Committee News

Issue 26, 13^th March 2001

Audit Committee

Audit met last week to take evidence on the Trunk Road Networks (Contracts) from the Auditor General, who is undertaking an examination of the recent decision. This will consider:

• If the decision was consistent with achieving value for money.
• Whether the Executive ran the competition to award the new contracts fairly, regularly and in accordance with good procurement practice, to achieve its objectives and secure value for money.
• Whether the Executive has established robust and clear arrangements for managing the contracts when the contract period begins.

The report is expected in June.

Education, Culture & Sport Committee

Last week the Committee took evidence from Sam Galbraith on Hampden. This has turned into a lengthier inquiry than expected with the role of Queens Park being heavily criticised.

On proposals for an adoption and fostering inquiry, the Committee agreed to invite Education Minister, Jack McConnell, to give evidence following the recent report on looked after children.

Committee members also considered a petition on the extension of schools meals and agreed to write to the Minster for details on:

• The cost to local authorities of extending the entitlement.
• What the Executive is doing to encourage uptake.
• What local authorities are doing to encourage uptake.
• Nutritional standards of schools meals.

This week, the Committee meets in private to consider questions for the SQA who are attending the Committee next week.

Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Committee

The Committee has been proceeding with Stage 2 discussion of the Graduate Endowment Bill, with amendments aimed at raising the threshold for repayment, being rejected. The Executive has emphasised that, as repayments will not begin until 2004, the level is likely to be higher by then due to inflation.

On Thursday, the Committee issued their response to the Executive’s response to the Career’s Services Review (Duffner Report) which can be read by clicking here.

Equal Opportunities Committee

The committee continues with its inquiry into Travelling People and Public Sector Policies and considers a petition from the Platform Adult Learning Centre on translation services for deaf, deaf/blind people and for people with hearing difficulties for meetings of the Parliament.

Finance Committee

Finance this week considers a proposed remit for an inquiry into PFI/PPP, along with arrangements for Stage 1 of the 2002/2003 Budget Process.

Health & Community Care Committee

Last week, the Committee discussed its report on the Regulation of Care Bill in private. However, key issues in the public sessions have included the minimum number of inspections of a care service in each year, and the means of funding the new care Commission.

This week, the issue of haemophiliacs infected with Hepatitis C through blood products returns to the Committee. An inquiry last year found that the NHS had not been negligent, but sufferers are continuing to argue for compensation.

Justice Committee 1

The Committee meets on Tuesday to take evidence for their legal aid inquiry. The Scottish Executive's policy is to ensure access to legal aid for those people who could not otherwise afford it and the provision of an efficient and effective service to everyone who qualifies.

The Committee has been meeting in private to consider their stage 1 report on the Convention Rights Compliance Bill with the Stage 1 debate due on the 21^st March.

Justice Committee 2

The Committee will this week discuss the issue EU initiatives in the Justice field under the ‘second pillar’ (co-operation in the justice field) of the Maastricht Treaty.

Local Government Committee

Local Government has started taking evidence for its review of local government finance. The Executive evidence underlined the work that has already been done to reform local government finance and CoSLA, while recognising the positive steps that have been taken, concentrated their comments on supporting the need for an inquiry. The evidence continues this week with Minister for Finance and Local Government, Angus MacKay, Glasgow City Council and West Lothian Council as witnesses.

Procedures Committee

The Committee met last week to consider a number of issues:

• They agreed to recommend that more time be allowed for bringing forward amendments.
• Noted concerns over the time taken to receive answers to Parliamentary Questions and letters, but felt that progress was being made by the Executive and that MSPs could act more responsibly in submitting questions. They would continue to monitor the situation.
• They rejected any proposals to limit MSPs ability to lodge questions by means of a limit or disallowing questions in recess.
• They agreed that inspired questions could continue but perhaps be identified.
• They expressed concern at the use of 30 minute debates such as the SSP’s last opposition morning. The SNP widened the concern to include Sewel motions.

These issues will all come to Parliament for further discussion.

Rural Development Committee

Rural Development last week discussed the Cod Recovery Plan at the request of Richard Lochhead (SNP). At the suggestion of Mary Mulligan (LAB), the Committee finally agreed to write to the First Minister expressing their concern at the current situation and urging him to consider all options, including a tie-up scheme, to sustain the future of the industry.

Over the last few weeks, Committee members have expressed concern at the foot and mouth situation. This week, the Committee hears evidence on the issue from the Edinburgh Centre for Rural Research, the Scottish Beef Council and the Road Haulage Association.

Social Justice Committee

The Stage 1 report on the Housing Bill, with contributions from Local Government and Equal Opportunities Committees, was issued on Friday and can be read by clicking here.

This week, the Committee meets to prepare for the forthcoming debate on their Drug Misuse and Deprived Communities report.

Standards Committee

Standards has begun its inquiry into lobbying, with researchers from Stirling University arguing for very tight regulation of the activities of public affairs professionals. This week the lobbyists’ trade organisations give evidence.

Transport & the Environment Committee

Transport and Environment has taken evidence from Sam Galbraith on their inquiry into the Water Industry, with the Minister arguing that mutualisation is not a viable option. He further contended that the Executive plans are the best choice if the industry is to stay under public control. The Committee now moves to drafting the report.

The Committee has also agreed the terms of reference for their inquiry into the trunk roads contracts.

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