Document 1228

Scottish Parliament: Business Bulletin 19/2003

Author(s): Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Copyright holder(s): Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body: © Scottish Parliamentary copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Queen's Printer for Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.

Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Contents

Announcements
Section A : Daily Business List
Section B : Business Programme
Section C : Agendas of Committee Meetings
Section D : Oral Questions selected for answer on 6 February 2003
Section E : Written questions lodged on 29 January 2003
Section F : Motions and Amendments
Section G : Bills: Notices and Amendments
Section H : New Documents
Section K : Progress of Parliamentary Business


Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Announcements


Mental Health (Scotland) Bill - Stage 2

On the fifth day of consideration of the Bill at Stage 2 the Health and Community Care Committee reached the end of section 168 of the Bill. The Committee will be meeting twice next week to consider the Bill, on Tuesday 4 February and on Wednesday 5 February. The last day on which amendments may be lodged for the 6th Marshalled List is therefore Friday 31 January and the last day for lodging amendments for the 7th Marshalled List is Monday 3 February. Amendments may be lodged until 4.30 pm on any sitting day, except on the last day when amendments may be lodged, when the deadline is 2.00 pm (Rule 9.10.2). Members are advised to lodge amendments as early as possible during the day.

The Committee will not proceed beyond the end of section 212 on either day. The Committee will only meet on Wednesday 5 February if it does not reach section 212 on Tuesday 4 February. Members are therefore encouraged to lodge any further amendments to sections 169 to 212 by 2.00 pm on Friday 31 January. Any amendments lodged after 2.00 pm on Friday 31 January will only be included in the 7th Marshalled List if the point in the Bill to which they relate is not reached during the meeting on Tuesday 4 February.

Amendments should be lodged with the clerks to the Committee, Jennifer Smart (Room 2.5 Committee Chambers, extn. 85210), Peter McGrath (Room 2.5 extn. 85224) and Graeme Elliott (Room 2.5 extn. 85247). The clerks should be consulted on the wording and admissibility of amendments.


Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Section A : Daily Business List


Meeting of the Parliament

9:30 am Debate on Transforming Public Finance for Social Justice, Regeneration and the Environment—

S1M-3818 Robin Harper: Transforming Public Finance for Social Justice, Regeneration and the Environment—That the Parliament notes recent studies by the Scottish Executive and is interested in building on them by considering and investigating the contribution that land value taxation could make to the cultural, economic, environmental and democratic renaissance of Scotland

The Presiding Officer has selected the following amendment

S1M-3818.1 Mr David Davidson: Transforming Public Finance for Social Justice, Regeneration and the Environment—As an amendment to motion (S1M-3818) in the name of Robin Harper, leave out from "is" to end and insert "considers land value tax to be a punitive form of taxation which takes no account of existing taxation, profit or income streams and requires payment in respect of land regardless of an absence of income."

followed by Debate on Abolition of the Council Tax—

S1M-3809 Tommy Sheridan: Abolition of Council Tax—That the Parliament believes that the council tax is a fundamentally unfair and regressive tax; believes in social justice and the redistribution of wealth from the rich to the poor; therefore agrees to abolish the council tax and replace it with the Scottish Service Tax which is based on an individual’s income and is inherently fairer, more efficient and redistributive; notes that this tax would raise more revenue than the council tax and that it would remove the burden of paying for local government jobs and services from the shoulders of low-paid workers and pensioners and place it firmly on the shoulders of the well-paid and the wealthy, and believes that the introduction of this tax should be complemented by the return of the right for local authorities to raise and retain their business rates and a thorough investigation of land value and speculation taxes to supplement local authority revenue

The Presiding Officer has selected the following amendment

S1M-3809.1 Peter Peacock: Abolition of Council Tax—As an amendment to motion (S1M-3809) in the name of Tommy Sheridan, leave out from first "believes" to end and insert "notes that the Local Government Committee, in its 6th Report 2002, Report on Inquiry into Local Government Finance, published in March last year, saw no merit in the Scottish service tax as outlined in evidence to it."

followed by Debate on Support for the February 15 Anti-War on Iraq Demonstration in Glasgow—

S1M-3811 Tommy Sheridan: Support for the February 15 Anti-War on Iraq Demonstration in Glasgow—That the Parliament notes the organisations that support the Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War that include the Scottish Trades Union Congress, Scottish UNISON, Scottish UCATT, Fire Brigades Union, Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, the Scottish Quakers, Iona Community, Trident Ploughshares, Faslane Peace Camp, Church and Nation Committee Church of Scotland, Roman Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Christian Aid, Scottish United Nations Association, Campaign for Palestinian Rights, Scottish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign, Islamic Society of Britain, UK Islamic Mission, Muslim Association of Britain, Glasgow Refugee Action Group, Chhokar Family Campaign, Scottish Green Party, Labour Party Campaign for Socialism, Labour Campaign for Justice Not War, Scottish Socialist Party, Communist Party of Britain, Communist Party of Scotland, Democratic Left Scotland, Globalise Resistance, Socialist Labour Party, Campaign to Welcome Refugees, Scottish Centre for Non-Violence and Finance Workers Broad Left; agrees to support the demonstration on 15 February 2003 in Glasgow called by the Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War against attacking Iraq, and believes that waging world-wide war against poverty and injustice would deliver a more stable, peaceful and just world than a war waged on Iraq with the resultant loss of innocent Iraqi citizens' lives

The Presiding Officer has selected the following amendments

S1M-3811.2 Euan Robson: Support for the February 15 Anti-War on Iraq Demonstration in Glasgow—As an amendment to motion (S1M-3811) in the name of Tommy Sheridan, leave out from "agrees" to end and insert "further notes the demonstration on 15 February 2003 in Glasgow called by the Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War against attacking Iraq, and endorses the right to express opinion in peaceful protest."

S1M-3811.1 Phil Gallie: Support for the February 15 Anti-War on Iraq Demonstration in Glasgow—As an amendment to motion (S1M-3811) in the name of Tommy Sheridan, leave out from "agrees" to end.

followed by Members’ Business

debate on the subject of—

S1M-3753 Gordon Jackson: Regeneration of the Clyde—That the Parliament recognises the importance to Scotland of efforts to regenerate the Clyde; considers that the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise should establish and resource a development framework for the Clyde which encourages joined-up thinking and action; further considers that the respective councils, enterprise companies, regeneration agencies and private developers should work co-operatively in reclaiming derelict land, ensuring adequate flood protection and improving the transport infrastructure, and believes that ministers should make the regeneration of the Clyde one of the top economic, environmental and social justice priorities for Scotland.

