AG/S4/14/01
PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
AGENDA FOR MEETING ON TUESDAY 7 JANUARY 2014
9.00 am: Room Q1.03
1.
Minutes
(a) Draft minutes of 17 December 2013
(b) Matters arising
(attached)
2.
Future business programme
(PB/S4/14/01)
3.
Legislation: referral of a Bill at Stage 1
Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill
(PB/S4/14/02)
4.
Legislation: timetabling of Bills at Stage 2
Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Bill
(PB/S4/14/03)
5.
Legislation - Legislative Consent Memorandum
Children and Families Bill
High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill
(PB/S4/14/04)
(PB/S4/14/05)
6.
Appointment of a committee adviser: Health and Sport
Committee
(PB/S4/14/06)
7.
Publication scheme – consideration of any exempt
papers
POSSIBLE MOTIONS FOR MEMBERS’ BUSINESS
1. Bureau Members will be aware that under Rule 5.6.1(c) the Bureau has a
duty to ensure that there is a period of time available for Members’ Business
following Decision Time.
2. Motions submitted for Members’ Business are shown below.
S4M-07944# Michael McMahon: Hospice Care Week 2013—That the Parliament notes that 7 to 13 October 2013 is Hospice Care Week; notes that there are 24 inpatient units in Scotland caring for adults approaching the end of life, over half of which are charitable hospices; considers that there is a growing need for hospice care across Scotland and that the increased demand and need for hospice care will come from people with more complex health and social care needs; understands that hospices continue to require the support of the communities that they serve; acknowledges the ongoing Scottish Government and NHS support for hospice care in Scotland, and welcomes the call of Help the Hospices and Marie Curie Cancer Care for there to be continued commitment and support for hospice care in Scotland to meet the growing need.
S4M-08138# Margaret McCulloch: Scotland's Towns Week—That the Parliament welcomes Scotland’s Towns Week, which will run from 18 to 24 November 2013; understands that the purpose of the week is to unite, inspire and support towns across Scotland to run or launch events, campaigns or projects that will raise the profile of the country’s towns; welcomes the series of events already planned in communities across the country, including the Scotland’s Towns Conference in Inverness on the 22 November; notes that Scotland’s Towns Partnership has developed a toolkit to help communities participate in Scotland’s Towns Week; further notes the appeal by the partnership for volunteers to come forward as Scotland’s Towns Week Ambassadors to help promote the campaign in general and their town’s inclusion in the week, and hopes that involvement in Scotland’s Towns Week helps towns across Scotland become stronger, greener and more resilient communities.
S4M-08169# Claudia Beamish: Thirsting for Justice—That the Parliament understands that the average daily consumption of water of Palestinian people to cover domestic and public service needs is around 70 litres per person; believes that this is well below the 100 litre limit recommended by the World Health Organization; understands that Israeli policies and practices limit access to water for people in Palestine to less than they are entitled to under international law; believes that only 31% of West Bank residents have access to the sewage network and that there is only one waste water treatment plant operating in the area; considers that there are significant barriers to access to water for agricultural use; condemns what it sees as Israel’s refusal to grant the necessary permits or military security clearance for the construction and operation of sanitation and waste water treatment facilities; understands that the situation is far worse in the Gaza Strip where, it believes, over 30 kilometres of waterworks and 11 wells operated by the water authorities were damaged or destroyed by the Israeli military during its mission, Operation Cast Lead; understands that the Report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, which is known as the Goldstone report, deemed that the Israeli actions were ―deliberate and systematic‖; applauds the Thirsting for Justice Campaign, which, it understands, works directly with communities in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and notes the campaign's aim to encourage European citizens, including those in the south of Scotland, to demand that governments put pressure on Israel to comply with international law and for human rights to be respected in Palestine.
S4M-08214 Richard Baker#: Unite's Back Home Safe Campaign—That the Parliament welcomes the launch by Unite the Union of the campaign, Back Home Safe, which calls for immediate improvements to the safety of offshore flight; understands that, following the tragic fatal North Sea helicopter crash in August 2013, the union carried out an extensive
consultation with its members in Aberdeen and across Scotland, and with others in the offshore workforce, the outcome of which suggested that over half of the workers are not confident in offshore helicopter flight safety; believes that workers on North Sea installations are taking an active role in supporting the campaign, which calls for improvements to be made in a number of areas, including increased investment to create a larger offshore fleet, changes to the internal seat configuration of the helicopters and the compulsory fitting of internal emergency lighting, and notes both the calls for the industry and Scottish Government to engage fully with the union to help ensure that these measures are implemented and for an independent commission to be set up to examine the issue of helicopter safety.
S4M-08250# Sandra White: MTV Awards Come to Glasgow—That the Parliament celebrates the announcement that the MTV Awards are coming to Glasgow; congratulates Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and EventScotland on securing what it considers this prestigious music event, and echoes the words of Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland that "With the Commonwealth Games, Ryder Cup, Homecoming Scotland 2014 and now the sensational music event confirmed, our portfolio next year is the envy of many countries ... Scotland is definitely the place to be in 2014".
S4M-08266# Neil Findlay: Airlines Discriminating against Disabled People—That the Parliament understands that, although EU law stipulates that airlines must provide assistance for passengers with reduced mobility who want to use toilet facilities, many companies do not carry portable aisle wheelchairs; commends those that do, such as Ryanair, Monarch, Thomsons and Virgin, but is concerned at the number of major airlines that do not; considers this to be a failure in their duty to adequately meet the needs of passengers from Lothian and across the country; sees this as a lack of provision that is discriminatory and can be humiliating; commends the Sunday Mail and the Reduced Mobility Rights website on exposing what it believes to be the failure of Jet2 to provide such basic equipment, and notes the view that all aircraft, regardless of the route being served, should carry on board portable wheelchairs to help meet the needs of passengers with reduced mobility.
S4M-08278 Alex Fergusson#: Cockles Need Muscles—That the Parliament welcomes the announcement of a management study involving a multiagency partnership led by Marine Scotland to develop management methods of cockle fishing in the Solway Firth that are sustainable and will bring maximum benefits to the local economy; further welcomes the involvement of local hand-gatherers in the partnership and congratulates the recently formed cooperative of local cockle fishermen on winning the tender to carry out the study; believes that the partnership of local community, industry and the relevant agencies represents the best opportunity of developing a sustainable local industry into the future and commends the study on its aims of the safe and controlled hand-gathering of cockles on the beach, transportation of cockles between the beach and a single collection point, the fair and transparent payment to cocklers and the use of a single distribution point; believes that what it considers this innovative study represents a major step toward introducing a long-term sustainable model of cockle fishing on the Solway and elsewhere, and warmly congratulates everyone involved in bringing what it sees as this valuable initiative together, while wishing the various participants every success for the three-month period of the study.
