Committee News
Issue 58, 5th February 2002
Education, Culture & Sport Committee
The Scottish Qualifications Authority Bill, which makes changes to the management of
the board, was introduced by the Executive last week. As the lead
Committee, Education is keen to progress with the Bill quickly.
This week, members meet in private to discuss draft reports as the end of the Inquiry into a Children’s Commissioner draws near. If they agree to proceed, the Bill will be introduced by the Committee.
Today, members of the Committee are giving evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster which is considering broadcasting and devolution.
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning
Committee
The Committee last week took evidence form a number of
representatives as part of its on-going Lifelong Learning
Inquiry, ranging from HM Inspectorate to Head Teachers and
Principals. As yet there is no Official Report.
Equal Opportunities Committee
This week, the Committee takes evidence from Deputy Social
Justice Minister, Margaret Curran, on disability issues and
considers a paper on proposal for a Gender Equality and Best
Value Inquiry.
European Committee
No Official Report of last week’s meeting yet, but the
agenda included the Euro, declining fish stocks,
and feedback from the Laeken Summit. SNP members tried to
initiate an Inquiry into the Euro 2008 bid, but it was
agreed that if this was required, it would be a matter for the
Education Committee.
Finance Committee
The Committee took evidence from Finance Minister, Andy Kerr,
regarding the Budget Bill and accompanying
documents and concluded stage 2 considerations.
Members also identified issues that the Committee could consider in its review of financial scrutiny arrangements. Convenor Des McNulty (LAB) summed up the general feeling that the Committee must deal with the dissatisfactions that it and the subject Committees have felt about the level of transparency and comprehensibility of the budget process. He also called for the Committees of the Parliament to be given greater purchase on the budget-setting process, so that they understand better what is going on and have an opportunity to change budget allocations in light of policy considerations.
Members also discussed topics for future Inquiries identifying The Financial Issues Advisory Group (FIAG) and on-going Inquiries surrounding PPP/PFI as priorities.
Health & Community Care Committee
Evidence continued on Nicola Sturgeon’s (SNP) bill to
ban tobacco advertising, from smoking lobbyists FOREST, the
British Medical Association and the Centre for Tobacco Control
Research. Discussion surrounded the relative influence of
advertising and sponsorship with FOREST arguing that high duty by
the UK Government is the major cause of under-age smoking as it
encourages smuggling.
Health Minister, Malcolm Chisholm, also gave evidence regarding the Executive’s Inquiry concerning Hepatitis C. The Minister rejected SNP members’ requests that the expert group should include a lawyer from the Irish Republic, repeating that there would be three lawyers in total. He also made it clear that the Inquiry would take account of experiences in other countries. He also confirmed that the Executive would produce preliminary recommendations on practical and, if appropriate, financial assistance for hepatitis C sufferers by July 2002.
It was agreed that discussion of the Committee’s response to the consultation on organ donation would continue on Wednesday. Other items for this meeting include further evidence taking on tobacco advertising and discussion of subordinate legislation.
Justice 1 Committee
Colourful evidence last week on the Regulation of the
Legal Profession Inquiry from Scotland Against Crooked
Lawyers, who demonstrate outside the Parliament each week. The
group proved to be secretive and slightly uncooperative,
regarding most things as part of a criminal web of deceit. The
sitting was eventually suspended by the convenor.
This week the Committee begins stage 2 of the Freedom of Information Bill, with part 1 which deals with the general right to information. Many amendments have been tabled, not least by Donald Gorrie. (Lib Dem). The draft Codes of Practice form part of the Committee papers, as does the Executive’s noncommittal response to the Committee’s report on Legal Aid.
Justice 2 Committee
Last week, the Land Reform Bill continued with
Rural Development Minister, Ross Finnie, in attendance. A number
of points arose.
Both the Minister and Rural Affairs officials stated that there is a law of trespass in Scotland, which runs counter to much expert evidence. Written evidence from the Law Society this week also bears on this.