2:30 pm Question Time

1. Christine Grahame: To ask the Scottish Executive what statutory measures it has introduced to reduce litter pollution. (S1O-6355)

2. John Scott: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is aware of any abuse by bus companies of the free local off-peak bus travel scheme for older people. (S1O-6346)

3. Sarah Boyack: To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to consult on the draft Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Bill. (S1O-6332)

4. Michael Russell: To ask the Scottish Executive how it intends to address the issue of violence in schools. (S1O-6302)

5. Irene Oldfather: To ask the Scottish Executive in what ways new technologies, such as the internet, are improving access to information services for NHS patients. (S1O-6350)

6. Scott Barrie: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider issuing updated guidance to local authorities on their responsibilities towards children in need under section 22 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995. (S1O-6342)

7. Alex Neil: To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Sector Skills Development Agency about establishing sector skills councils in Scotland. (S1O-6318)

8. Lord James Douglas-Hamilton: To ask the Scottish Executive whether all police officers have access to protective vests and body armour when required. (S1O-6347)

9. Alex Johnstone: To ask the Scottish Executive what impact the aggregates tax has had on road projects such as the dualling of the A92 Dundee to Arbroath. (S1O-6339)

10. Phil Gallie: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the position on the use of military service personnel for emergency fire cover has changed in the light of current circumstances and what discussions it has had, and what agreements have been reached, in respect of guaranteeing that requisite numbers of servicemen will be available. (S1O-6305)

11. Tommy Sheridan: To ask the Scottish Executive how much more direct grant support Glasgow City Council would receive if it received the average mainland increase in direct grant expenditure in 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06. (S1O-6322)

12. Brian Adam: To ask the Scottish Executive what impact NHS 24 has had on primary and secondary health care in areas in which it has been rolled out. (S1O-6301)

13. Iain Smith: To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met the Strategic Rail Authority and what matters were discussed. (S1O-6312)

14. Mr Mike Rumbles: To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has received from Grampian NHS Board in respect of the Arbuthnott formula. (S1O-6353)

15. Cathy Peattie: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to improve access to further and higher education for people with disabilities. (S1O-6329)

16. Mr Brian Monteith: To ask the Scottish Executive when it will next meet representatives of the Scottish Arts Council and what issues will be discussed. (S1O-6310)

17. Janis Hughes: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to improve parental involvement in education. (S1O-6337)

18. Margaret Smith: To ask the Scottish Executive what impact re-opening the railway line between Airdrie and Bathgate will have on rail services in Edinburgh. (S1O-6349)

19. Trish Godman: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to advocate sexual equality in the workplace in relation to terms and conditions of employment, particularly in relation to pay and opportunities for promotion. (S1O-6343)

20. Murdo Fraser: To ask the Scottish Executive what its position is on the appointment of active members of the Labour Party to the boards of public bodies. (S1O-6307)

21. Mr Gil Paterson: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to widen access to libraries. (S1O-6324)

22. Mr Tom McCabe: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to ensure that the funding that was set aside for the European Football Championships in 2008 is used to develop youth football. (S1O-6351)

23. Ms Sandra White: To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Scottish Water about the maintenance of the public water supply. (S1O-6311)

24. Mr Kenneth Macintosh: To ask the Scottish Executive how it is marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2003. (S1O-6330)

25. Johann Lamont: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in developing proposals to regulate the private security industry. (S1O-6304)

26. Mr David Davidson: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it supports the re-opening of railway stations on existing lines and what criteria it sets before giving support. (S1O-6308)

27. Withdrawn

28. Mr John McAllion: To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration it has given to further reform of local government. (S1O-6344)

29. Bill Butler: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to address the current shortage of social workers in children’s services. (S1O-6335)

30. Karen Whitefield: To ask the Scottish Executive how businesses will benefit from recent Regional Selective Assistance grant offers. (S1O-6321)

3:10 pm First Minister’s Question Time

1. Mr John Swinney: To ask the First Minister when he next plans to meet the Prime Minister and what issues he intends to raise. (S1F-2442)

2. David McLetchie: To ask the First Minister what issues will be discussed at the next meeting of the Scottish Executive’s Cabinet. (S1F-2447)

3. Rhoda Grant: To ask the First Minister what measures are being introduced to support communities affected by cuts in the fishing industry. (S1F-2462)

4. Mary Scanlon: To ask the First Minister what action is being taken to address the incidence of critically ill patients being turned away from hospitals because of a shortage of beds and staff at accident and emergency departments. (S1F-2454)

5. Andrew Wilson: To ask the First Minister what impact the changes to Her Majesty’s Government’s funding policy for higher education in the rest of the UK will have on the Scottish budget. (S1F-2453)

6. John Farquhar Munro: To ask the First Minister what resources will be available to support communities buying their own land under the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. (S1F-2458)

3:30 pm Stage 1 Debate on the Budget (Scotland) (No.4) Bill—

S1M-3785 Mr Andy Kerr: Budget (Scotland) (No.4) Bill - Stage 1—That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Budget (Scotland) (No.4) Bill.

followed by Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body’s nomination for the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner—

S1M-3799 Mr Duncan McNeil on behalf of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body: Appointment of Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner—That the Parliament agrees with the recommendation of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body under Rule 3A.1.2 of Standing Orders that Dr James Dyer should be appointed as Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner under section 1(2) of the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002 with effect from 1 April 2003.

followed by Standards Committee motion on changes to the Code of Conduct—

S1M-3786 Mr Mike Rumbles on behalf of the Standards Committee: Standards Committee, The Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002: Consequential Changes to the Code of Conduct—That the Parliament agrees to amend the Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament in the manner indicated in Annex A of the Standards Committee’s 12th Report 2002, The Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002: Consequential Changes to the Code of Conduct, with effect from 30 January 2003.

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

S1M-3815 Patricia Ferguson on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau: Designation of Lead Committee—That the Parliament agrees that the Justice 2 Committee be designated as lead committee in consideration of the draft Child Support Appeals (Jurisdiction of Courts) (Scotland) Order 2003.

S1M-3816 Patricia Ferguson on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau: Designation of Lead Committee—That the Parliament agrees that the Justice 2 Committee be designated as lead committee in consideration of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Prescription of Offices, Ranks and Positions) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2003 (SSI 2003/20).

S1M-3817 Patricia Ferguson on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau: Designation of Lead Committee—That the Parliament agrees that the Justice 2 Committee be designated as lead committee in consideration of the Police and Police (Special Constables) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2003 (SSI 2003/21).

5:00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members’ Business

debate on the subject of—

S1M-3766 Murdo Fraser: British Cattle Movement Service—That the Parliament notes the widespread concern amongst the Scottish farming community in relation to the operation of the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) and, in particular, the volume of administrative errors and the delays by the BCMS in dealing with correspondence; further notes that, as a result, the operation of the service has contributed to financial hardship in the farming sector at a time when farming incomes are already at desperately low levels, and considers that the Scottish Executive's Environment and Rural Affairs Department should institute an amnesty for all farmers that have been alleged by the BCMS not to have accurately and timeously supplied cattle record information and make representations to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs that a thorough review of the operation of the BCMS should be instituted with a view to eradicating the difficulties that have been identified.


Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Section B : Business Programme


As agreed by the Parliament on 29 January 2003


Wednesday 5 February 2003

2:30 pm Time for Reflection

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

followed by Stage 3 of Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Bill

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

6:00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members' Business – debate on the subject of S1M-3612 Trish Godman: Tackling Under Age Drinking (for text of motion see S1M-3612 in Section F of Business Bulletin for Monday 25 November 2002)


Thursday 6 February 2003

9:30 am Debate on Local Government Bill – UK Legislation

followed by Stage 1 Debate on Proportional Representation (Local Government Elections) (Scotland) Bill

followed by Stage 1 Debate on Organic Farming Targets (Scotland) Bill

followed by Business Motion

2:30 pm Question Time (for text of questions see Section D)

3:10 pm First Minister's Question Time

3:30 pm Debate on Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2003 (for text of motion see S1M-3807 in Section F of Business Bulletin for Tuesday 28 January 2003)

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5:00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members' Business – debate on the subject of S1M-3765 Nicola Sturgeon: Removal of Thimerosal in Vaccines (for text of motion see S1M-3765 in Section F of Business Bulletin for Monday 20 January 2003)


Wednesday 12 February 2003

9:30 am Time for Reflection

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

followed by Scottish National Party Business

2:30 pm Parliamentary Bureau Motions

followed by Stage 3 of Protection of Children (Scotland) Bill

followed by Executive Debate on Fisheries

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

7:00 pm Decision Time


Thursday 13 February 2003

9:30 am Justice 2 Committee Debate on its 4th Report 2003: Report on the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service Inquiry

followed by Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee Debate on its 1st Report 2003: Report on the Future of Tourism in Scotland

followed by Business Motion

followed by Members’ Business

2:30 pm Question Time

3:10 pm First Minister's Question Time

3:30 pm Stage 3 of the Budget (Scotland) (No.4) Bill

followed by Stage 1 Motion on Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Bill

followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions

5:00 pm Decision Time

followed by Members' Business



Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Section C : Agendas of Committee Meetings


Equal Opportunities Committee

31 January 2003

2nd Meeting, 2003

The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in the Scottish Health Service Centre Conference Facility, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh

1. 2003 European Year of Disabled People: The Committee will hear from its Disability Reporter.

2. 2003 European Year of Disabled People: The Committee will hear evidence from—

Panel 1:

Janet Allan, Donaldson’s College

Douglas Hamilton, Barnardo’s Scotland

Iain Montgomery, STUC

Panel 2:

Stuart Duffin, Scottish Chambers of Commerce

Robert Mooney, National League of the Blind and Disabled

James O’Rourke, Scottish National Federation for the Welfare of the Blind

Kamali Srirangam, Minority Ethnic Learning Disability Initiative.


Procedures Committee

4 February 2003

4th Meeting, 2003

The Committee will meet at 9.30 am in Committee Room 4

1. Election of Presiding Officers: The Committee will consider correspondence.

2. Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Elections: The Committee will consider a paper and standing order changes.

3. Dissolution Issues (1. Legislation): The Committee will consider a paper and standing order changes.

4. Dissolution Issues (2. Non-Legislation): The Committee will consider a paper and standing order changes.

5. The Sewel Convention and Sewel Motions: The Committee will consider correspondence.

National Galleries of Scotland Bill Committee

4 February 2003

2nd Meeting, 2003

The Committee will meet at 2.30 pm in Committee Room 2

1. National Galleries of Scotland Bill: The Committee will consider written evidence and take oral evidence at Preliminary Stage from—

Mr Michael Clarke, Project Director, National Galleries of Scotland

Mr Scott Robertson, Project Adviser, National Galleries of Scotland

Dr Elaine Murray, Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport,

Mr Gavin Barrie, Sport, the Arts and Culture Division, Scottish Executive

Mr Martin Hulse, Director, The Cockburn Association

Mr Jim McKay, Acting Head of Culture and Leisure, City of Edinburgh Council

Ms Sally Dyer, Senior Surveyor, City of Edinburgh Council

Mr Richard Griffith, Director, Edinburgh World Heritage Trust

Mr Terrence Leventhal, Director, Scottish Civic Trust

Dr Seán O’Reilly, Director, Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland.

2. National Galleries of Scotland Bill: The Committee will consider whether to take its discussions on the draft Preliminary Stage report on the National Galleries of Scotland Bill in private at its next meeting.



Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Section D : Oral Questions selected for answer on 6 February 2003


Question Time

1. Paul Martin: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in speeding up the processes of hearings to deal with young offenders. (S1O-6375)

2. Dennis Canavan: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to facilitate a solution to the firefighters’ dispute. (S1O-6384)

3. Alex Fergusson: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress was made on the issue of transportation of timber at the meeting on 8 January 2003 between it, COSLA's Rural Affairs Committee and representatives of the forestry industry. (S1O-6403)

4. Sarah Boyack: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to improve the support available to vulnerable families. (S1O-6404)

5. Dr Richard Simpson: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making with the Victims’ Strategy. (S1O-6374)

6. John Farquhar Munro: To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has had with the European Union regarding planned EC directives restricting food supplements. (S1O-6391)

7. Robin Harper: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to meet representatives of voluntary and community recycling businesses to discuss proposed changes in their funding. (S1O-6370)

8. Maureen Macmillan: To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to ensure equal treatment of gypsies and travellers in the public services. (S1O-6376)

9. Scott Barrie: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it has made in recruiting additional social workers. (S1O-6371)

10. Phil Gallie: To ask the Scottish Executive what representations have been received from teachers’ unions urging the ending of automatic suspension of teachers following misconduct allegations. (S1O-6364)

11. Mr Kenneth Macintosh: To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils receive Gaelic-medium education at pre-school, primary and secondary levels. (S1O-6395)

12. Mr Keith Raffan: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to change the balance between spending on prosecuting young offenders and on providing services to tackle youth offending. (S1O-6405)

13. Alex Johnstone: To ask the Scottish Executive what assurances it can give that any compensation to the fishing industry will be extended to include small businesses such as fish vans, shops and small-scale processors in areas like Arbroath. (S1O-6366)

14. Fiona McLeod: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will apply for membership of the Regional Government Network for Sustainable Development. (S1O-6359)

15. Richard Lochhead: To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken to address any shortage of NHS dentists in Grampian. (S1O-6365)

16. Ms Margo MacDonald: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it intends to take to combat any detrimental impact of the EC Directive on food supplements on the provision of supplements, vitamins and minerals produced by UK companies whose production standards are outwith the directives. (S1O-6393)

17. Elaine Thomson: To ask the Scottish Executive what assistance is being given to the fish processing industry. (S1O-6368)

