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Anderson Strathern Parliamentary Bulletin

Monday 25 June 2007

 

COMMITTEE BUSINESS

 

Justice Committee
26 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 10.30 am in Committee Room 1

 

1. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will consider whether to take item 4 in private.

 

2. Scottish Executive priorities for the Justice portfolio: The Committee will take evidence from—

 

Kenny MacAskill MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice;

 

Allan Johnson, Deputy Director for Safer Communities, Scottish Executive;

 

Frances Wood, Team Leader for Community Safety and Anti-Social Behaviour, Scottish Executive;

 

Paul Cackette, Head of Division, Civil Law, Scottish Executive;

 

Louise Miller, Head of Division, Access to Justice, Scottish Executive; and

 

George Burgess, Head of Division, Criminal Law, Scottish Executive.

 

3. Serious Crime Bill (UK Parliament legislation): The Committee will consider the legislative consent memorandum lodged by Kenny MacAskill MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice (LCM(S3) 2.2).

 

4. Work programme: The Committee will consider its work programme.

 

Finance Committee
26 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 2.00 pm in Committee Room 2

 

 

1. Declaration of interests: Tom McCabe and Alex Neil will be invited to declare any relevant interests.

 

2. Budget adviser (in private): The Committee will consider potential candidates for the position of adviser to the Committee on the budget process.

 

Public Petitions Committee
26 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 2.00 pm in Committee Room 1

 

1. New Petitions: The Committee will consider the following new petitions—

 

PE1034 Post-legislative monitoring body for Private Bills. The petitioner will make a brief statement to the Committee in support of this petition accompanied by Alison Bourne.

 

PE1040 Bingo Industry. The petitioners will make a brief statement to the

Committee in support of this petition accompanied by Sir Peter Fry and Andrew McIntyre.

 

PE1037 To amend the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005.

 

PE1042 To review the smoking prohibition and control provisions of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005.

 

2. Current Petitions: The Committee will further consider the following current petitions—

 

PE616 Health and safety hazards caused by seagulls in urban areas. The Committee will consider what further action to take in relation to this petition.

 

PE695 Accessible local transport available to disabled people. The Committee will consider responses from the Scottish Executive and the petitioner.

 

PE767 Fatal Accident Inquiries. The Committee will consider a response from the petitioner.

 

PE829 The impact of the housing stock transfer on Scottish communities. The Committee will consider responses received from the Scottish Executive and the petitioner.

 

PE858 Protection of ancient woodland. The Committee will consider a response from the petitioner.

 

PE991 Pingat Jasa Medal. The Committee will consider responses from the Cabinet Office and the petitioner.

 

PE997 Mothers for Justice. The Committee will consider responses from Scottish Women’s Aid, Families Need Fathers Scotland, Judicial Studies Committee, Scottish Court Service, Law Society of Scotland, Association of Directors of Social Work, Victim Support Scotland, the Scottish Executive and the petitioner.

 

PE1000 Availability of cheap alcohol. The Committee will consider the progress of this petition.

 

PE1001 Council tax payment. The Committee will consider responses from Dumfries and Galloway Council, the Scottish Executive and the petitioner.

 

PE1003 Shetland shellfish order. The Committee will consider responses from Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, Shetland Shellfish Management Organisation, North Atlantic Fisheries College, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Executive and the petitioner.

 

PE1004 Environmental impact of animal gasification plants. The Committee will consider responses from Friends of the Earth Scotland, SEPA, Sacone Environmental Limited, Angus Council, Health and Safety Scotland, the Scottish Executive and the petitioner.

 

Proposed future business

The Committee will consider its future business during the summer recess.

 

Procedures Committee
26 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 2.15 pm in Committee Room 4

 

1. Declaration of interests: Members of the Committee will be invited to declare any relevant interests.

 

2. Choice of Convener: The Committee will choose a Convener.

 

3. Choice of Deputy Convener: The Committee will choose a Deputy Convener.

 

4. Approach to developing a work programme: The Committee will consider its approach to developing a work programme.

 

5. Proposed meeting of the Procedures Committee and the Standards and Public Appointments Committee: The Committee will consider a letter from the Parliamentary Bureau recommending that the Committee examine the case for merging the Committees.

