SCOTS Project - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk Document : 1186 Title : Scottish Parliament: Business Bulletin 72/1999 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. Text BUSINESS BULLETIN 72/1999 Thursday 14 October 1999 Section A – Daily Business List Section B - Business Programme Section C - Agendas of Committee Meetings Section E - Written questions lodged between 8 October and 13 October 1999 Section F - Motions and Amendments Section G - Bills, amendments to Bills and proposals for members’ Bills Section H - New Documents Section J - Progress of Parliamentary business BUSINESS BULLETIN 72/1999 Thursday 14 October 1999 Section A – Daily Business List Meetings of Committees All meetings take place in Committee Chambers, Edinburgh, unless otherwise indicated. Health and Community Care Committee 8th Meeting The Committee will meet at 2.00 pm in Committee Room 4 1. Consideration of a Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 95/2/EC on Food Additives other than Colours and Sweeteners (10485/99). BUSINESS BULLETIN 72/1999 Thursday 14 October 1999 Section B – Business Programme As agreed by the Parliament on 7 October 1999 Wednesday 27 October 1999 2.30 pm Time for Reflection followed by Debate on an Executive Motion on Domestic Violence followed by Parliamentary Bureau motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Debate on the subject of S1M-187, Mr Nick Johnston: Telecommunications (for text of motion, see Section F of Business Bulletin for 6 October 1999) Thursday 28 October 1999 9.30 am Debate on an Executive Motion on Structural Funds Programmes 12.20 pm Business Motion 2.30 pm Question Time 3.00 pm Open Question Time followed by, no later than 3.15 pm Debate on an Executive Motion on the Scottish University for Industry followed by Parliamentary Bureau motions 5.00 pm Decision Time followed by Members’ Business Debate on the subject of S1M-128, Allan Wilson: Regional Selective Assistance (for text of motion, see Section F of Business Bulletin for 4 October 1999) BUSINESS BULLETIN 72/1999 Thursday 14 October 1999 Section C – Agendas of Committee Meetings Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee 20 October 1999 5th Meeting The Committee will meet at 9.00 am in the Town House, Inverness 1. Local Economic Development Inquiry: The Committee will hear evidence from— Highlands and Islands Enterprise; Ross and Cromarty Enterprise, Lochaber Ltd; Western Isles Enterprise; The Highland Council . 2. Briefing on Gaelic Issues – Comunn na Gaidhlig and Sabhal Mor Ostaig. 3. Briefing from the University of the Highlands and Islands. BUSINESS BULLETIN 72/1999 Thursday 14 October 1999 Section E - Written questions lodged between 8 October and 13 October 1999 S1W-1412 Andrew Wilson: To ask the Scottish Executive what are the estimated costs in real and cash terms in each year from the launch going forward of the Scotland House office in Brussels in capital, running and staff costs and from which budget line the funding for this will be provided. S1W-1432 Mrs Margaret Smith: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-741 by the Minister for Rural Affairs on 7 September 1999, what safeguards are in place to ensure that genetically modified crops are ‘quarantined’ so that they cannot affect more traditional crops, whether by cross-pollination or any other means. S1W-1753 Mr Nick Johnston: To ask the Scottish Executive whether under agricultural legislation, the following animal classes are classified as working animals and whether the construction of any housing for them is subject to dimensions for a permitted development: (a) Hunting Horses (b) Clydesdale Horses (c) Shire Horses (d) Shetland Ponies (e) Highland Ponies (f) Eriskay Ponies (g) agricultural animals working on the land or food production (h) designated rare breeds close to extinction and (I) dogs used on the land for herding and hunting. S1W-1936 Richard Lochhead: To ask the Scottish Executive whether local farmers were consulted before the decision was taken to designate the Ythan catchment and estuary in Aberdeenshire as a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) as required by the EC Nitrates Directive. S1W-1937 Richard Lochhead: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will provide details of the plans to increase provision of new computers and other information technology for primary and secondary schools including details of any plans for the North East of Scotland; whether it intends to provide full-time computer technicians at each school and whether it intends to provide information technology training for all teachers. S1W-1938 Mike Watson: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to submit views on the Biosafety Protocol to Her Majesty’s Government. S1W-1939 Mr Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Scottish Executive what is the average length of time taken to process an application for a freight facilities grant. S1W-1940 Mr Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether freight facilities grants will be extended to shipping and, if so, whether additional money will be made available for this purpose. S1W-1941 Mr Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the grants paid in relation to freight facilities over the last three years, the amounts paid and to whom they were paid. S1W-1942 Mr Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Scottish Executive what actions it will take to ensure that Scottish companies are aware of the availability of freight facilities grants. S1W-1943 Mr Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the current transport modal split for employees travelling to work at Victoria Quay, (b) the modal split for journeys by staff and the Executive between Victoria Quay and the Parliament and return, (c) the average cost of each modal form and (d) the number of journeys of each modal form made by the Executive. S1W-1944 Mr Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail the number of incidents of nuclear emissions or leaks investigated or noted by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) over the last five years, the dates on which they occurred