Scottish Parliament e-Brief, Issue 224

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

Crackdown on knife crime
A five-point plan aimed at stamping out knife crime, including potential four-year prison sentences and a licensing scheme for the sale of non-domestic knives, has been adopted by the Executive.

Funding for care home sector
Investment of £94 million intended to increase the level of care home fees and reward those who provide the best quality care home services, has been announced.

But Health Minister Andy Kerr has warned that in future he would be looking for clear outcomes showing how the investment has been used to improve services, saying:

"Over £140 million has already been invested by the Scottish Executive and local authorities to implement the recommendations of the National Review Group. … But I want to be sure that this public money is being spent in the right way, to improve the quality of care provided to Scotland's older people. In future we will be looking at ways to reward those providing the best quality of care, as well as those who show the greatest improvements.”

WEDNESDAY begins with an Executive debate on Green Jobs.

With no motion published at the time of writing, the exact focus of the debate is unclear. It can be surmised, however, that the employment opportunities created through environmentally friendly activity – such as the fabrication of wind turbines - will be raised.

As always, the motion will appear in the Business Bulletin in due course and a full transcript of the debate will be available in the Official Report from 08:00 on Thursday.

The day concludes with a Member’s Business debate entitled Lung Cancer Awareness Month from Irene Oldfather (LAB).

THURSDAY begins with a green party debate on food.

Again, no motion has been published, but issues around the production of food are likely to feature.

As always, the motion will appear in the Business Bulletin in due course and a full transcript of the debate will be available in the Official Report from 08:00 on Friday.

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 an Executive debate on Violence Against Women.

With an Executive debate on domestic abuse at the beginning of the month, this may not focus so much on violence in the home. It has been suggested that there will be an “international dimension” to the debate, but as, once again, no motion has yet been tabled, no further details are available at present.

Chamber business concludes with a Member’s Business debate on Encouraging School Debating from Brian Monteith (CON).

Wednesday 24^th November 2004
14:35 - 17:00	Executive Debate: Green Jobs
17:00 - 17:30	Member’s Business: Lung Cancer Awareness Month (Irene Oldfather (LAB))

Thursday 25^th November 2004
09:30 – 12:00	Green Party Debate: Food
12:00 – 12:30	First Minister's Question Time
14:00 – 15:00	Question Time: * Enterprise, Lifelong Learning and Transport; * Justice and Law Officers; * General Questions
15:00 – 17:00	Executive Debate: Violence Against Women
17:00 – 17:30	Member’s Business: Encouraging School Debating (Brian Monteith (CON))

Tuesday 23^rd November 2004
AM	Audit	The Committee looks at maintaining Scotland’s roads and commissioning community care services for older people & management of community equipment.
	Finance	Evidence on the Cross Cutting Review on Economic Development and the Transport (Scotland) Bill is followed by consideration of whether to contribute to the UK Parliament’s Public Administration Select Committee’s inquiry into Civil Service Effectiveness.
PM	Enterprise and Culture	Three panels of witnesses give evidence on the Area Tourist Board Review.
	European and External Relations	The Rt Hon Henry McLeish returns to the Parliament to give evidence to the Promoting Scotland Worldwide inquiry.
	Health	The Committee considers a number of public petitions on a range of issues.
	Justice 2	Three panels of witnesses give evidence on the Youth Justice Inquiry.
	Local Government and Transport	An array of senior figures from the world of public transport give stage 1 evidence on the Transport (Scotland) Bill.
Wednesday 24^th November 2004
AM	Environment and Rural Development	Three panels of witnesses give evidence on the Water Services etc. (Scotland) Bill.
	Public Petitions	New petitions cover topics including Council Tax and a national anthem for Scotland. (The latter, in an unusual move, being supported by Presiding Officer, George Reid and Green MSP, Chris Ballance.) The Committee also returns to the petitions on the health and safety hazards from seagulls in urban areas; the suitability of HMP Peterhead for the long-term imprisonment of convicted sex offenders; and the management and structure of Scottish Football.
	Justice 1	Members consider the Emergency Workers (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2.