 

Subordinate Legislation Committee
26 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 2.15 pm in Committee Room 6

 

1. Draft instruments subject to approval: The Committee will consider the following—

 

the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 (Variation of Age Limit for Sale of Tobacco etc. and Consequential Modifications) Order 2007, (SSI 2007/draft); and

 

the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Amendment (No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/draft).

 

2. Instruments subject to annulment: The Committee will consider the following—

 

the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/304);

 

the Bovine Semen (Scotland) Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/330);

 

the Gambling Act 2005 (Premises Licences and Provisional Statements) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/332);

 

the Vegetable Seeds Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/305);

 

the Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/306);

 

the European Fisheries Fund (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/307);

 

the Gambling Act 2005 (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/309);

 

the Cattle Identification (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/312);

 

the Education (Publication and Consultation Etc.) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/315);

 

the Health Protection Agency (Scottish Health Functions) Amendment Order 2007, (SSI 2007/316);

 

the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/317);

 

the Adults with Incapacity (Public Guardian’s Fees) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/320);

 

the Sports Grounds and Sporting Events (Designation) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2007, (SSI 2007/324);

 

the Spreadable Fats (Marketing Standards) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/303);

 

the Gambling Act 2005 (Fees No. 2) (Scotland) Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/311);

 

the Licensing (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/313);

the Plant Health Fees (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/314);

 

the Sheriff Court Fees Amendment Order 2007, (SSI 2007/318);

 

the Court of Session etc. Fees Amendment Order 2007, (SSI 2007/319);

 

the High Court of Justiciary Fees Amendment Order 2007, (SSI 2007/321);

 

the Discontinuance of Low Moss Prison (Scotland) Order 2007, (SSI 2007/322);

and

 

the Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and Other Substances (Scotland) Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/325).

 

3. Instruments not laid before the Parliament: The Committee will consider the following—

 

the Aquaculture and Fisheries (Scotland) Act 2007 (Commencement and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007, (SSI 2007/333);

 

the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Commencement No. 5, Savings and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007, (SSI 2007/270);

 

Act of Adjournal (Criminal Procedure Rules Amendment No. 3) (Miscellaneous) 2007, (SSI 2007/276);

 

Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session Amendment No. 4) (Personal Injuries Actions etc.) 2007, (SSI 2007/282);

 

Act of Sederunt (Rules of the Court of Session Amendment No. 5) (Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) 2007, (SSI 2007/283);

 

the Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2004 (Commencement No. 5, Savings and Transitional Provisions) Order 2007, (SSI 2007/329); and

 

the Crofting Reform etc. Act 2007 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2007, (SSI 2007/269).

 

Proposed future business

At its next meeting, it is expected that the Committee will consider Scottish statutory instruments and any other documents subject to Parliamentary procedure.

 

European and External Relations Committee
26 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 3.00 pm in Committee Room 5

 

1. Declaration of interests: Members of the Committee will be invited to declare any relevant interests.

 

2. Scottish Executive European and external relations policies: The Committee will take evidence on the Scottish Executive’s EU and external relations policies from—

 

Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture.

 

Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee
27 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 9.00 am in Committee Room 4

 

1. Declaration of interests: Gavin Brown will be invited to declare any relevant interests.

 

2. Approach to developing a work programme: The Committee will take evidence from—

 

Jim Mather MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, and Graeme Dickson, Director of Enterprise, Energy and Tourism, Scottish Executive.

 

3. Proposed energy efficiency and micro-generation bill: The Committee will consider the proposer’s statement of reasons why a case for the proposed bill has already been established.

 

4. Business in the Parliament conference: The Committee will consider plans for a business in the Parliament conference in early 2008.

 

Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee
27 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 9.15 am in Committee Room 5

 

1. Declaration of interests: Christina McKelvie MSP will be invited to declare any relevant interests

 

2. Development of work programme: The Committee will take evidence on the Scottish Executive’s priorities in relation to education, lifelong learning and culture from—

 

Linda Fabiani MSP, Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture and Greig Chalmers, Culture and Gaelic Division, Scottish Executive.

 

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Donald Henderson, Head of Teachers’ Division, Colin MacLean, Director, Children and Young People and Mark Batho, Director, Lifelong Learning, Scottish Executive.

