Committee News
Issue 31, 1st May 2001
At its last meeting, the Committee took evidence on the report by the Auditor General for Scotland, "National Health Service Bodies in Tayside", from a wide range of representatives from the Scottish Executive and from the NHS bodies themselves. The Committee considered the evidence taken in private and agreed to take further written evidence.
Education, Culture & Sport Committee
The Schools Infrastructure Inquiry got underway last week. Somewhat confusingly, SNP councillors from Falkirk Council endorsed the Conservative policy of ‘free schools’ – abolishing Educational Authorities, leaving schools to run themselves independently. Mike Russell (SNP), however, said this was not SNP policy.
Several important issues on the agenda this week, as the Committee considers the Executive’s adoption policy review; is updated on recent announcements on SEN provision and grant aided schools which extend current funding arrangements to 2003; and considers a public petition on school closures. The key issue here is national guidelines. In England, new guidelines were introduced in 1998 and the petitioner asks that equivalent guidelines be introduced in Scotland, with any proposed school closures being delayed until the guidelines are introduced. Following the Committee’s report on school closures last year, CoSLA is currently working on guidance on school closures.
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Committee
The ELLL Committee is investigating the Scottish Further and Higher Education Council’s review of Teaching and Research Funding.
There has been some controversy within the Higher Education sector because of a SHEFC consultation document which proposes changing the funding level of certain courses. The proposals being put forward by SHEFC could have a significant impact on certain courses – and therefore on the funding package to some HE institutions. The Committee, therefore, is keen to ensure all the issues are considered quickly.
The Committee also considers in private their draft report on the New Economy Inquiry.
Last week, the Committee took evidence from representatives of the travelling community as part of their Travelling People and Public Sector Services inquiry. Concerns were expressed about the lack of consistency of provision across local authorities and the level of discrimination experienced by travellers.
Evidence was also taken on the Budget Process 2002-03 from the Equality Network, Equal Opportunities Commission and the Disability Rights Commission. Much of their evidence expressed a wish for a clear distinction between equality proofing the budget — the process of rendering visible the differentials in relation to mainstreaming — and the specifics of allocating against identified need. The Committee also agreed to recommendations in the written report from Elaine Smith (LAB) as the reporter on gender issues that they should consult Engender's women's budget group to ensure that gender impact analysis becomes an integral feature of spending allocation plans.
Last week in the light of recent economic developments regarding the closure of the Motorola plant and other establishments, the Committee agreed to give urgent consideration to the draft Council Directive establishing a general framework for informing and consulting employees in the European Community.
The Finance Committee took their last piece of verbal evidence last week from Peter Peacock on their inquiry into Resource Accounting and Budgeting. The inquiry has been a somewhat technical investigation; nevertheless it has raised a number of important points.
RAB brings public sector accountancy practices in line with the private sector. It means that resources are accounted for (e.g. buildings, roads etc) and not just cash. In terms of managing public sector resources, it makes sense that the value of its assets is taken into account when budgeting and allocating resources.
For example, Scotland’s trunk road network has been valued at £8 billion. Nowhere in the Executive’s budget documents is there a reflection of the value of this asset. It may cost £300 million to maintain that network, but if we didn’t maintain it, then it would cost £8 billion to replace. Resource Accounting and Budgeting takes into consideration any depreciation of the asset – therefore the real cost to Scotland if the asset is not maintained.
Health & Community Care Committee
The Health Committee continues with its consideration of the Budget, and with stage 2 of the Regulation of Care Bill.
Last week the legal aid inquiry heard from the Law Society. They welcomed the provision for exceptional cases in the Convention Rights Compliance Bill, and expressed satisfaction with the width of the scheme as it stands. The areas that they raised for discussion included:
Phil Gallie (CON) continued to press for legal aid to be made available for small businesses. The Law Society said that this would be very complex unless literally one individual was involved, and they pointed out that a well-run business will be insured against risk.
Stage 2 of the Convention Rights Compliance Bill began with minimal controversy. Discussion continued around the powers of ministers to change laws in order to make them comply with the ECHR; and Phil Gallie (CON) continued his lone campaign against the inclusion of tribunals in the legal aid scheme. As was widely reported, he also took the opportunity to raise group sex again, accepting that there must be equality and asking therefore for heterosexual group sex to be outlawed. He did not press his amendment and stage 2 continues this week.