18. Michael Russell: To ask the Scottish Executive when it will report on its proposals for music tuition in schools. (S1O-6361)

19. Bill Butler: To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the New Opportunities Fund about the PE and Sport in Schools Programme. (S1O-6392)

20. Alex Neil: To ask the Scottish Executive what its plans are for the future of the fire service. (S1O-6398)

21. Nora Radcliffe: To ask the Scottish Executive when it last met representatives of the Strategic Rail Authority and what issues were discussed. (S1O-6381)

22. Mr Andrew Welsh: To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to protect Scottish agricultural interests in Europe. (S1O-6394)

23. Mr John Home Robertson: To ask the Scottish Executive what funding provision is being made for the payment of nursing home fees for 2003. (S1O-6382)

24. Mr Jamie Stone: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to fund and carry out research into multiple sclerosis. (S1O-6390)

25. Shona Robison: To ask the Scottish Executive what response it intends to make to the recent Office of Fair Trading report on pharmacy services. (S1O-6400)

26. Mr Brian Monteith: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Minister for Health and Community Care retains the ultimate decision over the location of the proposed new single site hospital for the Forth Valley. (S1O-6362)

27. Marilyn Livingstone: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in reviewing practices in hospital cleaning. (S1O-6372)

28. David Mundell: To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with Her Majesty's Government on the timescale for the completion of the M74 from Gretna to Carlisle. (S1O-6363)

29. Karen Whitefield: To ask the Scottish Executive what role the voluntary sector can play in delivering public services. (S1O-6388)

30. Dorothy-Grace Elder: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it plans to take following the decision of the European Parliament’s Petitions Committee to call for the closure of the cattle incinerator in Carntyne, Glasgow. (S1O-6399)


Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Section E : Written questions lodged on 29 January 2003


Questions marked with a triangle (Δ) are initiated by the Scottish Executive in order to facilitate the provision of information to the Parliament.

S1W-33520 John Farquhar Munro: To ask the Scottish Executive what economic analysis has been, or will be, undertaken of the impact on local government finances of building new schools through public private partnership rather than through government borrowing.

S1W-33521 Mr Jamie Stone: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making in negotiating with private dental practices in Caithness to support provision of NHS dental services.

S1W-33522 Brian Fitzpatrick: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in improving the recruitment of disabled people into the civil service in each year since 1996.

S1W-33523 Brian Fitzpatrick: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in improving the recruitment of specialists into the civil service in each year since 1996.

S1W-33524 Mary Scanlon: To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to assist in the setting up, and expansion of, direct payment services for disabled people.

S1W-33525 Richard Lochhead: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline the procedure for withdrawal from the Common Fisheries Policy and what the legal position would be if such a policy was pursued.

S1W-33526 Fergus Ewing: To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-29129 on 26 September 2002, whether the legal advice referred to is still applicable and how disclosure of the documents identified could prejudice such action.

S1W-33527 Fergus Ewing: To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-29131 on 26 September 2002, when Shepherd and Wedderburn WS was first invited to provide legal advice on prospects of recovery of losses from Flour City International Inc and on what date, or dates, advice was provided by Shepherd and Wedderburn WS on this matter.

S1W-33528 Fergus Ewing: To ask the Presiding Officer whether Shepherd and Wedderburn WS has been invited to provide legal advice on whether any or all of the losses relating to Flour City International Inc can be recovered from (a) the Construction Manager or (b) any other member of the Holyrood Project Team.

S1W-33529 Fergus Ewing: To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-26071 on 30 May 2002, whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will now state which of the companies on the short leet (a) did not submit a tender bid and (b) submitted a bid that did not comply with the tender documentation, and why each such bid did not comply.

S1W-33530 Fergus Ewing: To ask the Presiding Officer, further to his answer to question S1W-26072 on 30 May 2002, whether, prior to the award of the second interim contract to Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd (FCAM) in January 2001, the (a) design team, (b) architects, (c) cost consultant, (d) structural engineers and (e) service engineer (i) requested an analysis of, or report on, or any other information in respect of, the tender or revised tender submitted by FCAM, (ii) expressed any view in respect of FCAM and, in particular, the company's ability to fulfil any obligations incurred in relation to the granting of a works package or contract to it, (iii) made any other comments in relation to FCAM; whether, in each case, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will place copies of any such documentation in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe), and whether it will place in SPICe any analysis and/or report that, as referred to in the answer to question S1W-26072, was previously commercially confidential, and, if it will not, what the reasons are for the position on this matter and, in particular, any reasons why such information remains commercially confidential.

S1W-33531 Fergus Ewing: To ask the Presiding Officer when the management team of the Holyrood project, or any of its members, first (a) became aware of the contents of the accounts of Flour City International Inc in respect of the quarter ending 31 July 2001 and (b) communicated to (i) the Holyrood Progress Group and (ii) the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body any information in respect of the contents of those accounts.

S1W-33532 Fergus Ewing: To ask the Presiding Officer, with regard to paragraph 17 of The 2001/02 Audit of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body by the Auditor General for Scotland, whether the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body will give an up-to-date estimate of the total direct additional costs arising after termination of the contract with Flour City Architectural Metals (UK) Ltd; in particular, whether current estimates of these costs exceed £3.85 million, and whether there is any allowance for consequential costs associated with the impact of delay in completion of the cladding and windows package and, if so, whether full details of any such allowance will be provided.

S1W-33533 Fergus Ewing: To ask the Presiding Officer what the total cost of bomb proofing in relation to the Holyrood project has been, broken down by works package; what the original estimate of this cost was in respect of each package; whether any provision for bomb proofing was made in each contract when it was awarded and, if so, whether details of each such provision will be placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre, and what the reasons are for any extra costs incurred in each case.

S1W-33534 Fergus Ewing: To ask the Scottish Executive whether any schools and hospitals in the area of the new Parliament building at Holyrood should be bomb proofed to the same standards as the new Parliament building and what the reasons are for the position on this matter.

S1W-33535 Richard Lochhead: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-33022 by Ross Finnie on 28 January 2003, how the 15% figure in respect of possible future decommissioning was calculated.

S1W-33536 Richard Lochhead: To ask the Scottish Executive from which budgets the £50 million fisheries aid package was taken and whether it will give a breakdown of this package.

S1W-33537 Michael Matheson: To ask the Scottish Executive how many prisoners have (a) had proceedings taken against them for and (b) received (i) an adjudication or (ii) a criminal conviction for violence at HM Prison Kilmarnock in each quarter since the prison came into operation.

S1W-33538 Michael Matheson: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-32815 and S1W-32816 by Hugh Henry on 13 January 2003, whether there has been any case where an incident at HM Prison Kilmarnock has been recorded as a serious assault for the purposes of the Scottish Prison Service’s key performance indicators, but where performance points have not accrued to the prison because an adjudication or criminal conviction has not been secured.