S4M-08320# Maureen Watt: Self-immolations in Tibet—That the Parliament notes with grave concern that at least 127 Tibetans have self-immolated, often fatally, since February 2009; understands that these actions are largely acts of protest against restrictions on religion, the Tibetan language, access to employment and the degradation of water resources and grazing lands; expresses concern at what it understands has been the state's attempts to prevent accurate reports of self-immolations reaching the media; condemns what it considers the criminalisation of family members and sometimes witnesses to the incidents; believes that 11 countries have urged China to improve the human rights of Tibetans at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 22 October 2013, and commends the work of the Scottish Centre for Himalayan studies at the University of Aberdeen, the Grampian Tibet Support Group and other groups across Scotland in highlighting human rights and supporting cultural and educational links with Tibet and beyond.
Me Posted (KMP) campaign; considers that, with the increase of paperless digital services, access to information can be restricted for people in Cunninghame North and across Scotland, including a number of older and disabled people; understands that 84% of consumers prefer to be given a choice between digital and paper access, that a majority say that they are more likely to read a paper copy of information than a digital version and that half admit that they would consider taking their business elsewhere if no choice was offered; appreciates the work of KMP and the 33 partner organisations that have committed to supporting its efforts, and believes that this campaign is very important in helping to ensure that freedom of choice for consumers is protected and enhanced.
S4M-08384# Christina McKelvie: Headway—That the Parliament congratulates the brain injury charity, Headway South Lanarkshire, on its release of an album that features musicians and people from South Lanarkshire who have experienced brain injury; understands that the charity campaigns and lobbies for better support and resources for dealing with brain injury, raises awareness of the condition and its effects and fundraises to support people affected by it; considers that the charity’s efforts have been important in improving people’s lives in South Lanarkshire and around the UK, and sends its best wishes to everybody involved with the charity and its supporters.
S4M-08449# Kenneth Gibson: Clyde 2020—That the Parliament acknowledges the commitment of Scottish ministers to meet the requirement under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to bring the Clyde up to Good Environmental Status by 2020; recognises the substantial economic, social and environmental importance of the Clyde, both locally and nationally; believes that meeting the Clyde 2020 target will increase employment in a diversified fishing industry, enhance tourism by boosting recreational sea fishing and improve biodiversity on and around the Clyde; understands that there is a wide range of parties with an interest in the future of the Clyde, including the people of Cunninghame North, and welcomes efforts by those parties to work together to deliver on these objectives.
S4M-08516# David Stewart: Melbourne Declaration on Diabetes—That the Parliament notes that the first meeting of the global Parliamentary Champions for Diabetes Forum was held in Melbourne from 30 November to 2 December 2013; understands that there are an estimated 382 million people with diabetes, including in the Highlands and Islands, and that this number is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035, that 80% of people with diabetes live in low and middle-income countries, that diabetes will cause 5.1 million deaths in 2013, one every six seconds, that the 66th World Health Assembly held in May 2013 has adopted nine global targets and 25 indicators to help address the non-communicable diseases (NCD) pandemic and that diabetes is the only one of the four major NCDs with its own global target, to halt the rise in diabetes and obesity by 2025; congratulates the 90 nations that have signed the Melbourne Declaration on Diabetes, and acknowledges what it considers the pivotal role of the International Diabetes Federation as the unique global voice for people with diabetes.
S4M-08548# Elaine Murray: Doorstep Lending Debt in Dumfries and Galloway—That the Parliament is shocked and disturbed at the figures released by Dumfries and Galloway Citizens Advice Service (DAGCAS) suggesting that, between October 2012 and October 2013, client debt arising from so-called doorstep lending has risen by 42%, which it considers a massive increase; understands with concern that the average such debt for people is £1,136 and that the total across the region is £207,890; condemns the practices of doorstep lenders; understands that these lenders regularly charge interest in excess of 1,000% APR; believes that problem debt is closely linked with the high cost of living and squeezed living standards and that the money borrowed often goes toward paying for everyday living expenses; commends DAGCAS on highlighting this issue and welcomes what it sees as the vital support that it provides from its permanent advice points in Annan, Castle Douglas, Stranraer and Dumfries to people struggling with all types of debt across Dumfries and Galloway, and welcomes the work of DAGCAS in encouraging citizens to consider carefully all of the options for borrowing and in the advice that it gives to help prevent debts spiralling out of control and leading to further problems.
S4M-08592# Joan McAlpine: Congratulations to the Big Burns Supper 2014—That the Parliament congratulates the Big Burns Supper festival on its programme of music, carnival, cabaret and theatre that that will take place in Dumfries from 24 to 26 January 2014; understands that the Big Burns Supper was established in 2012 and is now the world’s biggest Burns Night celebration; further understands that the 2014 festival will be the biggest to date, attracting visitors from Scotland, the UK and across the world; welcomes the varied programme of entertainment featuring international as well as local talent including Big Country, the Spanish-born singer, Concha Buika, and Cammy Black from Dumfries and Galloway; notes that 2014 is the Year of Homecoming and that the Big Burns Supper will celebrate this with a lantern procession that will include 2,000 people, and congratulates everyone who has contributed to the festival’s increasing success, including the organising team lead by Graham Main, Creative Scotland, Homecoming Scotland, Winter Festivals Burns Night, 8020 and Dumfries and Galloway Council.
S4M-08600# Stewart Maxwell: Holocaust Memorial Day 2014—That the Parliament notes that 27 January 2014 marks Holocaust Memorial Day, the 69th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and an opportunity for schools, colleges, faith groups and communities across Scotland to remember the six million men, women and children murdered by the Nazi regime in occupied Europe; further notes that the theme of Holocaust Memorial Day 2014 is "journeys"; values the Holocaust Educational Trust’s Lessons from Auschwitz Project, which gives two post-16 students from every school and college in Scotland the opportunity to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau; applauds Ruth Laird and William Seaborne, two students from Queen Anne High School in Dunfermline, who took part in the project and who will deliver the Parliament’s Time for Reflection message on 21 January 2014; celebrates the Holocaust survivors who have enriched Scotland as a nation, and recommits to ensuring that racism, sectarianism and bigotry are never allowed to go unchallenged in Scotland.
