Committee News
Issue 21, 23rd January 2001
Continues with its evidence taking on the Overview of the National Health Service in Scotland.
Education, Culture & Sport Committee
Last week the Committee considered Mike Russell’s (SNP) report on the Scottish film industry and agreed to timetable an inquiry on training and education in the industry in the autumn.
This week the Committee continues taking stage 1 evidence on the Regulation of Care Bill from the independent sector about concerns they have regarding boarding schools, before reporting to the lead Committee Health.
The Committee met last week to take evidence from the Equality Network on the Housing Bill. The Network was pleased that the bill recognises same sex couples in matters such as tenancy accession. Also, they welcomed the equal opportunities duty in section 79 of the bill, but felt that a duty could be extended to section 1 on homelessness strategies, and sections 70-71 on the Executive agency’s regulation of landlords which they describe as a ‘major omission.’
The Committee also considered gender reporter Elaine Smith’s (LAB) paper on cross examination in rape and sexual offences trials. Members accepted her recommendations that the Committee make a submission on the consultation document and suggest to the Justice Committee that the Equal Opportunities Committee take evidence from appropriate Women’s Groups once the bill is introduced.
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Committee
Last week, the Committee agreed its draft Stage 1 report on the Graduate Endowment Bill.
This week the Committee move on to take evidence on their new inquiry into the New Economy.
Last week’s meeting dealt principally with correspondence. The Committee had previously written to the European Commission with concerns about the Postal Services Directive. Internal Market Commissioner Frits Boklestein has replied defending the Commission’s proposal. Meanwhile, however, both the European Parliament and the Committee of the Regions have agreed with the Committee’s view.
Concerns will be raised with the Executive on a proposal to ban the burial of animal by-products not fit for human consumption. This will have cost implications for British meat processors, but of course this whole area remains one of public concern.
The Committee has agreed in private Dennis Canavan’s (IND) report on the European Charter of Fundamental Rights: watch out for publication shortly.
The Committee took further evidence on the inquiry into resource accounting and budgeting.
The Committee agreed that the potential financial implications of the Graduate Endowment Bill are sufficient to require the Parliament by resolution to agree to that expenditure.
Health & Community Care Committee
The Health Committee is concentrating exclusively just now on the stage 1 evidence for the Regulation of Care Bill. This Bill sets up a Scottish Commission for the Regulation of Care to oversee care standards, and a Scottish Social Services Council to regulate the social care workforce. There are a number of technical issues to be dealt with regarding the treatment of staff and the financial implications of the Bill.
The papers for this week’s evidence show a number of concerns from the local authority sector. CoSLA and ADSW (the Association of Directors of Social Work) have made extremely similar submissions which highlight:
NAIRO, which represents the inspectors, has largely technical concerns. It supports the two bodies approach, and suggests the inclusion of adoption and fostering services within their scope.
Last week’s Executive evidence on the Convention Rights Compliance Bill was largely technical, concerned (as the bill is) with tidying up Scots law in the light of the ECHR. Issues raised included implications for victims, for legal aid and for fees.
This Committee meets for the first time this week, and has a blank sheet for its work programme and means of operation.
Following evidence taken last week, the Committee will consider in private its conclusions on the general principles of the Regulation of Care Bill before reporting to the Health Committee.
This week they take evidence on stage 1 of the Housing Bill from CoSLA, and a selection of local authorities including Glasgow. In their written submission Glasgow are unhappy with the proposals for a New Executive Agency to replace Scottish Homes, proposing that the bulk of their resources and responsibility should be transferred to local authorities.
This week the major item concerns the operation of the Parliament’s Committees, where a large number of changes (many of them minor) are being discussed.
There will then be private discussion of the inquiry into whether the Parliament is adhering to the principles agreed by the Consultative Steering Group.
The Committee is continuing to investigate differential petrol pricing.
The Committee considered additional evidence as requested on the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Bill. As it was felt that the arguments have been fleshed out enough, Committee members agreed to cease taking oral evidence on the issue. All further evidence will be taken by correspondence.
This week the Committee continues with their central task of the year – the Housing Bill. Issues raised in evidence so far include:
In their evidence, the Chartered Institute of Housing accepted the modernisation of right to buy but asked for the Committee to consider further reductions to the discounts and look at local variability on discounts.
This week the Committee takes evidence from tenants representatives including the Scottish Tenants Organisation and the STUC.
Subordinate Legislation Committee
The only controversy last week was a technical matter about the commencement order for the UK Sexual Offences Act. The Committee and Executive are in dispute over whether the order has been properly made, which is vital as, if it has not, anyone charged under the Act could challenge its legality.
This week the Executive gives evidence on delegated powers in the Housing Bill.
Transport & the Environment Committee
The Committee continues with its inquiry into the Water Industry.
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