and the actions taken by SEPA in each case. S1W-1945 Mr Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail (a) the amount of nuclear waste stored in Scotland on a monthly basis over the last three years, (b) the locations of such waste and (c) the procedures for monitoring the storage of the waste, including the nature and frequency of checks as part of the monitoring procedures. S1W-1946 Mr Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Scottish Executive what are the costs of expanding the M8 to a six lane highway between Edinburgh and Glasgow and of dedicating the additional lane to HGV and public transport. S1W-1947 Mr Kenny MacAskill: To ask the Scottish Executive what enquiries have been made of Scottish local authorities with regard to weight restrictions that are currently in force on bridges and what additional budget will be made available to local authorities to meet requirements to upgrade these bridges. S1W-1948 Mary Scanlon: To ask the Scottish Executive, in the light of the recent reports that a number of French producers were feeding their pigs and poultry on sewage, what action it intends to take to ensure that the meat from any animals fed in this way does not reach the Scottish consumer. S1W-1949 Dorothy-Grace Elder: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-765 by Susan Deacon on 8 September 1999, what future plans does it have to consult local people about the creation of a secure unit at Stobhill Hospital, Glasgow. S1W-1950 Dorothy-Grace Elder: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will take action to prevent private firms from setting up accident and emergency units in Scotland. S1W-1952 Mr Andrew Welsh: To ask the Scottish Executive what capital investment will be made by Tayside University Hospitals NHS Trust and Tayside Primary Care NHS Trust in Angus in the current financial year. S1W-1953 Michael Russell: To ask the Scottish Executive what policy Historic Scotland has on charging for entry to religious sites, given that entry to Glasgow Cathedral is free whilst an entry fee is being proposed for Iona Abbey. S1W-1954 Fergus Ewing: To ask the Scottish Executive whether they consider the current measures taken by Scottish Natural Heritage to control the wild mink population in the Western Isles are adequate, in particular to prevent depredation of crofters’ livestock and, if not, what steps it will take in this matter. S1W-1955 Bruce Crawford: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the stores at Ratho and Glenrothes which store rendered BSE material are full and, if so, where does it intend to store new material being engendered and which company is being given the responsibility of storing it. S1W-1956 Bruce Crawford: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to bring forward legislation following the report on the spreading of waste on land published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and what timescale is it working to. S1W-1957 Bruce Crawford: To ask the Scottish Executive how is condensate, produced during the rendering process of BSE material, collected and disposed of and who is responsible for its disposal. S1W-1958 Fiona McLeod: To ask the Scottish Executive how many reports of offences were referred to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Agency from Procurators Fiscal in Scotland in the last three years for which information is available broken down by Procurator Fiscal area, and what were the offences. S1W-1959 Fiona McLeod: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the funding and future operation of the Scottish Football Museum has been made secure by the rescue package on offer to Hampden Football Stadium. S1W-1960 Fiona McLeod: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the operation of Hampden Football Stadium is now financially and managerially secure. S1W-1961 Fiona McLeod: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish interim and full reports from the consultants employed by the co-funders of Hampden Football Stadium’s redevelopment. S1W-1962 Fiona McLeod: To ask the Scottish Executive how much is being paid by each of the co-funders to the rescue package on offer to Hampden Football Stadium, and to provide details of any conditions relating to the current or future operational arrangements which have been attached to the rescue package. S1W-1963 Fiona McLeod: To ask the Scottish Executive from which budget and under which budget heading any contribution it is making to the rescue package on offer to Hampden Football Stadium is being made, and whether new money has been found for this purpose. S1W-1964 Fiona McLeod: To ask the Scottish Executive whether any contribution to the rescue package on offer to Hampden Football Stadium from sportscotland will come from its existing budget or from new money. S1W-1965 Ms Irene Oldfather: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking steps to ensure that lead solder is not used for domestic drinking water systems. S1W-1966 Ms Irene Oldfather: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking steps to evaluate how widespread the use of lead solder within domestic drinking water is. S1W-1967 Ms Irene Oldfather: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking steps to assist householders, particularly those on a low income, who wish to test their domestic drinking water systems to ensure that they are free from lead contamination. S1W-1968 Ms Irene Oldfather: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking steps to assist householders, particularly those on a low income, who wish to replace or repair domestic drinking water systems contaminated by lead solder. S1W-1969 Donald Gorrie: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish figures for 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 from the Student Loan Company and the Student Awards Agency for Scotland, showing (a) how much was paid in grants and loans to students resident in Scotland, (b) how many students in each category of institution benefited, and (c) how many in each category paid (i) the whole tuition fee, (ii) part of the fee and (iii) none of the fee. S1W-1970 Fiona