Communities Committee
The Committee last week continued taking evidence on the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Bill from UNISON and CoSLA representatives.

Education Committee
The Committee took evidence on the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Bill.  There were some concerns over the scale of the Bill, in particular the requirement, in light of EU expansion, to try and ensure parity throughout Europe.  There was, though, a general consensus amongst all those giving evidence in favour of the Bill.

Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill Committee
The Committee considered the Bill at Consideration Stage and agreed a number of amendments.

Health Committee
Members considered a Statutory Instrument, the Feeding Stuffs (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2006, (SSI 2006/516), taking evidence from the Animal Food Chain and Novel Foods Branch of the Food Standards Agency Scotland; and the Office of the Solicitor to the Scottish Executive.  During discussion, the Committee agreed that this Statutory Instrument gave some cause for concern in terms of the potential cost to industry.  Members noted that these regulations are being introduced now, but are due for replacement in early 2007 and so may change again at that time.  The Committee also regarded it as unfortunate that it has had to make a decision on this instrument based on vague premises, as no cost information was elicited from the industry through the consultation process.  The Committee agreed to make no recommendation in relation to this instrument.

The Committee moved on to take evidence on the  Health Board Elections (Scotland) Bill from the member in charge, Bill Butler (LAB).  During the discussion, Mr Butler agreed to provide members with details of the estimated costs of holding an additional postal ballot in the event of a vacancy arising on a Health Board.

Justice 1 Committee
In addition to considering a draft report on its inquiry into the Scottish Criminal Record Office, the Committee considered a number of Stage 2 amendments to the Criminal Proceedings etc (Reform) (Scotland) Bill.

The Committee also took evidence on the Criminal Legal Aid (Scotland) (Fees) Amendment Regulations.  It was agreed to make no recommendations. It was also agreed that the Convener should write to the Minister for Justice, asking that in future the Committee be kept informed of any court cases relevant to the Committee's consideration of subordinate legislation matters.

Public Petitions Committee
Petitions considered last week included one from the Rev Hugh Cartwright on the possibility of a national day of rest on the Sabbath.  Members agreed that responsibility for employment law rests with Westminster, which could consider the issue.

Subordinate Legislation Committee
The Committee considered at length the Planning etc. (Scotland) Bill.  The Committee has previously raised a number of points with the Executive, to which they had received a response. 

One of the major areas concerned fixed penalty notices.  The concern centred around the fact that, although the Executive indicated the range of a fixed penalty's level, this was not reflected in the Bill itself.  The new fixed penalty notice provides that a planning authority may serve on a person a fixed penalty notice where it considers that person to be in breach of an enforcement notice.  Under the new section, the "fixed penalty notice" is offering the person the opportunity to be discharged from any liability to conviction in exchange for a payment.  The amount payable under the notice is discounted by 25% if it is paid within 15 days.  The Committee was therefore content that the power is appropriate in principle.

Audit Committee
Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill Committee
European and External Relations Committee
Procedures Committee
Standards Committee