Last week’s meeting began with officials giving evidence on the International Criminal Court (Scotland) Bill. Considering that the issue of the bill is global standards of human conduct, the discussion focussed mainly on the minutiae of the Scots legal system.
The papers for this week’s meeting include written submissions on the ICC Bill. They are welcoming, but call for strengthening of certain aspects.
The Committee considered a petition which, as featured in last week’s media, called for judges in Scotland to be required to declare membership of the Freemasons. The Committee agreed to seek further information, but Margo Macdonald (SNP) suggested that this was a problem with the English justice system which did not apply in Scotland.
The Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service also gave evidence. The questions and answers were largely factual, although the officials did not see all the problems with the service that some Committee members did. The inquiry continues this week, and future work on the Scottish Prison Service will also be raised.
Further evidence will also be taken on drug driving.
Last week, Peter Peacock gave evidence on the Local Authorities (Tendering) Bill, which extends CCT in order to extend the moratorium. Although the minister was questioned over the delay in the complete introduction of Best Value, this is proving fairly uneventful with the Committee considering a draft Stage 1 report this week.
The central item this week is non-domestic rates and the consultation on a relief scheme for small businesses with evidence from CBI (Scotland), the Forum of Private Businesses and the Federation of Small Businesses. The FPB are arguing for rates targeted at the businesses rather than the premises while the FSB have revised their proposals to meet the Committee’s preference for a tapered rates relief scheme.
The Committee has discussed the topic of parliamentary questions frequently and at length. Issues have included the volume of questions submitted, their appropriateness, and the time taken to respond to them; and the length of Question Time in the Chamber. This week Minister for Parliament, Tom McCabe, will be in attendance to discuss the Executive’s view of these matters.
The Committee also returns to a paper from Donald Gorrie (LIB DEM). It will be recalled that on this occasion he has been inspired by the recent fisheries votes to attempt to codify the response that the Executive must make to a resolution passed by the Parliament.
Rule changes up for discussion include the suggestion that a Committee collectively should be able to propose amendments to bills.
Last week the Committee considered a petition from the NFU calling on the Scottish Parliament to amend the Disease of Fish (Control) Regulations 1994 to compensate fish farmers. The Committee took evidence and agreed to note the petition and to write to the Minister expressing the Committee’s concerns.
Foot and Mouth Disease remains on the RDC agenda and it received a written update from the Executive on the status of the disease.
Work on Stage 2 of the Housing Bill continues this week with two meetings to consider, among other issues, the Scottish secure tenancy.
As was reported in the media, at last week’s meeting, against the wishes of Labour members, Fiona Hyslop (SNP) successfully moved an amendment which will allow Registered Social Landlords to opt out from their homelessness responsibilities. The SNP, with support from Bill Aitken (CON) and Robert Brown (LIB DEM), claim it is about recognising the diversity of housing providers. The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), CoSLA and Shelter, however, have all fiercely opposed the amendment, with SFHA making clear their hope that it will be over-turned at stage 3.
The amendment dilutes the requirement on registered social landlords to re-house homeless households by creating a loophole whereby Registered Social Landlords could circumvent the proposed duty.
Last week the Committee considered the evidence it has received on lobbying. It was agreed to work up proposals to establish a statutory registration scheme for commercial lobbyists, and to look further at developing a voluntary code of conduct for lobbyists.
Transport & the Environment Committee
Last week’s light agenda for the T&E Committee was dealt with mainly in private - including considerations of the Budget Process and consideration of an advisor to the inquiry into the Trunk Road Maintenance Contracts. Evidence taking for this inquiry will start mid-May.
The Committee also agreed to the statutory instrument that allows for relief to Water and Sewerage Charges.
This week the Committee takes evidence for their consideration of the 2001/2 Budget process. The Committee has decided to investigate two issues in particular with regards to the budget – these being Highlands and Islands Airports and CalMac.
The Committee also starts deliberations on its draft report on the Water inquiry. These discussions will be taken in private and will no doubt be lengthy given the issues involved.
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