Committee News
Issue 22, 30th January 2001
Education, Culture & Sport Committee
Last week, the Committee took evidence on the Regulation of Care Bill and heard concerns from the Scottish Childminding Association about the extension of the age range covered by regulation from 8 to 16 years while the ratio remains at 6 children per childminder. They are concerned that this will cause difficulties for children who are at a childminder for short periods in the morning and following school. Also the issue of the two bodies being proposed by the Bill (the Commission and the Council) was raised with other witnesses. Brian Monteith (CON) and Irene McGugan (SNP) proposed a single body.
This week, the Committee continues taking evidence on the Bill. The National Foster Care Association is arguing for:
The Scottish Throughcare and Aftercare Forum are concerned that the needs of young people leaving care are currently not included in the Bill, but welcome the Executive’s intention to introduce measures at a later stage of its passage. In their written evidence, the forum raise the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 in England and Wales, which will mean, in Scotland, DSS resources for 16 and 17 year olds leaving care being transferred to local authorities.
The Committee are the first to take evidence from the Ministers on the Housing Bill, with both Jackie Baillie and Margaret Curran attending on Tuesday to discuss the equality implications of the bill. Also present will be the Commission for Racial Equality. In terms of equalities, the Committee has already welcomed the status given to same sex couples in the Bill.
Issues which may arise include the disproportionate levels at which ethnic minorities are owner occupiers in poor standard housing. This is often due to exclusion from rented accommodation and the issue of ethnic minority housing associations. In private, the Committee continue their inquiry into Travelling People and Public Sector Policies.
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Committee
Last week the Committee took evidence on the impact of the new economy inquiry in Scotland from the Communications Managers Association and BT.
The Committee is considering the position of the Scottish economy to make best use of the new telecommunication technology. It is argued by many in the industry that "broadband" technology - where large amounts of computer information can be delivered much more quickly that it can now through telephone lines - is the way forward. BT agreed to provide the Committee, in confidence, their estimate of the level of demand needed to make the provision of broadband technology economically viable.
Another important issue is how easy it is for Scotland to link to America. There are some who argue that Scotland should link directly across the Atlantic (like Ireland does) rather than being routed via London. BT agreed to forward their assessment of the costs of a transatlantic cable crossing following their discussions with Scottish Enterprise.
The Committee also published their report on the Graduate Endowment Bill.
This week the Committee takes its New Economy Inquiry to IBM in Greenock and through the use of the company’s video conferencing facilities will take evidence from one of IBM’s top US advisors.
This week the Committee takes evidence for its inquiry into the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) from five fishermen’s organisations, including the Scottish White Fish Producers Association which represents more than half of the members of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation. They also hear from major environment organisations. The terms of reference agreed by the Committee cover the following headings:
A perusal of the extensive written submissions indicates that all sides want reform of the CFP, and to balance conservation and industrial needs; it is the detail which differs.
The Committee is continuing with the hard work of taking evidence on its Resource Accounting and Budgeting Inquiry and the Stage 2 process of the Budget Bill.
Angus MacKay is giving evidence to the Committee on the Budget Bill (Stage 2) and it is likely that the Committee will question him on the level three figures from the Spending Review. These figures were missing from the second phase of the budgetary process (i.e. before the Bill was published) and the Committee took the view that it was difficult to make much comment without these figures.
Health & Community Care Committee
Last week saw extensive evidence from the local authority social work field on the Regulation of Care Bill. A number of common issues are likely to recur during the Bill’s passage.
This week’s evidence is from organisations representing carers, consumers and the voluntary sector, and noteworthy issues in their written submissions concern whether carers should be defined as providers or recipients of care services; and the adequacy of the bill in relation to home, as opposed to residential services.
This week the Committee begins with consideration of correspondence between convenor Alasdair Morgan (SNP) and Justice Minister, Jim Wallace on the Committee’s proposed Protection from Abuse Bill. The Executive wishes to expand the Bill in two ways, which would enhance the protections afforded by the legislation but might have the effect of delaying its passage. Morgan, however, expresses doubts in his correspondence, and raises the prospect of delaying Executive legislation in turn.