McLeod: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question number S1W-553 by Susan Deacon on 29 July 1999, what constitutes a "significant change of use of a hospital". S1W-1971 Dennis Canavan: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will appoint a practising class-room teacher to the Committee of Inquiry into Teachers’ Pay and Conditions of Service. S1W-1972 Brian Adam: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has made representations to Her Majesty’s Government to reduce the level of vehicle excise duty on lorries in order to bring it in line with the level of excise duty in other European Union countries. S1W-1973 Brian Adam: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government regarding the allocation of revenue raised through transport taxes to rail freight investment, and how much of that investment is made in Scotland. S1W-1974 Tavish Scott: To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it intends to take to invest in rail infrastructure over this session of the Parliament and what proportion of this investment will be specifically allocated to health and safety initiatives. S1W-1975 Tavish Scott: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to set targets for future improvements in rail safety and if so how these targets will be delivered. S1W-1976 Tavish Scott: To ask the Scottish Executive, following the transfer of executive functions for railways, which body will ultimately be responsible for enforcing safety standards on Scotland’s railways and the penalties Railtrack and franchise operators face if they fail to meet safety standards. S1W-1977 Tavish Scott: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has identified any distinctly Scottish issues relating to rail safety including the high number of single track lines and level crossings on many lines in Scotland. S1W-1978 Mr Kenneth Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive how much, in real terms will be the new burdens for Scottish local authorities for the financial years 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02. S1W-1979 Mr Kenneth Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive whether all new burdens imposed on Scottish local authorities for the financial years 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 will be funded entirely from the Scottish Consolidated Fund and if not, what alternative sources of funding will be used. S1W-1980 Tavish Scott: To ask the Scottish Executive what consultations it has had with the fishing industry during the preparation of their proposals for submission to the European Union for the application of the Fisheries Instrument Financial Guidance funding and what has been the response to the consultation. S1W-1981 Shona Robison: To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government regarding the terms of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, and whether the outcomes of such representations will be made public. S1W-1982 Shona Robison: To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Parliament will have an opportunity to debate the proposed amendments to the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 and the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 as contained within the Immigration and Asylum Bill. S1W-1983 Shona Robison: To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it has made to Her Majesty’s Government regarding amendments to the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968, the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1984 and the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 as specified under the terms of the Immigration and Asylum Bill. S1W-1984 Mr Nick Johnston: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review the command structure of Scottish police forces and the way in which officers are deployed between office duties and street duties. S1W-1985 Paul Martin: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will call for an enquiry into why Strathclyde police ‘E’ division took over one and a half hours to respond to a report of an alleged mugging on 19 September 1999 in Duke Street, Dennistoun. S1W-1986 Mr Nick Johnston: To ask the Scottish Executive what long term legal and financial responsibilities and costs to the public purse are involved when public sector services, such as joint police boards, fire boards, education authorities and local authorities, are given ownership of private sector telecommunication masts. S1W-1987 Mr Adam Ingram: To ask the Scottish Executive what are the projected deficits or surpluses in housing revenue accounts and general service budgets for the current financial year in each of Scotland’s local authorities and what percentage of budgeted expenditure do these variances represent. S1W-1988 Richard Lochhead: To ask the Scottish Executive what impact its expenditure plans, as announced by the Minister for Finance on 6 October 1999, will have on the rural affairs expenditure as set out in the previous budget forecasts in Serving Scotland’s Needs. S1W-1989 Mr Kenneth Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will detail how much each Scottish local authority spent on (a) internal and (b) external public relations consultants, advisors and lobbyists in the financial year 1998-99 or in the most recent financial year for which this information is available. S1W-1990 Mr Kenneth Gibson: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider the implementation of a national careers advice service for Scotland along similar lines to the system to be adopted by the National Assembly for Wales. S1W-1991 Margaret Jamieson: To ask the Scottish Executive what is the length of time it takes to process a traffic regulation order to change the speed limit on A, B and C roads and what plans it has to reduce this period. S1W-1992 Mike Watson: To ask the Scottish Executive what conclusions it has reached on the budget submissions from Aberdeenshire, East Dunbartonshire and Perth and Kinross Councils. S1W-1993 Mary Scanlon: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will create a National Institute for Clinical Excellence in Scotland to serve the Scottish