S4M-08604# John Mason: Promoting Family Recovery Across Scotland—That the Parliament notes the success of the Promoting Family Recovery Across Scotland event held in the Parliament on 21 November 2013 by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs; notes the briefing paper on promoting family recovery that was presented at the event; reckons that every substance user is part of a family involving at least five members and that if families are dealt with as a whole then much more can be done for the user in recovery; considers that good examples of this type of work are being taken forward across Scotland, especially in Grampian and East Dunbartonshire, and gives its full support to ensuring that all family members affected by the problematic substance use of a loved-one receive support in their own right.
S4M-08606# Tavish Scott: Oncology at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary—That the Parliament understands that there is a continuing shortage of specialist clinical oncologists at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary to provide radiotherapy treatment and that patients across the north of Scotland including Orkney and Shetland who would normally be treated at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary have had to be transferred to other parts of Scotland; recognises that, during what can be an extremely turbulent and distressing time for patients and their families, high quality care is preferable as close to home as possible; considers that patients undertaking radiotherapy treatment from Orkney and Shetland have benefited greatly from the comfort, convenience and support of being able to stay at Aberdeen CLAN Haven but that patients are deprived of this service if they are transferred to other parts of the country, and recognises the need for NHS Grampian to have both the support and staff necessary to provide the people of the north of Scotland with high quality care.
S4M-08651# James Dornan: The Cedar Network—That the Parliament commends the work of the Cedar Network and other third sector organisations in assisting women and young people who are affected by domestic abuse; notes that a branch of the Cedar Network has been established in Glasgow, which adds to the rest of its network across Scotland; considers its work, which it carries out through group work and support, to be hugely important in aiding recovery from domestic abuse; notes what it sees as the Cedar Network's close working relationship with a number of third sector and statutory organisations, such as the Castlemilk Domestic Abuse Project; considers that the inclusion of trained facilitators from a wide range
crucial to the success of the project; highlights research conducted by Nancy Lombard, who is a lecturer in social policy at Glasgow Caledonian University, on young people’s attitudes toward violence, which suggests that engaging them in discussions on the subject will help challenge gendered perceptions of this, and considers education on violence and support for women and children to be key in helping to break cycles of domestic abuse.
Record of Members’ Business taken by the Parliament from 8 June 2011
Date MSP Party Subject
8/6/2011 Marco Biagi SNP Green Investment in Edinburgh 9/6/2011 Elaine Murray LAB Ban on Use of Wild Animals in
Circuses
15/6/2011 Bob Doris SNP Fighting Sectarianism and Anti-Irish Racism
16/6/2011 Mark McDonald SNP North Sea Taxation 22/6/2011 Elaine Smith LAB There is a Better Way
23/6/2011 Stuart McMillan SNP David MacBrayne Group Supports Coastguards
29/6/11 Margaret Mitchell CON Police Complaints Commissioner for Scotland
30/6/11 Willie Coffey SNP The Scheme
7/9/11 David Stewart LAB Young Drivers
8/9/11 Aileen McLeod SNP Flavour Fortnight 2011
14/9/11 Rob Gibson SNP Remembering the Russian Arctic Convoys
15/9/11 Hugh Henry LAB Upper Clyde Shipbuilders
21/9/11 Bill Kidd SNP UN International Day of Peace, 21 September 2011
22/9/11 Jamie Hepburn SNP Save the Children Report, Making Work Pay – The Childcare Trap 28/9/11 James Dornan SNP Battling Scotland’s Drinking Culture 29/9/11 Paul Martin LAB Stop the Closure of Lightburn Hospital
5/10/11 Rob Gibson SNP Germany Exits Nuclear Energy
6/10/11 Christine Grahame SNP Jeremy Hunt Doesn’t Get the Picture so Neither Does the Borders
26/10/11 Jenny Marra LAB Fuel Poverty in Scotland
2/11/11 Sandra White SNP Mordechai Vanunu, Israel’s Nuclear Whistleblower
3/11/11 James Kelly LAB Nail the Rogues Campaign
9/11/11 Margaret Mitchell CON Prescription Medicine Waste
10/11/11 Liam McArthur LD Damaging Impact of Air Discount Scheme Changes
16/11/11 Dave Thompson SNP The People’s Bible
17/11/11 Siobhan McMahon LAB British Heart Foundation’s Heart Start Event
23/11/11 Jim Eadie SNP Act of Settlement
24/11/11 John Scott CON Provision of Orthopaedic Trauma Services at Ayr Hospital
24/11/11 Christina McKelvie SNP Nuclear Test Veterans
30/11/11 Kevin Stewart SNP St Andrew’s Day
1/12/11 Neil Findlay LAB Community Benefit and the
Cumulative Impact of Windfarm Developments in Communities
7/12/11 Sandra White SNP Truth About Youth Project
8/12/11 Rhoda Grant LAB MS, Better Care
Date MSP Party Subject
15/12/11 Sandra White SNP University of Glasgow Ranked First in the UK
21/12/11 Siobhan McMahon LAB Disability History Month
22/12/11 Jim Eadie SNP 10 Years on from Harkin-Engel, Child Trafficking in the Chocolate Industry 11/01/12 Annabel Goldie CON Volunteer Centre East Dunbartonshire 12/01/12 Margaret Burgess SNP High-interest Payday Loans
18/01/12 Elaine Murray LAB Independence Referendum, Let Wallace Vote
19/01/12 Joan McAlpine SNP Save Introducing in Scotland 25/01/12 Stewart Maxwell SNP Holocaust Memorial Day 2012 26/01/12 Patricia Ferguson LAB Save Glasgow’s Local Train Services 01/02/12 Colin Keir SNP Drum Brae Library and Community
Hub Project
02/02/12 Linda Fabiani SNP Assistance Dogs are Working Dogs Too
08/02/12 Jamie McGrigor CON Designation of Special Areas of Conservation
09/02/12 Helen Eadie LAB Celebrating the Value of Co-operatives Internationally
22/02/12 Dennis Robertson SNP Eating Disorders, Raising the Awareness
23/02/12 George Adam SNP Take a Step in 2012 for Fairtrade 29/02/12 Iain Gray LAB Protecting Access to Justice across
