Committee News
Issue 33, 15th May 2001
This week’s meeting returns to the saga of the NHS in Tayside, considering the views of many of the senior responsible managers in health bodies at the time of the apparent financial difficulties.
Education, Culture & Sport Committee
Last week the Committee took evidence from trade unions associated with the SQA, including T&G, MSF and Unison, as part of their ongoing monitoring of this year’s exam programme. This week, the SQA offered trade unions more say in running the organisation. Trade union representatives are being invited to sit on a variety of groups in an attempt to address the criticism of the SQA’s working practise following last year’s exam problems. There are still concerns over poor relations between staff and management and it is hoped more involvement of the trade unions could help this.
This week, the Committee continues to monitor SQA taking evidence from representatives from the management including Bill Morton.
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Committee
Last week’s meeting took forward the inquiries into lifelong learning and SHEFC. This week the Committee moves on to its budget consideration.
Last week’s meeting agreed the terms of reference for the forthcoming inquiry into EU governance and finalised in private the report on reform of the Common Fisheries Policy.
Last week’s meeting dealt with the contentious issue of the Scottish Parliament building, as widely covered in the media. The budget deliberations are particularly interesting, informed as they are by research from Arthur Midwinter.
The issue of voluntary sector funding will be returned to in June.
Health & Community Care Committee
Last week saw consideration of the budget. Stage 2 of the Regulation of Care Bill continued without a single division.
Last week’s meeting continued with its legal aid inquiry, and agreed the way forward for the proposed Protection from Abuse bill.
This week sees consideration of the draft Freedom of Information Bill.
There was a further joint meeting on the budget between the two Justice Committees and another will be held this week.
Last week’s meeting continued to take stage 1 evidence on the International Criminal Court (Scotland) Bill. Among the issues raised so far are the following:
Further evidence will be taken this week.
On a petition concerning fatal accident inquiries, views are to be sought on the extent of the Lord Advocate’s discretion to call them.
This week the Committee will consider subordinate legislation arising from UK legislation on sex offenders. This will require such offenders to notify police about their movements abroad and their return to the UK.
There is also a petition on asbestosis compensation, from a member of the public concerned that cases may be delayed in the courts.
Last week the Committee took evidence on the Timing of Elections Bill which is expected to lead to local authorities having 4 year terms of office with the election on the same day as the Scottish Parliament elections. In private, the Committee began considering its conclusions on the consultation on a rates relief scheme for small businesses. The Executive consultation on this issue is due to end on 18th May. One of the key points for debate is how we define a small business with options such as size of premises, number of staff and turnover being considered as the defining factor.
This week the Committee takes evidence on the Budget 2002/03 from Finance Minister, Angus Mackay.
Last week’s hot issue was sea cage fish farming: the Committee considered a proposal to continue to press for an independent inquiry, rejecting it on a vote. The Committee agreed to continue consideration of this matter to await the views of the Transport and Environment Committee.
There were private discussions of the continuing goings-on surrounding the Committee’s procedures on the Wild Mammals Bill, which have been referred to the Standards Committee.
This week the Committee continues with stage 2 of the Housing Bill, reaching improvement and repair grants. The possibility of completing stage 2 is in sight.
Last week, Tommy Sheridan (SSP) moved the complete abolition of the right to buy, an amendment which was rejected but inspired Sandra White (SNP) to say that she had "a great deal of sympathy" with it. Her own amendments sought to amend the right to buy to the point where it would effectively be meaningless.
Karen Whitefield (LAB) has tabled an amendment to reduce the maximum discount level to 35% or £15,000, whichever was greater. This aims to balance the concerns of housing associations and lenders with the rights and aspirations of tenants.
Last week’s meeting lasted two minutes, a record even for this Committee.
Transport & the Environment Committee
This Committee has a penchant for private deliberations, with trunk roads, water, and parts of the budget all taken behind closed doors.
There was, however, public evidence on the budget from Transport Minister Sarah Boyack last week and consideration of the same petition on fish farming as came up at rural development.
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