Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 2.30 pm.
1. Time for Reflection: Father Paul Francis Spencer, Saint Mungo’s Church, Glasgow led Time for Reflection.
Ministerial Statement: The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney) made a statement and answered questions on the Scottish Futures Trust.
2. Climate Change: The Parliament debated the subject of Climate Change.
3. Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-2010—That the Parliament agrees the following programme of business—
Wednesday 4 June 2008
2.30 pm Time for Reflection
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Drugs Strategy
followed by Business Motion
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Thursday 5 June 2008
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Government Debate: Remote and Rural Health Care
11.40 am General Question Time
12 noon First Minister's Question Time
2.15 pm Themed Question Time
Justice and Law Officers;
Rural Affairs and the Environment
2.55 pm Scottish Government Debate: Investment in Scottish Infrastructure
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
Wednesday 11 June 2008
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 12 June 2008
9.15 am Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Scottish Labour Party 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 Parliamentary Bureau Motions
followed by Stage 3 Proceedings: Public Health etc. (Scotland) Bill
followed by Parliamentary Bureau Motions
5.00 pm Decision Time
followed by Members' Business
The motion was agreed to.
Business Motion: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-1997—That the Parliament agrees that consideration of the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Bill at Stage 2 be completed by 20 June 2008.
The motion was agreed to.
Approval of SSI: Bruce Crawford, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, moved S3M-1998—That the Parliament agrees that the draft Fundable Bodies (The Scottish Agricultural College) (Scotland) Order 2008 be approved.
The motion was agreed to (DT).
Decision Time: The Parliament took a decision on item 6 as noted above.
Fuel Costs: The Parliament debated S3M-1705 in the name of Alasdair Allan—That the Parliament notes that the price of diesel is now over £1.30 in the Western Isles and across Scotland’s island and remote communities, making it probably the most expensive diesel in the western world; further notes that fuel costs now represent an ever increasing burden in the Western and Northern Isles, not least for businesses and fishermen, some of whom report 80% increases in diesel costs in the last two years; notes that the main company delivering fuel to the islands deposits fuel at differing costs at different ports on the west coast despite the fact that the same vessel is used; notes the irony of an oil-producing nation putting its motorists, businesses, fishermen and rural businesses in this impossible position, and finally notes the various measures that exist in parts of France, which make cuts in fuel duty in the remotest areas.
Motion without Notice: Alasdair Allan moved without notice that, under Rule 8.14.3, the debate be extended until 6.07 pm. The motion was agreed to/disagreed to.
The meeting closed at 6.07 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
28 May 2008
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
New Bills introduced or reprinted on 19 May 2008
Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Bill—A Bill for an Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision about the aggravation of offences by prejudice relating to disability or to sexual orientation or transgender identity. (SP Bill 9) (Member’s Bill)
Introduced by: Patrick Harvie
Explanatory Notes (and other accompanying documents) (SP Bill 9-EN) and a Policy Memorandum (SP Bill 9-PM) were printed to accompany the Bill.
Committee Reports
The following report was published on 28 May 2008
Justice Committee, 12th Report, 2008 (Session 3): Report on Subordinate Legislation (SP Paper 102)