Scottish Parliament e-Brief, Issue 220

IN COMMITTEE
This week’s likely highlights in the Committee Corridors include:

Voluntary care organisations
Voluntary sector organisations across

Scotland

are being urged to apply for a share of £1 million to help develop staff skills and improve the lives of vulnerable children and adults.

The funding is part of a three year package which has already helped 63 Scottish voluntary care groups train staff to meet the Scottish Social Services Council's standards for registration.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 26^th November 2004 and applicants should contact Gwen Smith for further information at:

Improvements to education for children in care
Young people in care will have access to better educational opportunities thanks to a £6 million investment which has been announced. The cash will support new ways to raise attainment for children in care in pilot areas which will be identified with CoSLA.

New figures show there has been little improvement in attainment or the number of care leavers getting a job or going on to higher education or training.

WEDNESDAY begins with an Executive debate on Tackling Drugs Misuse.

While it has not been confirmed at the time of writing, it is being reported that a multi-million pound investment in drug rehabilitation services is to be announced and it is expected that Justice Minister, Cathy Jamison, will use the debate to set out details of how the cash is to be spent. The target is to increase the availability of rehabilitation services by 20% over the coming years.

This Minister will also unveil the results of a review of support services.

The day concludes with a Member’s Business debate on Young Carers in Scotland from John Swinney (SNP).

THURSDAY begins with an Executive debate on Housing.

The focus will be on improving the quality and availability of housing in Scotland and will look at the Scottish Executive’s commitment increase by 30% affordable housing provision by 2007-08.

The aim of this is threefold:

To increase the availability of social rented accommodation for homeless people;
To reduce pressure on waiting lists; and
Help first-time buyers on to the housing ladder.

Also likely to feature is a debate about the likely contents forthcoming Housing Bill.

This is followed by First Minister’s Question Time.

In the afternoon, after Question Time (for the departments featured in the themed section this week, see Section 1 above), there is another Executive debate, this time on Making the Most of Scotland’s Forests.

In the last two years, more than 8,600 hectares of native woodland has been created or restored and the debate is likely to centre on the “significant contribution” which Scotland’s forestry and primary wood processing sector makes to the economy, tourism and jobs.

Specific developments for discussion may include the 70 partnership agreements between Forestry Commission Scotland and communities and the setting up of the regional forestry forums and the Strategic Timber Transport Fund.

Chamber business concludes with a Member’s Business debate on National Construction Week from Marilyn Livingstone (LAB).

Wednesday 27^th October 2004
14:35 – 17:00	Executive Debate: Tackling Drugs Misuse
17:00 – 17:30	Member’s Business: Young Carers in Scotland (John Swinney (SNP))

Thursday 28^th October 2004
09:30 – 12:00	Executive Debate: Housing
12:00 – 12:30	First Minister's Question Time
14:00 – 15:00	Question Time: * Environment and Rural Development; * Health and Community Care; * General Questions
15:00 – 17:00	Executive Debate: Making the Most of Scotland’s Forests
17:00 – 17:30	Member’s Business: National Construction Week (Marilyn Livingstone (LAB))

Tuesday 26^th October 2004
AM	Procedures	Evidence on Private Bills comes from, among others, the new Minister for Parliamentary Business, Margaret Curran.
	Audit	Issues for discussion include the contract for the provision of prisoner escort and court custody services; the NHS Overview; some Section 22 Reports; and the National Fraud Initiative.
	Finance	The Committee will take evidence from the Scottish Women’s Budget Group on the budget process.
	Standards	Members consider responses to the consultation on replacing the Members’ Interests Order.
PM	Enterprise and Culture	A not insubstantial agenda features evidence for the Arts in the Community inquiry and evidence on the Executive’s budget proposals from, among others, new Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister, Patricia Ferguson and new Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Deputy Minister, Allan Wilson.
	European and External Relations	The Promoting Scotland Worldwide inquiry hears from representatives of the sporting world, before members return to the issue of the European Commission’s decision in the case of Ryanair and Charleroi Airport.
	Health	The major Workforce Planning Inquiry continues apace. This week, no less than three panels of witnesses give evidence. Contributors include representatives from the Royal College of Anaesthetists; the Royal College of General Practitioners Scotland; the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow; the British Medical Association; the General Medical Council; the NHS Consultants Association; the Allied Health Professions Forum Scotland; and the Health Professions Council.
	Justice 2	After choosing a new Deputy Convener, the Committee turns to the Youth Justice Inquiry.
	Local Government and Transport	The inquiry into issues arising from the Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 takes evidence from figures from the bus industry, the Scottish Traffic Commissioner and others.
Wednesday 27^th October 2004
	Education	Items of business include youth organisations; the Scottish Executive’s review of Children’s Hearings; and evidence on Disclosure Scotland.
	Communities	A range of witnesses give evidence on subordinate legislation regarding Building Regulations.
	Public Petitions	New petitions cover topics including the recovery of tax arrears; screening for heart disorders; artificial water fluoridation; and out-of-hours medical services in remote rural communities. The Committee also returns to the petitions on the exposure of police officers to potential risks of blood contamination; the prescription of vitamin supplements in the treatment of children with nutritional imbalances; and the storage and dispensing of NHS prescribed drugs in schools.
	Environment and Rural Development	Deputy Environment and Rural Development Minister, Lewis Macdonald, gives evidence on the Budget process 2005-06.