S1W-33539 Michael Matheson: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-33093 and S1W-32973 by Cathy Jamieson and Mr Jim Wallace on 22 and 20 January 2003 respectively, how it was able to state the percentage of inmates that have mental problems and the number that are in receipt of prescribed psychiatric medication at HM Prison Polmont but not at other young offender institutions.

S1W-33540 Michael Matheson: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S1W-32797 and S1W-32400 by Patricia Ferguson and Mr Jim Wallace on 21 and 20 January 2003 respectively, how the answer to S1W-32400 which states that legal advice was obtained is consistent with the answer to S1W-32797 which states that by long-standing convention its general policy is that it does not disclose whether it has taken legal advice.

S1W-33541 Christine Grahame: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-32797 by Patricia Ferguson on 21 January 2003, why it is its policy not to reveal whether it has taken legal advice.

S1W-33542 Mr Brian Monteith: To ask the Scottish Executive how many confirmed cases of meningococcal infection there have been in each NHS board area in each of the last five years.

S1W-33543 Roseanna Cunningham: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-32798 by Patricia Ferguson on 14 January 2003, what aspects of the (a) Sexual Offences and (b) Local Government bills currently before the UK Parliament will require a Sewel motion.

S1W-33544 Mr Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to the Civil Aviation Authority regarding the economic impact on travellers and the cost of flights from Scotland as a result of the increased landing charges at Heathrow Airport.

S1W-33545 David Mundell: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give a breakdown of the (a) funding and (b) timetable to complete the modern transport system for Aberdeen.

S1W-33546 David Mundell: To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable to complete the Aberdeen western peripheral route is; whether it will give a breakdown of how much funding is required for the project, and what percentage of the funding is expected to be provided by (a) it and (b) the North East of Scotland Transport Partnership.

S1W-33547 Alasdair Morgan: To ask the Scottish Executive who is responsible for investigating cases of alleged catching and keeping of signal crayfish without an appropriate licence.

S1W-33548 Brian Adam: To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to encourage NHS boards to allow patients access to their own records.

S1W-33549 Brian Adam: To ask the Scottish Executive whether any action has been taken against NHS boards that have failed to give timeous access to patients' records in cases of complaint or alleged negligence.

S1W-33550 Irene Oldfather: To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance is available to owner-occupier pensioners residing in blocks of flats owned by local authorities to participate in the installation of improved secure entry systems by the managing housing association.

S1W-33551 Irene Oldfather: To ask the Scottish Executive what financial assistance is available to owner occupiers with disabilities residing in blocks of flats owned by local authorities to participate in the installation of improved secure entry systems by the managing housing association.

S1W-33552 Mrs Margaret Ewing: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31675 by Allan Wilson on 28 November 2002, whether it has now made any representations to the Association of British Insurers regarding the flood damage to domestic and business properties in Moray during the period 15 to 18 November 2002.

S1W-33553 Mrs Margaret Ewing: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-31653 by Allan Wilson on 27 November 2002, how the balance of the £5.2 million has been allocated to support flood risk-related initiatives.

S1W-33554 Mrs Margaret Ewing: To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions the ad hoc committee of Ministers on Flooding has had with the European Commission regarding flood alleviation assistance available through flexibility in the Common Agricultural Policy and European Structural Funds.

S1W-33555 Mrs Margaret Ewing: To ask the Scottish Executive on how many occasions its officials have met members of Moray Council since November 2002 to discuss flood alleviation schemes; who attended each meeting, and whether any budget for such schemes has been set.

S1W-33556 Mrs Margaret Ewing: To ask the Scottish Executive what budget it has allocated to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in each year since 1999-2000.

S1W-33557 Mrs Margaret Ewing: To ask the Scottish Executive what the total number of (a) employees and (b) outside appointments of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency was at the most recent date for which figures are available.

S1W-33558Δ Mr Jamie Stone: To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the farm income figures for 2002.

S1W-33559Δ Cathie Craigie: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the law officers have reviewed prosecution policy for causing death by dangerous driving and, if so, what the results are of the review.

S1W-33560 John Farquhar Munro: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider funding a fire station in Alness.

S1W-33561 Marilyn Livingstone: To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration has been given to any threat to local and migratory birds from reduction in availability of native cockles following unregulated harvesting by fishermen.

S1W-33563Δ Angus MacKay: To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue final codes of practice on covert surveillance and covert human intelligence sources under section 24 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000.

S1W-33564Δ Bill Butler: To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to issue guidance on the roles and responsibilities of incident control teams.

S1W-33565Δ Nora Radcliffe: To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made regarding the introduction of action programmes for farmers in nitrate vulnerable zones.


Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Section F : Motions and Amendments


A full list of outstanding motions is available to view each Monday in paper copy at the Chamber Desk or alternatively on the Scottish Parliament web site as Outstanding Motions. The full text of all motions lodged the previous week will appear in the Business Bulletin the following Monday.



Items marked with an asterisk (*) are new or have been altered. Asterisks in the text show the extent of alterations made.

Motions which members wish to be considered for debate as members’ business in the Parliament are marked with a hash symbol (#)

*S1M-3829 Brian Fitzpatrick: Centenary of James McNeill Whistler (1834 - 1903)—That the Parliament commends the hard work and efforts of all of the people associated with the events taking place at The Hunterian Art Gallery, University of Glasgow, to mark the centenary of the death of James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903); notes that, while Whistler only visited Scotland once, he had strong links with the country through his family and the influence of his work, most notably on the Glasgow Boys; further notes that one of the world's most important collections of Whistler's work is held at the Hunterian Art Gallery and was presented to the University of Glasgow by Whistler's heir, Rosalind Birnie Philip, in recognition of his Scottish links and the conferral of an honorary degree on him in 1903; applauds the sterling efforts of all concerned in securing the return to Glasgow on loan from the Musée d'Orsay, for the first time in half a century, of Whistler's most famous work, Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1: Portrait of the Painter's Mother (1871), and in explaining the significance of the painting for Whistler, its acquisition by the Musée du Luxembourg in 1891 and its continuing life as an icon and inspiration for satirists, cartoonists, copyists and others; commends the work of the Centre for Whistler Studies at the University of Glasgow in preparing an edition of the 10,000 letters in the Whistler correspondence, highlighting his contacts with artists, critics, dealers, models, patrons, publishers and many more and demonstrating that he was known as much for his sharp wit as for his art during the half-century from 1855 to 1903, and is encouraged by the support lent by LloydsTSB Scotland for a range of Whistler 2003 exhibitions and events as part of a Glasgow-wide festival running throughout the year.