Scotland
01/03/12 Sandra White SNP BBC Scotland Job Cuts
07/03/12 Humza Yousaf SNP Save Gadburn School
08/03/12 John Park LAB The Living Wage, Tackling In-work Poverty
14/03/12 Sandra White SNP Commonwealth Week 2012
15/03/12 Mark McDonald SNP Changing the January Pay Date 21/03/12 John Lamont CON Local Rail Services to Berwickshire
and East Lothian 22/03/12 Sarah Boyack LAB Green Investment Bank
28/03/12 Jim Eadie SNP Violence in Syria
29/03/12 Jim Hume LD The Road Forward for Community Transport
18/04/12 David Stewart LAB Devolution of the Crown Estate 19/04/12 Christine Grahame SNP Community Radio Coming from a
Station Near You
25/04/12 Kenneth Gibson SNP Allotments Regeneration Initiative in North Ayrshire
26/04/12 Richard Baker LAB UCAN’s Campaign for Robot-assisted Surgery
02/05/12 George Adam SNP National MS Week
09/05/12 Elaine Smith LAB Beyond the Frame
10/05/12 Dave Thompson SNP Centenary of the Dewar Report 16/05/12 Alex Fergusson CON A Road to Health
17/05/12 Paul Wheelhouse SNP Addressing Alcohol Abuse among Scotland’s Armed Forces
17/05/12 Christine Grahame SNP Commemorating James Graham, Marquis of Montrose and Member of the First Scots Parliament
23/05/12 Jenny Marra LAB Deaf Awareness Week
24/05/12 Kenneth Gibson SNP Glasgow Epilepsy Genetics Service
31/05/12 Elaine Murray LAB Improvements to the A75 06/06/12 Colin Keir SNP Royal Highland Education Trust 07/06/12 John Mason SNP The Death Penalty in India
13/06/12 Liz Smith CON Scotland’s Mountain Rescue Teams 14/06/12 John Park LAB Celebrating Fife’s Outdoor Education
Centre
20/06/12 Rob Gibson SNP Remember Cunningham Graham
21/06/12 Jamie Hepburn SNP Time for an International Arms Trade Treaty
27/06/12 Patricia Ferguson LAB Scottish Government Cuts Threaten Creativity
28/06/12 Christina McKelvie SNP Success of Armed Services Advice Project
04/09/12 George Adam SNP Renfrewshire Witch Hunt 1697, Shining the Light for Community-based Events
05/09/12 Kenneth Macintosh LAB Humankind Index 06/09/12 Annabel Goldie CON River City
11/09/12 Kevin Stewart SNP Aberdeen City Centre
12/09/12 Clare Adamson SNP Scottish Steelworkers’ Memorial Fund 13/09/12 Claire Baker LAB Welcoming Fife Diet’s New Food
Manifesto 2012
18/09/12 Graeme Dey SNP Keep Scotland Beautiful
19/09/12 Christine Grahame SNP The Great Polish Map of Scotland 20/09/12 Sarah Boyack LAB Fair Access to the Legal Profession 25/09/12 John Mason SNP Gambling Proliferation
26/09/12 Kevin Stewart SNP Work Capability Assessments
27/09/12 Hugh Henry LAB NSPCC
02/10/12 Liam McArthur LD No to Nuisance Calls
03/10/12 Linda Fabiani SNP October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
04/10/12 David Stewart LAB Isle of Gigha,10 Years of Pioneering Land Reform
23/10/12 David Torrance SNP 5th Fife Scout Group, Kirkcaldy, Scottish Championship Award
24/10/12 Margaret Mitchell CON Dyslexia 25/10/12 Willie Coffey SNP Neil Armstrong 30/10/12 Hugh Henry LAB Protection of Workers
31/10/12 Roderick Campbell SNP The Vivarium Trust and Co-housing for Older People
01/11/12 Kenneth Gibson SNP Time to Introduce Presumed Consent 06/11/12 Adam Ingram SNP William Murdoch, The Scot Who Lit
the World
07/11/12 Kezia Dugdale LAB Living Wage Week
08/11/12 John Mason SNP Glasgow 2014, Scotland’s Time to Shine
13/11/12 John Scott CON British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly Autumn Plenary
14/11/12 Neil Findlay LAB Christian Aid, Tax Justice Bus 15/11/12 Nigel Don SNP Scottish Literature on the Big Screen 20/11/12 Jim Eadie SNP Caring for and Curing Boys and Men
with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 21/11/12 Claudia Beamish LAB Scotland’s National Museum of
Costume
22/11/12 Linda Fabiani SNP Open Your Eyes to Destitution in Scotland
Date MSP Party Subject
27/11/12 James Dornan SNP Celebrating St Andrew’s First Aid Week
28/11/12 Iain Gray LAB Value of Instrumental Music Tuition 29/11/12 Christine Grahame SNP A Scottish Media Panel
04/12/12 Jamie Hepburn SNP White Ribbon Campaign 16 Days of Action to Tackle Violence Against Women
05/12/12 Margaret Mitchell CON 40th Anniversary of Lanarkshire Samaritans, Hamilton
06/12/12 Patricia Ferguson LAB Bobath Scotland 11/12/12 Alison McInnes LD Camphill Scotland
12/12/12 Mark McDonald SNP Grampian Launches Autism Alert Card 13/12/12 Richard Baker LAB Edwards Syndrome and Support for
Babies with Palliative Care Needs 18/12/12 Christina McKelvie SNP Migrants’ Rights Day
19/12/12 Rob Gibson SNP Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters’ Marine Energy Constraints
20/12/12 Drew Smith LAB Job Losses at Clydesdale Bank 08/01/13 Kenneth Gibson SNP The Origins of Addiction
09/01/13 Malcolm Chisholm LAB 20 Years of Zero Tolerance Campaigns
10/01/13 John Mason SNP Mergers and Acquisitions 15/01/13 Adam Ingram SNP Scottish Coal Industry
16/01/13 Rhoda Grant LAB Sustainable Biomass
17/01/13 Bob Doris SNP Day Centre in Glasgow
22/01/13 Alex Johnstone CON Safer Social Networking for Children 23/01/13 Bruce Crawford SNP The Leprosy Mission Scotland
24/01/13 Helen Eadie LAB Clinical Standards for Cardiac Rehabilitation
29/01/13 James Dornan SNP Make Young People Your Business 30/01/13 Joan McAlpine SNP South of Scotland Television
31/01/13 Drew Smith LAB Work Not Play
05/02/13 Dave Thompson SNP Prohibit Cold Calling for Property Maintenance and Repairs
06/02/13 Annabel Goldie CON Street Stuff 07/02/13 Margaret McCulloch LAB Retail in Scotland
19/02/13 Jim Eadie SNP Lothiansound Talking Newspaper
Celebrates 25th Anniversary 20/02/13 Chic Brodie SNP Scotland’s Historic Buildings 21/02/13 David Stewart LAB 50 Miles Per Hour Campaign
26/02/13 David Torrance SNP Congratulating Fife Gingerbread on 25th Anniversary
27/02/13 John Mason SNP Families Need Fathers
28/02/13 Sarah Boyack LAB Enough Food for Everyone IF Scotland Plays its Part
05/03/13 Liam McArthur LD Postcode Lottery for People with Multiple Sclerosis
06/03/13 Murdo Fraser CON Endangered Species and Wild Land Conservation
07/03/13 Christina McKelvie SNP #Scotlandhour
12/03/13 Jean Urquhurt GROUP The Role of Crofting in the Highlands and Islands
13/03/13 Bob Doris SNP Dr David Livingstone’s Bicentenary 14/03/13 Neil Findlay LAB Lessons from Orgreave
19/03/13 Mark McDonald SNP Count Us In