Commercial access continues to be an issue. The clause exempting commercial access was clearly designed to require permission for T in the Park style events, but members have become fixated on whether paid mountain guides would require permission to take people walking.
Consideration continues this week. Also this week, the Committee considers the Fergus Ewing (SNP) backed petition opposing a new visitor centre at Glencoe which has done the rounds of a number of Committees already. The papers include a summary of the more than 2000 responses to the Land Reform draft bill.
Local Government Committee
Last week the Committee concluded evidence taking for the Local
Government Finance Inquiry by hearing from Finance Minister,
Andy Kerr. As members now work on a draft report, key issues for
discussion among members are alternatives to / reform of Council
Tax, the distribution of business rates, the balance between
central and local funding and the level of ring-fencing and
hypothecation.
This week, the Committee begins stage 2 of the Marriage (Scotland) Bill. The Executive amendments are straightforward and are expected to be uncontroversial. Although at stage 1 the Committee was concerned that the requirement for venues to be ‘seemly and dignified’ is highly subjective and impossible to define, this is covered by the guidelines not the Bill, and is thus not part of stage 2 deliberations. While recent press reports have claimed that registrars are opposed to the removal of this wording from the guidance, the evidence to the Committee was fairly balanced, with many feeling that registrars and local authorities could be trusted to use common sense in making these decisions.
Procedures Committee
Last week’s meeting saw lengthy evidence from journalists
and broadcasters for the CSG Principles Inquiry. Broadly
speaking, members are happy with the level of transparency and
openness of the Parliament. Evening newspapers dislike the 5PM
decision time (they would prefer a midday vote on morning
business.) The BBC would like all on-the-record briefings also to
be on camera.
Labour members questioned the journalists quite robustly about the language in which some issues – MSPs’ allowances and recess weeks, for example – are reported.
Public Petitions
New Petitions being considered raise issues such as proposals
for a secure unit at Stobhill and the Wild Mammals Bill.
Rural Development Committee
Last week was entirely devoted to private discussion of the
stage 1 report on the Land Reform Bill.
More of the same this week, plus Rural Development Minister, Ross Finnie, defending the continuation of the 20 day animal movement rule in respect of foot-&-mouth.
Standards Committee
At its last meeting, Tricia Marwick (SNP) indicated that, while
acknowledging that other Members had agreed to the report on Lobbying,
she remains of the view that there be a statutory Code of Conduct
for commercial lobbyists and that they should also be required to
disclose fees.
Arrangements for the launch of the Committee's Standards Commissioner Bill were also finalised.
Subordinate Legislation
Not wishing to be left out, Sub Leg last week became yet another
Committee to be discussing the Land Reform Bill. A
long session with Executive officials focussed on the
Committee’s usual concern, which is that too many powers are
being given to Ministers to exercise.
This week’s meeting may generate more interest than usual as it looks at the Wild Mammals Bill.
Transport & the Environment
Committee
The Committee concluded scrutiny of stage 2 of the Water
Industry Bill, where visiting SNP spokesman Bruce
Crawford pursued his amendment concerning Scottish Water’s
involvement in joint venture companies. Deputy Minister for
Environment and Rural Development, Alan Wilson, pointed out that,
as contracting out is an area where Scottish Ministers may direct
Scottish Water, Mr Crawford’s amendment seeking power for
Ministers to curtail private sector involvement was unnecessary.
A proposed amendment by John Scott (CON) requiring consent by landowners for capital projects was defeated on the basis that such consent would impede urgent updating of infrastructure projects, especially in rural areas, and fair provisions involving compensation and referral of disputes to Sheriffs already exist.
With stage 2 of the Water Industry Bill out the way, attention turned to modifications of the Water Act 1980 and an Order allowing additional premises to be added to those which Scottish Water can be required to supply water by meter-only.
An Implication by the Fiona McLeod (SNP) that Ministers are seeking powers to order all domestic customers to be metered was rejected by Alan Wilson, who made clear that modifications are purely intended for cases where domestic premises are used for commercial purposes.
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