Communities Committee
The Committee continued taking evidence on the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill, hearing from Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister, Rhona Brankin, on National Scenic Areas.  Deputy Communities Minister, Johann Lamont, also gave evidence on on Local Authority interests.

Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill Committee
Last week's meeting considered the Committee's draft Preliminary Stage report in private.

Enterprise & Culture Committee
The Committee considered a final report on external research commissioned on the costs and benefits to the economy of the various options for celebrating St Andrew’s Day.

It also considered its future work program.  It was agreed to commission SPICe to conduct research into the ongoing impact of EU structural funds in Scotland; to hold hearings on progress being made with establishing Creative Scotland and with Workforce Plus before the end of the of the session; and to conduct work on the review of Sport 21.

Environment and Rural Development Committee
Last week's meeting considered a petition from the Community of Arran Seabed Trust (COAST) requesting that the Scottish Parliament support its proposals to close an area of Lamlash Bay to all forms of marine life extraction (a "No Take Zone") and the rest of the Bay to mobile fishing gear ("Marine Protected Area").  The Committee agreed to take oral evidence on the petition at its meeting on 20th September.

The Committee also agreed to write to the Minister for Environment and Rural Development to seek further information on the impact of the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Bill on sustainable development.

European and External Relations Committee
A petition calling on the Scottish Parliament to use its influence to return control over the fishing industry to Scotland was on the agenda.  SNP members positioned themselves in support of the petition.  However, Ben Bradshaw MP, the Fisheries Minister at Westminster, issued the Committee with a substantial response detailing the legal position and legal implications of the UK withdrawing from the Common Fisheries Policy, concluding that you cannot simply withdraw.  The Committee agreed to close the petition.

Finance Committee
The Committee considered a paper from its budget adviser, Prof Arthur Midwinter, on a Review of Scottish Executive Management of Public Finances. The main themes included Pre-Expenditure Assessments, Best Value and Efficient Government.  In oral evidence, Prof Midwinter stressed the ongoing problem of measuring public sector output for economic growth purposes.

Health Committee
Members took evidence on the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Bill and discussed their approach to Stage 1 of the Bill.

Justice 1 Committee
William Taylor, Chief inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, and Jim Wallace, former Minister for Justice, gave evidence on the Scottish Criminal Record inquiry.  They were followed by Joanne Tierney, Training Manager for the Scottish Fingerprint Service.  The Committee agreed to defer consideration of the main themes arising from the evidence session to a future meeting and the inquiry continues.

Justice 2 Committee
The Committee took evidence on Karen Whitefield's (LAB) Christmas Day and New Year's Day Trading (Scotland) Bill from, among others, shopworkers' union, USDAW; the Scottish Retail Consortium; Edinburgh Woollen Mill; the Co-op; and Debenham's.  Further evidence will be taken on what is proving to be a contentious Bill.  Much of the opposition centres on tourism issues and the major big city stores and their organisations say that they should be allowed to open of New Year's Day.

Local Government and Transport Committee
Members took Stage 1 evidence on the Transport & Works (Scotland) Bill.  Issues raised included the powers which reporters have to make recommendations on general transport proposals.

Procedures Committee
The Committee discussed its report on the Review of the Parliamentary Week.  The review has not yet been concluded.