health service. S1W-1994 Mary Scanlon: To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow the flu drug ‘Relenza’ to be prescribed in Scotland. S1W-1995 Mary Scanlon: To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to upgrade the last 70 miles of the A9 ending in Thurso. S1W-1996 Alex Neil: To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-318, by the Minister for Transport and the Environment on 14 July 1999, whether it will give details of how, in each year, the money given to the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB) was spent, who the money in each year was paid to, what were the performance targets of the RSPB in each of these years and whether these targets were achieved. S1W-1997 Alex Neil: To ask the Scottish Executive who appointed the Scottish Raptor Group and who are the board members. BUSINESS BULLETIN 72/1999 Thursday 14 October 1999 Section F - Motions and Amendments The full text of all outstanding motions and amendments will appear in the Business Bulletin every Monday. Items or names marked with an asterisk (*) are new. 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-203 Michael Matheson: Tobacco Advertising Ban—That the Parliament calls upon the Scottish Executive to maintain its commitment to banning tobacco advertising in Scotland by the end of 1999; notes that Scotland has one of the highest incidences of lung cancer in western Europe, with smoking accounting for around 90% of all lung cancer and notes that any delay in banning tobacco advertising will seriously undermine the battle to reduce the misery of lung cancer in Scotland. Supported by: Mr Adam Ingram*, Shona Robison*, Nicola Sturgeon*, Alex Neil*, Andrew Wilson* *S1M-202 Tommy Sheridan: Rail Safety—That the Parliament notes with concern the railcrash at Paddington and expresses its sympathy with the families of the bereaved and the survivors, notes with concern that there are two signals in Scotland causing safety problems; believes that there is a conflict between private profit and safety, and asks the Scottish Executive to persuade Her Majesty’s Government to take the railways back into public ownership with compensation on the basis of need for the shareholders. *S1M-201# Christine Grahame: Borders Rail Link—That the Parliament recognising the economic crisis in the Borders and appreciating the necessity for good transport lines as crucial to the social and economic advancement of the area, gives its support to the campaign for the restoration of a Borders rail link. Supported by: Mr Murray Tosh*, Phil Gallie*, Mr Adam Ingram*, Ms Sandra White*, Michael Russell*, Robin Harper* R *S1M-200# Mr Kenneth Gibson: Sleep and Road Accidents—That the Parliament recognises that a significant proportion of all road accidents resulting in death or serious injury are caused by sleepiness; notes the human misery caused by fatal road accidents, which cost £1 million each year; notes that at least 1% of Scotland’s adult population has a medical cause for sleepiness; acknowledges the Royal College of Physicians observation that untreated sleep apnoea sufferers may have driving impairments comparable with other drivers over the legal limit of alcohol consumption; acknowledges that sleep apnoea is readily treatable with a machine costing £300 that lasts 10 years; welcomes the launch of the British Sleep Foundation which aims, in conjunction with the Scottish Association for Sleep Apnoea, to increase the public and professional understanding of sleep related disorders, to reduce driving accidents and other health and safety problems related to insufficient sleep and untreated sleep disorders and to advocate public policy change which promotes education, research and the NHS treatment and calls upon the Parliament to fully support these aims. Supported by: Fergus Ewing* *S1M-199# Elaine Smith: Telecommunications Developments—That the Parliament notes the current debate surrounding proposals to increase the powers currently available to local authorities in the control of telecommunications developments; welcomes the Transport and Environment Committee’s review and inquiry into the planning and health related issues associated with telecommunications developments, and acknowledges "public perception" as an important factor in the planning process. Supported by: Dr Sylvia Jackson*, Ms Sandra White*, Michael Russell* *S1M-198 Cathy Jamieson: Jubilee 2000 Campaign—That the Parliament congratulates all organisations and individuals in Scotland who have declared their support for the objectives of the Jubilee 2000 Campaign, and resolves to support the case for the cancellation of debt repayments by developing countries. S1M-197 Fergus Ewing: Police Funding over the Millennium Period—That the Parliament recognises that the Hogmanay holiday period of 1999-2000 will place on all of Scotland’s police forces demands upon their resources additional to those normally encountered during this time of year, both in ensuring public safety at the numerous Millennium festivities and in ensuring necessary contingency planning to safeguard health services, utilities and other vital services whose continuity may be in jeopardy through the Millennium bug; notes with concern that detailed requests for the required additional funding have been made on behalf of Scotland’s police forces early this year to the Scottish Office and thereafter to the Scottish Executive, but that the Executive have failed to respond to these requests; further notes that the Metropolitan police in London have received additional resources for Millennium policing, and calls upon the Executive to announce, without further delay, similar funding for Scotland’s police forces. S1M-193# Brian Adam: Detoxification and Rehabilitation Services in North East Scotland—That the Parliament encourages the local government and health authorities in north east Scotland to provide detoxification and rehabilitation facilities within the area and further calls upon the Scottish Executive to make the resources available to allow early provision of such facilities. Supported by: Richard Lochhead, Irene McGugan S1M-189# Michael Matheson: Pollution of Bo'ness Domestic