Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 2.15 pm.
1. Time for Reflection: Professor Leonard Swidler, Global Dialogue Institute, Temple University, Philadelphia, led Time for Reflection.
2. SPCB Question Time: Questions were answered by members of the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body.
3. Ministerial Statement: The Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution (Michael Russell) made a statement and answered questions on Broadcasting.
4. Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill: Patrick Harvie moved S3M-3694—That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill.
After debate, the motion was agreed to (DT).
5. UK Welfare Reform Bill - UK Legislation: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon) moved S3M-3653—That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill, introduced in the House of Commons on 14 January 2009, relating to a Right to Control for disabled people, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, should be considered by the UK Parliament.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
6. Marine and Coastal Access Bill - UK Legislation: The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment (Richard Lochhead) moved S3M-3614—That the Parliament agrees that the relevant provisions of the UK Marine and Coastal Access Bill introduced in the House of Lords on 4 December 2008, relating to the marine policy statement, marine planning, marine licensing, marine conservation zones and enforcement powers, so far as these matters fall within the legislative competence of the Scottish Parliament, or alter the executive competence of the Scottish Ministers, should be considered by the UK Parliament.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3717—That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 25 March 2009
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee Debate: Review of Section 6 of the Code of Conduct (Cross-Party Groups)
followed by Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee Debate: Changes to the Code of Conduct Arising from the Reimbursement of Members’ Expenses Scheme
followed by Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee Debate: Review of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct
followed by Announcement of Appointment of Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Local Government Finance Act 1992 (Scotland) Amendment Order 2009
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 26 March 2009
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Business
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister’s Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Rural Affairs and the Environment;
Justice and Law Officers
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: Supporting Economic Recovery
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Wednesday 1 April 2009
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Business
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
Thursday 2 April 2009
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Business
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Finance and Sustainable Growth
2.55 pm Scottish Government Business
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members’ Business
After debate, the motion was agreed to (by division: For 97, Against 18, Abstentions 0).
8. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3718—That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1 be completed by 9 October 2009.
The motion was agreed to.
9. Approval of SSI: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3719—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Budget (Scotland) Acts 2007 and 2008 Amendment Order 2009 be approved.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
10. Approval of SSI: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3720—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Regulation of Care (Scotland) Act 2001 (Minimum Frequency of Inspections) Order 2009 be approved.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
11. Approval of SSI: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3721—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Regulation of Care (Fitness to Register, Provide and Manage Care Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 be approved.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
12. Approval of SSI: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3722—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Representation of the People (Postal Voting for Local Government Elections) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2009 be approved.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
13. Committee Remit: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3723—That the Parliament agrees that the remit of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee be amended to—
To consider and report on (a) further and higher education, lifelong learning, schools, pre-school care, skills and other matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning; and (b) matters relating to culture and the arts falling within the responsibility of the Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
14. Committee Remit: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3724—That the Parliament agrees that the remit of the Health and Sport Committee be amended to—
To consider and report on (a) health policy and the NHS in Scotland and other matters falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing; and (b) matters relating to sport falling within the responsibility of the Minister for Public Health and Sport.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
15. Committee Remit: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-3725—That the Parliament agrees that the remit of the Local Government and Communities Committee be amended to—
To consider and report on (a) the financing and delivery of local government and local services and planning; and (b) housing, regeneration, anti-poverty measures and other matters falling within the responsibility of the Minister for Housing and Communities.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
16. Decision Time: The Parliament took decisions on items 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15, as noted above.
17. Support for Computer Games Development: The Parliament debated S3M-3311 in the name of Joe FitzPatrick—That the Parliament notes with concern the comments of Colin Macdonald, Studio Manager for Dundee-based computer games developer Realtime Worlds, who recently expressed concern for the future of the industry; recognises that despite the current economic situation the computer games industry is continuing to grow, however that in terms of games development the United Kingdom is falling behind; notes that UK firms must pay tax on research and development, while in countries such as Canada and France rebates are given; further notes the importance to the economy of Dundee and Scotland of computer games developers who have produced award-winning titles such as Crackdown, which recently sold over 1.5 million units, and believes that games development in Scotland will suffer under the current tax regime.
The meeting closed at 5.48 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
18 March 2009
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
Subordinate Legislation
Negative Instruments
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 13 March 2009 and are subject to annulment—
The Act of Sederunt (Fees of Shorthand Writers in the Sheriff Court) (Amendment) 2009 (SSI 2009/103)
laid under section 40 of the Sheriff Courts (Scotland) Act 1907
The Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 (Designation of Participating Countries) (Scotland) Order 2009 (SSI 2009/106)
laid under section 51(2)(b) of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003
The Enforcement of Fines etc. (Diligence) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/110)
laid under section 226F(8) of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act 1995
Other Documents
The following documents were laid before the Parliament on 17 March 2009 and are not subject to any parliamentary procedure—
Aberdeen College Financial Statements for the year to 31 July 2008 (SG/2009/33)—
Adam Smith College, Fife Annual Accounts for the 12 months ended 31 July 2008 (SG/2009/34)—
Angus College 2007-08 Report and Financial Statements (SG/2009/35)—
Anniesland College Report & Accounts 31 July 2008 (SG/2009/36)—
Ayr College Report of the Board of Management and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2008 (SG/2009/37)—
Banff and Buchan College of Further Education Accounts for the year ended 31 July 2008 (SG/2009/38)—
Borders College Report and Financial Statements for year ended 31 July 2008 (SG/2009/39)—
Carnegie College Annual Accounts 2007-08 (SG/2009/40)—
Central College Board of Management Report and Financial Statements 2007-08 (SG/2009/41)—
Clydebank College Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2008 (SG/2009/42)—
Coatbridge College Report of the Board of Management and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2008 (SG/2009/43)—
Cumbernauld College Report and Financial Statements of the Board of Management year ended 31 July 2008 (SG/2009/44)—
laid under section 22(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000
Committee Reports
The following report was published on 13th March 2009
Local Government and Communities Committee, 6th Report, 2009 (Session 3): Report on Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 235)
The following reports were published on 18 March 2009—
Justice Committee, 8th Report, 2009 (Session 3): Report on Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 237)
Subordinate Legislation Committee, 19th Report, 2009 (Session 3): Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 238)