21/03/13 Angus MacDonald SNP 75 Years of Young Farmers Clubs in Scotland
26/03/13 Bob Doris SNP Kurdish Contribution to Scotland, Remembering Halabja
27/03/13 James Kelly LAB Bicentenary Celebrations of Dr David Livingstone’s Birth
28/03/13 Sandra White SNP Bowel Cancer, Don’t Take a Chance, Take the Test
16/04/13 David Torrance SNP Congratulating Save Wemyss Ancient Caves Society
17/04/13 Kezia Dugdale LAB One Billion Rising
18/04/13 Nigel Don SNP Scotland’s Butchers Lead the Way with Quality Produce
23/04/13 Alex Johnstone CON Welcome to the National Cricket Teams of Japan
24/04/13 Jamie Hepburn SNP Future of Scotland’s Crown Post Offices
25/04/13 John Pentland LAB Workers’ Memorial Day 2013
30/04/13 John Mason SNP Social Tourism
01/05/13 George Adam SNP MS Week 2013
02/05/13 Neil Findlay LAB Blacklisting, a Scottish and UK Human Rights Abuse
07/05/13 Gordon MacDonald SNP Dads Rock 1st Anniversary
08/05/13 Mary Scanlon CON Importance of the Freshwater Pearl Mussel
09/05/13 Mary Fee LAB Using Prisoners’ Assets to Reduce Reoffending
14/05/13 Christina McKelvie SNP Voices from the Frontline, Digital by Default
15/05/13 Aileen McLeod SNP History is Made at the Mull of Galloway
16/05/13 Margaret McDougall LAB University Marine Biological Station Millport
21/05/13 Clare Adamson SNP Electrical Safety in the Private Rented Sector
22/05/13 Joan McAlpine SNP A National Tree
23/05/13 Anne McTaggart LAB Mary Barbour Commemoration
28/05/13 Sandra White SNP Sectarian Attacks against the Shia Community
29/05/13 Margaret Mitchell CON AEDs in Scotland 30/05/13 Alison McInnes LD Still Waiting Campaign 04/06/13 Patrick Harvie GRP Protecting Tenants’ Deposits
05/06/13 John Mason SNP Bank Branch Closures
06/06/13 Paul Martin LAB Community-based Housing
Associations, Building the Community 11/06/13 Christina McKelvie SNP MND Scotland Welfare Reform
12/06/13 Hanzala Malik LAB Challenging Negative Racial and Religious Stereotypes
13/06/13 Roderick Campbell SNP Sales of Interest Rate Swap Agreements
18/06/13 James Kelly LAB Parkinson’s Nurses in Scotland, Providing Effective, Safe, Person-centred Care
19/06/13 John Wilson SNP Credit Union Expansion Project 20/06/13 Christine Grahame SNP James IV and Flodden Field
25/06/13 Dave Thompson SNP Review of Specialist Heart Failure Nurse Services
Date MSP Party Subject
26/06/13 Duncan McNeil LAB ASH Scotland’s 40th Anniversary 27/06/13 Richard Lyle SNP 100th Anniversary of World War I
03/09/13 Alex Fergusson CON The Da Vinci Challenge to be Tackled by Dalbeattie High School
04/09/13 John Wilson SNP Welcoming Oxfam’s Our Economy Report
05/09/13 Graeme Pearson SNP Enhancing Enterprise for Scotland and China
10/09/13 Graeme Dey SNP Scotland More Aware of Fair Trade 11/09/13 Christina McKelvie SNP End Revenge Porn Scotland
12/09/13 Claire Baker LAB 82% of Scots in Favour of Compulsory Microchipping
17/09/13 James Dornan SNP Disabled People in Politics
18/09/13 Nanette Milne CON Marie Curie, Signpost to Palliative Care
19/09/13 David Stewart LAB Dunoon-Gourock Ferry Action Group 24/09/13 Gordon MacDonald SNP Al-Anon Family Groups, Supporting
Families with Alcohol-related Issues 25/09/13 Jim Eadie SNP The University of Edinburgh in World’s
Top 20
26/09/13 Richard Baker LAB Safety of Offshore Oil and Gas Workers
01/10/13 Fiona McLeod SNP Celebrating 100 Years of Westerton Garden Suburb
02/10/13 Aileen McLeod SNP Supporting Teenage Cancer Trust’s Education Programme
03/10/13 Jackie Baillie LAB Challenge Poverty Week
08/10/13 Nigel Don SNP Energy Action Scotland Marks its 30th Anniversary
09/10/13 Liz Smith CON Direct Rail Link Between Perth and Edinburgh
10/10/13 Jim Hume LD CAB-run Innovative Youth Outreach Projects
29/10/13 Alison Johnstone GRP Strict Liability
30/10/13 Aileen McLeod SNP Scottish Woodlot Association, a First for Galloway
31/10/13 Malcolm Chisholm LAB Folic Acid Awareness Campaign
5/11/13 Sandra White SNP Glasgow Women’s Aid 40th
Anniversary Celebration
6/11/13 Jackie Baillie LAB No More Page 3
7/11/13 Mike MacKenzie SNP The Best Buildings in Scotland
12/11/13 Dennis Robertson SNP Action over Size 10 Models and Mannequins
13/11/13 Claire Baker LAB National Parks, Unfinished Business 14/11/13 Colin Keir SNP 100 Years of Conservation, Research
and Education at Edinburgh Zoo 21/11/13 Richard Lyle SNP 50th Anniversary of the JFK
Assassination
26/11/13 Murdo Fraser CON The Future of Medical Research Funding in Scotland Remains Strong 27/11/13 James Dornan SNP St Andrew’s First Aid Count Me In
Campaign
28/11/13 Rhoda Grant LAB World Prematurity Day 2013 and World-class Neonatal Care in Scotland
3/12/13 Christine Grahame SNP I Come in Praise of Local Development Trusts and other
Community Initiatives
4/12/13 Linda Fabiani SNP Celebrating Maxillofacial Prosthetists and Technologists
5/12/13 Sarah Boyack LAB World AIDS Day 2013
10/12/13 George Adam SNP YouthLink Scotland
11/12/13 Alex Johnstone CON Arbroath CAFÉ Project
12/12/13 Kezia Dugdale LAB Financial Conduct Authority’s Plans to Regulate the Payday Loan Industry 17/12/13 Stewart Stevenson SNP Moray Library Closures
18/12/13 John Wilson SNP 12 Days of Debtmas Credit Union Campaign
19/12/13 Jackie Baillie LAB Discontinuation of Home Office’s Go Home Campaign
Record of Members’ Business taken by the Parliament in Session 4
Party SNP LAB CON LD GRP IND TOTAL
Frequency (no.) 127 68 23 8 2 0 228
Frequency % 55.70 29.82 10.09 3.51 0.88 0 100
BUSINESS MOTION
Date of Lodging: 7 January 2014
Short Title: Business Motion
Joe FitzPatrick on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau:
That the
Parliament agrees to the following revision to the programme of business for
Wednesday 8 January 2014—
after
2.00 pm Portfolio Questions
Education and Lifelong Learning
insert
followed by Ministerial Statement: severe winter weather impacts and Scotland’s response
delete
5.00 pm Decision Time
and insert
BUSINESS MOTION
Date of Lodging: 7 January 2014
Short Title: Business Motion
Joe FitzPatrick on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau:
That the
Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Tuesday 14 January 2014
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected)
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Veterans