Water Supply—That the Parliament notes with concern the ongoing pollution of the domestic water supply in parts of Bo’ness with heavy metals; notes that East of Scotland Water has failed to publish scientific reports into the extent of the polution and has not operated in an open and accountable manner; notes the potential health risks to the local community and calls for an urgent review of East of Scotland Water’s handling of this matter and for related scientific reports to be placed in the public domain. Supported by: Linda Fabiani, Roseanna Cunningham, Alex Neil, Mr Adam Ingram, Andrew Wilson S1M-188# Mr John Swinney: Stracathro Hospital—That the Parliament recognises the invaluable services that Stracathro Hospital provides to the people of Angus and the Mearns; expresses its concern that significant changes to the delivery of services at the hospital are being undertaken by Tayside University Hospital NHS Trust during the Acute Services Review, and asks that the Scottish Executive give assurances that no changes to delivery of services will be undertaken until the Acute Services Review is completed and agreed. Supported by: Mr Andrew Welsh, Irene McGugan, Mr Mike Rumbles, Brian Adam, Tommy Sheridan S1M-187# Mr Nick Johnston: Telecommunications—That the Parliament notes the proliferation of telecommunication masts in mid Scotland and Fife and the recent report of the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee into mobile phones and telecommunications. Supported by: Bruce Crawford, Dr Richard Simpson* S1M-184 Mr David Davidson: Food Standards Agency location in Aberdeen—That the Parliament congratulates Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire councils supported by the many organisations of the area on winning the bid to locate the Scottish arm of the Food Standards Agency in Aberdeen. Supported by: Brian Adam S1M-183 Brian Adam: Advisory Committees—That the Parliament calls on the Scottish Executive to review its advisory committee structure to ensure openness and accountability in particular by publishing details of membership of such bodies and of the advice given by them. Supported by: Richard Lochhead, Irene McGugan, Tommy Sheridan, Fiona McLeod S1M-182# Brian Adam: Aberdeen City Council Lobbyist—That the Parliament recognises that the City of Aberdeen has failed to secure vital funding from central government in recent years but urges Aberdeen City Council to avoid using public funds to hire the services of a private lobbying firm or public relations agency to promote the city’s case to the Scottish Executive for additional funding. Supported by: Richard Lochhead, Irene McGugan, Mr Kenneth Gibson, Fergus Ewing, Dennis Canavan, Tommy Sheridan S1M-181 Mrs Margaret Smith: Major Planning Consents—That the Parliament notes the successful appeal by developers to build housing upon Corstorphine Hill; notes that the developers have the right to rely on a 23 year old planning consent, and calls upon the Scottish Executive to bring forward instructions to require that local authorities monitor major planning consents, and issue completion notices 10 years after the initial granting of planning permission if the development has not yet been completed. Supported by: Donald Gorrie S1M-180 Tommy Sheridan: BBC TV election coverage —That the Parliament notes with concern the poor and biased coverage of the Hamilton South by-election on 24 September on BBC TV, which failed to mention the Scottish Socialist Party and omitted the Scottish Socialist Party candidate when the result was presented on screen, despite the candidate’s third place, and believes that this bias is a good argument for an autonomous BBC Scotland. S1M-174 Fergus Ewing: Sunday Post—That the Parliament congratulates the ‘Sunday Post’ on its campaign against the Fuel Duty Escalator policy and urges all Members of the Scottish Parliament to display on their car the Sunday Post sticker ‘Say No To Petrol Price Rises’. Supported by: Mr Kenneth Gibson, Mr John Swinney, Mr Gil Paterson, Mr Lloyd Quinan, Dorothy-Grace Elder, Alasdair Morgan, Ms Sandra White, Andrew Wilson, Michael Russell, Roseanna Cunningham, Mr Duncan Hamilton, Fiona McLeod S1M-173# Mr John McAllion: Right of access to Crown Office files and information—That the Parliament supports the rights of families of murder victims, including Mr and Mrs Crossan of Dundee, to access to all Crown Office files and information relating to the resulting murder trials. Supported by: Tommy Sheridan S1M-166 Mr John Munro: Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS)—That the Parliament notes with concern the continuing inequalities and complexities inherent in the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS)and recognises that there is urgent need for an independent ombudsman to hear individual subsidy grievances. Supported by: Mr Jamie Stone, George Lyon, Tavish Scott, Euan Robson, Fergus Ewing S1M-161 Michael Russell: East Timor—That the Parliament expresses its appreciation of the work of the international observers during the East Timor referendum, expresses solidarity with the people of East Timor, and calls on the House of Representatives of Indonesia to convene immediately to endorse the result of the ballot in which the overwhelming majority of the East Timor electorate voted for independence. Supported by: Dennis Canavan, Tricia Marwick, Kay Ullrich, Alasdair Morgan, Andrew Wilson, Mr Kenneth Gibson, Fergus Ewing, Fiona McLeod S1M-159 Fergus Ewing: Sean Connery—That the Parliament congratulates Sean Connery on the award that is about to be bestowed upon him in recognition of his contribution to the cinema by the John F Kennedy Centre for Performing Arts in Washington and which is to be presented to Mr Connery by the President of the United States of America at the White House. Supported by: Alasdair Morgan, Andrew Wilson S1M-149# Pauline McNeill: Children's Cardiac Services in Scotland—That the Parliament notes that Yorkhill children’s hospital in Glasgow is unique in Scotland, undertaking most of the children’s cardiac work; notes that Yorkhill has been recognised as a unique centre of excellence dedicated to a range of provision from