Committee News
Issue 76, 3rd September 2002
Education, Culture & Sport Committee
The Committee will consider its approach to the expected bill
on the protection of children. The bill will establish a
consultancy index of adults deemed unsuitable to work with
children, and would mean that the Scottish provisions for
checking the backgrounds of staff would have the same scope as in
England, where a consultancy index has already been established.
It is proposed that oral evidence should begin in October.
It will also consider the appointment of reporters in relation to football in Scotland and the funding of Museums. This follows the Committee considering the issue of finances and youth development in Scottish football together with a petition on fans’ participation in decision making processes. The issue of the funding of museums is being considered following an audit carried out by the Museum Council.
The Committee will consider further correspondence received in relation to the petition on Roman remains at Cramond and will give further consideration to a petition on the facilitation of the establishment of a film industry in Scotland.
Enterprise & Lifelong Learning
Committee
The Committee met over the recess to consider its Lifelong
Learning Final Report. At this week’s meeting, members
will report on the case study visits on the impact of
foot-&-mouth; urban tourism and dispersal; golf
and business tourism; and E-tourism.
Professor Terry Stevens of Stevens & Associates will give a presentation on the research undertaken on Support for Tourism: An International Comparison. The report looked at case studies in 14 other countries and two regions of the UK. It found examples of best practice in areas including Ireland, Catalonia and Ontario. It recommends 5 key lessons for the industry in Scotland: creating a clear and focussed national tourism strategy that involves the private sector; encouraging different types of products and services to establish strategic alliances that meet market demand; encouraging product innovation based on market demand but incorporating a degree of risk; promoting Scotland aggressively through the tourist board; expanding international tourism and avoiding mixed messages to vital markets; and ensuring there is a quality research base to support future strategic planning.
The Committee will also take evidence from the Tourism Inquiry Adviser, Dr Roger Carter, who has submitted a paper to the Committee stressing the importance of niche marketing and tourism e-business, in the light of which he says the Committee should examine the funding and role of Tourist Information Centres.
Equal Opportunities Committee
This week, the Committee will consider draft reports on the Local
Government in Scotland Bill and the Debt
Arrangement and Attachment Bill.
The Committee will also hear evidence on the Inquiry into Gender Equality and Best Value from Deputy Finance and Public Services Minister, Peter Peacock; the Scottish Executive; the STUC; and Zero Tolerance. In a memorandum to the Committee, Peter Peacock stressed that equal opportunities is now a major constituent of how Best Value is defined and pursued in the public sector. In its submission, UNISON argued that the Executive should make equal pay audits for all local authorities a condition of funding and that local authorities should also improve their options on flexible working arrangements. UNISON also argued there should be a "Fair Employment" Clause in all contracted out services.
The Committee will also consider further the non-attendance of Tommy Sheridan (SSP).
Justice 1 Committee
Stage 1 of the Title Conditions Bill this week,
which reforms the burdens which can be placed on a property at
the time of its sale. This is completing the work begun with the
abolition of feudal tenure etc. The papers are mainly technical,
although the Equal Opportunities Committee have raised a number
of issues such as the display of notices for people with visual
impairments.
A set of petitions on road accidents have produced correspondence from ministers suggesting no change – they mainly concerned individual cases where a charge of causing death by dangerous driving was preferred to murder.
Finally, there are papers for information on prisons, including confirmation from the auditor general for Scotland that accounting practices in respect of Kilmarnock Prison are in order.
Justice 2 Committee
Stage 2 of the Land Reform Bill continues.
As the Committee made little headway before the summer, members
will again be considering the sections of the Bill on access.
There will also be private consideration of the stage 1 report on the Criminal Justice Bill.
Local Government Committee
This week sees evidence on the Public Appointments
& Public Bodies Bill from the current UK
Commissioner; a paper on the next phase of the Executive
consultation Renewing Local Democracy; and
consideration of the stage 1 report on the Local Government
in Scotland Bill (Best Value, wider competence, etc),
probably in private.
Rural Development Committee
At this week’s meeting the Committee will take evidence
for its Inquiry into integrated rural development from
Enterprise Minister, Iain Gray.
Social Justice Committee
The Committee will consider its future work programme, and a
draft response to the Scottish Executive consultation on changes
to exemptions to the licensing scheme.
The Committee will also consider in private a draft Stage 1 report on the Debt Arrangement and Attachment (Scotland) Bill.
Transport & the Environment
Committee
This week evidence will be taken on the Water
Environment & Services Bill from
private businesses. Looking at the written evidence:
There is also a paper on the situation regarding Highland & Island ferries which is a useful summary of the issues involved – the Minister gives evidence next week.
Other Committee Homepages:
Audit Committee
European Committee
Finance Committee
Health & Community Care Committee
Procedures Committee
Public Petitions Committee
Subordinate Legislation Committee
Standards Committee
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