Committee News
Issue 48, 13th November 2001
Audit Committee
This week the Committee considers a progress report from
Audit Scotland on the way in which FE colleges are responding to
its report "Scottish Further Education Colleges –
Managing Costs".
The Committee will also consider a proposal by Finance Minister, Angus Mackay, that will extend the scope of the Auditor General for Scotland to conduct value for money investigations in a number of additional public bodies, including VisitScotland.
Education, Culture & Sport Committee
Last week, the Committee
met in Galashiels to take evidence for its Scottish Borders
Education Inquiry from council officials, councillors and
trade unions. A controversial issue, with the education
budget’s overspend being over two years, the public
attending the meeting made clear their unhappiness. A key issue
raised was difficulties with the management structure. Also,
over-commitment to nursery provision in terms of buildings and
places, and cuts to the Special Educational Needs budget were
criticised. Somewhat hampered by the absence of the former
convenor of the council’s education Committee and the former
assistant director of education finance, particularly as other
witnesses stressed their involvement, the Committee will hold a
further evidence taking session.
This week, the Committee takes evidence from a range of children’s organisations for its Children’s Commissioner Inquiry, including the Youth Parliament, and in private, considers again a draft report on the Scottish Ballet Inquiry.
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning
Committee
With no meeting last week, the Committee this week concentrates
on the lifelong learning inquiry. It also considers the
economic implications of Nicola Sturgeon's (SNP) Private
Members Bill on Tobacco Advertising.
Equal Opportunities Committee
This week, following its civic participation event, the
Committee continues with preparation for the chamber debate on
the Gypsy/Travellers and Public Sector Policies inquiry
report (expected at the end of the month). This week, members
consider the text of the motion for the debate. In private, they
consider draft reports on the Water Industry Bill and the Community
Care and Health Bill.
European Committee
Last week, the focus was once again on governance. The
Committee’s adviser had tabled her report on how Scotland
influenced EU activities, and the view is positive. Executive
officials believe they are more accountable than pre-devolution.
A lot depends, though, on there being the same political party in
power at both levels. Were this not to be the case, we would be
in uncharted territory.
Westminster Europe Minister, Peter Hain, addressed Scotland’s role in Europe, pointing out many areas of partnership and influence.
Also at the meeting, Lloyd Quinan (SNP) confirmed his opposition to the Euro.
Finance Committee
Last week the Committee started taking evidence in earnest for
its PPP / PFI Inquiry. Members took evidence from an
academic and the CBI. The CBI, as might be expected, makes a
strong case for the role of private finance in the delivery of
public services. They did accept, however, that there is a limit
to the use of PFI in the public sector, but they would not be
drawn on where that limit would be set. The Committee continues
taking evidence this week.
Health & Community Care Committee
The Committee continues to take evidence on the Community
Care and Health Bill and last week took evidence from the
umbrella organisation which represents care providers in the
voluntary sector. They argue that people under the age of 65, but
in need of personal care, should get this service free – as
will the over 65s. They believe it will be possible for this to
happen through the regulations. The care organisations do
appreciate, though, that the Care Development Group only
considered the costs for the over 65s. They also accept that the
cost would be very high and no provision for this has been by the
Executive.
Deputy Health Minister, Malcolm Chisholm also gave evidence to the Committee where he indicated that he was not opposed to having a general statement of the principles of the Bill on the face of the Bill. This is something many of the organisations that have given evidence to the Committee have asked for. The Minister suggested that there is a new tradition starting in the Parliament that includes such a statement on the face of legislation. This week, the Committee considers their draft report of the Stage 1 evidence on the Bill.
Justice 1 Committee
This week sees evidence from three prison governors –
Peterhead, Barlinnie and Low Moss.
Stage 1 evidence on the Freedom of Information Bill continues with UNISON and the Disability Rights Commission as witnesses. The Committee papers contain the many initial written submissions – almost one hundred pages of them. Alongside the concerns about exemptions and costs, which have been frequently raised, Friends of the Earth Scotland have been running hard on the issue of environmental information. This is governed by the Aarhus Convention, and FoE are concerned that different rules could apply to environmental and other information.
Justice 2 Committee
Last week’s evidence on Procurators Fiscal took
evidence from the people themselves, in the form of their
professional association. Key themes were the desire for greater
resources and more pay; they also felt that there was no great
crisis in the system. Non-legal staff, represented by the PCS
union, gave detailed information on their pay and conditions.
This week there is subordinate legislation on which the GMB has raised concerns. The order in question will raise the financial limit required to take personal injury claims to the Court of Session from £1,500 to £5,000 – the limit has not been raised for many years. The GMB wish to retain the lower limit as they deal with many small cases.
Local Government Committee
The Local Government Finance Inquiry continues this
week, concentrating on the interests of business with evidence
from CBI Scotland and the Scottish Chambers of Commerce. Both
make clear their opposition to alternatives to the council tax
such as a local sales tax or local income tax and are concerned
about the level of uniform business rates in comparison to
England. This, though, has been fully explored by the previous
inquiry into business rates.
Evidence is also taken from Prof. Midwinter, who identifies as a key issue creating a better match between service responsibility and funding, and the Scottish Executive, whose submission focuses on PPPs.
In private, members consider how to proceed with stage 1 of the proposed Marriage (Scotland) Bill, a bill adopted by the Executive when Euan Robson (LIB DEM) became a minister. The bill will approve specific sites as venues for civil marriages, as long as they preserve the dignity of the marriage ceremony and the clear distinction between a civil and religious marriage. (See the News section of last week's e-Brief.)
Rural Development Committee
Last week the Committee took evidence at stage 2 on the Wild
Mammals Bill – an unusual procedure. What was most
interesting about the evidence from gamekeepers, terriermen and
hillpacks was their acceptance that the Bill would be passed
– all concerned are now trying to frame amendments that
allow legitimate and humane pest control to continue. Amendments
resume this week.
Social Justice Committee
This week, the Committee takes evidence from the Executive on
Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation, before going
on to have a panel session with members including Scottish
Women’s Aid (who argue that refuges should be exempt from
requirement of mandatory licensing). The Committee also takes
evidence from SCVO for its Inquiry into the Voluntary Sector.
Standards Committee
Standards met last week to consider a complaint from Rhona
Brankin (LAB) that Tommy Sheridan (SSP) took up the case
of one of her constituents without agreement. The Committee
agreed that there had been a breach of the Code of Conduct, which
Tommy Sheridan was reminded he had voted for, but not before a
disagreement over the constituent involved making a statement,
which was against procedure.
The Committee returned to discussion of possible new categories of registrable interests and agreed including the registering of non-pecuniary or non-financial interests such as unremunerated directorships or membership of voluntary and charitable organisations, professional bodies, societies or sporting or cultural organisations. Members did not agree, however, to extending the obligation to register to spouses/cohabitees and close family members, such as children.
Subordinate Legislation
Last week saw the usual concerns about too many subordinate
powers being given to ministers – this time in the Water
Industry Bill.
Transport & the Environment
Committee
The Committee met in Aberdeen
on Friday with a full agenda covering some of the difficult
transport issues in and around the city. In particular, city
leaders are very keen that a Western Peripheral By-pass is
constructed to allow through traffic to the north to by pass the
city centre. This is an extremely sensitive issue within the city
and city leaders are calling for central funding to create such a
road. The Committee also considered its ongoing aquaculture
inquiry.
This week, the Committee will question Rural Affairs Minister, Ross Finnie, on the Stage 1 process of the Water Industry Bill.
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