pre-birth to paediatric care in the community, and recognises that any decision to merge the cardiac units must be based on what is best for children throughout Scotland, on a clear set of agreed clinical criteria, and must include measures to safeguard the interests of both children’s hospitals in Scotland. Supported by: Ms Patricia Ferguson, Mike Watson, Robert Brown, Johann Lamont, Ms Margaret Curran, Tommy Sheridan, Paul Martin, Fiona McLeod S1M-148# Bill Aitken: Repossession—That the Parliament calls upon the Scottish Executive to review the current legislation relating to repossession of private dwelling houses to permit Sheriffs on cause shown and on consideration of the owner’s personal circumstances to allow reasonable time for the owner to overcome short term financial problems. Supported by: David McLetchie, Lord James Douglas-Hamilton, Tommy Sheridan, Mr Keith Harding, Mr Murray Tosh S1M-146 Michael Russell: Support for Democracy in Myanmar—That the Parliament, while celebrating the start of a new democratic era in Scotland remembers those who still struggle for basic democratic rights in their own countries and in particular sends its greetings and encouragement to Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratic opposition leader in Myanmar, who has been subject to harassment and house arrest because of her campaign to bring democracy to Myanmar. Supported by: Roseanna Cunningham, Alasdair Morgan, Mr John Swinney, Allan Wilson, Mr Kenneth Gibson, Linda Fabiani, Mr Lloyd Quinan, Mr Duncan Hamilton, Fergus Ewing S1M-145 Mr Brian Monteith: Scottish History—That the Parliament calls upon the Scottish Executive to bring forward proposals for the introduction of a standard grade exam in Scottish history covering the period from ancient times through to the present day. Supported by: Alex Fergusson, Mr Kenneth Gibson, Mrs Margaret Smith, Mary Scanlon, Linda Fabiani, Mr Keith Harding, Alasdair Morgan, Fergus Ewing, Mr David Davidson, Mr Lloyd Quinan, Mr Murray Tosh S1M-141 Irene McGugan: Skye Bridge—That the Parliament requires the Transport and Environment Committee to inquire into all aspects of the finance, construction and operation of the Skye Bridge, including the relevant toll order and assignation statement. Supported by: Mr John Munro, Michael Russell, Dr Winnie Ewing, Mr Kenny MacAskill, Mr Jamie Stone, Brian Adam, Linda Fabiani, Fiona McLeod, Alasdair Morgan S1M-138 Tavish Scott: Highlands and Islands Passenger Transport Authority—That the Parliament requires the Transport and Environment Committee to consider and make recommendations on the establishment of a Highlands and Islands Passenger Transport Authority, to oversee Caledonian MacBrayne, Northern Isles Shipping services, Highlands and Islands Rail, Bus and Air services and other Highlands and Islands transport needs, as a first step in delivering integrated rural transport policy. Supported by: Mr Jamie Stone, George Lyon, Mr John Munro S1M-136# Mr Jamie Stone: Sheep Industry—That the Parliament acknowledges the current crisis in the sheep industry in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross following this summer’s lamb sales in the constituency. Supported by: Mr John Munro, George Lyon, Euan Robson, Nora Radcliffe, Robert Brown, Fergus Ewing S1M-133# Dr Elaine Murray: Crisis in Scottish Agriculture—That the Parliament notes the severe problems of Scottish agriculture, in particular in the hill farming and pig sectors, and calls upon the Scottish Executive to give urgent consideration to measures to alleviate the immediate problems, while developing strategies to stabilise the industry in the longer term. Supported by: Richard Lochhead, David Mundell, Alex FergussonR, Irene McGugan, Mr Murray Tosh S1M-129# Michael Matheson: Services to Victims of Crime—That the Parliament recognises that support services to victims of crime within Central Scotland are extremely variable and calls upon the Minister for Justice to review present support and information services for victims of crime, and to introduce a victims’ charter at an early opportunity. Supported by: Ms Sandra White, Richard Lochhead, Mr Adam Ingram, Mrs Margaret Ewing, Dorothy-Grace Elder, Kay Ullrich, Robin Harper, Mr Duncan Hamilton, Tricia Marwick, Dr Winnie Ewing, Andrew Wilson, Mr Kenneth Gibson, Mr Lloyd Quinan, Michael Russell, Alex Neil, Mrs Lyndsay McIntosh, Linda Fabiani, Fiona McLeod, Alasdair Morgan, Mr Gil Paterson, Christine Grahame S1M-128# Allan Wilson: Regional Selective Assistance—That the Parliament calls for the retention and development of the regional selective assistance priority scheme in areas of high and persistent unemployment. Supported by: Rhoda Grant, Hugh Henry, George Lyon, Cathy Jamieson, Mike Watson, Richard Lochhead, Mr Kenneth Gibson, Paul Martin S1M-125 Dennis Canavan: East Timor—That the Parliament expresses solidarity with the people of East Timor, the overwhelming majority of whom voted for independence in the recent referendum; condemns those who are attempting to use violence to deny the democratic rights of the people of East Timor, and calls on the international community, through the United Nations, to take all necessary action to ensure full respect for human rights and democracy in East Timor. Supported by: Mr John McAllion, Ms Sandra White, Donald Gorrie, Alex Neil, Robin Harper, Tommy Sheridan, Dr Winnie Ewing, Mr Jamie McGrigor, Dr Elaine Murray, Nicola Sturgeon, Mrs Margaret Smith, Hugh Henry, Mr Michael McMahon, Mrs Margaret Ewing, Tricia Marwick, Michael Russell, Richard Lochhead, Ian Jenkins, Alex Fergusson, Fiona Hyslop, Mr Kenneth Gibson, Andrew Wilson, Mr Murray Tosh, Fergus Ewing, Fiona McLeod S1M-123# Michael Russell: Lanarkshire Eviction Threat—That the Parliament condemns the actions of Mr Brian Hamilton, the so called ‘Raider of the Lost Titles’, whose present attempt to evict Mr and Mrs Baxter of Auchenheath, Lanarkshire on 23 September, because of a feudal title which was vulnerable to challenge, typifies the suffering caused by leasehold casualties and other anomalies of the feudal system and calls upon the Scottish Ministers to take early action to prevent yet more misery for ordinary