The Committee will also consider a petition from the UK Men’s Movement, which calls for measures against false rape allegations, including the publication of the identities of alleged victims where a man is acquitted.
Evidence continues on the Convention Rights Compliance Bill from the Executive, the Scottish Human Rights Centre and SACRO.
Last week’s inaugural meeting was purely procedural, although the SNP pushed their opposition to the appointment of the convenor and deputy to a vote.
Last week, the Committee took evidence on the Housing (Scotland) Bill. Key areas of concern from CoSLA are homelessness, strategic function, repair and maintenance grants, and the transfer of Scottish Homes’ powers. They welcome much of the bill but raise concerns about adequate resources, appropriate supply of housing, the role of the new Executive agency and the relationship it will have with local authorities.
Glasgow City Council argues for the transfer of full responsibility for housing planning and funding, and the setting up of a single strategic local housing budget.
This week, discussion of housing continues with evidence from Shelter and the Scottish Council for Single Homeless. Shelter will be critical over the lack of a more statutory footing for appeals in the Bill.
Last week’s meeting was uneventful, but did throw up one interesting piece of information. Although Committee papers are supplied to the media electronically, a number of journalists insist on receiving paper copies as well. The annual cost of the copying and distribution is estimated at £30,000. As Murray Tosh (CON) pointed out from the chair, members of the press might regard this as profligate expenditure were they not the beneficiaries.
This week, fisheries Minister, Rhona Brankin will give evidence to the Committee on the European Fisheries negotiations from December’s Fisheries Council. This continues to be a highly topical issue, especially in the North East.
Last week, the Committee heard from the Scottish Tenants Organisation, who concentrated on their opposition to housing stock transfer (although it is not included in the Housing Bill as such), and the Tenants Information Services who welcome the statutory obligation for tenant consultation, but want this extended to a statutory obligation for tenant participation. They also want the Bill strengthened to clarify who will meet the resource implications.
The STUC’s evidence concentrated on section 95 of the Bill: they welcomed the expansion of contract opportunities for local authorities and DLOs, but expressed concern at the difficulty of winning contracts against private companies which employ workers on a self employed basis. The STUC are calling for employees to be on proper terms and contracts as part of the tendering process.
Continuing progress on the Housing Bill, this week the Committee take evidence from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and CoSLA, who gave evidence to Local Government last week and can be expected to raise similar issues. Meanwhile, the SFHA are completely opposed to modernisation of the right to buy.
This week the Committee returns to the issue of lobbying. Having previously considered a summary of the responses to its questionnaire on the subject, it now considers the full findings. A majority of respondents were opposed to anything but voluntary regulation, although, as the clerks note, many of these respondents have a vested interest. The Committee must now decide how to proceed.
Progress continues towards a Committee bill to appoint a Standards Commissioner. The temporary Commissioner will also present his report on the leaking of a Health Committee report.
Subordinate Legislation Committee
Given the concerns raised about bills being too short and too dependent on subordinate regulation, the Committee last week welcomed the fulsome length of the Housing Bill in all its ninety-page glory.
One issue arose in discussion with officials which may return: the definition of a Registered Social Landlord. Bristow Muldoon (LAB) was particularly concerned about companies registering. It was confirmed that any organisation, company or otherwise, wishing to receive public investment would have to become an RSL.
Gordon Jackson (LAB) has been partly reassured by the Executive on the issue of a commencement order for the Sexual Offences Act (if a mistake had been made the Act could have been open to legal challenge) but the matter will be raised again this week.
Transport & the Environment Committee
Last week the Committee agreed to hold an inquiry into the arrangements for the future management and maintenance of trunk roads in Scotland. They have appointed a number of reporters to undertake preparatory work e.g. terms of reference and possible witnesses - this will be taken back to the whole Committee for decision.
This week the Committee continues taking oral evidence for its water inquiry.
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