followed by Rural Affairs, Climate Change and Environment Committee Debate: Scottish Government’s consultation on its climate change adaptation programme
followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill – UK Legislation
followed by Legislative Consent Motion: Care Bill – UK Legislation followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 15 January 2014
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions
Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth followed by Scottish Labour Party Business
followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business Thursday 16 January 2014
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
2.30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions
2.30 pm Stage 3 Proceedings: Regulatory Reform (Scotland) Bill followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
Tuesday 21 January 2014
2.00 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions followed by Topical Questions (if selected) followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business Wednesday 22 January 2014
2.00 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions 2.00 pm Portfolio Questions
Justice and the Law Officers; Rural Affairs and the Environment followed by Scottish Government Business followed by Business Motions
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business Thursday 23 January 2014
11.40 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
11.40 am General Questions
12.00 pm First Minister’s Questions
BUSINESS MOTION
Date of Lodging: 7 January 2014
Short Title: Business Motion
Joe FitzPatrick on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau:
That the
Parliament agrees that consideration of the Bankruptcy and Debt Advice
(Scotland) Bill at Stage 2 be completed by 31 January 2014.
PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
REFERRAL OF BILLS AT STAGE 1: DISABLED PERSONS’ PARKING BADGES
(SCOTLAND) BILL
Introduction
1. The Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the
Parliament by Dennis Robertson on Tuesday 17 December.
2. The Bill makes a series of adjustments to the blue badge concessionary parking
scheme for people with a disability. It seeks to alter the way in which the form of the
badge is set, strengthen enforcement of the scheme, and ensure that people refused
a badge on eligibility grounds can request a review of that decision.
3. The Bill falls within the remit of the following committees for the following reasons:
Local Government and
Regeneration Committee
Local authorities are responsible for managing and
administering the blue badge scheme. Among other
things, the Bill gives local authorities a power to employ a
different category of enforcement officer and allows the
Scottish Ministers to require local authorities to review
decisions on applications for blue badges.
Equal Opportunities
Committee
As indicated above, the Bill adjusts the blue badge
concessionary parking scheme for people with
disabilities. The Bill, therefore, also falls within the remit
of the Equal Opportunities Committee.
4. The Local Government and Regeneration Committee is considered to have the main
interest in the Bill and the committee is understood to have made provision for the
Bill in its work programme. It is, therefore, suggested that the Bureau recommends to
the Parliament that the Local Government and Regeneration Committee is
designated as the lead committee.
5. The Equal Opportunities Committee has not sought designation as a secondary
committee. Lack of formal designation does not, of course, prevent that committee
from considering the Bill if it subsequently decides to do so.
Recommendation
6. The Bureau is invited to consider recommending to the Parliament by motion that it
agrees, under Rule 9.6.1, to designate the Local Government and Regeneration
Committee as the lead committee for consideration of the Disabled Persons’ Parking
Badges (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
7. A draft motion is attached as an annexe.
Parliamentary Business Team
December 2013
Annexe
Draft Parliamentary Bureau motion on the Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges
(Scotland) Bill:
Designation of Lead Committee—That the Parliament agrees that the Local
Government and Regeneration Committee be designated as the lead committee in
consideration of the Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1.
REFERRAL OF BILL AND TIMETABLE AT STAGE 2
Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Bill
1. On 26 November 2013, the Parliament agreed to the general principles of the
Bankruptcy and Debt Advice (Scotland) Bill.
2. The Bureau is now invited to—
refer the Bill back to the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee for
consideration at Stage 2; and
recommend to the Parliament a deadline of 31 January 2014 for that
Stage.
Parliamentary Business Team
December 2013
PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
LEGISLATIVE CONSENT MEMORANDUM ON THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
BILL
1. The attached supplementary Legislative Consent Memorandum on the Children and
Families Bill was lodged on 18 December 2013. As part of the procedure for
considering such memoranda, it is for the Bureau to formally refer it to the
appropriate lead committee.
2. It is recommended that, as it relates to the retail packaging of tobacco, the
Memorandum is referred to the Heath and Sport Committee for consideration.
Parliamentary Business Team
December 2013
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BILL
Draft Legislative Consent Motion
1.
The draft motion, which will be lodged by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and
Wellbeing, is:
“That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Children and Families
Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 4 February 2013, relating to the retail
packaging of tobacco, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence
of the Scottish Parliament or alter the executive competence of Scottish Ministers,
should be considered by the UK Parliament.”
Background
2.
This memorandum has been lodged by Alex Neil, Cabinet Secretary for
Health and Wellbeing, under Rule 9.B.3.1(c)(i) of the Parliament’s standing orders.
