Committee News
Issue 37, 12th June 2001
The Audit Committee is taking new evidence on its inquiry into the NHS in Tayside. Members have been trying to get to the bottom of the financial difficulties of NHS Tayside and, although nearing the end of their inquiry, have decided to take yet more evidence. This will be a weighty report once complete.
Education, Culture & Sport Committee
Last week the Committee took evidence from Deputy Education Minister, Nicol Stephen on Budget 2002-03, where education is prioritising adoption and fostering policy. There was an update on the Committee’s inquiry into a Children’s Commissioner with the convenor reporting on a visit to the Northern Ireland Assembly, who are also looking at the issue. Key issues identified include the commissioner’s role in relation to devolved and reserved matters; funding and the allocation of a budget; the commissioner’s relationship with other agencies; and the need for a concordat. The Committee plans to take evidence after the recess.
The Committee met in Stornoway on Monday to take evidence for its Gaelic Broadcasting Inquiry, and also discussed arrangements for the publication of its report on the National Stadium.
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Committee
This week’s Committee considers the Regulations for the Graduate Endowment. The regulations have been laid under the affirmative procedure for statutory instruments and the Committee will debate the issue on the basis of a motion lodged by the Deputy Minister, Alasdair Morrison.
These regulations are the final part of the creation of a graduate endowment.
Last week, the Committee took evidence from Social Justice Minister, Jackie Baillie and Deputy Health Minister, Malcolm Chisholm at the close of its inquiry into travelling people. Several issues were covered. Malcolm Chisholm admitted that failings had been exposed through the Committee’s investigations, but that the Executive was committed to fair access to health services and was beginning to take action.
The Committee raised the possibility of Gypsy/Travellers setting up housing associations to run sites. Jackie Baillie said the Executive was not convinced of the viability of the proposal but would be prepared to consider it further. Through the Housing (Scotland) Bill, the Executive is bringing sites and site management under the new regulatory framework which should improve sites throughout Scotland.
In relation to education, HMI are currently reviewing its performance indicators to improve the coverage of equality and fairness issues, and the Committee was encouraged to contribute to the review.
The Committee hopes to publish its report before the recess.
The Committee this week considers the financial implications of Justice 1’s Protection from Abuse Bill. The Financial Memorandum accompanying the bill expects the main costs arising from the Bill to come from an increase in court applications from the increased power of arrest. These costs will fall on the Scottish Court Service and on the legal aid fund. Additional costs are also likely to be incurred by the police, the Crown Office and the Scottish Prison Service through an anticipated increase in arrests resulting from the attachment of powers of arrest. Since there is widespread cross party support for this Bill, it is unlikely that many issues of controversy will arise.
Health & Community Care Committee
This week the Committee returns to the flu vaccine and MMR.
Last week saw an interesting session with the Legal Services Ombudsman regarding the regulation of the legal profession. There was discussion of the length of time taken to process complaints against solicitors, which can be years. This is good for neither the complainant nor the solicitor who is the subject of the complaint. There are also problems with public perception of self-regulation of the legal profession.
This was followed by the proposal for a Scottish Human Rights Commission. There was also discussion of who would represent the UK at international ECHR conferences – Sweden has developed a model where different regions take it in turns.
This week the Committee returns to the topic of offending by women. The note prepared for the meeting reminds us that most women are imprisoned for very minor offences, such as fine default and in particular failure to buy a TV licence. It also highlights the extent to which drug use, prostitution or both are key to the offending behaviour of many women.
The Committee meets this week to take evidence from council chief executives on the draft Local Government (Timing of Elections) Bill. The bill proposes changing the date of local government elections to coincide with the Scottish Parliament elections, giving local authorities 4 year terms. It's early days, but positions are beginning to emerge. Labour and Liberal Committee members are supporting the position that we move directly to 4 year terms with a shared election date. The SNP seem to agree with 4 years but argue that it should remain 3 years until both elections converge. On behalf of the Tories, Keith Harding appears to be advocating a different election day for local government from the Scottish Parliament.
In the Committee’s last meeting on 22nd May, the Committee considered the European Committee’s Report on the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. The European Committee’s report has been welcomed by many and is seen as a blueprint for negotiations with which many can agree, both from politics and the industry itself.
The Committee continues with their lengthy deliberations of the stage 1 report of the Wild Mammals Bill.
Social Justice is considering a paper on the implementation of the order on houses in multiple occupation. The paper arises from a submission from the Abbeyfield Society for Scotland Ltd, a provider of sheltered housing, calling on the Scottish Executive and the Parliament to consider the implications for social housing providers of the implementation of the Order. The Society is concerned about over regulation, over inspection and the degree of discretion granted to local authorities in terms of charging for the registration process with no maximum limit. The Executive has indicated that it could look at the effect that mandatory licensing has had on Abbeyfield and other such organisations when the operation of the system is reviewed after a year of operation. If there have been any serious problems, amendments to the system could be considered.
The Committee considered the Housing Bill at its meeting last week. Concern was expressed about the use of judicial review as the only appeal against regulations concerning eviction from hostels.
Transport & the Environment Committee
This week’s Committee meeting considers the Sixth Environmental Action Programme and takes evidence from Jim Currie of the European Commission. This new EU environmental programme will establish the focus of environmental policy for the next ten years. One of Sweden’s principal goals as President of the EU has been to bring about a preliminary decision on the programme before the Göteborg Summit. The environmental programme has been strengthened and allows for greater integration of environmental policy into the different sectors.
The Committee also considers an affirmative instrument "The Scotland Act 1998 (Transfer of Functions to the Scottish Ministers etc.)" which transfers some technical powers on rail to the Transport Minister.
The Committee will also consider how to take forward consideration of Petition PE 96, which calls on the Parliament to hold an inquiry into the adverse environmental effects of sea cage fish farming. This has been a controversial issue in the past with the Executive wishing to undertake a review of fish farming and environmentalists wanting a full inquiry.
Finally the Committee will consider a further draft report on its inquiry into water and the water industry.
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