Supported by: Mr Jamie Stone*

*S1M-3828 Christine Grahame: Cockenzie House—That the Parliament notes with concern the threatened and imminent closure of Cockenzie House in Cockenzie, a private nursing home currently with 56 residents aged from 50 to 90, due to persistent under-funding by the local authority; further notes that by 31 March 2003 it is probable that those 56 frail people will lose what is now their home and that this is yet another example of the loss of local provision for the frail and elderly, and calls upon the Scottish Executive to take immediate steps nationwide to provide urgent funding in the interests of those who are our most vulnerable citizens.

*S1M-3827# Stewart Stevenson: Towns Review—That the Parliament recognises the invaluable contribution that Scotland’s towns make to national life and the fabric of society, notes with concern the current lack of plans to carry out a towns review and provide funds on a similar basis as for cities, and believes that a review should be carried out, as a matter of urgency, to promote and restore vitality in Scotland’s towns which would result in job creation, enhanced service provision, improved infrastructure and a boost to civic pride.

Supported by: Mrs Margaret Ewing*, Colin Campbell*, Linda Fabiani*, Christine Grahame*, Tricia Marwick*, Alex Neil*, Ms Sandra White*

*S1M-3826 Mr Jim Wallace: The Draft Child Support Appeals (Jurisdiction of Courts) (Scotland) Order 2003—That the Justice 2 Committee, in consideration of the draft Child Support Appeals (Jurisdiction of Courts) (Scotland) Order 2003, recommends that the Order be approved.

Supported by: Hugh Henry*

*S1M-3824# Linda Fabiani: Scottish Police Memorial Trust—That the Parliament welcomes the formation of the Scottish Police Memorial Trust by James McNulty, retired police officer, and Christine Fulton, widow of Constable Lewis Fulton of Strathclyde Police who was the last officer to be murdered on duty in Scotland in June 1994; notes that the purpose of the trust is to identify a suitable location and build and maintain a national memorial to all Scottish police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and considers that the Scottish Executive should support this initiative.

*S1M-3823 Tricia Marwick: Scottish Fire Services—That the Parliament deplores the action taken by Her Majesty's Government to introduce legislation to take new powers of direction over the fire service; is mindful that under the Scotland Act 1998 the Scottish Parliament has legislative competence for all fire service matters in Scotland, and urges the Scottish Executive to develop a distinctive Scottish Fire Service as outlined in the consultation paper The Scottish Fire Service of the Future and to make it clear to Her Majesty's Government that any legislation for the Scottish Fire Service will be subject to proper consultation and scrutiny by the committees of the Parliament.

Supported by: Colin Campbell*, Linda Fabiani*, Stewart Stevenson*, Alex Neil*, Bruce Crawford*, Fiona Hyslop*, Fergus Ewing*, Ms Sandra White*, Nicola Sturgeon*, Shona Robison*, Fiona McLeod*, Mr Kenny MacAskill*, Richard Lochhead*, Brian Adam*

S1M-3821# Crime in the North East (lodged on 28 January 2003) Stewart Stevenson*, Mr Gil Paterson*, Mr Adam Ingram*, Ms Sandra White*, Brian Adam*, Michael Matheson*, Mr Duncan Hamilton*, Colin Campbell*, Kay Ullrich*, Christine Grahame*, Mr Lloyd Quinan*, Mr Kenneth Gibson*

S1M-3820# New Forth Road Bridge Crossing Near Kincardine (lodged on 28 January 2003) Scott Barrie*, Brian Fitzpatrick*

*S1M-3820.1 Dennis Canavan: New Forth Road Bridge Crossing Near Kincardine—As an amendment to motion (S1M-3820) in the name of Dr Richard Simpson, leave out from "notes" to end and insert "further welcomes the decision by Forth Valley NHS Board to recommend to the Scottish Executive that there should be a new single-site acute hospital and that the favoured site should be at the Royal Scottish National Hospital, Larbert, and considers that the Executive should ensure that the new bridge is completed as soon as possible and that access to and egress from the motorway at Larbert are improved so that the new hospital will be more accessible for all the people of Forth Valley."

*S1M-3818.1 Mr David Davidson: Transforming Public Finance for Social Justice, Regeneration and the Environment—As an amendment to motion (S1M-3818) in the name of Robin Harper, leave out from "is" to end and insert "considers land value tax to be a punitive form of taxation which takes no account of existing taxation, profit or income streams and requires payment in respect of land regardless of an absence of income."

*S1M-3811.1 Phil Gallie: Support for the February 15 Anti-War on Iraq Demonstration in Glasgow—As an amendment to motion (S1M-3811) in the name of Tommy Sheridan, leave out from "agrees" to end.

*S1M-3811.2 Euan Robson: Support for the February 15 Anti-War on Iraq Demonstration in Glasgow—As an amendment to motion (S1M-3811) in the name of Tommy Sheridan, leave out from "agrees" to end and insert "further notes the demonstration on 15 February 2003 in Glasgow called by the Scottish Coalition for Justice Not War against attacking Iraq, and endorses the right to express opinion in peaceful protest."

Supported by: Hugh Henry*, Peter Peacock*

*S1M-3809.1 Peter Peacock: Abolition of Council Tax—As an amendment to motion (S1M-3809) in the name of Tommy Sheridan, leave out from first "believes" to end and insert "notes that the Local Government Committee, in its 6th Report 2002, Report on Inquiry into Local Government Finance, published in March last year, saw no merit in the Scottish service tax as outlined in evidence to it."

Supported by: Mr Andy Kerr*

S1M-3806 National Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January 2003 (lodged on 27 January 2003) Trish Godman*, Robin Harper*, Mr Kenneth Macintosh*, Mr Jamie Stone*, Mr Michael McMahon*, John Farquhar Munro*, Pauline McNeill*, Mr Kenneth Gibson*

S1M-3805 Transport Needs of Disabled People (lodged on 27 January 2003) Trish Godman*

S1M-3804.1 Performance of Holyrood Project Group (lodged on 28 January 2003) Fiona McLeod*, Mr Jamie Stone*, Richard Lochhead*, Mr Kenny MacAskill*, Stewart Stevenson*, Mr John Home Robertson*, Kay Ullrich*, Mr Kenneth Gibson*

S1M-3775 International Year of Mountains (lodged on 15 January 2003) Mr Duncan Hamilton*, Mr Gil Paterson*

S1M-3774# Lead Pipes in Drinking Water Supplies (lodged on 15 January 2003) Mr Gil Paterson*

S1M-3773 Drug Rape (lodged on 15 January 2003) Mr Gil Paterson*

S1M-3765# Removal of Thimerosal in Vaccines (lodged on 14 January 2003) Mr Gil Paterson*

S1M-3756# UNICEF Report, The State of the World's Children 2003 (lodged on 8 January 2003) Mr Gil Paterson*

S1M-3753# Regeneration of the Clyde (lodged on 8 January 2003) Mr Gil Paterson*

S1M-3750# Ageism in the Labour Market (lodged on 8 January 2003) Mr Gil Paterson*

S1M-3710# Digital Hearing Aids (lodged on 13 December 2002) Mr Duncan Hamilton*

S1M-3618 Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill - Stage I (lodged on 21 November 2002) Mr Duncan Hamilton*


Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Section G: Bills: Notices and Amendments


New Bills introduced or reprinted on 29 January 2003

Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Bill—The Bill was reprinted as passed (SP Bill 57B) (Executive Bill).