The Children and Families Bill (“the Bill”) was introduced in the House of Commons
on 4 February 2013. The latest version of the Bill can be found at:
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2012-13/childrenandfamilies.html
Content of the Children and Families Bill
3.
The provisions of the Bill generally extend only to England and Wales and
seek to reform legislation relating to the following areas:
adoption and children in care
aspects of the family justice system
children and young people with special educational needs
the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England
statutory rights to leave and pay for parents and adopters
time off work for ante-natal care
the right to request flexible working
4.
Amendments introduced by the UK Government on 16 December 2013 do,
however, extend to Scotland and provide for powers to make regulations to
standardise tobacco packaging. These amendments were tabled for Report stage at
the House of Lords and, while they relate to potential harm to under 18s (and people
over the age of 18), they are largely separate from the other subject matter in the
Bill.
5.
A previous LCM to allow the UK Government to amend the provisions in the
Adoption and Children Act 2002 in relation to the establishment of a statutory
Adoption Register for the UK, was passed by the Parliament on 21 May 2013.
Provisions that relate to Scotland
6.
The amendment tabled on 16 December 2013 provides for powers which
would enable the Secretary of State to make regulations governing the retail
packaging of tobacco products, in order to reduce the risk of harm or promote,
people’s health.
7.
The provisions would allow the Secretary of State to make regulations about
the markings, appearance, materials, size and shape and other aspects relating to
the packaging and bundling of tobacco products. The provisions also allow for the
creation of offences relating to those regulations and set out the purposes for which
such regulations are to be made. These purposes are to effectively reduce harm and
to promote health by reducing the attractiveness and appeal of tobacco products and
their use, whether these effects are felt before or after an individual is 18.
8.
Provision is further made in the Bill to ensure that the Secretary of State must
seek the consent of Scottish Ministers (and similar provision made for Wales and
Northern Ireland) for any regulations which would be within the legislative
competence of the Scottish Parliament.
Reasons for seeking a legislative consent motion
9.
Following the UK Government’s view that it would not proceed with legislation,
Scottish Ministers took the view that the evidence was clear, and the public health
case compelling, that action needed to be taken to protect the Scottish public. To
that end, the intention to bring a Bill to the Scottish Parliament in 2014/5 was
announced as part of the Programme for Government.
10.
In the changed context of a UK commitment to plain packaging, a single
regime across all parts of the UK is desirable. Separate standardised packaging
regimes would almost certainly present significant difficulties.
11.
Enabling powers for the UK Secretary of State to make regulations for plain
packaging in Scotland in an Act of the United Kingdom Parliament needs a
Legislative Consent Memorandum, because measures to protect public health fall
within devolved competence. The amendment will therefore require the legislative
consent of the Scottish Parliament.
12.
Provision is also made in the Bill to ensure that the Secretary of State must
seek the consent of Scottish Ministers (and similar provision made for Wales and
Northern Ireland) for any regulations which would be within the legislative
competence of the Scottish Parliament. This adjustment to the executive functions
of Scottish Ministers will also require the legislative consent of the Scottish
Parliament.
Consultation
13.
The Department of Health held a UK wide joint consultation with the Scottish
Government, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Northern Ireland Executive
on standardised packaging, from 16 April to 10 August 2012. The aim of the
standardised packaging of tobacco products would have an additional public health
benefit, beyond existing tobacco control initiatives. The Scottish Government
reserved the right to decide the best way forward for Scotland.
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/standardised-packaging-of-tobacco-products
14.
Following analysis of the Scottish consultation responses, Scottish Ministers
announced in
Creating a Tobacco-Free Generation
that they supported standardised
packaging but would await decisions across the rest of the UK before deciding on
next steps. Following the UK government’s decision not to proceed with
standardised packaging at that point, Scottish Ministers announced in the 2013/14
Programme for Government that the Scottish Government would consult on next
steps and introduce legislation in 2014/15.
15.
On 28 November 2013, the UK Government announced it was to commission
a further independent review of the evidence for standardised tobacco packaging
and that this would report in March 2014, at which point a decision to use these
enabling powers to implement the policy would be made.
16.
There has been close official working on the details of the amendments since
the announcement was made on 28 November, but clearly, the normal timescales for
discussion and consideration of such provisions by the Scottish Government and the
Scottish Parliament have been significantly curtailed.
Financial implications
17.
In themselves, the powers being sought carry no cost. At the point of making
and implementing regulations, a full impact assessment will be required.
Conclusion
18.
The decision to table amendments to the Bill was taken quickly and with little
notice, which means that the timescales for obtaining the legislative consent of the
Parliament are severely constricted. Nevertheless, extending the relevant provisions
of the Bill to apply in Scotland is a sensible and appropriate step to ensure the
effective implementation of an important public health measure.
19.
It is the view of the Scottish Government that it is in the interests of the
Scottish people and good governance that the relevant provisions, as outlined
above, which fall within the executive competence of Scottish Ministers or the
legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, should be considered by the UK
Parliament.
Scottish Government
December 2013
PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
LEGISLATIVE CONSENT MEMORANDUM ON THE HIGH SPEED RAIL
(LONDON-WEST MIDLANDS) BILL
1. The attached Legislative Consent Memorandum on the High Speed Rail
(London-West Midlands) Bill 2013 was lodged on 18 December 2013. As part of the
procedure for considering such memoranda, it is for the Bureau to formally refer it to
the appropriate lead committee.
2. It is recommended that the Memorandum is referred to the Infrastructure and Capital
Investment Committee for consideration.
Parliamentary Business Team
December 2013
HIGH SPEED RAIL (LONDON-WEST MIDLANDS) BILL
Draft Legislative Consent Motion
1.
The Draft Motion, which will be lodged by the Cabinet Secretary for
Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, is:
“That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the High Speed
Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill 2013, relating to works required in Scotland
for HS2 Phase 1 and to the exercise of the related right of entry to property, in
so far as these matters should fall within the executive competence of the
Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.”
Background
2.
This memorandum has been lodged by Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Cabinet
Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, under Rule 9.B.1 (a) of the
Parliament’s Standing Orders. The High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill
was introduced to the House of Commons on 25 November 2013. The latest version
of the Bill can be found at:
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/highspeedraillondonwestmidlands.html
3.
A previous LCM in connection with the related High Speed Rail (Preparation)
Bill (“the Preparation Bill”) was agreed by the Scottish Parliament on 5 September
2013. The Preparation Bill enables the Secretary of State to incur expenditure in
preparation for a high speed railway transport network. The need for an LCM in that
context arises because the Bill includes a power for the Secretary of State to incur
expenditure by way of grant in relation to preparations for high speed rail in Scotland
and this could already be enabled, to some extent, by way of an Act of the Scottish
Parliament. The LCM agreed by the Parliament in this connection can be found
here:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/64588.aspx
The purpose of the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Bill and the reasons for
seeking an LCM in relation to it are set out below.
