for Scotland; and the Church of Scotland. Adoption amongst unmarried couples were the main concerns of these organisations, with CARE and the Bishops Conference believing that we should be trying to get more married couples to adopt and to improve institutionalised childcare.  The Church of Scotland, in contrast, stated that despite their reservations, they believed that, on balance, it was preferable for a child to be placed in a loving home, even that of a same sex couple.  The Ministers signalled that they did not intend to force faith-based organisations to place children with same sex couples if it was against their beliefs.

The Committee also considered its draft report on the Early Years inquiry.

Enterprise & Culture Committee
Research commissioned into the costs and benefits of either a St Andrew's Day holiday or the encouragement of more general celebrations was received by the Committee.  Examples were given of other countries and the way in which their national days are supported, including the celebrations in Ireland and the USA.  Some indicative economic costs and benefits included a possible £135.4 million in lost output if the Bank Holiday option is pursued.  The research also gave the option of a substitute holiday and of building support for general celebrations.  It was agreed that the steering group which commissioned the document will come back to the Committee with further information and that it will then discuss options with the Minister.

Environment and Rural Development Committee
The Committee dealt with subordinate legislation relating to the seed potatoes regulations and the code of practice for pesticides.  Its future work programme was considered, as well as two draft reports on the food supply chain inquiry and the Crofting Reform etc. Bill.

Equal Opportunities Committee
Last week's meeting continued the disability inquiry, with more evidence session from Communities Minister, Malcolm Chisholm. 

European and External Relations Committee
An evidence session was held on the Committee's inquiry into the Scottish Executive's plans for future structural funds programmes for the period 2007 to 2013.  A paper on the European Commission's Work Programme 2006 was updated, tracking issues identified by the Committee.  The convenor’s report included proposals for Committee business in the Chamber and agreed to submit a request for two Committee debates for September and October - one on the inquiry into the Scottish Executive’s plans for future structural funds programmes 2007-13 and another on the Reporter’s Inquiry into possible co-operation between Scotland and Ireland.

Finance Committee
For its accountability and governance inquiry, the Committee took evidence from Professor Alice Brown, Scottish Public Services Ombudsman; Kevin Dunion, Scottish Information Commissioner; Dr Jim Dyer, Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner; and Kathleen Marshall, Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People. 

The evidence included varying interpretations of the role of the Commissioners.  On the whole, the Commissioners proclaimed that they would try to protect their independence by resisting interference from MSPs.  In particular, the Children’s Commissioner said, "I have accountability to children and young people, and that is what Parliament expects me to have.  Parliament recognises their vulnerability and disenfranchisement.  If I just went off and followed official plans ... it would be betraying the trust put in me."  On the whole, MSPs took a different approach: that such governance of the public commissioners and the ombudsman was a "very strange doctrine of government".

A paper was also considered outlining the recurring concerns raised over the standard of information provided in Financial Memoranda. The Committee agreed to write to the Executive to ask what processes are in place to track the actual costs of legislation once enacted.

Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill Committee
The Committee met to consider its draft preliminary stage report, which was published last week.

Health Committee
The Committee last week looked at the issue of car parking charges in NHS hospitals.  The session involved a full and frank discussion on a number of issues surrounding the charges.  Those against charging, or the perceived excessive use of it, argue that it is unfair to patients, visitors and staff.  There are concerns amongst patients that those, particularly with long term conditions who require to visit hospital regularly and who cannot use public transport, are penalised because of the charges.  As regards visitors, there is anecdotal evidence of those who are paying high parking charges because they are spending significant lengths of time with very sick relatives.  Finally, it has been argued that it could be considered a disincentive for staff to work in the health services, because car parking charges can be a significant cost.  The current position means that the introduction of car park charging, or the revision of existing car parking arrangements, is a matter for local NHS Boards.  However, the Executive published guidance on car park charging in April 2004, which applies both where car parking facilities are being provided and/or managed by NHS Boards and by private sector providers.  Since the Executive's report merely offers guidelines, its relevance was brought into question.  This was reinforced by its lack of powers to penalise those who park without permission.  The Committee has therefore asked the Executive to clarify its position on the guidance surrounding unauthorised parking and how it contributes to operations on the ground.  The Committee will conclude its findings and report in due course.

Justice 1 Committee
The Committee continued its Inquiry into the Scottish Criminal Record Office.  Presentations were made by experts in the fingerprint services including: Peter Swann; Arie Zeelenberg; Allan Bayle; John McGregor; Jim Aitken and Ken Clacher.  The fingerprint experts clashed over their evidence. The Dutch expert, Mr Zeelenberg, said that the fingerprint in question was not that of Shirley McKie and that he had found 20 differences between it and Ms McKie's.  On the other hand, Peter Swann claimed the print was Ms McKie's.  There were a couple of bad tempered exchanges and the inquiry will continue.

Local Government and Transport Committee
The only item on last week’s agenda for the Committee was the Accounts Commission report, "Overview of the Local Authority Audits 2005".

Procedures Committee
For the inquiry on the review of parliamentary time, the Committee considered issues around various categories of business.  It agreed to consider at its next meeting a draft model of an “interpellation” procedure, on which MSPs would be consulted.  The Committee also agreed to consider the possibility of using a Committee debate to seek members’ views on the issues raised in the course of the inquiry.

The Committee also considered a letter from the Minister for Parliamentary Business.  It agreed to extend the remit of the inquiry on Members' Bills to include rule-changes to allow a party’s substitute to attend Committee meetings to cover a temporary gap in the membership of a Committee (as a result of death, resignation, etc); and to clarify when the resignation of a Committee member or substitute takes effect.  The Committee also agreed that a draft report be considered at future meetings.

It went on to consider a letter from the Convener of the Subordinate Legislation Committee inviting its comments on its draft report on the Regulatory Framework in Scotland, agreeing to consider the matter further at its next meeting in the light of last week's Chamber debate thereon.