people who are blameless but often defenceless in the face of such opportunistic use of the archaic land laws. Supported by: Tricia Marwick, Alasdair Morgan, Mr Adam Ingram, Robin Harper, Irene McGugan, Richard Lochhead, Alex Neil, Mr Kenneth Gibson, Andrew Wilson, Ms Sandra White, Linda Fabiani, Fergus Ewing S1M-119 Mr Alex Salmond: East Timor—That the Parliament expresses its appreciation of the work of the international observers during the East Timor referendum, including that of Linda Fabiani MSP who was sponsored by War on Want to join the United Nations team, and calls on the United Nations to take whatever steps are necessary to provide a peace-keeping force in order that the result of the referendum can be honoured, the people of East Timor freed of persecution and the violent actions of an anti-democratic minority stamped out. Supported by: Mrs Margaret Ewing, Mr Duncan Hamilton, Michael Matheson, Michael Russell, Bruce Crawford, Mr Lloyd Quinan, Tricia Marwick, Fiona Hyslop, Dennis Canavan, Alex Neil, Kay Ullrich, Robin Harper, Dr Winnie Ewing, Christine Grahame, Nicola Sturgeon, Irene McGugan, Richard Lochhead, Mr Kenneth Gibson, Fergus Ewing, Mr John Swinney, Andrew Wilson, Fiona McLeod S1M-117 Michael Russell: Act of Settlement—That the Parliament believes that the discrimination contained in the Act of Settlement has no place in our modern society, expresses its wish that those discriminatory aspects of the Act be repealed, and affirms its view that Scottish society must not disbar participation in any aspect of our national life on the grounds of religion. Supported by: Dennis Canavan, Donald Gorrie, Robin Harper, Pauline McNeill, Ben Wallace, Brian Adam, Michael Matheson, Kay Ullrich, Mr Duncan Hamilton, Mr David Davidson, Tricia Marwick, Richard Lochhead, Dr Winnie Ewing, Mrs Margaret Smith, Andrew Wilson, Mr Lloyd Quinan, Linda Fabiani, Tommy Sheridan, Nora Radcliffe, Mr Murray Tosh, Christine Grahame*, Mr Adam Ingram*, Irene McGugan* S1M-114 Robin Harper: Genetically Modified Crops—That the Parliament recognises the widespread opposition to growing genetically modified crops and calls upon the Scottish Executive to introduce urgently a moratorium on the planting of genetically modified crops in Scotland. Supported by: Brian Adam, Ms Margo MacDonald, Alasdair Morgan, Irene McGugan, Michael Russell, Mr Duncan Hamilton, Dennis Canavan, Dr Winnie Ewing, Andrew Wilson, Tommy Sheridan, Linda Fabiani, Fergus Ewing S1M-97 Ms Margo MacDonald: Cannabis and the Scottish Criminal Justice System—That the Parliament calls upon the Scottish Executive, in consultation with the Parliament, to establish a Commission of experts and lay persons to examine and report on social and medical factors which might require changes to be made to Scots Law and the working of the Scottish criminal justice system in relation to the use of cannabis in Scotland. Supported by: Alex Neil, Dennis Canavan, Mr Lloyd Quinan, Tommy Sheridan, Robin Harper, Christine Grahame, Irene McGugan, Mr Adam Ingram, Mr John Munro, Mr Jamie Stone, Donald Gorrie, Robert Brown, Linda Fabiani, Mr Keith Raffan, Andrew Wilson BUSINESS BULLETIN 72/1999 Thursday 14 October 1999 Section G - Bills, amendments to Bills and proposals for members’ Bills New Bill introduced on 8 October 1999 Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Bill - A Bill for an Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision as to the property, financial affairs and personal welfare of adults who are incapable by reason of mental disorder or inability to communicate; and for connected purposes. (SP Bill 5) (Executive Bill) Introduced by: Mr Jim Wallace Supported by: Susan Deacon, Angus Mackay, Iain Gray Explanatory Notes (and other accompanying documents) (SP Bill 5-EN) and a Policy Memorandum (SP Bill 5-PM) were printed to accompany the Bill. Proposals for Members’ Bills Names marked with an asterisk (*) are new names of support. Proposals that have attracted 11 supporters have those supporters’ names shown in bold. The member who lodged such a proposal has the right to introduce a Member’s Bill to give effect to that proposal under rule 9.14. Robert Brown: Proposed Prevention of Homelessness Bill—Proposal for a Bill to amend the law, including the Conveyancing and Feudal Reform (Scotland) Act 1970 and the Housing (Scotland) Acts 1987 and 1988, to help prevent avoidable homelessness by (a) enabling courts to consider personal and financial circumstances and the need to prevent homelessness before granting mortgage and tenancy repossession orders; (b) imposing a requirement on housing authorities to provide permanent and suitable, rather than temporary, accommodation to homeless persons in priority need, and providing a right of appeal to the sheriff from homelessness decisions; and (c) imposing a duty on all registered social landlords to co-operate with local authorities in preventing homelessness. (lodged 15 September 1999). Supported by: Mike Rumbles, Keith Raffan, Euan Robson, Nora Radcliffe, Donald Gorrie, Tavish Scott, John Farquhar Munro, Jamie Stone, Tommy Sheridan, Ms Margo MacDonald, Robin Harper, Ms Nicola Sturgeon, Ian Jenkins, Fiona McLeod, Sandra White* Cathie Craigie: Proposed Mortgage Rights Bill—Proposal for a Bill to enable a court to suspend certain rights of a mortgage lender in relation to the property of the borrower where the borrower is in default if such suspension would be reasonable in the circumstances of the case; to make provision about the rights of a tenant of such a borrower; and to enable the courts to adjourn proceedings to enforce those rights. (lodged 24 September 1999). Supported by: Kate Maclean, Duncan McNeil, Rhoda Grant, Maureen Macmillan, Karen Whitefield, Scott Barrie, Cathy Jamieson, Hugh Henry, Cathy Peattie, Allan Wilson, Trish Godman, Elaine Smith, Dr Sylvia Jackson, Kenneth MacIntosh, Margaret Curran, Tommy Sheridan, Lewis Macdonald, Dr Richard Simpson, Paul Martin, Janis Hughes, Malcolm Chisholm BUSINESS BULLETIN 72/1999 Thursday 14 October 1999 Section H - New Documents Subordinate Legislation Negative Instruments The following instrument was laid before the Parliament on 8 October 1999 and is