Content of the High Speed Rail (London- West Midlands) Bill
4.
The High Speed Rail (London- West Midlands) Bill (“the Bill”) is a substantial
Bill which will confer the powers necessary to construct Phase 1 of the High Speed 2
(HS2) rail project between London and the West Midlands.
5.
The Bill also makes provision for the acquisition of the land required for the
construction of Phase 1.
Provisions which relate to Scotland
6.
The Bill, on introduction, has two main provisions which relate directly and
expressly to Scotland.
7.
Clause 49 empowers the Scottish Ministers to authorise works which may be
required in Scotland (and which could not already be provided for wholly within
devolved competence) for Phase 1 Purposes. An example of the works that might be
required for Phase 1 purposes could be platform alterations or depot extensions.
Clause 52 of the Bill provides for Scottish Ministers to consent to the exercise of the
powers of entry (enabling the taking of surveys and compliance with EU
Environmental legislation) where the land in question is owned by certain statutory
undertakers (e.g. public gas transporters).
8.
As these provisions confer powers on the Scottish Ministers, this alteration to
Ministers’ executive competence will require the consent of the Scottish Parliament.
Reasons for seeking a Legislative Consent Motion
9.
Under Schedule 5 of the Scotland Act 1998, the provision and regulation of
railway services is a reserved matter.
10.
However, as a result of Orders made under the Scotland Act 1998, the
Scottish Parliament was given legislative competence in relation to the promotion
and construction of railways starting and ending within Scotland. Further to that,
provisions within the Railways Act 2005 (which was supplemented by an LCM
(Railways Bill S2M-2244) gave Scottish Ministers additional powers/functions in
relation to railway matters e.g. the passenger rail franchise.
11.
That said, it is recognised that it is possible that the construction and
operation of Phase 1 of HS2 may well give rise to a need for works in Scotland which
could not currently be authorised/enabled within devolved competence.
12.
Consequently, the Bill will confer additional powers on Scottish Ministers in
relation to High Speed Rail matters in Scotland.
13.
It is also recognised that the Scottish Ministers have been given certain
functions (by or under the Scotland Act 1998) in relation to statutory undertakers and
as such, it should be Scottish Ministers rather than the Secretary of State who give
consent to the exercise of powers of entry over land held by those undertakers.
14.
These adjustments to the executive competence of Scottish Ministers require
the consent of the Scottish Parliament.
Consultation
15.
The UK Government have carried out substantial consultation on Phase 1 of
the HS2 project (London – Birmingham) in relation to environmental factors including
environmental impact assessment, design refinement, property compensation and
safeguarding of the route from development. Consultation on Phase 2 of HS2
(Birmingham-Leeds/Manchester) has already taken place in relation to the
under way, being launched on 17 July 2013 and running until 31 January 2014.
16.
On 1 November 2013, the Scottish Government announced a joint study
between Transport Scotland, the Department for Transport and HS2 Ltd into High
Speed Rail options to Scotland from Manchester/Leeds at the end of HS2 Phase 2.
Financial Implications
17.
The Scottish Government funds rail infrastructure related to rail in Scotland
(with the exception of infrastructure related to safety matters or compliance with
disability discrimination legislation).
18.
As the Bill will confer a new power on the Scottish Ministers in relation to
works required to be carried out in relation to infrastructure in Scotland for Phase 1
purposes, it is anticipated that DfT may expect Ministers to fund any works so
authorised. However, this will be the subject of further dialogue and negotiation with
DfT. It is unclear at this early stage precisely what works will be required and as such
it is not possible to estimate the precise financial implications.
Conclusion
19.
The view of the Scottish Government that it is in the best interests of the
Scottish people and good governance that the relevant provisions of the Bill, in so far
as they alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be
considered by the UK Parliament.
Scottish Government
December 2013
PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU
HEALTH AND SPORT COMMITTEE: REQUEST TO APPOINT AN ADVISER
Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill
Background
1. At its meeting on 25 June 2013, the Health and Sport Committee agreed in principle
to seek the appointment of an adviser, should it be designated as lead committee at
Stage 1 of the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill. The Committee was designated lead
committee by the Parliament on 27 November 2013.
2. The Health and Sport Committee considered its approach to the Bill at its meeting
on 17 December 2013 and agreed a proposed remit for the adviser.
3. It is proposed that an adviser be appointed at a standard day rate, not exceeding 15
days in total.
Adviser specification
Adviser duties
4. The adviser would—
assist in the development of a programme of preliminary, informal, factual
briefing sessions, including delivery of sessions and/or identifying other
relevant speakers;
assist in the identification of relevant witnesses, taking into account the
written evidence received in response to the call for evidence;
assist in the scoping and preparation of possible fact-finding visits relevant
to the inquiry;
prepare and deliver to the Committee briefings on each panel of witnesses
prior to evidence sessions;
analyse the findings;
assist with the drafting of the Committee’s report
provide specialist expertise to clarify any ad-hoc enquiries form the
Convener and other Committee members during the course of the enquiry
meet and report to Committee clerks and research specialists, in
Edinburgh, to discuss progress.
Person specification
5. The adviser’s role will be to assist the Committee in legal and medical ethics aspects
of its inquiry into the general principles of the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill,
including attending formal and informal meetings of the Committee.
6. It is proposed that the expert be appointed to provide the equivalent of 15 working
days’ advice to the Committee. The following provides an indicative division of the
time.
developing a programme of preliminary, informal, factual
briefing sessions, including delivery of sessions and/or
identifying other relevant speakers;
2 days
identifying witnesses, taking into account written evidence
received;
2 days
scoping and preparing possible fact-finding visits;
1 day
briefing the Committee on witnesses prior to evidence
sessions and attendance of those sessions
3 days
analysing findings;
2 days
drafting the Committee’s report;
3 days
meeting and reporting to Committee clerks and research
specialists, in Edinburgh;
2 days
Conditions of Appointment
7. As an expert in the field (and given the size of the remit) the adviser may well have
had an involvement with the main agencies involved in providing services. Any such
interests will be declared in the interests of transparency and accountability.
Action
8. It is requested that the Bureau approve the appointment of an adviser to assist the
Health and Sport Committee in its scrutiny of the Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill.
Health and Sport Committee
