Committee News
Issue 61, 5th March 2002
Audit Committee
In its first meeting for a month, the Committee this Wednesday
continues consideration of the Auditor General’s report, 'Overview
of the National Health Service in Scotland 2000/01', taking
evidence from Health Board and Trust representatives from
Grampian and Argyll & Clyde.
Education, Culture & Sport Committee
Last week the Committee completed stage 1 of the SQA Bill
with little controversy. Members agreed to return to the issue of
the Roman Remains at Cramond later in March. It was also
agreed that Committee member Jackie Baillie (LAB) would join a
case study group on schools as part of the Finance
Committee’s PFI/PPP Inquiry.
Meeting in largely in private this week, the Committee considers a draft stage 1 SQA report and, following the positive results of its Inquiry, proposals for a Committee Bill to establish a children’s commissioner.
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning
Committee
Last week members continued consideration in private of the stage
one report of Nicola Sturgeon’s (SNP) Tobacco
Advertising and Promotion (Scotland) Bill (see Committee
News passim). Previous witnesses had been asked to provide
additional evidence. ASH Scotland provided information on the
effect of a tobacco advertising ban in Norway while the Scottish
Daily Newspaper Society provided information on the percentage of
newspapers produced solely in Scotland. The Tobacco Workers
Alliance provided additional information on the relative costs
contributing to the price of tobacco and estimates of the number
of jobs at risk from such a ban, especially at sites in Glasgow,
Alva and Cumbria. Their submissions can be viewed here.
Committee members are fortunate enough to have two meetings this week. The first considers a draft interim report of its Lifelong Learning Inquiry in private. The second sees Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development, Allan Wilson, move subordinate legislation on the draft Renewables Obligations Order, and a decision whether to submit its New Economy report to the EU e-economy consultation.
Equal Opportunities Committee
This week, Deputy Social Justice Minister, Margaret Curran, and
Deputy Finance and Public Services Minister, Peter Peacock, will
both give evidence to the Committee on the Budget Process
2003/04, before the Committee meets in private to discuss a
paper on its proposals for a Gender Equality and Best Value
Inquiry.
European Committee
There has been long discussion about changing the
Committee’s remit to include external affairs. This has
now become a wider issue, because European is a mandatory not
subject Committee and therefore a change to its remit requires
the approval of the whole Parliament. Indeed, there are questions
as to whether the Scotland Act allows the remit of a
mandatory Committee to be changed during the course of a
Parliament.
A new EU directive on combating ozone depletion was considered, as was a petition on globalisation. The clerks noted that the subject matter of the latter – international trade rules – is reserved.
Finance Committee
Last week, the Committee debated and agreed to recommend the
draft Budget (Scotland) Act (Amendment) Order,
taking evidence from Deputy Finance Minister, Peter Peacock, in
the process. Discussion touched on, among other things, the
Forestry Commission, Scottish Transport Group, VisitScotland, the
Lockerbie Trial, road building, student support and individual
learning accounts.
Assisted by adviser Professor Arthur Midwinter, members also agreed draft guidance for issue to subject Committees in relation to the 2003/04 budget process as well as to appoint reporters. Possible cross-cutting reviews as part of the 2003/04 budget process were also considered.
Health & Community Care Committee
Last week’s meeting dealt solely with subordinate
legislation. An emergency order prohibiting the harvesting of
king scallops from waters in the south Minch due to levels of
amnesic shellfish poison was approved. The Committee also
approved instruments concerning regulation of food and animal
feedingstuffs and the notification of marketing of food for
particular nutritional uses.
A packed agenda for this Wednesday includes further evidence on Nicola Sturgeon's (SNP) Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill; petitions; the remit of its Public Health Inquiry; possible action on cancer services in Scotland; hospital acquired infections; Arbuthnott allocations; the Health Plan; the Finance Committee’s PPP/PFI Inquiry; and proposed mental health legislation.
Justice 1 Committee
Last week the Committee continued stage 2 of the Freedom
of Information Bill dealing with exemptions,
confidentiality (both commercial and private) and the functions
of the Commissioner. There were no votes.
Stage 2 continues this week. The Committee also prepares for two pieces of forthcoming work: the anticipated Criminal Justice Bill, and an Inquiry into alternatives to custody.
As last year, joint meetings of the two Justice Committees begin to consider the budget.
Justice 2 Committee
An unusual procedure last week, as stage 3 evidence was taken
on the Sexual Offences (Procedures & Evidence) Bill.
This is because of the concerns raised about the late submission
by the Executive of amendments at stage 2 relating to the
disclosure of previous convictions. Most witnesses accept that,
in the circumstances of a sex offence case turning on character
evidence, it is acceptable for previous convictions to be
disclosed to a jury: argument continues as to which and when.
The Committee returned to the petition on court delays facing those seeking civil justice for damage done to their health by exposure to asbestos. Members agreed to continue work on the subject when time allowed.
This week’s meeting returns to the long Inquiry into the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal service. The law officers will be in attendance and have tabled a written paper on new policies and procedures arising from the Chhokar case.
Local Government Committee
This week, the Committee begins stage 2 of the Scottish
Public Sector Ombudsman Bill. This post will incorporate
the functions of the Scottish Parliamentary Commissioner for
Administration, the Health Service Commissioner for Scotland, the
Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland, and the
Housing Association Ombudsman for Scotland.
Procedures Committee
Last week’s evidence on the marathon CSG Principles
Inquiry came from witnesses as diverse as UNISON, the EIS,
the Federation of Small Business, Convenor of the Enterprise and
Lifelong Learning Committee, Alex Neil (SNP), architects and
chartered surveyors.
Mr Neil praised Enterprise Minister Wendy Alexander for her open and constructive dealings with his Committee. The EIS reiterated concerns that external organisations cannot contribute effectively at stage 2. The EIS also asked what the point of inspired questions was, suggesting that some sort of official bulletin be used for Executive announcements instead. The Federation of Small Business shared the general concern about consultation timescales, but particularly noted this in respect of European matters. They also described the Scottish Civic Forum as a talking shop.
Public Petitions
Last week there were several petitions from sections of the rural
community complaining of a lack of consultation by Scottish
Heritage. Christine Grahame (SNP) also attended the meeting
and took part in a rather heated discussion in response to a
petition on the Borders Council education overspend – it was
agreed to write to the Executive and the Scottish Executive for a
progress update.
Rural Development Committee
No papers are available for this week’s meeting, but it will
substantially be taken up with discussion of the forthcoming Inquiry
into Integrated Rural Development.
Standards Committee
Last week, Standards agreed to amend the Code of Conduct in line
with its recommendations on confidentiality in its report,
The Investigation of Unauthorised Disclosures. The
Committee is proposing:
A motion will come before the chamber in due course.
Transport & the Environment
Committee
The main item last week was consideration of a public
petition regarding road congestion in Aberdeen which will
be taken into account when considering another petition on the
city’s transport infrastructure.
This Wednesday’s meeting will discuss the Rail Inquiry and a further draft report on the first phase of its Aquaculture Inquiry.
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