New amendments to Bills lodged on 29 January 2003

Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Bill - Stage 3

Section 2

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

8 In section 2, page 2, line 13, at end insert <; and

(b) invite (by way of advertisement or otherwise) other persons to make representations,

as regards the code.>

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

9 In section 2, page 2, line 29, at end insert <in a material regard>

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

10 In section 2, page 3, line 4, leave out from beginning to <Parliament,> in line 5

Section 3

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

11 In section 3, page 3, line 41, at end insert-

<( ) Each body mentioned in section 4 is to be treated, for the purposes of or in connection with any appointment to the body made before that section comes into force as respects the body, as if it were one of the specified authorities.>

Section 4

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

12 In section 4, page 4, leave out line 11

Section 13

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

13 In section 13, page 8, line 2, leave out from <section> to <practitioners)> in line 3 and insert <sections 16 to 23 (which relate to the provision of conveyancing and executry services)>

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

14 In section 13, page 8, line 11, leave out <"and section 20> and insert <", the provisions of sections 16 to 23>

Section 15

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

15 Leave out section 15

Section 16

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

16 Leave out section 16

Section 17

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

17 Leave out section 17

Section 18

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

18 Leave out section 18

Section 19

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

19 Leave out section 19

Section 21

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

20 In section 21, page 12, line 15, leave out <,14(5) or 17(1)> and insert <or 14(5)>

Section 23

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

21 In section 23, page 12, leave out lines 36 and 37

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

22 In section 23, page 13, leave out lines 1 and 2

Schedule 1

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

23 In schedule 1, page 14, line 6, at end insert-

<( ) a member of the House of Lords and entitled to vote in the House;>

Schedule 2

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

24 In schedule 2, page 18, leave out line 31

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

25 In schedule 2, page 18, line 33, at end insert-

<Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland>

Schedule 2A

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

26 In schedule 2A, page 20, line 23, at end insert-

<( ) Each member-

(a) is to be appointed for such period as is specified in the terms of appointment; and

(b) holds and vacates office in accordance with those terms.>

Schedule 3

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

27 Leave out schedule 3

Schedule 4

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

28 In schedule 4, page 24, line 22, leave out paragraphs 3 and 4

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

29 In schedule 4, page 25, line 8, leave out from second <and> to end of line 9

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

30 In schedule 4, page 38, leave out lines 21 to 28

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

31 In schedule 4, page 39, line 15, leave out from second <and> to end of line 20 and insert-

<are repealed.>

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

32 In schedule 4, page 39, line 24, leave out from <paragraphs> to end of line 28 and insert <paragraph relating to the Scottish Medical Practices Committee is repealed; and>

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

33 In schedule 4, page 39, line 30, leave out from <and> to end of line 32

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

34 In schedule 4, page 40, line 8, leave out from second <and> to end of line 10

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

35 In schedule 4, page 40, line 16, leave out from <; and> to end of line 18

Long Title

Mr Andy Kerr

Supported by: Peter Peacock

36 In the long title, page 1, line 8, leave out from <to> to <Scotland;> in line 9

Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill – Stage 2

Section 15

Karen Gillon


1 In section 15, page 5, line 5, leave out from <pursuance> to <absolute> and insert <conducting an investigation under this Act;

(ii) in communicating with any person for the purposes of such an investigation; or

(iii) in a report published under this Act,

has absolute privilege;

(aa) any other statement made by the Commissioner or any of the Commissioner’s staff in pursuance of the purposes of this Act has qualified>

Schedule 1

Karen Gillon


2 In schedule 1, page 9, line 2, at end insert <; and

(d) where the accountable officer is not the Commissioner, the duty set out in sub-paragraph (4).>

Karen Gillon


3 In schedule 1, page 9, line 4, at end insert—

<(4) The duty referred to in sub-paragraph (2)(d) is a duty, where the accountable officer is required to act in some way but considers that to do so would be inconsistent with the proper performance of the functions specified in sub-paragraph (2)(a) to (c), to—

(a) obtain written authority from the Commissioner before taking the action; and

(b) send a copy of that authority as soon as possible to the Auditor General for Scotland.>


Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Section H : New Documents


Subordinate Legislation

Affirmative Instruments

The following instruments were laid in draft before the Parliament on 29 January 2003 for approval by resolution—

The Housing Support Grant (Scotland) Order 2003

laid under section 191(9) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987


The Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (Modification of Enactments) Order 2003

laid under section 30(3) of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000


Other Documents

The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 29 January 2003 and are not subject to any Parliamentary procedure—

Scottish Executive Letter to Convener of Audit Committee: Progress Report on Audit Committee Recommendations (SE/2003/17)


The Housing Support Grant Order 2003-04: Report by Scottish Ministers (SE/2003/18)

laid under sections 191(1) and 192(3) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987


Hospital Cleaning: Report and Executive Summary by the Auditor General for Scotland (AGS/2003/2)

laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000


Committee Reports

The following Reports are being published on 30 January 2003—

Audit Committee, 2nd Report 2003: How Government Works in Scotland (SP Paper 753)


Subordinate Legislation Committee, 8th Report 2003: Report on Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 758)


Subordinate Legislation Committee, 9th Report 2003: Delegated Powers Scrutiny: Budget (Scotland) (No.4) Bill (SP Paper 759)


Subordinate Legislation Committee, 10th Report 2003: Conference Report: "Smart Tape": Fostering Regulatory Innovation in the 21st Century, Toronto 25 - 27 September 2002 (SP Paper 760)


Local Government Committee, 4th Report 2003: Report on Inquiry into Allotments (SP Paper 761)


European Documents

Members wishing to see a list of EC/EU documents and legislative proposals received in the Parliament should contact the clerk to the European Committee (europe@scottish.parliament.uk). Members are reminded that a complete set of all documents received is held by SPICe and copies can be made available on request. Additionally, SPICe holds a set of Briefing Papers produced primarily for MEPs covering the views of the UK Government on proposals for EC/EU legislation. Finally, the Parliament now receives copies of agendas in advance of each Council of the EU meeting (formerly known as the Council of Ministers) and post-Council reports. These and the Briefing Papers are available to all MSPs and parliamentary staff. Copies can be obtained on the SPICe page of the Parliament's intranet http://intranet/.