subject to annulment— The Organic Aid (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/107)— laid under the European Communities Act 1972 Committee Reports The following Report was published on 11 October 1999— Equal Opportunities Committee, 1st Report, 1999: ‘The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry – an Action Plan for Scotland’ (SP Paper 15) European Documents Members wishing to see a list of European documents received in the Parliament should contact the clerks to the European Committee (stephen.imrie@scottish.parliament.uk). Members are reminded that a complete set of all documents received is held by the Document Supply Centre and copies can be made available on request. BUSINESS BULLETIN 72/1999 Thursday 14 October 1999 Section J - 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 Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Bill Introduced 6 October 1999 Abolition of Poindings and Warrant Sales Bill Introduced 24 September 1999 Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Bill Introduced 8 October 1999 Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 Completed 30 September 1999 Subordinate legislation in progress (date of laying) (Lead Committee) Negative Instruments Subject to annulment until 26 October 1999— The Spreadable Fats (Marketing Standards) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/34) (3 September 1999) (Health and Community Care) The Environmental Impact Assessment (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/43) (3 September 1999) (Transport and Environment) Subject to annulment until 1 November 1999— The Criminal Legal Aid (Fixed Payments) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/48) (9 September 1999) (Justice and Home Affairs) The Food Protection (Emergency Prohibitions) (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning) (Orkney) Partial Revocation (Scotland) Order 1999 (SSI 1999/49)— The Scottish Dental Practice Board Amendment Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/52)— (9 September 1999) (Health and Community Care) Subject to annulment until 2 November 1999— The National Health Service (General Dental Services) (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/51)— The National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunal) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/53)— The National Health Service (General Medical Services) (Scotland) Amendment (No.4) Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/54)— The National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/55)— The Health Act 1999 (Fund-holding Practices) (Transfer of Assets, Savings, Rights and Liabilities and Transitional Provisions) (Scotland) Order 1999 (SSI 1999/56)— The National Health Service (Pharmaceutical Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/57)— (10 September 1999) (Health and Community Care) The Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Fireplaces) (Scotland) Order 1999 (SSI 1999/58) (10 September 1999) (Transport and Environment) Subject to annulment until 5 November 1999— The Road Traffic (Permitted Parking Area and Special Parking Area) (City of Glasgow) Designation Order 1999 (SSI 1999/59)— The Road Traffic (Parking Adjudicators) (City of Glasgow) Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/60)— The Road Traffic Act 1991 (Amendment of Schedule 3) (Scotland) Order 1999 (SSI 1999/61)— The Parking Attendants (Wearing of Uniforms) (City of Glasgow Parking Area) Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/62)— (13 September 1999) (Transport and Environment) Subject to annulment until 6 November 1999— The National Health Service (Travelling Expenses and Remission of Charges) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/63)— The National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) (Scotland) Amendment (No.2) Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/64)— (14 September 1999) (Health and Community Care) Subject to annulment until 9 November 1999— The Educational Development, Research and Services (Scotland) Grant Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/65) (17 September 1999) (Education, Culture and Sport) Subject to annulment until 23 November 1999— The Lobsters and Crawfish (Prohibition of Fishing and Landing) (Scotland) Order 1999 (SSI 1999/88) (1 October 1999) Subject to annulment until 30 November 1999— The Organic Aid (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1999 (SSI 1999/107)— (8 October 1999) Committee Business Dates indicate when the next meeting is due to take place on the relevant subject. Audit 26 October Education, Culture and Sport 3 November Enterprise and Lifelong Learning 20 October Equal Opportunities 2 November European 19 October Finance 26 October Health and Community Care 14 October Justice and Home Affairs 26 October Local Government 27 October Procedures 2 November Public Petitions 2 November Rural Affairs 2 November Social Inclusion, Housing and Voluntary Sector 27 October Standards 25 October Subordinate Legislation 25 October Transport and Environment 3 November [CENSORED: table inserted here in original giving contact information] This work is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. The SCOTS Project and the University of Glasgow do not necessarily endorse, support or recommend the views expressed in this document. Document source: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/businessBulletin/bb-99/ab-10-14.htm Information about document and author: Text Text audience General public: Audience size: 1000+ Text details Method of composition: Wordprocessed Year of composition: 1999 Word count: 7568 General description: Business Bulletin. See http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/businessBulletin/index.htm Text medium Web (webpages, discussion boards, newsgroups, chat rooms): Text publication details Published: Publisher: Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Publication year: 1999 Place of publication: www.scottish.parliament.uk Text setting Government/politics: Text type Prose: nonfiction: Author Author details Author id: 908 Surname: Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body