 

Proposed future business

At its next meeting in September it is expected that the Committee will continue consideration of its work programme.

 

Local Government and Communities Committee
27 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 9.00 am in Committee Room 3

 

1. Approach to developing a work programme: The Committee will take evidence from—

 

Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing;

Not before 10.00 am

 

and then from—

 

John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth.

 

2. Frequency of Meetings: The Committee will consider the frequency of its future meetings.

 

Audit Committee
27 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 1

 

1. Declaration of interests: Willie Coffey MSP will be invited to declare any relevant interests.

 

2. Decisions on taking business in private: The Committee will consider whether to take agenda items 6 and 7 in private.

 

3. Audit Scotland annual report and work programme: The Committee will receive a briefing from the Auditor General for Scotland on the Audit Scotland annual report for 2006-07 and Audit Scotland’s work programme for the period Autumn 2007 to Spring 2008.

 

4. Edinburgh transport projects review: The Committee will receive a briefing from the Auditor General for Scotland on his report entitled "Edinburgh transport projects review" (AGS/2007/2).

 

5. Section 22 Reports: The Committee will receive a briefing from the Auditor General for Scotland on the Section 22 reports entitled "The 2005/06 Audit of James Watt College" and "The 2005/06 Audit of Inverness College".

 

6. Edinburgh transport projects review: The Committee will consider its approach to the AGS report entitled "Edinburgh transport projects review" (AGS/2007/2).

 

7. Section 22 Reports: The Committee will consider its approach to the section 22 reports entitled "The 2005/06 Audit of James Watt College" and "The 2005/06 Audit of Inverness College".

 

Rural Affairs and Environment Committee
27 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 10.00 am in Committee Room 6

 

1. Priorities of the Scottish Executive: The Committee will take evidence from—

 

Richard Lochhead MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and accompanying officials.

 

2. Work programme: The Committee will consider what further briefing it requires to inform discussion of its work programme at its forthcoming away day.

 

3. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following negative instruments—

 

the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/304);

 

the Vegetable Seeds Amendment (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/305);

 

the Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels in Crops, Food and Feeding Stuffs) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/306);

 

the European Fisheries Fund (Grants) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/307);

 

the Cattle Identification (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/312);

 

the Plant Health Fees (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/314);

and

 

the Bovine Semen (Scotland) Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/330).

 

Proposed future business

The Committee’s next meeting will be in early September where the Committee is expected to agree its future work programme.

 

Health and Sport Committee
27 June 2007

The Committee will meet at 10.15 am in Committee Room 2

 

1. Declaration of interests: Michael Matheson MSP and Karen Gillon MSP will be invited to declare any relevant interests.

 

2. Decision on taking business in private: The Committee will consider whether to take item 7 in private.

 

3. Scottish Executive priorities for Health and Wellbeing: The Committee will take evidence from—

 

Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing.

 

4. Subordinate legislation: The Committee will consider the following instruments—

 

the Spreadable Fats (Marketing Standards) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007 (SSI 2007/303);

 

the Health Protection Agency (Scottish Health Functions) Amendment Order 2007 (SSI 2007/316);

 

the National Health Service (Charges for Drugs and Appliances) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/317); and,

 

the Addition of Vitamins, Minerals and Other Substances (Scotland) Regulations 2007, (SSI 2007/325).

 

5. Subordinate Legislation: The Committee will consider responses to the Scottish Executive’s consultation on the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Act 2005 (Variation of Age Limit for Sale of Tobacco etc. and Consequential Modifications) Order 2007, (SSI 2007/draft).

 

6. Appointment of a Budget Adviser: The Committee will consider appointing a Budget Adviser to assist in its consideration of the Scottish Budget.

 

7. Committee Away Day: The Committee will discuss plans for an away day to assist in the planning of its future work programme.

 

Proposed future business

The next meeting of the Health and Sport Committee is not expected until after the recess period.

 

Scottish Commission for Public Audit
1st Meeting, 2007 (Session 3)

The Commission will meet at 12.45 pm in Committee Room 5

 

1. Choice of Convener: The Commission will choose a Convener.

 

2. Work Programme: The Commission will consider its work programme.