Business Bulletin No. 19/2003
Thursday 30 January 2003

Section K : Progress of Parliamentary Business


For further information on the progress of Bills, subordinate legislation and committees shown in this section, please contact either the relevant clerk or web site (end of Section for addresses)

Bills in Progress

Note: Where a Bill is listed below with a date for Stage 2 (or for a day at that Stage), the deadline for lodging amendments for that Stage (or that day) is 2.00 pm, two sitting days earlier (e.g. 2.00 pm on Monday for a Stage 2 meeting on Wednesday). Where a Bill is listed with a date for Stage 3, the deadline is 4.30 pm, three sitting days earlier. Amendments should be lodged with the clerks to the Stage 2 committee. (Equivalent deadlines apply in relation to the Consideration and Final Stages of Private Bills.)

Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Bill

Stage 2, Day 4 (Rural Development Committee) 4 February

Budget (Scotland) (No.4) Bill

Stage 1 (debate, meeting of the Parliament) 30 January

Building (Scotland) Bill

Stage 2 completed 8 January

Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill

Stage 2, Day 1 (Commissioner for Children and Young People

(Scotland) Bill Committee) 4 February

Council of the Law Society of Scotland Bill

Stage 2 (Justice 1 Committee) 18 February

Criminal Justice (Scotland) Bill

Stage 2 completed 18 December

Dog Fouling (Scotland) Bill

Stage 2 completed 28 January

Gaelic Language (Scotland) Bill

Stage 1 (Education, Culture and Sport Committee) 11 February

Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Bill

Stage 2 completed 15 January

Land Reform (Scotland) Bill

Passed 23 January

Local Government in Scotland Bill

Passed 8 January

Mental Health (Scotland) Bill

Stage 2 (Day 6, Health and Community Care Committee) 4 February

Stage 2 (Day 7, Health and Community Care Committee) 5 February

National Galleries of Scotland Bill

Preliminary Stage (National Galleries of Scotland Bill Committee) 3 February

Organic Farming Targets (Scotland) Bill

Stage 1 (debate, meeting of Parliament) 6 February

Proportional Representation (Local Government Elections) (Scotland) Bill

Stage 1 (debate, meeting of Parliament) 6 February

Prostitution Tolerance Zones (Scotland) Bill

Stage 1 (Local Government Committee) 4 February

Protection of Children (Scotland) Bill

Stage 2 completed 10 December

Public Appointments and Public Bodies etc. (Scotland) Bill

Stage 3 (debate, meeting of Parliament) 5 February

Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm (Navigation and Fishing) (Scotland) Bill

Consideration Stage (evidence, Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm

(Navigation and Fishing) (Scotland) Bill Committee) 24 February

Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Bill

Stage 1 report to be published (Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Bill Committee) 4 February

Title Conditions (Scotland) Bill

Stage 2 completed 14 January

Water Environment and Water Services (Scotland) Bill

Passed 29 January

Subordinate legislation in progress

(date of laying) (Lead Committee)

Affirmative Instruments

Subject to approval by resolution by 24 February 2003


The draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Disclosure of Information to and by Lord Advocate and Scottish Ministers) Order 2003 (16 January 2003) (Justice 2)

The draft Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Investigations: Code of Practice) (Scotland) Order 2003 (16 January 2003) (Justice 2)

Subject to approval by resolution by 25 February 2003

Draft Child Support Appeals (Jurisdiction of Courts) (Scotland) Order 2003 (17 January 2003) (Justice 2)


Subject to approval by resolution by 2 March 2003


Special Grant Report No.1: Special Grant for Scotland Asylum Seeker Assistance – Report by Scottish Ministers (SE/2003/15) (22 February 2003) (Local Government)


Subject to approval by resolution by 4 March 2003


The Local Government Finance (Scotland) Order 2003 (SSI 2003/42) (24 January 2003) (Parliament)


Subject to approval by resolution by 9 March 2003


The draft Housing Support Grant (Scotland) Order 2003 (29 January 2003)

The draft Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 (Modification of Enactments) Order 2003 (29 January 2003)

Negative Instruments


Subject to annulment by 31 January 2003


The Designation of Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (Scotland) (No.2) Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/546) (11 December 2002) (Transport and the Environment)


Subject to annulment by 2 February 2003


The Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Exemptions for Disabled Persons) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/547) (13 December 2002) (Transport and the Environment)

The School Crossing Patrol Sign (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/549) (13 December 2002) (Transport and the Environment)

The Public Service Vehicles (Registration of Local Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/548) (13 December 2002) (Transport and the Environment)


Subject to annulment by 6 February 2003


The Air Quality Limit Values (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/556) (17 December 2002) (Transport and the Environment)


Subject to annulment by 12 February 2003


The Seeds (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No.2) (Scotland) Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/564) (23 December 2002) (Rural Development)

The Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2002 (SSI 2002/565) (23 December 2002) (Rural Development)

Act of Sederunt (Fees of Sheriff Officers) (No.2) 2002 (SSI 2002/567) (23 December 2002) (Justice 2)

Act of Sederunt (Fees of Solicitors in the Sheriff Court) (Amendment No.4) 2002 (SSI 2002/568) (23 December 2002) (Justice 2)


Subject to annulment by 18 February 2003


The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (SSI 2003/9) (10 January 2003) (Health and Community Care)

The Education (Disability Strategies) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2003 (SSI 2003/10) (10 January 2003) (Education, Culture and Sport)

The National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2003 (SSI 2003/11) (10 January 2003) (Health and Community Care)

Subject to annulment by 23 February 2003


The Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (SSI 2003/19) (15 January 2003) (Education, Culture and Sport)


Subject to annulment by 24 February 2003


The Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Prescription of Offices, Ranks and Positions) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2003 (SSI 2003/20) (16 January 2003) (Justice 2)


Subject to annulment by 25 February 2003


The Police and Police (Special Constables) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2003 (SSI 2003/21) (17 January 2003) (Justice 2)


Subject to annulment by 3 March 2003


The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Sponsorship Transitional Provisions) (Scotland) Regulations 2003 (SSI 2003/34) (23 January 2003) (Health and Community Care)


Committee Business

Dates indicate when the next meeting is due to take place by each Committee.

Audit 4 February

Commissioner for Children and Young People (Scotland) Bill 4 February

Education, Culture and Sport 11 February

Enterprise and Lifelong Learning 5 February

Equal Opportunities 31 January

European 11 February

Finance 11 February

Health and Community Care 4 February

Justice 1 4 February

Justice 2 5 February

Local Government 4 February

National Galleries of Scotland Bill 3 February

Procedures 4 February

Public Petitions 11 February

Robin Rigg Offshore Wind Farm (Navigation and Fishing)(Scotland) Bill 24 February

Rural Development 4 February

Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries (Consolidation) (Scotland) Bill 25 February

Social Justice 18 February

Standards 5 February

Subordinate Legislation 4 February

Transport and Environment 5 February



[CENSORED: table inserted here in original giving contact information]

Information about Document 1228

Scottish Parliament: Business Bulletin 19/2003